New Mexico Voter Guide 2016: US Presidential Candidates

About the Office of President

Salary: $400,000 per year

Term: Four years. Limit of two terms.

How Elected: Every four years, political parties nominate candidates to run for President of the United States in a general election that is held on the first Tuesday, after the first Monday in November. Although all parties use conventions to nominate their candidates, in most states the Democratic and Republican parties also run state-wide primary elections or caucuses. The results of the primary influence how the delegates to their respective party’s convention will cast ballots for candidates for President. The degree to which the result of the primary influences the votes of delegates at conventions varies from state to state.

Duties: The President is the head of state of the United States of America and is the Chief Executive Officer and the Commander in Chief of all military forces. The powers of the President are described in the Constitution and federal law. Subject to Senate approval, the President appoints the members of the Cabinet, ambassadors to other nations and the United Nations, Supreme Court Justices and federal judges. The President, along with the Cabinet and its agencies, is responsible for carrying out and enforcing the laws of the United States. The President may also recommend legislation to the United States Congress.

Ground Rules for the Voter Guide

The League of Women Voters is where hands on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement. Learn more at www.lwv.org and www.VOTE411.org.

© 2016 League of Women Voters Education Fund.

This information for the Presidential race comes from VOTE411.org.

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US Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton

Party: Democrat

Biographical Info:

Website: http://www.hillaryclinton.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hillaryclinton

Twitter: @HillaryClinton

Campaign Email: info@hillaryclinton.com

Campaign Phone: (646) 854-1432

Campaign Address: Hillary for America PO Box 5256 New York, NY 10185

Personal Statement:

I’m running for President to make a difference in the lives of all Americans. I’ll build an economy that works for everyone, continue my fight for children and families, and work to keep our country safe. And I’ll unite Americans to take on all the challenges we face—because we’re stronger together.

Top Three Goals:

1. Grow and strengthen our economy. 2. Curb the outsized influence of big money in American politics. 3. Ensure we have the partnerships to keep our country safe.

Questions:

Q: What will you do to support a vibrant economy across the U.S.?

A: My first priority will be to grow and strengthen our economy. I will invest in good-paying jobs, expand access to higher education, encourage companies to follow policies that put families first, and fight so that everyone pays their fair share. Every American deserves a good job, a successful career, and a productive life. Together, these efforts will work to make that a reality.

Q: What, if any, actions will you support to create a pathway to citizenship?

A: In my first 100 days, I will introduce comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship. An estimated nine million lawful permanent residents are eligible to become U.S. citizens. As President, I will work to expand fee waivers and enhance outreach, so that more of the working poor can assume the full rights and responsibilities of becoming U.S. citizens.

Q: What should government do to provide an equitable, quality public education for all children pre-K through grade 12?

A: Every child deserves a high-quality education. I will double our investments in Early Head Start programs and ensure every 4-year old has access to high-quality preschool. I will do more to support our teachers, modernize our classrooms, and support STEM programs so that all public school students can learn computer science. We must give children the foundation to succeed, from pre-K to grade 12.

Q: What actions would you support the U.S. undertake to protect its interests abroad?

A: The U.S. needs to exercise leadership and shape global events rather than be shaped by them. So many of our interests—our security, our economy, and our fight against climate change—require cooperation with our friends and allies, and with countries we may agree with on some things, and disagree with on others. As President, I’ll ensure our country remains a source of leadership around the world.

Q: What kinds of policies will you pursue to promote social and racial justice for all Americans?

A: Too many Americans still face discrimination and mistreatment. I will fight to break down barriers and build ladders of opportunity. We will reform our criminal justice system, protect transgender individuals, defend voting rights, fight environmental injustice, fight for comprehensive immigration reform, end the epidemic of gun violence, and ensure the citizens of Puerto Rico are treated equally.

US Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson

Gary Johnson

Party: Libertarian

Biographical Info:

Website: http://www.johnsonweld.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/govgaryjohnson/

Twitter: @GovGaryJohnson

Campaign Email: Info@JohnsonWeld.com

Campaign Phone: (801) 303-8922

Campaign Address: PO Box 4422 Salt Lake City, UT 84110

Personal Statement:

I am Governor Gary Johnson and along with my running mate Governor William Weld we are honored to accept the invitation of the League of Women Voters to participate in their efforts to inform the voting American public of all options available to them during this Presidential election year.

Top Three Goals:

Provide Congress a balanced budget within the first 100 days of office; Reduce (and in some cases eliminate) our military footprint abroad; Liberalize trade and economic activity.

Questions:

Q: What will you do to support a vibrant economy across the U.S.?

A: Submit to Congress a balanced budget to provide a template to stop unsustainable growth of the national debt, debt that weighs on employers, entrepreneurs and the economy. Support a simpler, fairer tax code that won’t penalize productivity or investment. Fight to provide certainty in spending, taxes, and regulation so employers, entrepreneurs and investors make decisions that put people to work.

