In almost a week from today, Rhode Island will have its Primary election on April 26. As a first time voter, I have made sure to do all the research on candidates, from reading interview to watching highlights from the debates. But for those who aren’t as prepared as I am, here is a run-down of all the presidential candidates, their main issues, and how to register and where to vote. Enjoy!

Democratic Presidential Candidates

Hillary Clinton

Formerly the secretary of state during Obama’s first term, Clinton ran against Obama in the 2008 Primary.

1. Main Issues
   1. Raise taxes for the 1%
   2. Doesn’t want banks to get too big and wants to hold corporations and those involved when they break the law
   3. Opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement
   4. Opposes Keystone XL pipeline, which is an extension of an oil pipeline system in Canada and the US
   5. Pro-choice, supports death penalty, but with limitations
   6. Wants to ban assault weapons

Bernie Sanders

A Vermont Senator since 200, Sanders served in the House of Representatives for 16 years

1. Main Issues
   1. Wants to make public college tuition-free for all students by taxing financial transactions
   2. Raise taxes for the 1%
   3. Break down corporations and big banks
   4. Create a single-payer healthcare system through Medicare for everyone
   5. Believes people have the right to buy guns, but with regulations
   6. Pro-choice, against death penalty

Republican Candidates

Ted Cruz

A Texas Senator since 2012, Cruz was the Solicitor General of Texas for 6 years

1. Main Issues
   1. Wants to increases taxes on income by 10% and get rid of payroll and corporate income tax and replace it with a 16% business flat tax
   2. Would not bail out big banks
   3. DOesn’t support funding of Planned Parenthood or public abortion funding
   4. Get rid of the U.S. Dept of Education and Common Core
   5. Doesn’t believe in climate change
   6. Pro-Gun

John Kasich

Currently the Governor of Ohio, Kasich served in Ohio State Senate from 1979-1983 and in the House of Representatives from 1983-2001. He also ran for president of the United States in 2000

1. Main Issues
   1. Wants to lower individual taxes, eliminate estate tax, and cap long-term capital gains tax rate at 15% and supports small businesses
   2. Supports free trade and wants to get rid of the U.S. Department of Commerce
   3. Get rid of the Iran nuclear deal
   4. Against banning assault weapons and wants to enforce current laws more
   5. Against paid maternity leave and is for the defunding of Planned Parenthood
   6. Against immigration and wants to Decrease the Department of Education

Donald Trump

Trump has no previous experience in politics, but is currently the President of the Trump Organization and was the host of The Apprentice

1. Main Issues
   1. Cut income taxes, especially in high-income households and reduce federal revenues by $9.5 trillion
   2. Believes in low interest rates and wants to repeal the Dodd-Frank Act
   3. Get rid of Obamacare and replace with a better healthcare system (No details were given about it)
   4. Believes in fair trade and does not support the Trans-Pacific Partnership
   5. Opposes the raise of minimum wage, supports gun ownership, and opposes gay marriage
   6. Believes that illegal immigrants should be deported
   7. Says women should be punished for getting abortions, wants to defund Planned Parenthood, and overturn Roe v.s Wade

Independent Candidates (Libertarian and Green)

Gary Johnson

Johnson was the Libertarian Party’s 2012 nominee and got 1% of the popular vote. He was previously a Republican and Governor of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003

1. Main Issues
   1. Get rid of income, capital gains, and payroll taxes
   2. Get rid of Department of Education and Dept of Housing and Urban Development
   3. Supports free trade
   4. Reduce federal spending by 20%
   5. Stop Military interventions
   6. Is pro-gun, and is anti-gun restrictions

Jill Stein

Previously the Green presidential nominee in 2012, Stein was a medicine physician for 36 years and attended Harvard College and Harvard Medical School.

1. Main Issues
   1. Doesn’t believe in free trade
   2. Wants to create 25 million jobs in green energy, public transportation and jobs that meet social needs
   3. Rejects cuts to Medicare and Social Security
   4. Supports local farmers and label GMOs
   5. Supports tuition-free public education
   6. Increase minimum wage to $15 and break up banks
   7. Expand women’s rights, accept immigrants, and legalize marijuana

Sources: 1, 2, 3

Still don’t know who to vote for? Here’s a helpful quiz!

Now that you know about all the candidates running, how do you register to vote? According to the RI Board of Elections, you can either register online or by mail. When applying by mail, a new voter must fill out a voter registration form and must prove you live in the state by providing your driver’s license number or last 4 digits of your social security number. After filling out the form, send it to your local Board of Canvassers. Link to the full list and their information here (x). . Here is also a link that tells you where you can vote depending on where in RI you are from! (x)

I hope you all enjoyed my second article! Don’t forget to share it on Facebook or other social media! Happy Primary Election Day!