Your Major on the Ballot

Governments spend a lot of money! The Constitution delegates "the power of the purse" to the U.S. House of Representatives. Because we elect House members every two years, we have a say in taxes and where public money goes. Enter financial gurus like you— if you care about effective public spending and financial transparency, you've got a reason to vote.

5 key issues:

• Federal budget

• National debt

• Tax code

• Social welfare programs

• Financial regulation efforts (Dodd-Frank Act)

Learn more:

• The U.S. Budget Deficit Is Projected to Fall to $1 Trillion in 2022

• Congress Declares 'Bipartisan Breakthrough' on Government Funding

• Federal Budget Proposal Would Increase Pell Grant Maximum, Cut Federal Deficit

It's no secret that farms are essential to the American economy, feeding and employing millions. Government regulations can seriously impact agricultural jobs, especially those who run small family-owned farms. At the same time, farms are only as healthy as the environment at-large. It's important to vote because elected officials (accountable to the voters!) determine the future of our farms.

5 key issues:

• Tariffs and international trade

• Access to clean water

• Pesticide regulation

• Farm subsidies

• Food safety and security

Learn more:

• USDA Advances Food System Transformation with $43 Million for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, Adds New Urban County Committees

• The Consequences of Farm Policy and Regulations on America's Food Supply

• How Farming Practices Can Preserve Water Quality in Lake Macatawa

Simply put, architects work to design the most effective structures possible. Many of these buildings are government-owned or otherwise serve the general public, such as airports and public housing units. You already know that poor-quality architecture is a recipe for disaster– just imagine how many people would be affected if a housing unit wasn't weather resistant! Architecture IS political. Housing, city planning, and infrastructure policies are right up your alley!

5 key issues:

• Zoning laws

• Affordable housing

• Building regulations

• Environmentally-friendly architecture

• Infrastructure development and expansion

Learn more:

• With Most Trump Appointees off the Fine Arts Commission, Biden Can Put a Progressive Stamp on Federal Architecture

• Denver Set to Vote on Affordable Housing Policy that Has Had Success in Other Cities

• As Storm Season Begins, White House Building Code Initiative Aims to Cut Energy Waste, Build Resilient Homes

For decades, arts programming has been met with bipartisan government approval, and elected officials regularly voice support for businesses big and small. Who better to provide insights to politicians on arts funding and business leadership than arts managers like you? Your vote is a fabulous way to make this happen, and ensure that arts organizations have everything they need to thrive.

5 key issues:

• Funding for arts education

• Funding for arts programming

• Support for local arts businesses

• Government arts agencies

• Public art

Learn more:

• What Is Arts Policy? Integrating the Arts into National Issues to Bring about Innovation and Change

• New York City Teachers Push for More Arts Education Funding in School Budget

• Local Arts Sector to Gain $5 Million in ARPA Funding

Biologists focus on building an understanding of living organisms and their interactions with the environment, to improve quality of life while promoting sustainability, or at a minimum not harming our ecosystems. They help define basic rights and provide the data that drives decisions on endangered species and ecosystem protection, pharmaceutical development, general biomanufacturing, healthcare access, and epidemic management. Many biologists work at the intersections of healthcare, environmental conservation, biomanufacturing, and education where government policies impact their ability to secure funding, develop at reasonable timelines, and not be faced with societal backlash. While some biologists go on to pursue advanced degrees, including MDs, PhDs, MBAs, and JDs, there is a notable underrepresentation of biologists in elected government roles.

6 key issues:

• Protection of endangered species

• Investments in research

• Access to healthcare

• Epidemic/pandemic management and prevention

• Reproductive rights & stem cell research

• Genetic Engineering

Key Decision Makers:

• Limits to reproductive rights, including abortion access and IVF protection, are impacted by state legislatures and Congress. 

• Restrictions on financial support of environmental protection agencies, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, are impacted by Congress. *

• Development and access to healthcare are impacted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid. *

• Restrictions and regulations on genetically engineered crops are impacted by state legislatures, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.*

• Investments in research are decided by the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the National Science Foundation. *

  *Federal agency heads (such as NOAA, the FDA, the USA, the EPA, and more) are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and state agency heads are appointed by Governors.

Discussion Questions:

Did you know that federal and state elected officials play a crucial role in funding and regulating environmental protections, from providing or restricting funding for the conservation of endangered species and ecosystems to appointing agency heads that determine clean air, clean water, and climate change-related policies, and more? How might the health of wildlife, vulnerable ecosystems, and the planet at large be impacted by the decisions of these elected officials?

