Candidate Survey
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Question Topic Variety
Our approach is to mix questions from the local, state and federal level to be able to adequately show the nuance that each candidate has. We know that you may not be able to act on some of these specific topics. We have selected questions that our research shows that voters also feel comfortable answering so that they can best use the policy matrix to feel confident and informed that they are casting a vote for someone who shares their values. As a reminder your answers stay private, so selecting the answer that best reflects your views will create the most accurate positioning. Thanks for completing our survey!
Government Regulation (1 of 36)
Government regulation: Regulations are the government’s way of playing referee to the economy and our daily lives. They are a set of rules and laws that govern when, where, and how things can be done to ensure a level playing field, and to control the power of large enterprises. Economic regulations are designed to attack market failures, where costs and benefits are misaligned, or to reduce smaller parties' barriers to market entry. An example of economic regulation is the Clayton Act, which prohibits mergers and acquisitions that are likely to discourage competition. Social regulations are designed to protect consumers and workers, and focus on transparency and safety. One example of this kind of regulation is the FDA's stipulation that all food items provide nutritional information on the side of the package. Some believe that without regulation, our economy would not be fair, and that our markets would not function well. Others believe that they are onerous for business and consumers, and frequently have unintended negative consequences. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on government regulation? *
Pre-K (2 of 36)
Pre-K: The current US education system provides access to education from K-12. There is research that shows that children attending preschool do better through the rest of their schooling, and achieve better outcomes in adulthood.  However, there is also research that shows that the benefits may only apply through the 3rd grade. Access to preschool and pre-K education is typically only available to those who can afford it, and therefore, some say that not having government sponsored pre-K is increasing the equity gap in the US from a very early age. Currently, 3 states have fully funded pre-K with another 6 having mostly universal pre-K. Some believe that government funded pre-K will help ensure that more children make it successfully through the school system. Others believe that separating children from their parents at such an early age can be detrimental to the family while not bringing any significant developmental benefits. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on government funded pre-K? *
Legal Representation in Eviction court (3 of 36)
Legal representation in Eviction court: Eviction is the process by which a landlord removes a tenant from a rental property. This could be because the tenant has not paid the rent, or has violated the terms of the lease (boarders or pets for example.) In many states, it can also be a no-fault eviction, which means a landlord is removing the tenant without cause. Evictions are handled in civil court, which means that tenants are not guaranteed the right to counsel, while the majority of landlords do attend with legal representation. Evictions most affect the poor and senior citizens, and especially those who are paying upwards of 50% of their income on housing. One proposal to help ensure a fair eviction process is to guarantee legal representation to tenants. New York and San Francisco (two high rent locations), have recently passed such legislation, and after one year of its operation under the new rules in New York, has resulted in 84% of people who were threatened with eviction being able to stay in their homes. Supporters of laws mandating legal representation for tenants believe that the system should support those most in need, and that keeping people in their homes is a far cheaper solution than homelessness. Opponents believe that if tenants get free representation then landlords should receive such support as well. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on legal representation for eviction court? *
Affirmative Action (4 of 36)
Affirmative Action: President John F. Kennedy was the first to introduce affirmative action in the US in 1961. He signed an executive order to ensure that government employers did not discriminate based on race and to "take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin".  This was extended to gender in 1967. In 1978, Allan Bakke sued the University of California, which had reserved 16 out of 100 spots in the medical school for minority students. The Supreme Court ruled that the quota system was unconstitutional while considering minority status was allowed. In 2003, the Supreme Court confirmed their decision in Grutter v. Bollinger allowing the University of Michigan to continue their race-conscious admissions policy. Some believe that Affirmative Action ensures that a fair evaluation is given to all applicants and gives benefits to disadvantaged minorities in the case of a tie. Others believe that this regulation is reverse discrimination and removes appreciation and incentives for individual performance. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on affirmative action programs? *
Traffic cameras (5 of 36)
Traffic enforcement cameras: Traffic cameras are typically situated at busy intersections where many traffic violations occur.   When their sensors detect a violation, such as speeding or running a red light, they take a picture of the vehicle, which allows the authorities to issue a ticket.  These tickets are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle.  Currently there are over 5000 traffic cameras deployed in the US. About ⅔ focus on red lights, while about ⅓ focus on speeding. Almost 40% of all cameras are deployed in just 4 cities: Washington D.C., New York City, Chicago and Dallas/Fort Worth. On the other end of the spectrum: 8 states have explicitly prohibited their use, while another 17 states have decided not to use them at all. There are some concerns about the selection of camera locations. Some fear that instead of using crash data or the number of traffic violations, the demographics of the neighborhood may play a role, resulting in inequitable distribution. Also, the motive for placing cameras is under scrutiny as pictures of traffic violations can devolve into general surveillance, and fines for traffic violations can turn from deterrent into a revenue-generating scheme. Some believe that traffic cameras are beneficial in helping to reduce the number and severity of accidents. Others believe that not only are they a municipal scheme to generate revenue, but also a violation of our privacy, as they represent unlawful governmental surveillance. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on traffic enforcement cameras? *
