Go vote!

Whether history tips for one of progress and inspiring millions everywhere or totally sets us back 200 years and let us question if 50% of our country needs a lobotomy – partially is in your hands!

First and foremost, take the 10 minutes necessary and vote. America was built on a system not to move mountains with any election or candidate, but to have “checks and balances.” (You’re essentially voting for candidates that participate in that bigger conversation to move things in a better direction for all Americans.) Choosing not to exercise your #1 American right is foolish. (And if you’re stuck on no vote, there’s a selection at the bottom of the booth that says you “choose not to vote“. You can actually stick it to the government and NOT solely your Facebook friends.)

Just like Michelle Obama told us last night, polls are open until 8 PM ET in PA. And if you’re in line at 8 PM, they HAVE to let you vote.

How do the candidates fare on their stances on sustainability? We got the cheat sheets for you.

2016 Green Voting Guide

President:

This isn’t even a close race. One candidate believes in science and climate change, making it key parts of her platform. The other one is a psychopath that could damage our nation’s environment for years to come.

Climate Winner: Hillary Clinton (D) (vs. Donald Trump (R))

Here’s a fun infographic in case you don’t believe me.

Infographic: Yale Environment 360

US Senator

Pat Toomey (R) Vs. Katie McGinty (D)

Climate Winner: Katie McGinty. If you give a shit about being outside and investing in clean energy, the choice is clear.

Katie McGinty was former Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and Secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection. Further, she believes in renewable energy, wind and solar. PA processes way too much natural gas.

Pat Toomey thinks that “Marcellus Shale has proven to be a bright spot in America’s economic recovery” and supports allowing more oil exploration in Alaska, the Outer Continental Shelf, and the vast oil shale reserves in America’s western states.

Attorney General for PA

Josh Shapiro (D) Vs. John Rafferty (R).

Climate winner: Josh Shapiro

Shapiro believes in “every Pennsylvanian has a right to “clean air” and “pure water” and wants to hold frackers accountable. Rafferty received a 38/100 environmental ranking on the PA Environmental Scorecard

Ballot question:

Question 2: Should the City of Philadelphia borrow ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-FOUR MILLION THREE HUNDRED THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($184,303,000.00) to be spent for and toward capital purposes as follows: Transit; Streets and Sanitation; Municipal Buildings; Parks, Recreation, and Museums; and Economic and Community Development?

Philadelphia has made significant progress as a city over the past eight years. Should we continue to invest in our community assets?

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher