Voting Your Values:
A 2024 Guide to Assessing Candidates

It’s crucial that we vote our values and elect leaders who will fight for policies that support working women and nonbinary people of color and our families. With so much at stake in every election, we need to carefully evaluate candidates to ensure they align with our priorities. This guide will help you assess candidates on key issues affecting working women and families.

Economic Justice

Questions to ask:
  • Do you support raising the minimum wage to a living wage?
  • What’s your plan to address the gender and racial wage gaps?
  • Do you support policies to combat workplace discrimination and harassment?
  • How will you ensure equal economic opportunities for women of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other marginalized groups?
What to look for:
  • Specific policy proposals, not just vague statements
  • Understanding of how economic issues intersect with gender, race, and other identities
  • Track record of supporting workers’ rights and fair labor practices

Reproductive Rights and Healthcare

Questions to ask:
  • Will you protect and expand access to abortion care?
  • How will you ensure access to affordable contraception and reproductive healthcare?
  • What’s your plan to address racial disparities in maternal health outcomes?
What to look for:
  • Unequivocal support for abortion rights
  • Commitment to reproductive justice framework that goes beyond just “choice”
  • Plans to expand healthcare access for marginalized communities

Family and Community Sustainability

Questions to ask:
  • Do you support paid family and medical leave for all workers?
  • What’s your plan for making quality childcare affordable and accessible?
  • How will you ensure workplace accommodations for pregnant and breastfeeding workers?
What to look for:
  • Specific policy proposals with funding mechanisms
  • Understanding of how lack of family support policies disproportionately impacts women
  • Commitment to inclusive family definitions

Climate Justice

Questions to ask:
  • How will your climate plan address the disproportionate impacts on low-income communities and communities of color?
  • What’s your plan to ensure a just transition for workers as we move to clean energy?
  • How will you incorporate intersectional and inclusive perspectives in climate policymaking?
What to look for:
  • Understanding of climate change as a gender, economic, and racial justice issue.
  • Specific plans to protect vulnerable communities
  • Commitment to centering frontline communities in climate solutions

Voting Rights and Civic Engagement

Questions to ask:
  • How will you protect and expand voting rights?
  • What’s your plan to increase civic engagement and representation of women and nonbinary people of color in government?
  • How will you combat voter suppression and ensure election integrity?
What to look for:
  • Strong stance against voter suppression tactics
  • Plans to make voting more accessible
  • Commitment to diverse representation in government appointments

As you evaluate candidates, remember that no politician will be perfect on every issue. Look for those who demonstrate a genuine commitment your values and have concrete plans to enact policies that will make a real difference in people’s lives. Your vote is your voice – use it to elect leaders who will fight for a more just and equitable future for all.