Sanctuary Cities (6 of 36)
Sanctuary Cities: The Federal Government is responsible for the enforcement of immigration law. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the primary agency responsible for border control. Approximately 58,000 employees are tasked with protecting our 5,000 mile border with Canada, almost 2,000 mile border with Mexico, over 300 ports of entry, and all illegal entries by sea or water. The CBP is also authorized to set up checkpoints within 100 miles of any border, which covers an area where about ⅔ of the US population lives. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a sister agency of CBP and is tasked with enforcing immigration law within the US. One of its directives is Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) which is the part that is most visible to the public related to deportation of undocumented immigrants. The debate surrounding sanctuary “cities” (often used as shorthand for sanctuary towns, cities, counties and even states) is on how far local jurisdictions (municipalities, counties, states) should or should not collaborate with ICE and CBP to enforce immigration laws. Some jurisdictions will proactively inform ICE whenever they are aware of someone’s undocumented status. Others will explicitly refuse to collaborate with ICE in various circumstances, leading to their titles as sanctuary cities. Their rationale is that they are not responsible for enforcing US immigration law and will make their own jurisdictions less safe if undocumented immigrants fear interacting with local government officials to report crimes, send their kids to school, pay taxes, etc. Opponents of sanctuary cities believe that they undermine the rule of law. Supporters of sanctuary cities believe that sanctuary cities are not responsible for enforcing federal immigration law. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on sanctuary cities? *
Veteran Homelessness (7 of 36)
Veteran homelessness: Veterans have on average a 20% higher chance of homelessness than the rest of our population. While there has been a decrease in the number of veterans living on our streets, there are still more than 40,000 veterans who served our country living on the streets. The majority of those afflicted are men over 50, and 55% of them have a disability, which is often the reason they cannot find permanent residency. Additionally, divorce rates among veterans are high, and the resulting social isolation has also contributed to the high rate of homelessness. There is a collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Housing (HUD) designed to help veterans receive housing vouchers. Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) is a program which partners with local nonprofits to grant funding for rapid re-housing of veterans. According to the VA, with concentrated effort across multiple agencies and nonprofits, 3 states and 71 communities have been able to announce an end to veteran homelessness. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on action needed surrounding veteran homelessness? *
Obesity in America (8 of 36)
Obesity in America: A recent study suggests that 50% of Americans will be obese within 10 years. The prevalence of obesity and severe obesity has grown over the past decades and it is impacting especially lower income households and minorities. Obesity comes with higher health risks and severe obesity comes with further increased complications, such as diabetes and heart disease. Meaningful and sustained weight loss can be difficult, with studies showing that only about 20% of people who commit to a diet being able to keep the weight off for more than 5 years, and therefore prevention becomes a big part of the solution. Many point to the increase in sugary foods and the price discrepancy between unhealthy fast food and healthy fresh fruits and vegetables as an explanation for why lower income groups are disproportionately affected. The government has intervened in the past with various approaches including a tax on sugary drinks, improving the standards for school snacks, elimination of a tax deduction business can take for advertising unhealthy foods or even keeping public school gyms open on the weekends for easy access to the facilities. Some believe that the government should not interfere with people’s life choices. Others feel that the government should help to protect consumers and encourage healthy habits. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on the obesity crisis in the US? *
Federal Forces in US Municipalities (9 of 36)
Federal Forces in US Municipalities: In the aftermath of the George Floyd protests of 2020 in several cities protests have continued. In some cases, statues have been taken down and property has been damaged. By late July 2020, President Trump deployed federal forces to Portland, Oregon with the declared mission to protect federal property including a courthouse as well as to “restore order”. There have been questions raised on whether or not this action is constitutional. There are some laws that allow a President to deploy federal forces in specific described circumstances, such as the Insurrection Act, or when Border Patrol is used to enforce federal immigration law. In general, according to the constitution, “restoring order” is the purview of state and local governments. Some support government action and believe violence and destruction should be quelled. They think that when the state and local governments fail, the federal government needs to intervene. Others believe that the federal government’s actions are illegal and are fanning the flames of violence and destruction. They think that having unidentified federal officers detain protesters in unmarked vehicles for questioning violates the 1st and 4th amendments. Which of the following statements best reflects your opinion on federal forces in US municipalities? *
Plastic Water Bottle Ban (10 of 36)
