Our voice. Our vote. Our power.

Throughout September, our AFA Government Affairs Committee highlighted how legislative advocacy impacts our work and daily lives as Flight Attendants. By breaking down the role of AFA Government Affairs, explaining the legislative process, encouraging civic engagement, and demonstrating the vital importance of FlightPAC, the campaign showed how our union’s voice is built at every level of government.

Now, as the 2026 midterm election approaches, we must turn that understanding into action. Every Flight Attendant needs the information and resources to participate, regardless of base or residence. From aviation safety standards and collective bargaining rights to healthcare and workplace protections, elections directly determine who represents us in decisions affecting our careers. With our unpredictable schedules and time away from home, planning ahead is critical to ensuring our collective voice is heard at the ballot box.

Why Elections Matter To Flight Attendants

AFA advocates on issues affecting Flight Attendants, including:

• Aviation safety and cabin air quality
• Collective bargaining rights and worker protections
• Fair wages, benefits, and retirement security
• Paid family and medical leave
• Workplace health and safety
• Federal aviation policy and regulatory oversight

As emphasized during our September Focus Month, Congress and other elected officials make pivotal decisions involving these exact priorities. Understanding the legislative process allows us to evaluate candidates effectively and hold decision-makers accountable. Participating in the 2026 midterm election is a direct extension of our union’s legislative advocacy, ensuring our work in Washington is backed by our strength at the ballot box.

Learn more about AFA’s legislative priorities: https://www.afacwa.org/vote

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR THOSE VOTING BY MAIL: Once you receive your ballot, complete it and mail it immediately or drop it off at designated ballot drop-off locations in your county. Do not wait until the last minute—prompt action helps ensure your vote is counted on time.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR THOSE WHO PREFER TO VOTE IN PERSON: We strongly encourage you to take advantage of early voting options. Given the unpredictable nature of Flight Attendant schedules, making a plan to vote early ensures unexpected trips or delays won’t keep you from making your voice heard.

Voting Resources 

AFA-CWA Vote 411: vote411.org/afacwa

ACLU Your Voting Rights: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/voting-rights#scenarios

Report any election issues: 

• 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) Call or text
• 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español)
• 1-888-API-VOTE (1-888-274-8683) (Asian multilingual assistance)

California Important Election Dates

• October 24: Early in-person voting begins at vote centers in Voter’s Choice Act counties
• October 31: Early voting locations available statewide
• November 3: Election Day – polls open 7 AM to 8 PM

Vote-by-Mail Reminder: Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by November 3 and received by November 10. However, PLEASE do not wait until the last minute. Mail your ballot right away after completing. Voters can also use official ballot drop boxes or return ballots in person at their polling location.

California Resources

• Secretary of State: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections
• Register to Vote: https://registertovote.ca.gov
• Check Registration: https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov
• Early Voting Locations: https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov

Washington Important Election Dates

• October 16 onward: Ballots mailed to registered voters. Please complete your ballots and mail right away or drop off at designated drop-off locations. 
• October 26: Deadline for online registration and receipt of mailed voter registration applications
• November 3: Election Day. In-person registration and voting available until 8 PM.

Vote-by-Mail Reminder: Washington conducts elections primarily by mail. Ballots must be postmarked by November 3 or deposited in an official ballot drop box by 8 PM on Election Day.

Official Washington Resources

• Secretary of State: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections
• Register, Update Registration, or Track Your Ballot: https://votewa.gov
• Election Dates and Deadlines: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/elections-calendar/dates-and-deadlines

Hawaii Important Election Dates

Hawaii conducts elections primarily by mail. Active registered voters automatically receive a mail ballot.

• October 16: Ballots expected to arrive in voters’ mailboxes
• October 20: Voter Service Centers open for early in-person voting and same-day registration
• October 20 to November 2: Early in-person voting available at designated centers (excluding Sundays; hours vary).
• October 26: Deadline for paper voter registration applications
• October 27: Deadline to request a ballot mailed to an alternate address
• November 3: Election Day. Voter Service Centers open for voting and same-day registration

IMPORTANT: Hawaii ballots must be RECEIVED by 7 PM Hawaii time on November 3. A November 3 postmark alone is not sufficient. Flight Attendants who have not mailed their ballots should consider an official ballot drop box or Voter Service Center to meet the deadline.

