No matter what political party you stand with, the 2020 election will be one where you can't vote for a candidate simply because of the (R) or (D) next to their name. The election is still a year and a half away, but the time for doing research on each candidate is now.
Here are some reasons why you shouldn't even think about going to the polls next November without doing your homework:
1. This upcoming election is a risky one.
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The country is mass divided between people that want nothing more than to kick Donald Trump out of office and people who want to keep him there. Next year will bring an election too risky for you to stay at home on Election Day, so make sure you have your reasons for why you want Trump to stay or go.
2. Just because they are running for your political party, doesn't mean you should automatically think of them as an ideal candidate.
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A lot of people like to think of using the terms "liberal" and "conservative", but they don't always coincide with a certain party. There are liberal Republicans and conservative Democrats. The letter next to their name does not necessarily have to correlate with your views.
3. You may know the presidential candidates, but do you know the candidates in your state?
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Local government is extremely important but often overlooked. Before you skip the city council portion of your ballot, get to know the candidates that are running in your state.
4. The number of presidential candidates is on the increase.
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There are several Democratic candidates entering the race against Trump, and that number is only going up. If you're voting Democrat, make sure you have enough information to pick which of the many candidates is ideal for you.
5. You should never get your information from media alone.
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Political ads are full of lies. You cannot vote against a candidate simply because a TV commercial told you to. These ads are paid for by the candidates themselves, so often they spread false information to make them look more favorable. You shouldn't base your opinion off of someone else's bias.
6. Primaries are coming up soon.
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Local primaries/caucuses determine which candidates stay in the race and which drop out, and they start months before the November election. Don't be that person who doesn't care about primaries simply because it's not the official election. Primaries are super essential for determining the rest of the race.
7. It's important to pick a candidate you relate to most.
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No two candidates are alike. The best way to find one that you can easily relate to is to look up their statements and their values.
8. Every person has a past.
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Usually, presidential and other higher-level candidates have previous experience in government. In order to really get to know who you're voting for, be sure to look into their impact as a different government leader, including any scandals or other bad work.
9. Candidates may say one thing and do something else.
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We all know what it's like to say something on impulse that we don't mean. People in big government talk, but do they always walk? Like, is it really possible to build a giant wall without breaking any rules? Or give every college student free tuition?
10. Because voting is VERY important.
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No matter who you plan to vote for, all that matters is that you vote. Everyone is given the right to vote for a reason, and it's crucial that you take advantage. There's not point in doing research if you don't plan on voting.
Don't show up to the polls with no expertise. The best way to do your research is to look up who you want to vote for or against. Look up the impact they've made, things they have said, and the mission for their country if they are elected. Look up each Democratic presidential candidate and see what they would do differently than Trump.
Look into everything that Trump has accomplished during his term. And certainly, look into who is running in your town or state. Your local government can tackle more specific issues, so don't think of them as less relevant than bigger government.
Make your voice heard, and educated!
The minimum wage is not a living wage.
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