Plastic water bottle ban: The practice of bottled water started in the 1850s, when resorts in Saratoga Springs began bottling their water, quoting the health benefits of pure mountain water. By the early 1900s, municipal water supplies became regulated and regulated and safe for drinking, and at this point, bottled water saw a decline in commercial success. In the late 1970s, as jogging emerged as a popular social trend, bottle water, seen as a status symbol, made a resurgence. A study by the Beverage Marketing Corporation found that water is America’s favorite non-alcoholic beverage. Estimates show that Americans use 50B plastic water bottles per year over the past few years; however, only about 25% of those bottles were recycled. In 2013, Concord MA became the first US locale to ban plastic water bottles. Since then, other Massachusetts municipalities, like Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod have followed their lead. Some believe the environmental benefits of banning plastic water bottles are significant ,both from the perspective of waste, and implications of manufacturing on the environment. Others believe that this blanket ban would cause more people to return to drinking sugary, packaged drinks, and would lead to bigger issues if the municipal water supply becomes contaminated. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on a ban to plastic water bottles? *
Ranked Choice Voting (11 of 36)
Ranked Choice Voting: In elections using Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), each voter ranks the candidates in order of their preference, instead of only selecting their first choice. On election night, all ballots are counted for voters’ first choices. If one candidate receives an outright majority, he or she wins. If no candidate receives a majority, the candidate with the fewest first choices is eliminated, and voters who ranked that candidate first have their ballots instantly counted towards their second choice. This process repeats, and last-place candidates are eliminated until one candidate reaches a majority, thus winning the race. Your vote only counts for your second choice if your first choice has been eliminated. RCV has been used in various cities for over a decade (e.g. San Francisco, Sante Fe, Minneapolis), and since 2018, state-wide in Maine. Some believe it restores majority rule, avoids vote splitting, gives more voice to voters, provides more choice for voters, and reduces incentives for negative campaigning. Others believe that it is more complicated for voters to understand, often does not produce a majority winner due to exhausted ballots, and usually produces the same result as in the current system. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on Ranked Choice Voting? *
Rural Development (12 of 36)
Rural development: Compared to the middle of the last century, farms in the United States have tripled output while reducing the number of workers needed to accomplish that by a factor of 4. Coal production, also typically a rural activity and thus jobs performed by rural workers, has seen total production doubled in the last 100 years but the number of mining workers needed to accomplish that has reduced by a factor of 17. In other words, there has been a 12-fold increase in productivity when it comes to farming and a 34-fold increase when it comes to coal production. These are not the only industries seeing this trend and the overarching picture is that we need far fewer people to produce many of the things we need. Statistics show that agriculture activity makes up about 7% of all jobs, and manufacturing is about 13%. Both numbers are steadily declining due to the continued productivity increase. This is problematic for rural communities that have historically more heavily relied on demand for these jobs as a source of employment than urban communities. Some feel that though our advancements as a nation and increased productivity are good, we need to take action to support the rural areas that are suffering from lack of prosperity due to the decrease in traditionally rural jobs. They feel we can invest in better connecting urban communities with job opportunities, as well as provide incentive programs for those who create jobs in rural communities. Others feel that we should not interfere in what are simply market conditions and it is upon the individuals living in rural communities to adapt to the demands of today’s job market. Which of the following statements best reflects your opinion on rural development? *
Abortion (13 of 36)
Abortion: Basing its decision on the right to privacy contained in the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in 1973 that abortion before a fetus is viable is legal. In the context of the ruling, the Court held that viability means the ability to live outside the womb. Regulations for abortion exist regarding the woman’s and fetus’ health, whether the pregnancy was the result of rape, or incest, etc., and vary by state. Some believe that abortion lies within the frame of women’s healthcare, and the ability of a woman to have control of her body is critical to civil rights. Supporters also argue that the choice whether or not to continue a pregnancy lies solely with the mother and her healthcare provider, and that the state shouldn’t be able to regulate what a woman can and cannot do regarding her decision whether or not to start a family. Others believe that life begins at conception, concluding that abortion is analogous to murder as it is the act of taking human life.. They also state that adoption is a viable option for mothers who feel they aren’t able to start a family and accomplishes the same result. Which of the following statements best reflects your opinion about abortions? *
Marginal Tax Rate (14 of 36)
Marginal tax rate: In recent years, the highest marginal income tax rate has been below 40%, while around the time of WWI and WWII it was over 60%.The highest marginal tax rate is the rate used for the highest bracket of your personal income. In the past thirty years the highest marginal tax rate for the richest Americans has been below 40%, while in the period 1930s-1980 that rate was over 60%. Some have proposed to raise the marginal tax rate on income over $10,000,000. Thus, anyone making more than $10M in one year would pay a tax of 70% on the amount above $10M. Some believe that a higher marginal tax rate for the rich will help lower inequality in our country. Others believe that higher marginal tax rates undermine incentives to innovate and unjustly penalizes success. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on the highest marginal tax rate? *
Residential Speed Limits (15 of 36)
