Organized Issue Voting
Issue Voting is not new. The most common examples that may come to mind are where a candidate/elected official stands on reproductive rights, LGBTQIA+ issues, or gun protection or reform. Those issues have swayed entire elections.
Imagine a world in which our elected officials courted and valued the votes, suggestions, and voices of us in the recovery community. “I humbly ask for your vote” would become a meaningful statement.
An organized voting block around recovery issues has the potential to have an impact on future decisions made on behalf of our community regarding healthcare, access to services, criminal justice reform, equality, and more. When it comes to addiction and recovery, decisions made by public officials means access to life saving services, community support, and care. These issues cannot be ignored.
Recovery is a serious issue, and it is time that our community holds our elected officials or those running for office accountable for their stances, promises, and decisions made for those impacted by addiction and recovery.
Take a moment to consider the issue of recovery influencing your vote as opposed to a political party. This may be a new way to look at who you will cast a vote for, but recent polling suggest many are open to this idea.
What voters are telling us.
In a recent poll of voters across Nevada, 55% said they would support a candidate of another party if they prioritized solutions to the state's addiction & mental health crises.
In a recent poll of voters across Nevada, 79% of voters believe that Stigma has an impact on a person’s likelihood to seek the support they need.
In a recent poll of voters across Nevada, 68% said they believe judges should have more discretion when it comes to alternative sentencing.
What our communities are telling us.
Earlier this year, the Recovery Advocacy Project replicated the Nevada polling questions and distributed them as a national survey to over 12,000 members of the network. Over 1,000 members responded from 48 states and the District of Columbia. You can view and filter real-time data or take the survey below.