How can your vote impact family planning practices, such as the legality of abortion and fertility treatments, and where menstrual products can and can’t be accessed?

Learn more:

• California Won't Ban Offshore Drilling after Legislation Stalls

• Department of the Interior Proposes Expanding Conservation Technique as Climate Change Threatens Greater Species Extinction

• Lawsuit Challenges Federal Pesticide-Spraying Program Affecting Millions of Acres of Western Rangelands

Special thanks to Akash Jain, University of Pennsylvania, for helping to update this section.

Governments at the local, state, and federal levels have all significantly impacted the health and economic prosperity of Black Americans since the founding of the United States. Many disparities between the well-being of Black people and others can be attributed to policy decisions, such as environmental racism and housing discrimination. In addition, the fields of History and African American History are increasingly being impacted in states and districts throughout the country as a result of a growing movement by various state and local districts to dictate what history can and cannot be taught in public schools. Further, municipalities are working to abolish Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies courses.

5 key issues:

• Undoing effects of redlining

• Reparations for descendants of the enslaved

• Closing the racial wealth gap

• Criminal justice reform

• Police/law enforcement reform

• Education Reform & restrictions on teaching African American history

Discussion Question: 

What, if any, influence should government officials have in determining what topics are covered in history classes?

Learn more:

• Reparations for Black Residents Are Becoming a Local Issue as Well as a National One

• 3 Reasons Why Expanding Access to Homeownership Alone Won't Close the Racial Wealth Gap

• Student Debt is a Racial Justice Issue. Here's What President Biden Can Do to Help.

• Florida rejects AP African American Studies.

Special thanks to Dr. Lisa Bratton, Associate Professor of History at Tuskegee University, for helping to update this section!

The private sector employs millions, and governments can help thousands of businesses to grow and flourish. They can also develop policies that can harm them, especially small businesses. Business regulations also affect employees themselves, with some states embracing protections for unions, and some championing right-to-work laws. If you weren’t already convinced to vote, don’t forget that business regulations can affect consumers too!

5 key issues:

• Supporting small businesses

• Consumer protection

• Tax credits and tax policy

• Labor policy and regulations

• Pay equity

Learn more:

• The Government Shutdown and the Impact on Your Business

• Small Businesses Worry Final Aid Package will Neglect Them Again

• How Government and Business Can Tackle Big Global Crises Together

Check out the Chemistry section of the Science and Civics Guide, developed by Science Rising through the SLSV Coalition’s Resources & Support Subcommittee, for more detailed guidance and language on illustrating the connection between Chemistry and our democracy! 

For some quick ideas and sources, see below:

5 key issues:

• Regulating Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals

• Managing hazardous waste

• Consumer protection from toxic chemicals

• Regulating nuclear and chemical weapons

• Funding scientific research

Learn more:

• States Move to Regulate Toxic Chemicals; Federal Government Still Far Behind

• Senate HELP Committee Unveils Draft FDA User Fee Reauthorization Legislation, with Major Reforms to In Vitro Diagnostics, Cosmetics, and Dietary Supplements

• FDA Agrees to Reconsider Safety of BPA in Food Packaging

Journalism is essential to democracy, which is why freedom of the press is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Journalists serve as watchdogs, holding the powerful to account for their words and actions. Journalism also serves a practical function, helping people make informed decisions about issues in their lives, their communities, and the nation, which enables them to engage and advocate to their representatives effectively. 

Journalists’ ability to report and serve the public is also directly impacted by state law. All but one US state has enacted a reporter shield law, which affords journalists certain privileges and protections against prosecution in the event that they report on illegal activities in the course of their work. However, no such legislation exists on the federal level, and the 49 different state shield laws offer varying levels of protection - levels that may fluctuate depending on how state and local judges (who are often elected officials) interpret the law. 

More broadly, elected officials at all levels and across all political orientations have taken varying stances toward the sanctity of the First Amendment and an independent press. The less elected leaders value and protect journalism as a practice essential to democracy, the more vulnerable the industry becomes.

5 key issues:

• Shield laws and whistleblower protections

• Funding public radio and television

• Government transparency

• Free, independent press

• Proliferation of misinformation and disinformation on social media

Key Decision Makers:

• Shield laws are decided by state legislatures and whistleblower protections are decided by judges 

• Proliferation of misinformation and disinformation is impacted by Congressional action (or inaction)

• Free, independent press & government transparency are both impacted by Congress and the courts

• Funding for public radio and television is decided by both the president and Congress

Discussion Questions:

Without strong shield laws, journalists can be forced to reveal their sources, which makes whistleblowers less likely to talk to them. Can you think of some types of investigations that wouldn’t be possible without solid shield laws; how would that affect the public good?