Residential speed limits: Statistics show a fatality risk of 1.5% if an accident occurs at 20mph, vs. 8% if the driver is going 30mph. Residential speed limits are set by local municipalities across the US. Speed limits predate the modern car, with Rhode Island being one of the first to control the speed of galloping horses on major thoroughfares to protect pedestrians. The Department of Transportation has stated that the current goal in determining the right speed limit for each situation is to “increase safety within the context of retaining reasonable mobility”. However, road speed limits are set in each jurisdiction by the local authorities.  The “20’s Plenty” movement aims to reduce the speed limit in residential areas to 20mph to create a more livable environment. Statistics show a fatality risk of 1.5% if an accident occurs at 20mph vs. 8% if the driver is going 30mph. A study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) quotes that, of the overall 40,000 traffic fatalities per year in the US, 13,000 fatalities are related to speeding. Besides traffic signs with the maximum allowed speeds, municipalities try to control vehicle speeds through the implementation of speed bumps, lines on the road, comprehensive driver education, and community engagement. Some believe a blanket speed limit of 20mph in residential areas will keep our children and families safer. Others believe that it will inconvenience too many commuters at too great a cost in increased travel times. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on lowering speed limits in residential areas? *
Social Media Regulation (16 of 36)
Social Media regulation: 70% of Americans use at least one form of social media, while 28% use it as their primary source of news. Currently, social media is not regulated. Social media sites, when used responsibly, lead to peaceful protests, and have the ability to organize movements in countries around the world. At their worst, they provide a platform for terrorist organizations to recruit and spread their message. These sites all use algorithms to selectively put information in front of their users, taking into account what content users seems to prefer, who in their network is posting the content, and who advertisers are targeting specific content to. Recently, social media has come under scrutiny, when Russian Intelligence attempted to influence the 2016 American Presidential race by using social media. The debate about social media consists of two elements. The first of which describes a public fear of the potential social media has in being manipulated into propaganda or used to share incendiary, offensive, or classified content. The second element describes a growing concern amongst the digital community regarding the vast amounts of personal data being collected, and sold by big data companies, as shown by Cambridge Analytica during the 2016 election. Some believe that we need stronger governmental regulation on social media, and that these companies should be held accountable for what happens on their platforms. Others believe that government oversight of social media is a violation of free speech and that these companies should not be held accountable for what their users post on their sites. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on government regulation of social media? *
Role of the Media (17 of 36)
Role of the Media: There are many different types of media today, and many people struggle to determine what is fact, fiction or opinion. The role of the media has steadily increased over the past 100 years, with the advent of radio, television, cable news, the internet, social media and more. With so many information sources available it is sometimes difficult to cut through the noise and know what is fact, what is opinion,  and what is propaganda by partisan organizations, or even by foreign actors. Some believe that media should be held accountable for content published on their platforms. While others believe that free speech is paramount and no changes should be made. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on the current role of the mainstream media on our political discourse? *
North American Trade: NAFTA / USMCA (18 of 36)
North American Free Trade: In 1992, President Bush signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico and Canada. It was enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Clinton in 1993. The original goal of NAFTA was to create free trade across our borders, and bring Mexico into the high wage economy of the US and Canada. President Ford stated in September 1993 that not passing NAFTA would guarantee a wave of illegal immigration. As ratifying this deal would improve the Mexican economy, thereby allowing Mexican citizens to create a good life in Mexico, such a wave could be avoided. By eliminating tariffs (an import tax paid on imports) on most goods among these three countries, trade volume with Canada tripled since 1993 and with Mexico, increased sevenfold. In recent years, NAFTA has come under attack from both Democrats and Republicans, often being blamed for the loss of American manufacturing jobs. The economic studies on the topic do not all align, but generally speaking they conclude that increased automation has been the largest contributor to the decline in employment in US manufacturing, followed by the impact of the rise of China. They furthermore conclude that while some jobs were lost the overall economic benefits were overall positive for the country as a whole. During the Trump administration a new trade agreement has been agreed between the three countries called USMCA (US-Mexico-CAnada). There are many similarities between USMCA and NAFTA, such as the steel and aluminum tariffs of 25% and 10% respectively. There are also some key differences. A large percentage (75% vs. 62.5% under NAFTA) of a car needs to be manufactured in a country for some benefits. Also, the Canadian market opens up a bit more for US dairy products. Further changes involve monitoring of Mexican labor standards and some regulations regarding the digital industry, such as allowing US companies to host data on servers in the US when serving customers in Canada and Mexico. Supporters of NAFTA and USMCA believe that it has produced benefits for the US economy through the increased exports to Mexico and resulted in lower prices for consumers based on lower-cost imports from Mexico.  Opponents of NAFTA and USMCA believe that it has caused a major reduction of manufacturing jobs in the US, and was the trigger for the decline in the American middle class. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on NAFTA and USMCA? *
Foreign Aid (19 of 36)
