On November 5, 2019, 49,000 local and state elections will happen in 34 states across the country. Don't be surprised if you weren't aware of this. With voter suppression on the rise (opens in new tab), it's become increasingly difficult for U.S. citizens—specifically minorities and people of color—to register to vote, let alone discover key information like election dates and who's running for what position. For women, this poses dangerous consequences, especially when it comes to political issues that directly affect us, including our reproductive freedom. Thankfully, with the help of #VOTEPROCHOICE (opens in new tab)—a national political organizing project dedicated to electing pro-choice candidates—women don't have to remain uninformed.
Founded in March 2016 by technologist, civic entrepreneur, and feminist activist Heidi Sieck, #VOTEPROCHOICE provides voters with a list of pro-choice candidates for local, statewide, and national elections all the way down the ballot. Right now, the organization is focused on the November 5 polls. That day, elections for school board members will determine who decides how our children are taught about reproductive health; and in states including Mississippi and Louisiana, governor races will decide who does or doesn't sign laws that could effectively shut down abortion clinics (opens in new tab). These elections may not get as much media attention as the rapidly-approaching 2020 presidential election, but they do set a precedent for how our democracy treats women. "Over 82 percent of voters in America do not want Roe v. Wade overturned," says Sieck. "So why in the hell do we have these anti-choice people representing us? That’s the problem we’re trying to solve."
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"We know from our research and the down-ballot report (opens in new tab) that every single race on the ballot matters when it comes to reproductive freedom," continues Sieck, who was one of the first people arrested during the Kavanaugh hearings (opens in new tab) last September. "People don’t realize that things like buffer zones for abortion clinics and protesters are passed at the city council level."
In addition to the statewide elections being held in New Jersey, Kentucky, Mississippi, Virginia, and Louisiana (note that Louisiana's election date is November 16, not November 5), critical municipal, judicial, sheriff, public defender, and district attorney races are occurring.
To use #VOTEPROCHOICE's progressive voting tool in your upcoming election, simply head over to #VOTEPROCHOICE (opens in new tab), type in your address in the toolbox, and click "get started." You'll see a full list of candidates endorsed by progressive organizations like EMILY's List (opens in new tab) and NARAL (opens in new tab) highlighted with a green check mark. Save your choices to create a mobile-friendly sample ballot to download and bring with you to the polls.
In the meantime, MarieClaire.com partnered with #VOTEPROCHOICE to highlight key races in each of the 34 states, below. Scroll through to find out who has women's reproductive freedoms at heart. Remember their names when you vote on November 5.
Alaska
Alicia Hughes-Skandijs, Juneau City and Borough Assembly, District 1
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Arizona
Nikki Lee Tuscon, City Council, Ward 4
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Arkansas
Amanda Deegan, Bentonville School District, Zone 4
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California
Suzy Loftus, San Francisco District Attorney
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Colorado
Tay Anderson, Denver Public School Board
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Connecticut
Marilyn Moore, Mayor of Bridgeport, CT
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Florida
Deborah Figgs-Sanders, St. Petersburg City Council, District 5
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Georgia
Van Johnson, Mayor of Savannah, GA
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Idaho
Lauren McLean, Mayor of Boise
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Indiana
Alison ‘Ali’ Brown, Indianapolis City-County Council, District 5
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Iowa
Alexandra Dermody, Davenport City Council, 7th Ward
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Kentucky
Sheri Donahue, State Auditor
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Louisiana
Mandie Landry, State House of Representatives, District 91
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Maine
Angela Okafor, Bangor City Council
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Maryland
Monique Ashton, Rockville City Council
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Massachusetts
Michelle Wu, Boston City Councilor-At Large
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Michigan
Kat Bruner James, Ferndale City Council
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Minnesota
Kim Sandberg, Golden Valley Council
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Mississippi
Jennifer Riley Collins, Attorney General
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Missouri
Trish Gunby, HD-99 (Special Election)
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Montana
Gwen Jones, Missoula City Council, Ward 3
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New Hampshire
Joyce Craig, Mayor of Manchester
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New Jersey
Dr. Lisa Bhimani and Darcy Draeger, NJ State Assembly, District 25
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New Mexico
Tessa Abeyta Stuve, Las Cruces City Council, District 2
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New York
Elizabeth Smith, Mount Pleasant Town Justice
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North Carolina
Vi Lyles, Mayor of Charlotte
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Ohio
Carrie Hartman, Maumee City Council
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Pennsylvania
Olivia ‘Liv’ Bennett, Allegheny County Council, District 13
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South Carolina
Brenda Corley, Mount Pleasant Town Council
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Tennessee
Amelia Parker, Knoxville City Council At-Large (Seat C)
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Texas
Eliz Markowitz, Texas House, District 28
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Utah
Sophia Hawes-Tingey, Midvale City Council, District 2
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Virginia
Sheila Bynum-Colman, VA House of Delegates, District 66
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Washington
Navarra Carr, Port Angeles City Council, Position 6
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To create your full customized pro-choice ballot, head on over to #VOTEPROCHOICE (opens in new tab).
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