What kind of stories wouldn’t be possible if journalists weren’t able to FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) government records? How would that affect the ability of the press to empower the public?

Learn more:

• Learn about Reporter Shield Laws

• Democracy Dies in Darkness

• How We Know Journalism is Good for Democracy

• Freedom of the Press in the U.S. Constitution

• Targeting of journalists and truth is threatening freedom, UN chief warns

• The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker

• A Strong Relationship between Media and Government Is Vital

• Texas Social Media Law Brings Content Debate to Supreme Court

• Secretary Antony J. Blinken Panel Discussion at the Media Summit of Americas Session: "A Commitment to Journalistic Freedom" Remarks

Special thanks to Sharon Bloyd-Peshkin, Professor of Journalism in the School of Communication and Culture at Columbia College Chicago, for helping to update this section.

Check out the Computer Science section of the Science and Civics Guide, developed by Science Rising through the SLSV Coalition’s Resources & Support Subcommittee for more detailed guidance and language on illustrating the connection between Computer Science and our democracy!

For some quick ideas and sources, see below:

5 key issues:

• Cybersecurity

• Internet privacy

• Election software

• Surveillance and facial recognition software

• Bitcoin and cryptocurrency

Learn more:

• DOJ Reverses Controversial Policy on Cybersecurity Prosecutions

• Task Force to Assess Use of Facial Recognition by Colorado Law Enforcement, Government

• Cyber Agency: Voting Software Vulnerable in Some States

There’s no such thing as an over-informed citizenry. There’s no such thing as too much research. A ton of research goes into drafting even the smallest of bills—it’s up to data scientists like you to make sure information is accessible to everyone! Governments also shape your work; they can affect fair elections, open Internet, and public research. Data scientists know better than anyone the importance of quality research—read more about how data science shows up on the ballot.

5 key issues:

• The Census

• Election statistics, recounts, and audits

• Net neutrality

• Access to high-speed Internet

• Online misinformation

Learn more:

• Cyber Ninjas Emails Show Further Links between Arizona 'Audit' and Wisconsin Election Investigation

• Net Neutrality: What It Means for You and Your Money

• More Than 88,000 Louisiana Homes, Businesses to Gain High-Speed Internet with New Federal Funding

Politicians have mentioned “the economy” countless times. Economic well-being and mobility are vital to healthy lives and communities, and governments can help spread, or reduce, this prosperity. Political actions on issues like climate change and international conflicts also impact economic systems. With minimum wage laws, stimulus checks, and privatization efforts, economics are on the ballot every single year.

5 key issues:

• International trade agreements

• Labor and wage policy

• Inflation/recession solutions

• Job creation

• Bank regulation

Learn more:

• Who Are the Economic Winners and Losers of all the COVID-19 PCR Testing?

• The Massive Gap between Rich and Poor Americans Costs the US Economy more than $300 Billion Every Year, Study Says

• Climate Crisis Is 'Battering Our Economy' and Driving Inflation, New Book Says

Educated citizens become active citizens. Our teachers play a huge role in keeping our democracy alive, not to mention an education opens the door to valuable opportunities later in life. Millions of children attend public schools, so it’s necessary to ensure a quality education, from daycare to doctorate. With issues like the school-to-prison pipeline, firearms on campus, rising tuition, teacher pay, and standardized testing, our schools are on the ballot!

5 key issues:

• Funding for public education

• Student debt management and relief

• Private and charter school vouchers

• Price of higher education tuition

• K–12 curriculum

Learn more:

• 560,000 Borrowers Will Get Automatic Student Loan Forgiveness, but Others Can Still Apply for Relief

• STEM Education Budget: FY22 Outcomes and FY23 Request

• NYC Budget Deal Cuts School Funding amid Declining Enrollment

Check out the Engineering section of the Science and Civics Guide, developed by Science Rising through the SLSV Coalition’s Resources & Support Subcommittee for more detailed guidance and language on illustrating the connection between Engineering and our democracy!

For some quick ideas and sources, see below:

5 key issues:

• Infrastructure development and expansion

• Investing in climate friendly engineering

• Military and aerospace engineering

• Expanding public transportation

• National power grid

Learn more:

• The Infrastructure Bill Is Desperately Needed, Engineers Say

• House Passes $25B Water Resources Development Bill

• Biden Just Declared Heat Pumps and Solar Panels Essential to National Defense—Here's Why and the Challenges Ahead

Literature and writing are inextricably linked to democracy. What can be read, what can be written, what can be reported by news outlets, and what can be taught are fundamental aspects of a functioning democratic society. English and other liberal arts/humanities majors rely on maintaining laws that protect these freedoms and provide funding for education. Preserving the humanities is vital to preserving democracy.