Foreign Aid: Each year the United States spends around 1% of its annual budget on non-military foreign aid. The United States has been sending money overseas to help foreign countries since World War I. Post-war, the American Relief Administration (ARA), sent millions of dollars in aid to help war-torn Europe with food distribution as well as for combatting typhus. More famously, at the beginning of the Cold War in 1948, Congress passed the Marshall Plan which aimed to boost post-war European economies with substantial aid. From 1948 to 1952, Europe experienced the fastest period of growth in its history. Although Europe’s economy was on pace for recovery at that point, many historians agree that the plan helped speed up that recovery substantially. Since this time, especially once the Cold War ramped down at the end of the 20th century, U.S. expenditures on foreign aid have been decreasing as a percentage of spending to just around 1% of the budget today. In the modern age, most non-military aid is typically sent to developing countries. The top three recipients of economic assistance from the U.S. in 2017 were Iraq, Ethiopia, and Kenya in that order. Around 85% of the money sent to these countries is given to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) rather than straight to the governments themselves. Some believe that foreign aid is a waste of federal dollars and that money sent overseas is better spent at home where there are still plenty of problems to deal with. They feel that on top of spending U.S. tax dollars to no tangible benefit of the American taxpayer, it is an economic crutch for these countries which violates the free market and impairs their independent development. Others believe that American aid can be a force for good that can produce serious economic upsides and reinvigorate entire economies, similar to the Marshall Plan. They believe that American aid is critical to maintaining the United States’ moral authority, prestige, and reputation. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on foreign aid? *
Truancy (20 of 36)
Truancy: Truancy is the act of being absent from school without a pre-approved or legitimate reason. In some schools this can prevent a student from being qualified to graduate. In the United States, truancy is often punishable by a fine anywhere from $250 - $500, a mandatory education course, family counseling session or referral of parents/caretakers to criminal court if abuse or neglect is present. Incarceration of a parent or caregiver as a result of truancy occurs in minimal amounts of cases annually, but can lead to loss of custody or probation for both children and parents. Upwards of 1,000 students are removed from their households annually for truancy, and 15,000 more are put on probation. An incident in 2013 where the police department in Orange County arrested six parents as a result of their children missing school and charged them with contributing to the delinquency of a minor as well as “failure to reasonably supervise or encourage school attendance,” led to significant amounts of public debate about the proper way to deal with truancy. Some think parents are responsible for their children's well-being, and should be held accountable if they are failing their duties. The cost of missed school (lower grades, higher dropout rates) is high to society and to the individual children, and they believe parents should be punished accordingly. Others feel parents cannot be held accountable for the misbehavior of their children. Under US law, kids who are older than 13 can be treated as an adult if they commit a crime and disobeying mandatory school attendance should be no different. Yet others feel the issue is far more complex and cannot be solved by a punishment of a parent or child but rather requires a holistic approach that encourages education and seeks to induce attitude shifts among communities where truancy is high. Which of the following statements best reflects your opinion on truancy? *
Ban on Vaping (21 of 36)
Ban on Vaping: Vaping refers to the use of electronic cigarettes, which mimics the action of smoking but does not burn tobacco. Vaping products work by heating a chemical solution into an inhalable vapor form. The first product was invented in 1963, but was not successful in the American market because cigarettes were still in high demand and the health risks associated with smoking were not as well-known as they are today. In 2003, when the world was much more aware of the harm cigarettes can do to someone’s health, a man named Hon Lik created what would become the first e-cigarette in Beijing China. He was trying to quit smoking and the device gave him nicotine without the chemicals that harmed him, or the second-hand smoke that harmed others. In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked 1,479 cases of lung disease and 33 deaths to vaping and estimated there were over 5.4 million middle and high schoolers routinely using vaping products. In early 2020, the Trump Administration announced its intent to take action against what had become a nation-wide teen vaping epidemic by banning vaping products with flavors likely to appeal to kids from the U.S. market. The partial ban was seen as a compromise, allowing adults to still have access without kids being lured into smoking with fruity, minty or dessert flavored products. Some support a complete ban on these products, and feel that we don’t know enough about their long term impacts while these products lure children into nicotine addiction. Others disagree, and think vaping products can help adults quit tobacco products, while ultimately consumption of possibly harmful products should be a personal choice. Which of the following statements best reflects your opinion on a ban on vaping products? *
US Military Spending (22 of 36)
US Military spending: The US spends about 15% (about $700B) of its federal annual budget on the military, more than the next 10 countries combined. The budget is used to preserve our current military force, invest in old and new warfare technology, and execute military actions overseas. A big difference between the US military and other military forces around the world is that many other countries only invest in defense spending for their own protection, whereas US foreign policy allows for the use of troops around the world. Supporters of our current military spending levels believe that it is necessary to remain the world’s leading superpower. Opponents of our current spending levels believe that we should focus more on diplomatic efforts, or believe that there is a great deal of waste and inefficiency in military contracting. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on US military spending? *
No fault absentee voting (23 of 36)
No Fault Absentee Voting: Absentee ballots are available across the US, however, 12 states do not permit absentee ballots without a “valid excuse”. Every state in the US allows for absentee ballot voting, where a registered voter can request a ballot, and vote by mail before election day. For a majority of states, anyone can request an absentee ballot, no questions asked, a so-called “no fault absentee ballot”. A minority of states require a “qualified excuse” to submit an absentee ballot. Acceptable excuses vary by state, but include things such as being disabled, being active military, living overseas, working at a polling place, or being away on election day. A few states allow a voter to apply to be on a permanent absentee ballot list which means they are automatically sent an absentee ballot in every election. Some states, such as Oregon, have made voting by mail the standard process.  Some believe no-fault absentee ballots encourage more voter participation and make elections more accessible. Others believe that absentee ballots are too susceptible to voter fraud, thus threatening the integrity of our system. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on no fault absentee voting? *
