Home Media Center News Releases

Washington, D.C. — The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) has launched an “I Vote” social media campaign with its members to help boost voter turnout among federal employees. NTEU members, and others, participate by posting “I Am NTEU, I Vote” sign on their Facebook walls and encouraging others to take part in the 2012 election.

“With this simple statement, federal workers will not just declare their commitment to vote, but will also be reminding coworkers, friends and family to participate in the election,” NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley said. “In this digital age, more and more people turn to social media to express themselves and hear about the vital issues that impact them. As a result, research has found that people are more likely to vote when encouraged to by their friends on social media.”

A recent study led by the University of California, San Diego estimates about a third of a million more people voted in the United States in 2010 because of a single Facebook message. Additionally, the study found that voting is a “contagious” behavior among Facebook friends, with four voters being mobilized for every one voter declaring participation.

In addition to Facebook, NTEU members also have the option of printing out the signs and distributing those to family, friends and coworkers.

“No one is a greater champion of voting – not celebrities, not politicians, not union leaders – than an average American voter,” Kelley said. “So for this election, whether it is through an old-fashioned conversation or through their laptops, tablets or smartphones, our members can declare their pride in voting and remind their friends and family to make their voices heard in this election.”

As the largest independent federal union, NTEU represents 150,000 employees in 31 agencies and departments. For more information, contact Dina Long, NTEU Director of Communications.