Official Hawaii Resources

• Hawaii Office of Elections: https://elections.hawaii.gov
• Register or Check Registration: https://olvr.hawaii.gov
• Voter Service Centers and Ballot Drop Boxes: https://elections.hawaii.gov/voter-service-centers-and-places-of-deposit/
• Track Your Ballot: https://hawaii.ballottrax.net/voter/

Flight Attendants Residing In Other States

A key takeaway from September’s civic engagement focus is that our strength relies on full participation across every council and domain. We recognize that our members reside throughout the United States and abroad, regardless of where they are assigned for work. The following resources are tailored to support Flight Attendants voting from any jurisdiction:

Your voting deadlines and eligibility requirements are determined by the state and jurisdiction where you are registered to vote,  not necessarily where you are based for work. Each state has its own requirements for voter registration, early voting, absentee ballots, identification, and ballot return deadlines.

Nationwide Voter Resources

AFA-CWA Vote411 (www.vote411.org/afacwa)

A nationwide, nonpartisan resource to:

• Check voter registration information
• Find state-specific election deadlines
• Research candidates and ballot measures
• Find polling locations
• Review absentee and early voting options

U.S. Election Assistance Commission (https://www.eac.gov/voters)

• Federal election information, voter registration resources, and links to state election offices

Federal Voting Assistance Program (https://www.fvap.gov)

• Information for eligible military and overseas voters, including absentee ballot requests and voting while living abroad

Endorsements

AFA Endorsements: https://www.afacwa.org/endorsements

CWA Endorsements: https://cwa-union.org/national-issues/legislation-and-politics/cwa-political/candidates

State Labor Federations/Labor Councils 

• California Federation of Labor Unions: https://calaborfed.org/labor-2026-primary-election-endorsements/
• Washington State Labor Council: https://wslc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-WSLC-election-endorsements.pdf
• Hawaii State AFL-CIO: https://www.hawaflcio.org/endorsements/

Flight Attendants residing in other states can also explore state and local labor council resources through the AFL-CIO.

Phone Banking Opportunities

Building on the momentum of our September Focus Month, staying engaged means helping elect leaders who stand with working families. If you have free time and want to get more involved this election cycle, consider volunteering for one of these phone banking opportunities to support labor-friendly candidates!

Every Wednesday with AFL-CIO: Alaska AFL-CIO Statewide: including AFA- Endorsed candidates Mary Peltola and Bill Hill

Daily: Angie Nixon FL – AFA endorsed candidate for US Senate

Every Thursday in October with CWA: CWA National Phone Banking

AFL-CIO: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays w/ AFL-CIO

If you participate in any of the above phone banks or have been participating in any other election or campaign work for labor-friendly candidates this election cycle, please fill out this Google Form. Our Members are active within and outside of our Union and we would like to know about it! Please contact your Local Government Affairs Committee if you have any questions or need support. 

As Government Affairs Committee Focus Month comes to a close, we want to sincerely thank everyone who tuned in, asked insightful questions, and shared resources throughout September. Whether you watched a quick video on the van or started a conversation about voting in the crew lounge, your engagement made a difference.

We started this month with a simple goal: to show how what happens in Washington, D.C., directly impacts our everyday work on the aircraft.

4 Key Takeaways From September

If you didn’t get a chance to catch every video this month, here’s a quick recap of what we covered:

1. Federal Laws Create Our Baseline: When safety and rest rules are written into federal law, we can focus on contractual gains rather than having to protect those basics during negotiations.
2. Voting Protects Our Work Environment: The lawmakers we elect make key decisions on aviation oversight, cabin safety standards, and labor rights.
3. FlightPAC Gives Us a Seat at the Table: Funded strictly by voluntary Member donations—not union dues—FlightPAC helps us build non-partisan relationships with lawmakers who support Flight Attendant issues.
4. We’re Stronger Together: The coming together of Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants gives us a louder, more effective voice when standing up for our profession.

Watch: Government Affairs Focus Month Wrap-Up

Don’t miss the final video in our Focus Month series! MEC Government Affairs Committee Chairperson Bruni Agosto-Pinal wraps up the month, thanks everyone for their participation, and shares a look at what’s ahead.

Game Plan for Election Day

With elections just around the corner, now is the perfect time to put what we covered into action. Here are four simple steps to make sure your voice is heard:

1. Verify Your Registration: State rules and deadlines change often. Double-check that your address and registration details are up to date today. Check out vote411.org/afacwa for easy-to-use resources.
2. Plan Around Your Schedule: Layovers, delays, and last-minute reroutes happen. If there’s any chance you’ll be on a trip on Election Day, request a mail-in or absentee ballot right away.
3. Check Candidate Labor Records: Take a quick look at where candidates stand on key issues like aviation safety, worker protections, and union rights before filling out your ballot.
4. Get Involved: Want to contribute? Consider signing up to contribute to FlightPAC or joining your Local Government Affairs Committee. Get started by reading more at afaalaska.org/governmentaffairs.

