Whether you are undertaking or supporting the next challenging project, you always look for new ways to build smarter.

Test your political knowledge with our very own crossword puzzle. 

The Associated General Contractors of America Political Action Committee, also known as the AGC PAC, announced today that it has endorsed John James for the United States Senate. AGC PAC officials said they are supporting the James campaign because of his commitment to support the construction industry.

The Associated General Contractors of America Political Action Committee, also known as the AGC PAC, announced today that it has endorsed Susan Collins for the United States Senate. AGC PAC officials said they are supporting the senator’s campaign because of her strong pro-construction record.

Is already seeing eight 2020 US House challengers unseat their incumbent opponents, obviously all in the primaries, a precursor to a larger number of incumbents losing their seats in the general election? 

In typical election years, well over 90% of incumbents who seek re-election win. Therefore, eight members denied re-nomination in their own party primary elections is an unusually high number. What’s more, turning to the general election, 22 House incumbents have trailed in at least one poll since July began.

Below is the list of incumbents, alphabetically by state, who are facing what appear to be the most competitive challengers in the country.  All challengers have led the incumbent in at least one political poll of their race. Tomorrow, we will cover the remaining eleven.

Soon after the announcement that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had passed away, Sen. Susan Collins* (R-ME) made a statement indicating that she would not support until after the election a motion to proceed that would allow the Senate to vote on confirming a Supreme Court replacement.

Today, we look at the competitive Senate races and segment the group around polling consistency. Several races routinely report point spreads between the two major party candidates that are wildly inconsistent, while others vary over a small difference often within the same polling period.

The two most extreme surveys during the month are listed for each state with the most extreme first and the closest second. You will notice that the British firm, Redfield & Wilton Strategies, is often listed as the most extreme.

We begin, alphabetically by state, with the inconsistent group. Only the two Georgia races are in the September consistent segment.

A bizarre occurrence has happened in Minnesota that will apparently delay the 2nd Congressional District election until February 9, 2021. Under state law, if a major party candidate passes away within 79 days of the general election date, the vote for the affected office is delayed for approximately three months.

Listed below are political snippets on congressional and gubernatorial races across the country. Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: This content applies only to federal campaign activities and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult your counsel for legal advice regarding specific federal campaign activities and local and state matters.

People fail to vote for a lot of reasons — lack of awareness, apathy, confusion, or the belief that “my vote won’t make a difference.” No matter how well you educate and motivate employees, it’s important to remember that your work won’t count unless they register to vote. It takes inspiration plus registration to increase voter participation. Because millions of eligible, unregistered voters have jobs, this is an area in which you can have a major impact.

Mobilize your employees by first making sure everyone is registered to vote — and that includes members of their families! Visit our 2022 Election Center to see your state's voter registration deadline.

Action items:

• Include a voter registration drive as part of a company event.
• Include voter registration material in employee information packets and in welcome kits for employees relocating to your area.
• Delegate voter registration duties to your managers or HR professional — ask them to distribute registration materials at staff meetings, and to help employees who may need assistance.
• Add a link to ConstructionVotes.com on your employee web portal.
• Send out an email or text message to employees as critical registration dates near.

Important - These activities may be conducted across the company or among the general public as long as there is no express advocacy, the activities are not coordinated with a candidate or political party, and opportunities to register are made available to anyone who requests them. In addition, the company should state that the activities are being conducted without regard for political preference and will not be provided or withheld on the basis of support or opposition to particular candidates or political parties. 

Resources for Download:

• Sample email for distribution to employees: English | Spanish
• Sample social media messages and images
  • Messages: English | Spanish
  • Facebook image: English | Spanish 
  • Instagram image: English | Spanish
  • Twitter image: English | Spanish
• Workplace or jobsite flyer: English | Spanish (Please use this link to find your state's registration deadline and write it in the space provided on the flyer)
• Sample paycheck stuffer: English | Spanish (coming soon)

In the last two days, 14 polls in 13 competitive House districts were publicly released, and they all tell a unique story. The synopsis is below (in alphabetical order):

Listed below are political snippets on congressional and gubernatorial races across the country. Enjoy!