5 key issues:

• Restrictions on news reporting

• Banned books

• Creative writing in K–12 education

• Government transparency

Key Decision Makers:

• Restrictions on reporting are impacted by the president, congress, governors, mayors, and courts. 

• Which books are permitted in public schools and public libraries is decided by elected state and local government officials and local school boards.

• Creative Writing in K-12 is decided by state funding (determined by state legislatures and governors) and local school boards.

• Government transparency is impacted by all elected officials and those who are employed by them.

Discussion Questions:

Did you know that decisions about what books are available to students in K-12 and even what books some college students read are made by state and local elected officials, not teachers? Are there changes you would like to see in the decision-making process about appropriate reading material for students?

Considering the relationship between public policy and reporters, teachers, and writers of books, movies, and television shows, who do you think should be making decisions about what is published, reported, and taught in schools and how these things are funded? Are there changes you would like to see in entertainment, news reporting, or education? How would our country look different if more people who studied English (literature and writing) were elected to public office or working in government?

Learn more:

• The Rise in Book Bans, Explained

• Tennessee Gov. Lee Signs Government Transparency Bills, Including on Inmate Deaths

• A Passionate, Unapologetic Plea for Creative Writing in Schools

Special thanks to Laurie Sherman, Professor of English, Community College of Rhode Island, for helping to update this section.

Human activity has a huge impact on our environment. In fact, scientists are arguing that many of the biggest threats to the Earth and its ecosystems, like pollution and climate change, are man-made. All is not lost, however—these same scientists claim that changes in human behavior, and more importantly, new eco-friendly policies, can undo these problems. Enter environmental science majors like you! If you care about the health of our planet, you need to show up at the polls.

5 key issues:

• Pollution regulation

• Energy policy

• Environmental racism and justice

• Conservation of natural lands and resources

• Paris Climate Agreement

Learn more:

• Here's a Policy Playbook You Can Use to Fight Climate Change

• House Republicans to Introduce Climate Change Strategy with Eye on Midterms

• Biden's Oil-and-Gas Leasing Lockdown, Brought to You by the NEPA

American politics doesn’t just affect the United States—as a global superpower, our foreign policy is critical to maintaining peace, strengthening economies, and keeping our planet healthy. As a potential translator, diplomat, intelligence analyst, or educator abroad (just to name a few careers!), your expertise can fuel long-lasting, impactful foreign policies. One of the best ways you can contribute is to vote today!

5 key issues:

• International trade

• Immigration policy

• International treaties

• Support for allied nations

• Nuclear weapon regulation

Learn more:

• A Federal Judge in Texas Blocks a Major DHS Policy Limiting Immigration Enforcement

• U.S. Lacks a Clear Picture of Ukraine's War Strategy, Officials Say

• Nations Undergo Rigorous Process to Join NATO

Geography is an expansive field of study covering a range of interdisciplinary skills and bodies of scholarship. From understanding the differing biomes of our planet to the spatial components of social problems we face every day, geography can give us a range of tools and insights into how to tackle the many challenges we face in day-to-day life. Many legal, policy, and electoral developments can have a broad degree of influence across the differing subfields of geography.

These influences can cover environmental protections, land cover regulation, policies to encourage the cultivation of specific plants, or restricting invasive species. It can also cover issues related to map projections to be used for navigation or commercial purposes. It may play a role in the development and tracking of social issues and phenomena like food deserts or the movement of people across the country. In short, people are shaped by their environment while also shaping it.

Many geographers find themselves working as land surveyors or as specialists within planning departments- helping a city or county manage the use of property within their jurisdiction and tackling issues from affordable housing to public transit. Others may serve as researchers in an academic, governmental, or private lab setting. Geographers might even find themselves influencing geopolitics if they work for agencies like the National Reconnaissance Office or the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

Due to the pervasive nature of both the environment and society, there will be many intersections between science and policy.

