Why I’ll be voting for Democrats this November

by YÁNDARY Z. CHATWIN

I was never a straight-ticket, party-line voter, until the 2016 election when I cast a 100% Democratic ballot for the first time in my life. While I’ve always leaned to the left, I believe in weighing each candidate based on his or her policy positions and voting for the person who most closely aligns with my personal beliefs.

I have proudly cast my ballot for both Democrats and Republicans in years past. But, in 2018, when party politics have become more divisive than ever and the National Republican party seems to have lost its way, my Democratic roots are cementing. And this November, I will be voting for Democrats*.

1) I believe it’s important to support and properly fund public education.

I work in public education and I can tell you that the funding our state allocates for public education just isn’t enough. While there are Republican officials who understand the importance of properly funding public education, it’s Democrats who typically have the backs of educators and students, time and again. I recently heard one of our Utah members of Congress speak to a group of middle school students. When one of the students asked the Congressman to share an update on recent education reforms he’d been involved with, he promptly responded that it wasn’t his role as a member of Congress to delve into education policy. Mr. Congressman, I wholeheartedly disagree. It is absolutely your role to participate in formulating education policy. I believe that government leaders at all levels should prioritize public education and should make sure that all students and educators have the tools they need to succeed.

2) I believe that everyone should have access to quality, affordable healthcare.

Access to quality, affordable healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Since 2010 when the Affordable Care Act (ACA) first became law, more than 20 million previously uninsured Americans, myself included, have been able to access health insurance. Nobody in our country should have to go into debt or declare bankruptcy due to a medical crisis. Our friends and neighbors should not be forced to the emergency room because they lack access to medical care through other sources. And no one should ever die due to a lack of healthcare coverage. Here in Utah, our state legislature has failed to take full advantage of the ACA. Many Utahns have died without access to proper healthcare as a result of their failure to fully expand Medicaid under the ACA. I believe their failure to act is immoral, and I am proud to support Democrats and elected officials who also understand the importance of providing access to affordable healthcare to every American.

3) I believe that government can be a force for good.

I chose to pursue a career in politics (and to pursue both undergraduate and graduate programs in this field), because I firmly believe that government can and should be a force for good in our society and in the world. While I agree with my conservative friends that churches, local organizations, and individuals can indeed help to care for the poor and needy among us, I believe government also has a responsibility. I feel passionate about electing leaders who believe this same principle, and who know how much power they have to impact our lives.

At the end of the day, each of us has to examine our core values and vote for the candidates who best align with our own beliefs. Because I value public education, believe in broadening access to healthcare, and am of the opinion that government can and should be a force for good, I plan to support Democrats in the coming election. Whomever your own values and views align with, please make sure you prepare now to vote in November. Find more information on how to vote (or how to register to vote) at www.vote.utah.gov.

* I have recently moved to a new neighborhood and will be voting there for the first time this November. The candidates I support in my new electoral district are Democrats. However, in my previous district, I planned to cast my vote for a moderate Republican legislator whose views and legislative votes closely align with the principles laid out above.

Read why another contributor is supporting republicans in November's election.