I sent out a stand-alone email earlier this month with some election resources, but I wanted to take this space to delve into this year’s election a little more. As a 501(c)(3), NESAWG cannot take positions on candidates or influence elections in any way, but can provide nonpartisan voter education. We urge you to inform yourselves and make the decisions that align with your values and policy needs for the races in your district (find out what those are here).

Below, find a little bit of information on what we know about both presidential candidates and their stances on food policy. Here are links to Senate and House races that are up for election, and some odds on which party will win which seats. 

The period leading up to an election can be an important time to get to know the candidates and ask them about their stances on issues that matter to you. It’s a time when they are potentially movable because they know they will be held accountable for their positions at the ballot box in a few weeks. Things candidates say on the campaign will not necessarily come true, but it will  be up to us to hold them accountable later to the positions they take now. So, find a candidate event near you and ask those candidates about their record, priorities, and how they plan to support the constituencies and issues that matter to you. 

No matter what happens on November 3rd, our work continues. Ultimately, we must connect with people and build our case for why our food system needs to be just, sustainable, and equitable, so everyone can grow, access and eat the food they deserve, and everyone can access the wages, healthcare, housing, and education they need to flourish. No matter who wins at the ballot box this fall, we will need to keep building our movement to fight for the food system that works for all. 

Where the candidates stand on the issues:

American Farm Bureau Federation – Presidential Candidate Questionnaire 

Where the 2020 Presidential Candidates Stand on Food and Farming (note: this still includes candidates who have since resigned, but also includes information about current candidates Trump and Biden) 

Agri-pulse coverage of 2020 campaign

Other resources for food and elections:

Voters Guide for School Food (FoodCorps)

How to Vote for Food (18 reasons)

Get ready to vote! 

Find out if you are registered to vote here. And if you aren’t, register here.

How can you vote in your state? Find out here

Find out important date and deadlines, voting requirements, and ballot lookup tools here

Find out what, if any, ballot questions you’ll be voting on here 

Find out what races and candidates you’ll be voting on in your area and any upcoming local candidate events here (en espanol aqui)

Other ways to get involved:

Write letters to increase voter turnout (VoteFWD)

Sign up to be a poll worker (Power the Polls)

Phone bank: ask friends or google around in your state if you want to find one targeting a specific demographic, candidate, or issue

Be prepared in the event of a contested election (Choose Democracy)

Other resources: 

Nonprofits and electoral work (Bolder Advocacy)

CDC Guidelines for COVID prevention (CDC)

Voting Info for Military and Overseas Voters (Federal Voting Assistance Program)

Nicole Sugerman

NESAWG Policy Manager

(Photo from Palo Alto City Library)