Democracy is an essential element of credit unions. Being a member means you’re also an owner, a vote on how your institution is governed. It’s part of the structure that every credit union shares, no matter the asset size or community it serves.
It’s one of the many reasons why people-first is in credit unions’ DNA: they were created by the people, to turn the cooperative nature into something even more mutually beneficial.
Credit unions share many principles with the founding of American democracy. And with our for-profit opponents aiming to put us out of business in the name of a bigger market share, we need to play an active part in our electoral process.
We saw firsthand this year how important it is to have champions on Capitol Hill, and how especially valuable league relationships are with those champions. The success of the Don’t Tax My Credit Union campaign ultimately came down to key legislators making it clear that any bill that alters the credit union tax status as a “pay for” is a no go.
That hard-fought victory ended with the president’s signature on H.R. 1, but it was a journey of many steps that began with planning for the 2024 elections.
By examining Congress district-by-district, solidifying support for our existing champions while working to fill open seats with new champions, we laid the foundation to execute on our next advocacy agenda.
Each of those steps is taken alongside our league partners in that state, who are well acquainted with potential candidate from their work with federal and state policymakers. America’s Credit Unions and leagues together meet with candidates to ensure we have a credit union champion to support in most races.
Just as planning for the Don’t Tax My Credit Union campaign commenced with work to elect a credit union-friendly majority in the 119th Congress, America’s Credit Unions and leagues are already hard at work on the next one.
As a part of the credit union movement, it's critical that you are active in the democratic process. Take steps now to have your voice heard. Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas kick off the nation’s first primaries the first week of March.
Throughout the spring, there will be a steady stream of primaries across the country to fill open seats and replace retiring members, all leading up to the Nov. 3 midterms to determine the composition of the 120th Congress.
Credit unions are partisan only for credit unions. The incredible work credit unions do every day resonate with every part of the political spectrum, and that’s why America’s Credit Unions and leagues work hard to engage and support champions on both sides of the aisle. Things change fast in Washington, but credit unions will always need the support of champions on Capitol Hill, regardless of who controls what branch.
We also need you to do your part. Visit CreditUnionsVote.com. Make sure you’re registered to vote. Share with your members and encourage them to exercise their civic duty. Mark the date for your state’s primary election and vote in your primary and the general election.
Successful credit union advocacy doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a layered system that starts with putting our champions in position to advance our movement.