4 key issues:

• Urban Planning and Development (especially related to affordable housing, roads, public transportation, health care systems, public safety, education and libraries, parks and open space)

• Resource Distribution and Use (importance of geospatial technology in understanding control over and use of resources, related manufacturing processes, and resulting conflicts)

• Immigration and Migration (discussions of citizenship, deportation, and defining people moving around the globe (ie refugee, asylum seeker, economic migrant))

• Geopolitical Tensions (understanding the diplomatic, economic, and environmental consequences of choices we make when dealing with other countries)

Learn more:

• Protective Buffers from Oil and Gas Infrastructure

• Mitigating Coastal Changes

• Social Vulnerability During Hurricane Harvey

• GeoCivics: Redistricting, Geography, and Civics

• United Nations Climate Change

For Geography Educators: 

• The Geography Teacher: Support for Teachers During a Challenging Electoral Season (Volume 13, Issue 3 (2016))

Key Decision Makers:

• Planning and Development and Resource Distribution and Use are decided by state and local legislative bodies as well as executive entities (mayors and governors), but are also impacted by funding and guidance from the Federal Government (Congress and the President).

• Federal agencies like the USGS, EPA, Census, or USDA may have relevant information, data, or decision-makers that can help influence the process of deciding many policy issues. Many of these agencies are often filled with appointments at the federal level, as with their state counterparts. Attention to executive-level races can help aspiring scientists anticipate what sorts of policy initiatives might be likely to receive support in the coming years.

Discussion Questions:

• How might local officials influence environmental protection in your area? Does car-based infrastructure, a lack of public transit options or walkable space, or common measures of social vulnerability- such as food deserts or inadequate access to schools- influence the degree to which the environment is protected? 

• In what ways might local problems have wider ramifications for a community? A state? A country? For example, how might water shortages in Arizona and New Mexico have impacts on these states and with neighboring Mexico? How might geographers identify these problems and fix them?

• What role should indigenous communities around the world play in making decisions about climate and environmental policies?

• Why is it important to understand the history of redlining and the continuing implications of discrimination in communities across the United States?

• How can geospatial technology analysis tools support your investigation of topics in which you have an interest?

Special thanks to Rebecca Theobald, Associate Research Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and Zachary Mahafza, Data and Research Analyst at the Southern Poverty Law Center for helping to update this section.

History is a discipline that encourages critical analysis of sources, events, and their interpretations. Historians read source materials for the content of the text, as well as its context and subtext. This ability to deeply understand and scrutinize source materials is crucial for citizens in a democracy to evaluate political claims and make informed decisions. In public schools, history has taken the center stage of policy debates over state curriculum. The public education system is a training ground for democratic participation, but political divisions continue to threaten standards and materials that reflect equitable approaches to learning history and civics. Aspiring historians, authors, educators, and librarians like you are committed to discovering and sharing stories that reflect our nation’s rich and diverse experiences. Vote to make sure that everyone is being heard!

5 key issues:

• Preservation of national archives and documents

• Marginalized groups’ previous and current political representation

• K–12 public schools’ history curriculum

• Disinformation/Misinformation

• “Originalism” and its use in the Supreme Court

Learn more:

• Forum Addresses National and International History of Abortion Politics

• Detroit School District Adopts New Black History Curriculum

• History Behind the Freedom of Information Act

• Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History

• Myth America: Historians’ Take on the Biggest Legends and Lies about Our Past

• This Supreme Court’s ‘Originalism’ Doesn’t Have Much to Do with History

Key Decision Makers:

• Preservation of national archives and documents is impacted by the Executive Branch

• Marginalized groups’ previous and current political representation is impacted by local government officials

• K-12 Curriculum is decided by local government officials such as school boards and state offices of education

• Disinformation/Misinformation is impacted by media and social media use by government officials at all levels

• The Supreme Court justices’ use of “originalism” is impacted by the executive and judicial branches

Special thanks to Megan VanGorder, Assistant Professor of History and Coordinator of Secondary Social Studies Education at Governors State University for helping to update this section.

Law and politics are a natural combination! With so many elected officials, especially members of Congress and federal/state judges holding a J.D., law students and graduates are at the heart of policymaking. Thanks to lawyers, our politics and systems of government are evolving every day, and lawyers continue to make sure these governments protect our individual rights. You know what justice looks like. Make sure everyone enjoys it when you vote.

5 key issues:

• Voting rights

• Criminal justice reform

• Private prisons

• Immigration law and policy

• Environmental law and policy

Learn more:

• Recent Voter Fraud Sentences Show Inequity in Criminal Justice System

• Supreme Court Makes It More Difficult to Challenge Immigration Policies in Court

• Looming Midterm Elections Put US Voting Rights in Spotlight

Check out the Math, Statistics, and Statistical Analysis section of the Science and Civics Guide, developed by Science Rising through the SLSV Coalition’s Resources & Support Subcommittee for more detailed guidance and language on illustrating the connection between Math, Statistics, and Statistical Analysis and our democracy!