Single family zoning (24 of 36)
Single Family Zoning: To address housing affordability, climate change, and racial inequality, many cities around the country are changing laws that currently only allow for detached single-family homes. Single-family detached homes have been for decades a hallmark of the American dream. On 75% of the land of most American cities, it’s illegal to build anything other than detached single-family homes. Apartment buildings, senior and student housing, and affordable housing, all of which are multi-unit, are banned. Apartment buildings are frowned upon, as they are seen as blocking the sun and generally detrimental to a neighborhood’s desirability and character. However, as housing becomes more expensive, single-family homes are seen as increasingly inefficient usage of valuable land, ultimately limiting available housing and driving up housing costs. Cities such as Charlotte, North Carolina, and Minneapolis, Minnesota have begun attempts to address the issue, with Minneapolis up-zoning (changing the zoning to allow for higher-value or more dense use) every single-family neighborhood at once. Supporters of changing zoning laws claim that these changes will support public transportation, and make high cost cities more affordable. Opponents fear that property values and quality of life will suffer, bringing in more traffic and less sunlight into single-family neighborhoods. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on changing single family zoning laws? *
Universal Broadband (25 of 36)
Universal Broadband access: Rural America lacks the access to broadband service that urban America enjoys. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sets a standard for the minimum broadband upload and download speeds that are “adequate” to participate in high traffic activities and that should be provided in the US. Currently, 39% of people living in rural America lack access to broadband internet that meets this minimum standard versus 4% in urban America. The consequence is that, in general, the rural areas end up paying a higher price for a worse service, and subsequently cannot compete in businesses which require strong access to the internet. The situation exists because the cost per connection to install the network is, for a telecommunications company, much more expensive in rural areas. In the 1930s and 1940s, the FCC created a system of loans and grants to ensure that everyone in America had access to equal electric and telephone service. The current debate is whether the FCC should do something similar for internet access. Australia executed exactly such a project in the past decade at a cost of about $50B, creating broadband access for everyone. Some believe that America should value providing economic opportunities through internet access to all. Others believe that the cost for such a project would far outweigh the benefits. Which of these statements best reflect your opinion on providing broadband internet across the US? *
War on Drugs (26 of 36)
War on Drugs: Beginning in the 1980s, the American prison population dramatically increased. One of the contributors to this has been the War on Drugs. President Nixon declared it in 1971, and the war was further developed during President Reagan’s term in office. This included First Lady Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign, the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, and notably, the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. The Anti-Drug Abuse Act changed the system of federal supervised release (similar to probation) from a system which sought to help change the behavior of ex-convicts, to one which punishes them for repeated behavior. The bill also added mandatory minimum sentencing for drug offences. The Sentencing Reform Act made sentencing guidelines uniform and abolished federal parole. Since 1980, the United States prison population has quadrupled, with most inmates being minorities, coming from low-income backgrounds, or both. Around the same time of this surge in incarceration rates, national crime rates decreased. About 15% of inmates in state prisons and 45% of inmates in federal prisons are in for drug offences, many of which are related to marijuana. Despite overall lower levels of drug use, African Americans are more likely to be charged with a drug offence than Caucasians. Some say that stricter drug policy has led to a safer America. Furthermore, they point out that drugs incur societal costs, and any recreational use should be restricted. Others say the War on Drugs is unjust, and it disproportionately impacts low-income and minority groups. They also note that it has led to the United States holding one of the largest prison populations in the world, one that is very expensive, and not being effectively rehabilitated. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on the War on Drugs? *
Solar Tax Credits (27 of 36)
Solar Tax Credits: Since 2005, solar Tax Credits provide a 30% tax reduction for the installation of solar panels and are credited with stimulating solar power generation in the US. Global temperatures have been rising, with the last 4 years being the hottest 4 years on record, being about 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit above standard yearly averages. The large majority of scientists attribute this change in global temperatures to human activity, and especially to the carbon dioxide which is produced by the burning of fossil fuels for energy. As people look for alternate, sustainable energy sources, solar power - harnessed through solar panels - has become an attractive option for some. In 2005, a tax credit (which has been extended multiple times) was approved by congress that allows those who install solar panels to deduct 30% of the cost of installation from their federal taxes. On average this has allowed those who install solar panels to save $5,000 overall. Since then, due to technological advances and industry growth, solar panels have become cheaper than ever. The federal tax credit is scheduled to taper off by 2022 when the tax credit for residential solar power will end. Today, solar power accounts for around 1.6% of total electricity generated in the United States. Some feel that federal solar tax credits should end due to the solar industry’s maturation over recent years. They believe that the industry no longer needs government help to grow. Others believe that the tax credit is critically important for incentivizing private citizens to buy solar and with that, for helping to reduce the country’s overall dependence on fossil fuels. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on solar tax credits? *
