PRESS RELEASE

14 Volusia County Unions
Endorse Susan Pynchon for Supervisor of Elections

The Volusia/Flagler Chapter of the Central Florida AFL-CIO and its affiliated member unions, individually, have endorsed Susan Pynchon for Volusia County Supervisor of Elections.

“This Chapter of the AFL-CIO believes Susan Pynchon will do whatever it takes to ensure open and fair elections in Volusia County and the State of Florida,” said Stacy Stepanovich, President of the Volusia/Flagler Chapter of the Central Florida AFL-CIO.  “Her commitment to the accuracy and accessibility of our voting systems is clear.”

Ms. Pynchon is the executive director of Florida Fair Elections Coalition, a grassroots election reform organization that she founded in 2004.  She is running against one-term incumbent, Ann McFall, in the November 4, 2008, general election.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of the working men and women of these 14 unions,” Ms. Pynchon said. “Elections are the cornerstone of our democracy. When elected I will do everything possible to ensure that all votes in Volusia County are counted fairly and accurately.”

In 2000, one Volusia County voting machine, in a precinct with 585 registered voters, subtracted 16,022 votes for Presidential candidate Al Gore and added almost 3,000 votes for Presidential candidate George W. Bush.  The problem was attributed to a corrupted memory card, which is the “electronic ballot box” that holds the vote totals.  Memory card failures have plagued the county ever since.

“I am committed to holding vendors accountable for persistent machine and memory card problems, strengthening security procedures, and other positive measures,” Ms. Pynchon said.  “It’s time for Volusia County to end its long history of election problems.”

The local unions that have endorsed Susan Pynchon’s campaign for Supervisor of Elections are:

• AFL-CIO –  American Federation of Labor • Congress of Industrial Organizations (Volusia/Flagler Chapter of the Central Florida AFL-CIO)
• AFT 1605 – American Federation of Teachers -- Volusia Teacher’s Organization
• UA 295 – United Association (Plumbers and Pipefitters)
• AFT 7468 – American Federation of Teachers -- Volusia Educational Support Association
• APWU 172 – American Postal Workers Union
• CWA 3102 – Communication Workers of America
• IBEW 756—International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
• IBEW 1066—International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
• Ironworkers
• SMWIA 15 – Sheet Metal Workers International Association
• UAW-TOP – United Auto Workers (Technical Office Professionals)
• UAW – United Auto Workers
• AFSCME 850 – American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees
• AFSCME 2066 – American Postal Workers