For some quick Math-specific ideas and sources, see below:

5 key issues:

• Fairly-drawn districts

• Election statistics and software

• Effective government research

• Government transparency

• Economic growth

Learn more:

• Math: The Most Powerful Civics Lesson You've Never Had

• A Louisiana Congressman Says the State Election Maps Have a Simple Math Problem

• How New York Politicians Can Win with the Power of Math

Even before COVID-19 swept across the globe, quality healthcare has always been a major hot-button issue among the American public. We’ve made some big strides, but developing stronger vaccines, keeping COVID-19 at bay, and finding cures for diseases like cancer and HIV/AIDS are only possible if governments commit to these causes. We need you to vote this November and every year. With your help, elected officials can help manage diseases and make the care you give more affordable!

5 key issues:

• Funding cancer research

• Epidemic/pandemic management and prevention

• Ending the opioid epidemic

• Ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic

• Ending systemic racism and sexism in medicine

Learn more:

• One Lesson of COVID-19: Conduct More Health Policy Trials

• Early Cancer Screening Saves Lives. Congress Needs to Act.

• A 'Glitch' in Federal Health Insurance May Soon Be Fixed

You know that a healthy brain and nervous system are crucial to a healthy life, but unfortunately, many diseases can compromise this system, and today, treatment is expensive or completely unavailable to many. You may study different body parts and systems, but the political issues important to other medical students are just as important to neuroscientists like you. Getting involved in the political process, especially through voting, can help fuel major victories in neuroscience!

5 key issues:

• Funding Alzheimer's disease research

• Funding cancer research

• Effective, affordable healthcare for neurodiverse individuals

• Reducing the cost of prescription drugs

• Protecting rights and civil liberties of neurodiverse individuals

Learn more:

• Infant Brain Study Helps Make Case for a Universal US Paid Leave Policy

• Ask Lawmakers to Address Alzheimer's Crisis

• National Brain Tumor Society 2022 Public Policy Agenda

Medical researchers, scientists, and epidemiologists provide the information, but nurses are on the ground providing the care. There’s a strong connection between nursing and politics—without the laws that provide quality, affordable healthcare, you can’t do your job. Healthcare is essential to all ages, races, and genders, but so many politicians have tried to limit access to care, disproportionately harming women, LGBTQ+ people, people of color, and low-income people. Nurses like you need to get in the fight to save our care, and that starts at the ballot box!

5 key issues:

• Medicare For All

• Repealing/reforming the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)

• Access to abortion and other reproductive healthcare

• Funding for senior healthcare and assisted living

• Paid medical and family leave

Learn more:

• Medicaid Weighs Attaching Strings to Nursing Home Payments to Improve Patient Care

• Abortion Access Could Soon Be Decided by the States. Here's What the Next Governors Say.

• Policy Changes Needed for CT Residents to Secure Affordable Health Care, Study Shows

The performing arts are some of the strongest, most compelling forms of human expression we have, so it’s no surprise that famous artists, musicians, comedians, authors, actors, and dancers have used their skills and platforms to advocate for causes they believe in. Performers entertain and make valuable connections with the public, but to continue making this positive impact, governments need to recognize their value! Funding for public art and arts education in public schools are just some of the examples of performing arts being political. Use your vote to elect strong arts supporters.

5 key issues:

• Funding arts education in public K–12 schools

• Funding of public arts programming

• Support for the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities (NEA, NEH)

• Protections for arts industry employees

• First Amendment protections

Learn more:

• Performing Arts Workers Testify to Congress: Arts and Culture Are in Peril

• City of Lawrence to Receive $150,000 Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts

• The Show Must Go On: Save Our Stages Act Funding Set to Expire as NYC Theater Scene Continues to Rebound

Check out the Physics section of the Science and Civics Guide, developed by Science Rising through the SLSV Coalition’s Resources & Support Subcommittee for more detailed guidance and language on illustrating the connection between Physics and our democracy!

For some quick ideas and sources, see below:

5 key issues:

• Access to nuclear weapons in the United States and abroad

• Infrastructure growth, development, and engineering

• Energy and fossil fuels policy

• Use of wind, solar, and hydroelectric power

• Innovations in transportation and space travel

Learn more:

• How U.S. Policymakers Can Enable Breakthroughs in Quantum Science

• Global Nuclear Arsenal Expected to Grow for First Time Since Cold War

• API Sends President Policy Suggestions to Address Energy Crisis

Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) help people recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and improve mobility and quality of life. However, their ability to provide care is shaped by federal and state policies that determine things like scope of practice, insurance reimbursement, telehealth regulations, supervision of PTAs, and licensure requirements. Elected officials influence funding for public health programs, community health initiatives, disability services, and education for future clinicians. Additionally, physical therapy professionals use data—on injury rates, chronic pain, fall prevention, and more—to advocate for policy change that supports healthier communities. When lawmakers pay attention to this data, policies can be shaped to improve prevention, access to care, and health equity. When they ignore it, gaps in care and disparities in outcomes increase.