Ending months of speculation, former Vice President Joe Biden announced that he has chosen California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate for the 2020 presidential election. Mr. Biden pledged to choose a woman as his vice-presidential partner and fulfilled his commitment with Sen. Harris. As time progressed, the pressure became intense for him to choose a woman of color, which he also now has done. The selection marks the third time a woman will appear on a major party ticket, the first being Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 and then Sarah Palin in 2008.

Overview

Along with the resources at ConstructionVotes.com (also advocacy.agc.org/vote or by texting "AGCVOTES" to 52886), this information is designed to promote civic participation and good government by helping AGC member companies educate their employees about people and policies that impact their jobs and industry, and by providing tools that both you and they can use to effectively participate in the electoral process in a nonpartisan manner.

Research has revealed three basic facts:

1. Four out of five employees want to hear from their employers about issues, candidates, and elections.
2. When messages are delivered properly – employers are found to be a highly credible source of political information.
3. Better educated employees become motivated participants in the political and public policy process – increasing voter turnout.

Now, AGC understands the reservations employers may have about discussing candidates, elections, and voting issues with employees. But, rest assured - nothing in these resources advises employees on how to vote. The following resources have been developed pursuant to Federal Election Commission regulations 11 CFR 114.1-114.4, which implement the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974, as amended. 

Get-Out-the-Vote (GOTV) Activities

Our system of government has served as a model for democracies around the world. Even so, only about half of those eligible in the United States regularly use its most powerful tool: the right to vote. Translation? Only about half of us decide who will represent all of us.

Many fail to understand how critical each vote can be. Consider this: in the 2000 elections, fewer than 10,000 votes determined control of the entire U.S. government. That’s only about two votes per elected state or federal official! And in 2020, then-state Sen. Mariannette Miller-Meeks defeated former state Sen. Rita Hart by just six votes in the general election for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District. 

Because the cornerstone of our system is a government of the people, increased voter participation can and will improve how that system performs for each of us. Employers are uniquely positioned (and legally allowed) to provide voter education to employees, shareholders, retirees, and their families, which account for a large portion of the U.S. population!

Providing voter information to your employees is easy, it’s rewarding and, since you talk to your employees every day, it’s timely. We are a nation made up of many voices—and on Election Day, every voice counts.

Remember, there is no limit on the amount of company resources you can devote to the activities described here. There is also no reporting requirement when your efforts are not specific to a candidate or party.

Here are three areas where you can make the most impact.

(Click each activity for more information and downloadable resources.)

1. Encourage employees to register to vote.
2. Provide employees with early voting information.
3. Get employees to the polls.

Educating Employees About Candidates & Issues

Understanding a candidate’s stance on important issues as well as understanding the particulars of a ballot initiative/referendum gives a voter the confidence to make an informed decision. If people choose to vote—then exit the polls feeling good about whom or what they’ve voted for—they are more likely to participate in future elections.

No one wants to go to the polls only vaguely informed about the candidates and issues. That may be why only about half of our eligible citizens exercise their right to vote. Lack of knowledge leads to lack of voting.

So, where do we get good information? How do we sort through the daily deluge from candidates, parties, news organizations, and others? Whom do we rely on for an expert opinion?

Since employers are the most trusted source for this kind of information that makes the workplace an ideal setting for voter education!

The case is clear: AGC members have the credibility AND opportunity to educate and motivate employees so they can make informed choices at the polls.

Here are three areas where you can make the most impact. 

(Click each activity for more information and downloadable resources.)

1. Talk about candidates and issues.
2. Distribute legislators' voting records.
3. Host a candidate for an appearance, jobsite tour, meet & greet, or campaign fundraiser.