Note: A version of this story appears in Granite Post’s newsletter. Subscribe here.
We all have different reasons for casting our ballots the way we do. For some, it comes down to the economy. For others, it might be housing, healthcare, education, abortion, immigration, or another issue entirely.
This week, we asked readers: What political issue best explains how you vote—and why?
Here’s what they had to say…
“The economy, health care, and America’s standing in global affairs. Media ‘input.’ Political actors who can prove their publicly stated goals match their behind-the-scenes actions. Candidates that come from the private sector are another matter.” — Joe Vogelsang
“Humanitarian and ethical issues drive my vote. I try to choose candidates that I think will behave ethically, address humanitarian issues, and be intelligent enough to consult and listen to experts on complicated issues.” — JoAnn Carlson
“I will be casting votes for progressive Democrats first, old-school Democrats if there’s no other choice. And I, at the age of 70, have never voted for the party of cheats, grifters and pedophiles in my life. And never will. Does that answer your question?” — Joyce Hurd
“My number one issue is the environment. Candidates’ stances on climate change, the biodiversity crisis, access to and protection of natural resources like water and soil, are what motivate me most to support or oppose a politician. Frankly, there aren’t many (any?) candidates talking enough about environmental issues. After all, if we don’t have a planet that supports human life, do any other issues even matter? — Lindsay Taflas, Jaffrey
“We are definitely voting for candidates not taking corporate money, supporting universal healthcare, abolishing ICE, establishing affordability, growing support for public education and childcare, increasing housing units and funding NH solutions for the unhoused. This administration has caused so much damage, let’s unite and elect officials that truly work for the people!!” — Meg Trainor, Nashua
“First of all, I vote for candidates who understand how important it is to vote! Those who believe in voting for all citizens and who know districts must be fairly represented, not skewed. As a New Hampshire native who lived and worked in Florida for 23 years, the recent political actions taken in that state have brought me back to New Hampshire so I can have more influence with my one vote.” — Ruth Carr
“While there are numerous issues to consider, they basically boil down to corruption: ‘the abuse of entrusted power for private gain.’ Both major parties have a history of corruption, and the Democratic Party was far worse from the Civil War through Jim Crow. However, today’s Republican Party has reached the pinnacle of corruption. Ironically, ‘Honest Abe’ was our most morally upright, kind, and wise president, while Trump is the complete opposite. What makes him so incredibly dangerous is his control over Congress, the Departments of Justice and ‘War,’ the Supreme Court and the media, all enabled by the greatest concentration of wealth in US history. According to a recent ranking of presidents, Lincoln ranked first and Trump ranked last. Five of the top ten presidents led consecutively from 1932 to 1968. Four of the five were Democrats. Since then, four of the five Republican presidents have been among the worst ten. Let’s make America good again by holding the Trump administration fully accountable and removing the corrupting influence of money in politics.” — Bill Black, Hanover