5 key issues:

• Reimbursement and Payment Reform

• Direct Access and Scope of Practice

• Patient Access to Physical Therapy Services

• Cost of Education and Therapist Burnout

• Recognition of Physical Therapy’s Role in Preventative and Non-Pharmacologic Care

Key Decision Makers:

• Reimbursement and Payment Reform is decided by Congress (House Ways & Means, Energy  & Commerce; Senate Finance Committees), the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator, State legislatures and Governors for Medicaid rates, and State Insurance Commissioners.

• Direct Access and Scope of Practice is decided by State Legislatures and Governors, and State Boards of Physical Therapy.

• Patient Access to Physical Therapy Services is impacted by Congress, State Legislators and Governors, State Medicaid Directors, County and City Commissioners and School Boards of Education 

• Cost of Education, Therapist Burnout is impacted by Congress (the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the House Education and Workforce Committee), the Department of Education, and State Legislators and Boards of Regents.

• Recognition of Physical Therapy’s Role in Preventative and Non-Pharmacologic Care is impacted by Congress, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Center for Disease Control, State Public Health Agencies and Medical Boards, and the Veterans Administration

Discussion Questions:

Many lawmakers shaping healthcare policy have never worked in patient care. How do you think healthcare—and physical therapy in particular—might look different if more clinicians or people trained in rehabilitation sciences were elected to office or served in policy roles?

Public health data often shows that physical therapy reduces pain and prevents disability—but policy doesn’t always reflect that.Why do you think there’s sometimes a disconnect between evidence and policy? What could help bridge the gap?

Special thanks to Nicole Schiffmacher, Assistant Professor, Physical Therapist Assistant Program, Nassau Community College for helping to update this section.

Okay, technically every single topic in political science is, well, “political”, but when it comes to the ballot, political science appears more in government institutions themselves. Are we ensuring fair representation? Does everyone have the right to vote? If the majority wins, how are minority voters protected? All of these questions provide valuable insights on the state of our democracy—and you know firsthand that you can improve it by voting.

5 key issues:

• Voting rights, fair elections, election integrity

• Campaign finance policy

• Judiciary reform

• Fair districts and gerrymandering

• International relations and conflicts

Learn more:

• Can Democrats Expand the Supreme Court and How Likely Is It?

• The Supreme Court Case That Could 'End American Democracy'

• State Legislators Rallying in D.C. Urge Congress to Act on Voting Rights

There’s a huge connection between psychology and politics (enough for its own academic field!); political trends are a major indicator of human behavior, perfect for psychologists to research. Psychology is on the ballot every single year. With mental health treatment being a major component of healthcare at-large, affordable healthcare is especially important for psychology students like you. You can help advance equity and accessibility by casting your ballot!

5 key issues:

• Affordable mental health care

• Mental health care in public schools

• Rights and civil liberties of neurodiverse individuals

• Access to affordable prescription drugs

• Affordable childcare and assisted living

Learn more:

• Where Bipartisan Efforts on Mental Health Legislation Stand after Texas Shooting

• Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Plan Advanced by U.S. Senate Democrats

• Why Social Work is Political, and How it Matters for Democracy

Public health isn’t just about pandemics. Systemic racism, the environment, gun violence, consumer protections, and the opioid epidemic all contribute to the health and well-being of our communities. These are really big threats, but the good news is that policy choices can counter all of these issues. Our elected officials can do so much to improve and maintain public health—vote to make this a reality!

5 key issues:

• Gun violence prevention

• Epidemic/pandemic management

• Food and drug safety

• Health equity

• Climate change management

Learn more:

• For Gun Violence Researchers, Bipartisan Bill Is a "Glass Half Full'

• Fauci, CDC Urge Congress to Continue COVID Funding

• How COVID Exposed Racial Disparities in all Aspects of the Healthcare System

As a public policy or administration student, you have a really strong understanding of how governments, nonprofits, individuals, and even private for-profit businesses can work together to solve problems. You also know what effective leadership looks like, and luckily, so many of these leaders are accountable to voters like you. By voting, you can use your expertise to make sure that the very best economic, domestic and urban policies (to name a few types) get developed and implemented.

