You can download the full Guide and all the questions by clicking here. If you have any problems contact us at gotv@uusj.org. 

Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ) prepared a Guide to Questions for Candidates 2018 that intends to support UUs that wish to participate in public forums with candidates and engage them on social justice issues from a faith-based perspective. The Guide also intends to help UUs consider how they will vote in the 2018 midterm elections and better understand how issues are grounded in our faith.

The Guide focuses on three issues that reflect UU values — immigration, economic justice, and environmental and climate justice. The sample questions provided are designed for candidates for the US Congress. They can be modified and adapted to address specific local issues and perspectives. The questions can be used by individuals or in congregational and community discussions on the issues. Click here to return to the full Guide.

Here are more questions for the your consideration: 

Immigration Justice

• What are your views on using for-profit contractors to provide facilities for immigrant detainees? Do you support community-based alternatives to detention?
• Do you believe the current lottery immigration system to encourage country diversity should be continued? Should we expand the “merit” system to select immigrants to the US?
• Should minors who have crossed our borders and been apprehended have access to legal representation in any removal proceedings?

Economic Security and Justice for All

• Many low-income people cannot make cash bail for minor traffic offenses and other non-violent arrests. As a consequence they must spend time in jail which means they cannot work or care for dependent family members, and they can lose jobs. What will you do to address this problem which keeps poor people down, reduces chances of economic success, and adds to the growing economic divide?
• The cost of higher education has risen 400% in 30 years, and student loan debt is nearly 1.5 trillion dollars – the same amount of recent tax cuts to corporations. What will you do to make higher education, including technical schools, more affordable and address the staggering burden of student-loan debt so all students can contribute to the overall economy? 
• Many low income communities lack affordable access to quality food while “fast-food” outlets abound, now being referred to as “food deserts.” Poor nutrition means children may suffer life-long health problems which reduces their chances of success and adds to overall healthcare costs. What role should government play in addressing this problem?

Environmental and Climate Justice

• Conservative projections are that sea levels will rise another 1 ½ feet over the next 2-3 decades, bringing extreme weather changes which will threaten people’s health and welfare, security, and property, and the economy in areas such as tourism. What policies and regulations will you support to mitigate the dangers to communities at risk?
• What are your views on the use of a carbon fee and dividend, or similar approaches to pricing to reflect the true price of carbon, to help reduce greenhouse gases and mitigate the effects of our warming climate?
• What solutions, what actions, do you suggest for addressing the climate crisis we now face?
• Do you believe that the current regulations on coal-burning power plant mercury emissions are essential to protect children’s health or do you support the rollback of regulations on toxic chemicals emissions being considered by the administration?

Click here to return to the full Guide.