At the Water Cooler: What issues are driving you to the polls?
With three debates behind us, we are only 18 days away from the election. We have been talking to our friends, and we want to hear what you have to say:
What issues are driving you to the polls this November?
Take a look at the responses below, and then leave your answer in the comments section!
I feel driven to the polls because I fear we’re losing opportunities. Our partisan gridlock has prevented us from enacting vital tax and trade policy changes, and we’re not able to invest in infrastructure we desperately need. The changes and investments will have to happen, and we need to do it now, when other countries are so afraid they’re basically throwing money into our Treasury. I vote because I want to seize the moment. —Beth Scott
This election, I am voting for Democracy. I want my voice to count for the thousands of people who are invaluable to their community and yet unable to vote. It really amazes me that while our country was built on dreams of equality and liberty, we don’t allow the Dreamers themselves to transform their voice into their vote. –Brittany Edwardes
Growing up with two moms I never met someone else with a family like mine until I was thirteen. I am always deeply moved when anyone, especially politicians, come out in support of LGBT equality. This year, and every year, I am driven to make this world more just by ending discrimination against LGBT people and families. I got to the polls because every child should be proud of their family and safe in their community, oh and because I love my lesbian moms. –Emily McGranachan
There is a lot at stake, and a lot that I care about. The biggest issues for me are women’s health care – including of the reproductive variety – and jobs. We need to get more people back to work, and into good-paying jobs. These issues are related. When I have access to health care, and when I can control my reproductive health, I can work and support myself. The candidate who gets that is the candidate who gets my vote. —Colleen Crinion
As a Latina in the 21st century, I am baffled that there are still inequalities between men and women in and out of the workplace. I am even more stunned that these contemporary issues are not being addressed as aggressively as they should. These being healthcare, contraception, equal pay, among many more. I am voting in this year’s election to take control to combat these problems. I want to fight for not just my future, but for the future of the next generation of women leaders. –Christina Soto
Since high school I have been a proponent of safe sex among my peers and protecting a woman’s right to choose. I respect all pro-lifers for their beliefs and I would never want to deny them their right to keep a fetus. However, I also respect a woman’s right over her body and her right to choose her future and the possible future of a family. If you don’t want an abortion, don’t get one. I am getting my butt out of bed early to get to my polling place (across the street) to vote for the protection of a woman’s right to choose. —Cendahl
What’s driving this 52-year-old to the polls? The fact that I have an 18-year-old daughter that, unlike most undergrads, will not have to worry about student debt (God bless scholarships!), but should never have to worry about access to birth control or the revoking of Roe v. Wade. Hell, I fought those battles already…am I really fighting them again? –Cordy Galligan
I want women’s issues on the table, and I want them to be discussed in terms of smart economics and empowerment. Equal pay, family leave, healthcare, etc. are women’s issues but more broadly they are related to advancing women in our society. I’m going to the polls and voting for individuals who understand the importance of these topics and are focused on moving America forward (not left or right). –Katie Shorey
LGBT rights are some of the most important issues for me. I think everyone wants the best for the people closest to them. My best friend happens to be gay and I don’t think that should make a difference in terms of his rights. He’s not “my gay best friend,” he’s just my best friend, and I’ll always vote for candidates who support him.—Megan Morrison
Protecting a woman’s right to choose is one thing that’s critical for deciding my vote, and something I was glad to hear discussed in the vice presidential debate. I have a hard time accepting that this is a “women’s issue” since male politicians seem to have no problem dictating what women do with their bodies. From Todd Akin’s comments on “legitimate rape” to Vice President Joe Biden’s thoughtful comments on separating his religious beliefs from his policy decisions, this is an issue that affects everyone in the country, and something we need to be talking about more. —Arianne Price