5 key issues:

• Environmental policy

• Healthcare and social policy

• Education policy

• Public leadership and management

• Foreign policy

Learn more:

• Advocates Call for More Detailed Demographic Data to Improve Public Policy

• Senate Government Committee Approves Transparency Bills

• State Legislatures May Reshape American Politics

Religion is one of the oldest pillars of societies in the United States and in so many countries around the world. Religion definitely connects to politics, influencing global/regional conflicts, along with both foreign and domestic policies. Our governments also play a role in enabling or preventing religious discrimination. If you’re interested in religious expression and freedom, it’s vital that you vote this November, and in every future election!

5 key issues:

• First Amendment protections and religious discrimination

• Separation of church and state, prayer in school

• Islamophobia and antisemitism in the United States and around the world

• Voucher programs for religious educational institutions

• Right to privacy and religious freedom

Learn more:

• Religion Summit Shines Bright Light on the Real Human Toll of Religious Violence, Persecution

• Supreme Court Rejects Maine's Ban on Aid to Religious Schools

• This Conservative Leader Is Trying to Make White Evangelical Politics Less White

Sociology and anthropology study collective human behavior, in other words, how large groups of people interact with each other. At its heart, politics is a form of human behavior—how those in power make decisions, manage relationships, and allocate resources. Therefore, politics and sociology are practically intertwined! Justice systems, social movements, systemic racism, and economic inequity are all examples of sociology appearing in politics. Vote to make sure that politicians take action on these important issues.

5 key issues:

• Preservation of national archives and documents

• Public health management

• Social and criminal justice policy and reform

• Mental healthcare

• Economic equity and justice

Learn more:

• Worries Over Crime Haunt Democrats ahead of the Midterm Elections

• DC Demonstrators Demand Economic Justice

• House Speaker Ronald Mariano says representatives will take up a mental health care bill Thursday

Most of the animals that veterinarians treat may not live in the wild, but nevertheless, domestic dogs, cats, birds, and other pets are impacted by the state of our environment. As an aspiring veterinarian, political action on climate change, pollution standards, energy policy, regulation of toxic chemicals, and maintenance of our ecosystems are of great importance to you! Cast your ballot on behalf of animals and our planet.

5 key issues:

• Protection of endangered species

• Regulating PFAS chemicals

• Regulating animal testing and animal cruelty

• Pet adoption laws

• Animal disease control and prevention

Learn more:

• Revealed: US Water Likely Contains More 'Forever Chemicals' than EPA Tests Show

• Guest Opinion: Congress Can End Animal Testing for Cosmetics Now—and It Should

• Endangered Species Act Restored by Federal Judge after Trump-era Weakening

Whether it’s painting, drawing, sculpture, film, or photography (just to name a few types of artistic expression), visual artists and designers share information and ideas with the world. Just like the performing arts, the visual arts are some of the most powerful types of human expression out there. To keep the arts alive and well, we need to get involved in politics! Vote to impact government funding for arts programs in classrooms and public spaces, and to keep a free, uncensored press.

• Funding for public arts and programming

• Funding arts education in public K–12 schools

• Free expression/censorship laws

• Copyright law, fair use, and the training of AI generative models

• Support for the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities (NEA, NEH)

• Public Art on Billboards Makes Statement about Prison System

• Artists, Curators, and Advocates Condemn Florida Mayor's Political Censorship of Coral Gables Public Art Show

• All Art Is Political

• Center for Artistic Activism - Unstoppable Voters

• Center for Cultural Power

• The U.S. Department of Arts and Culture

To achieve, protect, and expand racial, gender, and LGBTQ+ equality, we need stronger laws and protections from our governments. However, as a women’s, gender, and sexuality studies major, you know that civil rights and justice movements are led by the people themselves, not those in power. With the rights of marginalized groups, especially children of color and LGBTQ+ youth, regularly being compromised at all levels of government, we need you to get out and vote!

5 key issues:

• Access to abortion and reproductive healthcare

• Pay equity and closing the wage gap

• Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and domestic violence prevention

• Marriage equality, civil liberties, employment discrimination, and adoption discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals

• Protection and support for LGBTQ+ youth in schools

Learn more:

• Americans Want Government to Prioritize Abortion, Women's Rights after Roe v. Wade Ruling, According to Poll

• Florida Law Limiting LGBTQ Discussions Takes Effect—and Rocks Schools

• Jayapal, Cicilline, Newman, Takano, Torres Lead Members in Introducing the Trans Bill of Rights