By staying informed and voting, we protect our jobs, our contract, and our shared future. Thank you for all that you do!

As we enter the fourth and final week of our Government Affairs Committee Focus Month, we tie everything we’ve explored together, from unpacking the legislative process to understanding the critical importance of voting. While educating lawmakers and showing up at the ballot box are vital pillars of civic engagement, having a continuous, dedicated voice in Washington, D.C., requires ongoing resources.

That’s where FlightPAC comes in. As the political action committee of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, FlightPAC is the financial engine that keeps our frontline priorities at the forefront in the halls of power.

Watch: Understanding FlightPAC

In our latest Focus Month video, Seattle-based Alaska Flight Attendant and Council 19 Government Affairs Committee Chairperson Andrew Stinson shares how FlightPAC works, why federal law requires it to remain separate from union dues, and how voluntary contributions empower Flight Attendants across our airlines.

Understanding FlightPAC: Dues, Laws, and Collective Power

If the term “PAC” sounds like corporate jargon, Andrew invites us to see it differently. FlightPAC isn’t about political parties; it’s our collective “influence fund,” designed to protect our careers and cabin safety. Here’s what you need to know:

• Negotiated Contracts vs. Legislated Protections: We fight hard for our collective bargaining agreement at the negotiating table. However, many of the foundational rules governing our day-to-day work, such as minimum rest requirements, cabin safety mandates, and aviation security standards, are enacted by lawmakers in Washington, D.C., and state capitals.
• The Legal Line Between Union Dues and Political Action: Federal law strictly prohibits the use of union dues for political campaign contributions. Your dues are reserved exclusively for contract negotiation, grievance handling, and daily union representation. Because dues cannot fund campaign advocacy, FlightPAC exists as a completely separate, voluntary, Member-driven fund.
• Pooling Resources for Maximum Impact: When we combine our voluntary contributions, no matter the size, our collective strength grows. FlightPAC enables us to support pro-labor, aviation-friendly candidates who listen to Flight Attendants and champion the laws that safeguard our profession.

Claiming Our Seat at the Table

Lawmakers make decisions every day that impact our schedules, our safety, and our long-term job security. By contributing to FlightPAC, we send a clear and unified message to elected officials: Flight Attendants have a seat at the table, and we expect our safety and workplace rights to be protected.

Joining FlightPAC is simple, voluntary, and flexible. Whether you contribute a few dollars per paycheck or choose a larger amount, every contribution strengthens our collective voice in Congress.

• Read More Online: Visit afacwa.org/flightpac to learn more.
• Talk to Our Committee: Ready to contribute? Reach out to any member of your Local Government Affairs Committee to get a sign-up form and a walk-through of the process.
• Get Involved: Want to lend your time and energy to our Union’s legislative advocacy? Sign up to volunteer at afaalaska.org/volunteer.

As we continue our Government Affairs Focus Month, our attention turns to civic engagement and the critical role voting plays in shaping our day-to-day work environment. While many of us associate workplace protections primarily with contract negotiations, the laws and regulations that govern our aviation career extend far beyond the bargaining table.

Watch: Why Vote?

In our feature video for the week, Zoe Wulz, a San Francisco-based Flight Attendant and Local Government Affairs Committee Chairperson for Council 35 in SFO, breaks down why voting is a professional necessity for every Flight Attendant. Zoe addresses how crucial decisions regarding aviation safety, rest requirements, and economic security are directly determined by elected officials. She emphasizes that when Flight Attendants stay on the sidelines, we allow individuals who have never worked a flight to define our reality in the cabin. Voting serves as our most direct, powerful tool to claim our seat at the table and ensure decision-makers understand the issues that impact our profession.

Take Action Today

Protecting our workplace starts with active civic participation. Here is how you can take action right now:

• Verify Your Voter Registration: Take five minutes today to check your voter registration status and ensure your current address is on file ahead of upcoming elections.
• Recognize the Scope of Elections: Remember that state and local offices matter just as much as federal positions in impacting labor standards, infrastructure, and community support systems.
• Engage Your Flying Partners: Start conversations in the crew lounge or on layovers about the importance of being registered and staying informed.

Coming Up This Week

Stay tuned to our AFA social media channels throughout the rest of the week for additional resources to prepare you for election season:

• Checking & Updating Your Registration: On Wednesday, we’ll share a guide walking you step-by-step through checking your voter registration status or registering for the first time.
• Candidate Research Resources: On Friday, we’ll post key tips and tools to help you research candidates and evaluate where they stand on essential Flight Attendant labor, safety, and security issues.

Our strength is in our numbers. By staying informed and participating in every election, we protect our contract, our working conditions, and our collective future.