Why RPAC? + Thank You Major Donors
The general elections are just four weeks away. Now is the time to start planning how you will vote. According to NAR, more than 90% of Realtors in the Western Upstate are registered to vote. That’s great but if you are not registered to vote, it’s not too late. The voter registration deadline has been extended until October 14. You can register to vote online by clicking here.
Early voting begins October 31. Each county will open at least one early voting center, which will be open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. through November 2. Election day is November 5 and polls will be open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. You can find your polling place in each county by clicking on the links below:
Anderson County
Pickens County
Oconee County
Or you can visit SCVotes.gov.
Significant Elections
Because of the highly partisan nature of elections in South Carolina, many races were settled in the primary and there are no candidates running in November. But there are a few elections to take note of:
President of the United States
US House District 3 (Western Upstate)
SC Senate District 3 (Anderson/Powdersville)
SC House District 3 (Clemson)
SC House District 6 (Anderson)
SC House District 7 (Anderson)
SC House District 8 (Belton/Honea Path)
There are also multiple candidates running for the seven school boards in the Western Upstate.
Voter Guide
Later this month, your Western Upstate Association of REALTORS® will Realtors a Voter Guide listing all the candidates for each race. We encourage you to review it as you prepare to vote, whether you vote early or on election day.
Why RPAC
I often remind Realtors to contribute to RPAC. But why RPAC? And what is RPAC?
RPAC is the REALTORS® Political Action Committee. In effect, it’s a joint account to which Realtors make an annual deposit so that your industry can support the campaigns of candidates for public office who share your values about real estate. During election season, RPAC screens candidates for their position on real estate issues, and only real estate issues. Realtor members conduct the screening and make recommendations about candidates to your association’s board of directors (also Realtors).
The value of RPAC is that unlike a personal contribution you may make to a candidate, RPAC’s contribution carries a policy message:
Private property rights, housing affordability, and a vibrant real estate market are important public policy matters.
We only consider real estate issues. We don’t consider the myriad of social issues that dominate the political debate. We also don’t consider party affiliation, although we are aware of a candidate’s party.
Contributing to RPAC is voluntary, but important
If you are a new member, you weren’t asked to give to RPAC when you paid your dues. I tell you this to emphasize this very important point: you are not required to give to RPAC. We don’t want new members to feel pressured to contribute when they are paying their dues for the first time. But if you have joined in the last few months, I encourage you to contribute. It’s just $25.
As you have read from my articles, elected government officials make decisions that directly impact your business every time they meet. It’s important that those government officials understand the impact of their decisions on real estate. Too many of them don’t consider the effect their decisions have on the businesses they regulate. That’s why RPAC is important. Without RPAC, your business is at a disadvantage every time your government meets.
Some members have told me they don’t contribute to RPAC because RPAC supported a candidate that took a position with which they don’t agree. If that issue is real estate related, that’s fair criticism. But we don’t consider social issues. In fact, the breadth of the issues we consider is relatively narrow compared to all the issues debated in our government.
RPAC also doesn’t get involved in Presidential elections. It’s not that the office of the President isn’t important—it is. That’s why we try to educate Realtors about the various candidates for that office through our Voter Guide, which we publish before each major election. But it’s impractical for RPAC to screen the candidates for President, and without screening them we can’t make a meaningful recommendation to you.
Why RPAC?
What’s the alternative to RPAC? Sit out the process and hope for the best? That’s what people do when they don’t vote. But elections are too important to sit them out. And that’s why your business needs RPAC. If you vote, wouldn’t you like the opportunity to vote for a candidate who shares your values about real estate? And don’t you want good information about the candidates on the ballot?
As I mentioned, supporting RPAC is not expensive. For a Realtor, it’s just $25 per year (or more). About the cost of a nice lunch in a restaurant. For brokers, we ask for $100 (or more). Still not a lot of money. But collectively, that results in enough money to help the many candidates—who will influence your business at city hall, the State House, and Congress for years to come—run an effective campaign.
Support RPAC
You and your association can influence how your government affects you and regulates your industry.
Elections are an important way that your association represents you and helps make a strong market for real estate. Elections are also an important way that you participate in your government. Your association’s objective is to help elect candidates who share the Realtor position that a vibrant and healthy real estate market is vital to a vibrant and healthy economy. Of course, you must balance your personal and business interests when you vote.
You can help your industry by supporting RPAC. It’s easy. Your association includes a voluntary contribution to RPAC on your annual dues invoice. Pay it, and you are an RPAC supporter. If you haven’t supported RPAC this year, I encourage you to do so by clicking here.
Michael Dey, Director of Government Affairs