NAVIGATING THE PRIMARIES A GUIDE FOR PALO ALTO’S FIRST-TIME VOTERS Art by SAMANTHA HO
Text by SASHA POOR and ANTONIA MOU
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TEPPING INTO THE POLLING BOOTH for the first time can be intimidating. With the California primary on March 3, about 89% of Palo Alto High School seniors will cast their ballots for the first time. To help students make informed decisions and take advantage of their new power in our democracy, Verde Magazine has created a voter guide with everything you need to know about the primaries. We have compiled short biographies for the presidential candidates and will briefly cover each of the elections specific to California and Santa Clara County. v
Presidential candidates Amy Klobuchar: senator from Minnesota, former attorney (D) Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota is a moderate Democrat who claims her strength is gaining bipartisan support and reclaiming swing states. She supports a public option for medical insurance, and is a proponent of keeping private options available as well. One of her most addressed issues is that of drug and alcohol addiction, and she recently released a plan to combat it.
Bernie Sanders: senator from Vermont, former congressman (D) Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont — a self-described democratic socialist — is known for his far left stances on health insurance and tuition- and debt-free higher education. His “Medicare for All” plan involves the removal of private insurers while providing government-funded medical insurance to all. The passage of the Green New Deal, legislation aimed at addressing climate change, is also one of his main priorities.
Elizabeth Warren: senator from Massachusetts (D) Known as the candidate who “has a plan for that,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has released a variety of economic plans that would change the shape of the economy. Her main focus is on issues of income inequality and political corruption, and she is also a proponent of “Medicare for All.” Warren is also a cosponsor of the Green New Deal, and prides herself on being a candidate who will represent America’s growing middle class.
Joe Biden: former vice president, former senator from Delaware (D) Former Vice President Joe Biden, a moderate Democrat with a political career dating back to 1969, arguably has the most experience in U.S. politics than any other Democratic candidate in the race. In his 2020 campaign, Biden emphasizes rebuilding the middle class and equality for all Americans. He also supports the Green New Deal, immigration policy reform and a public option for healthcare.
20 FEBRUARY 2020
