On Tuesday, Nov 7th—Thirty-three states have elections taking place. There are over 45,000 candidates listed on the ballots. Many of these races are local elections—statewide races or even city council races. Unless you’re a political geek like a few of us, the farther along you get on the ballot the more difficult it is to decide between candidates. You may look at party affiliation or gender. Or, you may recognize a name you’ve seen on a yard sign in your neighborhood. Entirely too many voters simply stop voting down ballot and leave it empty. We no longer have the luxury of ignoring those down-the-ballot races because cities and states are both incubators for horrible policies as well as the first line of defense against terrible federal policies, starting with reproductive freedom, the foundation of economic justice. That’s why our team at #VOTEPROCHOICE has created an important tool to help everyone vote all the way down the ballot to protect our reproductive rights and freedom.
But, if the 430 plus antichoice pieces of legislation introduced (and many enacted) in states across the country this year weren't enough to give you Handmaid’s Tale nightmares, we’re highlighting 5 reasons why you should give a sh*t about reproductive freedom this election and why you must #VOTEPROCHOICE on Nov. 7 everywhere...
#1. Government Employees lose insurance coverage for healthcare:
Last week, the Wisconsin State Assembly passed a law banning state health insurance plans from covering abortions for state employees. If you thought your right to an abortion was protected by the constitution and therefore safe, you’re wrong. At every level of government antichoice politicians are doing whatever they can to make it impossible for people who are pregnant to access abortion services. By electing state politicians who will defend your rights against dangerous legislation, you’ll ensure all folks can attain the healthcare services they need. It all starts by using the #VOTEPROCHOICE Voter Guide on Tuesday. No one person should ever be denied the basic reproductive health care they need.
#2. Forced Birth Nation vs. Prochoice Nation:
Much like the storyline to The Handmaid’s Tale, unprecedented attacks on our reproductive freedom is happening wherever the administration can make them. The administration allows employers to deny birth control to employees. The Department of Health and Human Services recently changed the HHS manual stating life begins at conception. The Department of Justice is fighting to force undocumented immigrants to carry their pregnancy to term. The sitting Vice President believes women should be punished for having abortions. The horrible federal tax scam package gives banking rights to fetuses. This is not normal nor is it the view of a majority of our country. Seventy-percent, 7 in 10, American voters believe a woman should have access to abortion that is safe, legal, affordable, accessible and without shame. That’s a measured fact.We are a prochoice nation, not a forced birth nation. Every level of government can protect our rights—and electing prochoice candidates at whatever level can pass critical legislation rebuking our federal government’s overreach on abortion.
#3. Protecting Clinic Workers + Pregnant People:
This year we’ve seen an increase in violence towards abortion providers and clinic workers. Just last week, someone who murdered a clinic doctor was up for parole. By voting prochoice in local elections, you elect city council members, judges, public defenders, district attorneys, sheriffs, and others who can ensure zoning laws and noise ordinances are in effect to protect clinics. But it’s not just the physical protection pregnant people need—they are also coerced or lied to by fake clinics called Crisis Pregnancy Centers. These centers often pop up down the road, across the street, or even on the same floor of abortion clinics. They post misleading information about the services they provide and purposely misinform pregnant people needing compassionate care and real information about options. If you want to protect clinic workers and the people seeking out information on abortions, #VOTEPROCHOICE locally on Nov. 7 using this voter guide.
#4. Let’s stick it to the man in the oval office:
For almost a year, we’ve been mocked, bullied, and assaulted by the liar-in-chief. With his approval numbers lower than any other president in seven decades just imagine what a bad election night for Republicans would do to his already erratic temperament. Remember just how angry he was when we took to the streets on January 21st that he forced the National Parks Service to exaggerate his tiny inauguration size? Now imagine how pissed he’ll be when we resoundingly elect prochoice candidates up and down our ballots. As Joseph Lyons mentions in Bustle, the best way to stop misogyny, toxic masculinity, and sexism that is pervasive in the country is by ensuring your local elected officials—city council candidates, statewide races, and more will defend and protect reproductive rights. We can no longer ignore our rights—we must vote in our best interest. It’s easy with this nationwide prochoice voting guide.
#5. Creating Future Prochoice Champions:
We’ll be real for a second—serving as an elected official is challenging. Running for office is difficult, particularly in this toxic political environment. Ask any of the nearly 30,000+ women who signed up to run for something after the disaster that was last year’s election and they’ll tell you it’s not easy. It takes its toll. But you know what doesn’t take its toll? Doing what’s right and standing up for our country and what you believe in. By supporting reproductive rights champions, particularly when they’re just starting out in political office, you have a chance to strengthen their prochoice leadership and help your local community. Many of the people serving in government today started at the local level. It’s up to you to groom the next generation of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s, Hillary Clinton’s, Michelle Obama’s, Mazie Hirono’s and Kamala Harris’. It starts with you and your vote on Tuesday. Help us build a prochoice future and be a real prochoice nation by using the #VOTEPROCHOICE voter guide when you head to the polls. Our future depends on it.