Confederate Monuments (28 of 36)
Confederate Monuments: As Reconstruction came to a close in the South after the Civil War, the southern states which had seceded from the Union to form the Confederacy began to erect monuments to honor their fallen soldiers. Many of these monuments were funded by private groups like the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC), in remembrance of their fallen brothers, fathers, sons, and husbands. The construction of these monuments peaked just before the 50th anniversary of the war, and then again during the 100th anniversary. These construction dates correspond with the height of Jim Crow laws in the South and the founding of the second Ku Klux Klan, as well as the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Some believe that these monuments exalt a treasonous government whose founding principle was protecting the enslavement of African Americans. They also believe that these monuments were built to intimidate black Southerners, and to reaffirm white-supremacy in an age when they were rightfully free and equal citizens. Others point to the cultural and historical significance of these monuments as critical in the story of the South. They feel that destroying the past is a dangerous precedent and that the bad should be remembered with the good so that future generations may learn to distinguish between the two. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on Confederate Civil War monuments? *
Prescription Drug Prices (29 of 36)
Prescription drug prices: Prescription drugs are on average twice as expensive in the US as in other developed countries. The US spends far more on healthcare per person than any other developed country in the world. A major contributor to the cost difference is the price of prescription drugs, which are, on average, about twice as expensive as in other developed countries, and form 17% of total healthcare costs. In recent years, drug companies have significantly raised prices on drugs that have been on the market for years. Drug companies cite the need for research and development (R&D) of new drugs as one of the reasons for these price increases. Due to patent protections (typically 20 years), there may be no generic alternatives available. There is also a law in the US which prevents Medicare, the single largest healthcare provider, from negotiating drug prices with pharmaceutical companies. In 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order that aims to directly negotiate drug prices for millions of Californians in an attempt to keep prices down for consumers. Some believe that pharmaceutical companies are taking advantage of Americans and the government must intervene. Others believe that the government should not interfere in the market for prescription drugs. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on what the government should do about rising prescription drug prices? *
NATO Membership (30 of 36)
NATO membership: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was founded soon after WWII to promote peace and cooperation among members and throughout the international community. Article 5 of NATO states that if one of the members is attacked, it should be seen as an attack on all members and they should all assist. Article 5 has only been invoked once in the history of NATO - after September 11th, 2001, when the US was attacked by terrorists. Currently, NATO consists of 29 members. 12 countries founded the organization in 1949, including the United States. Between this time and the Cold War, 4 more countries were added, and after the Cold War ended, NATO added 13 more. In 1991, the North Atlantic Cooperation Council was created to invite other countries to the growing alliance, and in 1997, it was extended to the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC).  There are currently an additional 22 countries which take part in the EAPC. The goal of NATO continues to be to maintain a strong international partnership that ensures a foreign power will be restrained from taking action against the alliance. While originally founded to protect the freedom of its member countries, NATO has extended to peacemaking efforts across the globe. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on NATO membership? *
Federal Minimum Wage (31 of 36)
Federal minimum wage: The Federal Minimum Wage puts a lower boundary on the hourly rate that anyone should earn for any job and is currently set at $7.25.The Federal Minimum Wage (FMW) has been unchanged at $7.25 since 2009. The highest historical FMW peaked in 1968 at $1.60 per hour, which, adjusted for inflation, is approximately $11.75 in 2019 dollars. Most states have passed their own state minimum wage laws, some of which are higher and some of which are lower than the FMW. If there is no state minimum wage or if the state minimum wage is lower than the FMW then the FMW applies to that state. Some people believe that raising the FMW is necessary to ensure that people can earn a “living wage”, meaning a wage that is high enough to allow an acceptable standard of living for their families. Others believe that raising the FMW will replace low-paying jobs with automation and harm small businesses. Yet others believe that minimum wage laws should be left to individual states and cities. Which of the following statements best reflects your opinion about the Federal Minimum Wage? *
Privatize the VA (32 of 36)
Privatizing Veteran's healthcare: The Veterans Health Administration is responsible for taking care of the health of US veterans and recent reports have shown it is falling short of meeting those needs. All members of the military and their families get comprehensive health care coverage. The mission statement for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is: “To fulfill President Lincoln's promise ‘To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan’ by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's veterans.”  The VA has undergone a few major changes in the past few decades. In 1988 President Reagan elevated the leader of the VA to a cabinet level position. In 1996, President Clinton signed the Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act, which transformed the system from a set of hospital locations to a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) type healthcare system to treat all veterans and not just injuries directly related to their service.  In 2014 a major scandal broke that the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals were not meeting the requirement to see any veteran within the required 14 days.  This resulted in the creation of the Veterans Choice Program which allowed veterans seeking treatment to visit private providers.  Supporters for privatizing the VHA healthcare system believe that veterans should be able to choose private healthcare.  Opponents believe we need to increase funding for our VHA programs to ensure that access remains universal as privatization of veteran healthcare would be the beginning of the end for ensuring coverage for veterans. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on privatizing the VHA health care system? *
