The President’s Perspective

Happy Election Day with a look at some notable historic elections. Plus, a post-election webinar for credit unions, and much more! 

Happy Election Day! If you haven’t already done so, make sure you GOTV – “Get Out the Vote.” I took advantage of early voting and cast my ballot early last week. While I have always enjoyed the election process, you never know what the weather is going to be like here in the Dakotas at any given time, especially in November. Combined with our hectic schedules, early voting opportunities are a welcome and convenient addition.

There are reports from all over the country that folks are going in droves to cast their ballot. Here in Bismarck, that certainly was the case, as there were long lines out the door well before the early polls opened last Thursday. However, I will say the process went quickly and it didn’t take long to vote.

Your Dakota Credit Union Association advocacy team will be out and about participating in “watch parties” as election results are posted, and we will have a full recap in this Thursday’s Memo. While most folks will be paying attention to the results in the presidential election, the balance of power in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives is also up for grabs.

Since our founding, presidential elections have been marked by some fascinating events throughout history. Here are a few notable ones:

The Election of 1800: This was the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties in U.S. history. Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr tied in the electoral vote, forcing the House of Representatives to decide the winner. It highlighted flaws in the original electoral system and led to the 12th Amendment, which separated the president and vice president on the ballot.
The Corrupt Bargain of 1824: Four candidates ran for president, and none secured a majority of electoral votes. The decision fell to the House, which chose John Quincy Adams over Andrew Jackson, despite Jackson winning the popular vote. Allegations arose that Adams struck a deal with Speaker Henry Clay to secure his victory.
The 1860 Election and the Civil War: Abraham Lincoln’s election in 1860, without carrying a single Southern state, triggered the secession of Southern states and eventually the Civil War and the deep division in the country over slavery and states’ rights.
The Contested Election of 1876: Rutherford B. Hayes won by a single electoral vote over Samuel Tilden, though Tilden had won the popular vote. The result was decided by a special electoral commission, and a backroom deal, the Compromise of 1877, resolved the election in Hayes’s favor.
The Election of 1912: Former president Theodore Roosevelt, dissatisfied with his successor, William Taft, ran as a third-party candidate under the Progressive (Bull Moose) Party. This split the Republican vote and allowed Democrat Woodrow Wilson to win. Roosevelt’s campaign is one of the most successful third-party efforts in U.S. history.
The 1948 Upset: President Harry Truman was widely expected to lose to Thomas Dewey. In one of the greatest election upsets, Truman won. The famous photograph of Truman holding up the erroneous “Dewey Defeats Truman” newspaper headline symbolizes this stunning victory.
The Closest Election in 2000: The election between George W. Bush and Al Gore was one of the most contentious in history. The results in Florida were so close that a recount was ordered. The Supreme Court’s decision in Bush v. Gore halted the recount, handing Bush the victory despite Gore winning the popular vote.
These occurrences demonstrate how U.S. presidential elections have often shaped, and been shaped by, the country’s political, social, and constitutional development Will the election of 2024 be closer? Perhaps this year’s race will be one for the history books.

Post Election Webinar
Join America’s Credit Unions advocacy team for a members-only post-election webinar on Thursday, November 7 at 1:00 p.m. (CT). Hear election results analysis and what credit unions can expect both in the lame duck session and the 119th Congress. Chief Advocacy Officer Carrie Hunt will lead a discussion exploring challenges for Congress as it faces must-pass year-end bills to fund the government and military; power dynamics at play in 2025; and how America’s Credit Unions, Leagues, and credit unions can work to advance our advocacy agenda. Register now.
 
One Stop GAC Shop.
As a reminder, the Governmental Affairs Conference  (GAC) will be held in Washington, D.C. March 2 – 6, 2025. For those interested in attending, DakCU has prepared a “one stop” GAC shop on our website, which you can find here. This convenience allows you to register for the conference, make your hotel reservations, and even apply for a scholarship for financial assistance.

GAC Crasher applications are now open!
Speaking of GAC, the best way to ensure the continued success of our movement is to capture the attention, dedication, and enthusiasm of future leaders. That is why credit union leaders should encourage their young professionals to expand their industry network and gain confidence by applying as a GAC Crasher. Typically, one Crasher is selected from each state.

The Cooperative Trust connects a group of young credit union professionals (Crashers) and hosts a space for them to deepen their connection to the credit union mission during the GAC. As a group, those selected experience unique sessions and activities all designed to enhance cooperation and collaboration within the credit union movement, in addition to attending the main events on the GAC “Big Stage.” 

Crashers receive free conference registration. If selected, DakCU is offering a $1,000 scholarship which can be used for travel, hotel, and incidentals. The deadline to apply is December 1 and the application can be found here.
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On a positive note.
Members of the Red River Chapter of Credit Unions in Fargo made Halloween enjoyable for people with disabilities as they recently volunteered to decorate tables and hand out candy at a special event sponsored by Creative Care for Reaching Independence. CCRI is a local nonprofit whose mission is to enhance and enrich the lives of people with disabilities. Along with the volunteers, many businesses, including credit unions donated candy, making it possible for plenty of individuals to experience a safe Halloween with the chance to dress up and enjoy trick-or-treating in an accessible environment. Well done! 

Roundtable registration available now.
Last but not least, I am thrilled to announce that starting today, the Roundtable is open for registration! Since 2017, credit union leaders from across our Midwest region have gathered in sunny Las Vegas, Nevada, for this high-level educational and networking opportunity. Exclusively for senior management, CEOs, and volunteer board members, our 2025 event will once again offer an exciting, fast-paced two-day schedule of unique sessions for both CEOs and volunteer board members. The Roundtable is an amazing educational opportunity for regional credit union leaders to collaborate and share ideas as they are guided by a professional lineup of top industry thought leaders. You do not want to miss this exclusive meeting packed with information that is invaluable for large and small credit unions alike! Learn more and register here.
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Have a great week, 

DakCU President/CEO