Teaching Profession

Why State Delegations Vote Together

By Stephen Sawchuk — July 03, 2011 1 min read
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Ever wonder how the NEA’s state affiliates keep their members in line on votes on new business items and the like?

Each state delegation designates someone who holds up signs indicating whether delegates should shout “aye” or “no” at the opportune moment. Also, a green “yes” or red “no” sign can specify whether the opinion is that of the state affiliate’s leadership or its caucus. There’s also a “your choice” sign.

Delegates aren’t bound by these indicators, one of the sign-holders explained to me, but it helps explain why so many votes go down according to state lines.

Photo: “Yes” and “no” signs are ready for use by the New Jersey delegation. (Stephen Sawchuk/Education Week)

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A version of this news article first appeared in the Teacher Beat blog.