Corporate Tax Rates (33 of 36)
Corporate tax rate: In 1969 corporations were charged a 52.8% tax on their profits and in 2017 the corporate tax rate was reduced from 35% down to 21%.The 16th Amendment to the US Constitution was passed in 1913 and allowed Congress to “have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived”.  Until 1935 corporations paid income taxes based on one fixed percentage.  After 1935 income brackets were established to set different rates for different income levels. The number of brackets and corresponding rates have changed over time. The highest rate for corporations in 1969 was 52.8%. In 2017 the US corporate tax rate was cut from 35% down to its current rate of 21%. A group of developed countries (e.g. France, Germany, Sweden and Mexico) which form the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have an average corporate tax rate of 24%. Supporters of a lower corporate tax rate believe that it creates jobs by allowing companies to invest that money in their employees and growth as well as attracting foreign investment. Opponents of a lower corporate tax rate believe that it is just a tax giveaway to the rich, who own the large majority of all stocks. They argue that the lower corporate tax rate should have been accompanied by an increase in the capital gains tax rate. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on the corporate tax rate? *
Global Terrorism (34 of 36)
Global Terrorism: Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, the fight against international terrorism has been at the forefront of American foreign relations. While the threat of extremism as a result of failed or unstable states has gone up, deaths from international terrorism have declined. Since the peak of activity in 2014 when more than 32,500 people were killed around the world, there has been a 22% global decrease of activity and deaths as a result of international terrorism. As instability throughout the Middle East and Africa continues to rise, the countries involved become more likely to harbor extremism. Areas that have no solid government, are in the middle of a civil war, or are suffering from a "breakdown of social order" are at the highest risk of fostering extremism. When analyzing terrorist threat levels across different nations, the U.S. is currently at an elevated level, meaning that there’s a significant chance of terrorist attacks. There’s an unclear view within the U.S. whether or not the “War on Terror” is being won and many believe that neither side is winning. Americans are also divided on whether or not the “War on Terror” has weakened or strengthened terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda and ISIS. Many also believe that the war in Iraq has only increased the threat of terrorist attacks globally. Some argue that the current U.S. strategy must change into one that focuses on prevention, starting by helping to strengthen the world's most at-risk countries. Others argue that we are doing too much in our efforts fix the issue, and our approach to battling terrorism is only perpetuating the problem, not solving it. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on global terrorism? *
Diversity Visa Program (35 of 36)
Diversity Visa Program: The Diversity Visa Program, also referred to as the visa lottery, makes 50,000 visas available to countries with low rates of immigration to the US. These countries are determined based on the last 5 years of immigration numbers. 10-15M people apply each year for this program, 100,000 are then selected at random to be vetted for the final approval of 50,000 people to enter the US.  All people who are accepted to this program go through the same thorough checks as any other legal immigrant to the US.  To be eligible to apply you must have at least a high school diploma and have worked for 2 of the past 5 years in a field that requires training and/or experience.  There have been numerous attempts to repeal the program over the past 20 years, an effort that has been supported by both Democrats and Republicans.  Some believe that adding to the diversity of the US is a good thing, as it helps present a welcoming face to the world and overwhelmingly brings hard-working, law-abiding residents to the US. Others believe that it is an avenue for less qualified people to enter the US and therefore has less benefit to society than traditional forms of legal immigration. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion on the Diversity Visa Program? *
Currency Manipulation (36 of 36)
Currency Manipulation: There are ~20 countries around the world that manipulate their own currency to improve their own international trade outcomes. The US has a large trade deficit with the rest of the international community. Some of this deficit is caused by countries who manipulate their currencies to improve their trade outcomes.  Exchange rates between currencies are the basis by which the value of goods bought and sold are set, and therefore, countries can manipulate their currency by affecting this rate. There are two main methods of manipulating currency that a country may adopt. Exchange rates are generally set by supply and demand, if more people want a given currency, it becomes more valuable and vice versa. Some countries will buy the US dollar to change the supply/demand ratio, and therefore increase the value of our currency while simultaneously devaluing their own. Other countries engage in direct governmental intervention when it comes to market evaluation of their currency. China, Denmark, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland, and Taiwan have been the largest perpetrators. It is believed that if we could eliminate this practice, it would increase the number of US jobs, as the value of foreign goods would increase making it more cost effective to manufacture in the US. Some believe that the US should take a much stronger stance against currency manipulation. Others believe that the US should tread lightly to avoid trade disputes that may do more harm than good. Which of these statements best reflect your opinion on what the US should do about currency manipulators? *
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