Voting is the most important way to make your voice heard on the issues that concern you. It gives you an opportunity to be part of the decision-making that affects your life. If you do not vote others will make the decisions for you Decisions are made on your behalf every day, such as healthcare, education, housing, global issues like defense and environment.

It is important for you to make yourself aware of the various different issues that each candidate stands for so that you are able to make an informed decision that aligns with what you want to see for the next four years, and for the future of our country.

The issues that are most impactful for me to be addressed in the upcoming presidential election are:

• Medicare for All where a national health insurance program will be providing everyone in America with comprehensive health care coverage, free at the time of service. This program will have no network restrictions, No premium costs or deductibles as well as no co-pay costs.
• Having Medicare coverage expanded to include dental, hearing, vision, mental health services, prescription drugs, and home- and community-based long-term care. This part of the  Medicare for all expansion is extremely important to me personally because it means that I will be able to increase my Independence because I  will be able to move anywhere in the United States without losing my Medicaid and personal care attendant service coverage. Right now as it stands, when someone relocates to another state They need to reapply for services, and they are put at the bottom of the list, and there is no way to know how long it will take to begin receiving services again. This plan also includes increased in-patient and out-patient services, and substance abuse treatment, reproductive and maternity care.
• Another important issue for me, when looking towards the future is the expansion of Social Security. Again, because it will affect and guarantee my home and community-based l care attendant services. It will also expand the funding needed to train direct care workers so that clients will receive better and more effective care. Along with voting in primary in presidential elections, it is also important to get involved with issues on the state level. To find out what issues are affecting your state, or to get in contact with your state representatives visit www.usa.gov.

You have the power to decide on the quality of life you want for yourself and future generations. Voting is your chance to stand up for the issues you care about. Elections are decided by the people who go out and vote. Take some time and learn about the candidates and what issues they are standing for that aligns with what you want to see in the future. If you do not vote, someone else will make the decision for you. Voting is your chance to choose how your tax dollars are spent – such as funding for health care and social services. Every vote counts, make sure your voice is heard!

When you go to the usa.gov website you will see the Government Agencies and Officials tab, there you breakdown of elected officials by state, city and town.

You can contact the President through this website, or by calling the White House switchboard at 202-456-1414 or the comments line at 202-456-1111 during business hours.

Here is the list of the voting primary and caucus dates by state.

Photo Credit: Pexels

February 3^rd, 2020:

Iowa Caucus

February 11^th, 2020:

New Hampshire Primary

February 22^nd, 2020:

Nevada Caucus

February 29^th, 2020:

South Carolina Primary

March 3^rd, 2020:

Alabama Primary

Arkansas Primary

California Primary

Colorado Primary

United States Democrats Abroad Primary

Maine Primary

Massachusetts Primary

Minnesota Primary

North Carolina Primary

Oklahoma Primary

Tennessee Primary

Texas Primary

Utah Primary

Vermont Primary

Virginia Primary

March 10^th, 2020:

Idaho Primary

Michigan Primary

Mississippi Primary

Missouri Primary

North Dakota Primary

Washington Primary

March 12^th, 2020:

US Virgin Islands Caucus

March 14th, 2020:

Wyoming Primary

March 17^th, 2020:

Florida Primary

Illinois Primary

Ohio Primary

March 24^th, 2020:

Georgia Primary

April 4^th, 2020:

Alaska Primary

Hawaii Primary

Louisiana Primary

Wyoming Caucus

April 7^th, 2020:

Wisconsin Primary

April 28^th, 2020:

Connecticut Primary

Delaware Primary

Maryland Primary

New York Primary

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island Primary

May 2^nd, 2020:

Kansas Primary

May 12^th, 2020:

Indiana Primary

Nebraska Primary

West Virginia Primary

May 19^th, 2020:

Kentucky Primary

Oregon Primary

June 2^nd, 2020:

District of Columbia primary

Montana Primary

New Jersey Primary

New Mexico Primary

South Dakota Primary

***Presidential Election November 3^rd, 2020***