Q: What, if any, actions will you support to create a pathway to citizenship?

A: Ensure a pathway to citizenship for deserving immigrants by first establishing a way for non-criminal undocumented immigrants to achieve documented status. After that crucial first step, the pathway to citizenship will be the same as it is for all immigrants. No cutting the line. No unfair advantages. Just a legal status that allows immigrants to pursue the traditional path to becoming a citizen.

Q: What should government do to provide an equitable, quality public education for all children pre-K through grade 12?

A: Education works best when decentralized. Since President Carter created the Dept. of Education, test scores have stagnated despite any new initiatives or spending programs. Parents and teachers make the best decisions for students, not bureaucrats at the DoE. Education is traditionally a state and local responsibility, and should remain so for innovation, best practices and even competition.

Q: What actions would you support the U.S. undertake to protect its interests abroad?

A: Above all, we must maintain a national defense that is second to none. Government’s first responsibility is to protect us from threats abroad. If attacked, we respond. Our greatest assets are economy and culture. Blue jeans and computers did more to win the Cold War than stockpiled warheads. I will pursue vigorous diplomacy based on our economic might, not idle threats and military interventions.

Q: What kinds of policies will you pursue to promote social and racial justice for all Americans?

A: I would do everything in the Presidency’s power to end the militarization of the police. I would end the failed drug war, which unfairly targets communities of color. I would use the powers of the Federal Government to protect the civil liberties of all Americans, aggressively enforcing 14th Amendment protections. I would continue the work to help all Americans to achieve equality of opportunity.

US Presidential Candidate Jill Stein

Jill Stein

Party: Green

Biographical Info:

Website: http://jill2016.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/drjillstein

Twitter: @DrJillStein

Campaign Email: info@jill2016.com

Campaign Phone: (347) 425-1910

Campaign Address: 318 Franklin Ave Brooklyn, NY 11238

Personal Statement:

After a career in clinical medicine, I am now practicing political medicine, running for President to help heal our ailing nation. Your vote for me sends a clear signal that you want a new, principled politics that puts people, planet and peace over profit.

Top Three Goals:

1. Green job-creation to fight climate change. 2. A fair economy that eliminates unemployment 3. Justice, true democracy, and respect for all human beings.

Questions:

Q: What will you do to support a vibrant economy across the U.S.?

A: • Eliminate unemployment by creating a job for every American who needs work.

• Repeal NAFTA and other trade agreements that export our jobs overseas and create immigration surges.

• Create 20 million green jobs to stimulate the economy improving our health by cleaning up our land, air, and water.

• Protect consumers and small businesses from big banks and Wall Street predators.

Q: What, if any, actions will you support to create a pathway to citizenship?

A: First, end the massive deportation schemes that have torn families apart. I would also end the so-called Secure Communities program that has led to abuse of both citizens and non-citizens. End the misguided free trade agreements and regime change wars that have forced people to emigrate for their own survival. Finally, provide a welcoming and legal path to citizenship for current immigrants.

Q: What should government do to provide an equitable, quality public education for all children pre-K through grade 12?

A: 1) Protect our public schools from privatization schemes that will inevitably undermine the American dream of quality public education for all.

2) Increase federal funding of public schools to make sure all school districts have the financial resources they need to provide quality education.

3) Ensure that kids come to school ready to learn: healthy, nourished, and secure.

Q: What actions would you support the U.S. undertake to protect its interests abroad?

A: Forge a new foreign policy based solidly on diplomacy, international law, respect for human rights, and consistent nonviolent support for democratic movements around the world. End the misguided policies of militarism that have produced terrorist organizations, refugee crises, failed states, and a bloated military that we can no longer afford.

Q: What kinds of policies will you pursue to promote social and racial justice for all Americans?

A: My plan to end unemployment will transform the economic life of low income communities that are now struggling with unemployment rates two or three times the national average. Coupled with my commitment to quality public schools and community empowerment, we can not just lessen racial disparity, but bring it to an end.

US Presidential Candidate Donald Trump

Donald Trump

Party: Republican

Biographical Info:

Website: http://www.donaldjtrump.com/

Campaign Email: info@donaldtrump.com

Campaign Phone: (646) 736-1779

Campaign Address: Donald J. Trump for President, INC 725 Fifth Ave New York, NY 10022

Personal Statement:

The government of the US should be focused on serving the people of this great nation, not special interests. The government now rules rather than governs. The American people want their government back and together we will make America great again.

Top Three Goals:

Secure our nation by restoring our leadership in the world; restore economic growth thru tax, trade, immigration, & energy reform; restore Constitutional limits on government.

Questions:

Q: What will you do to support a vibrant economy across the U.S.?

A: I have proposed tax, trade, energy and immigration reforms that will bring trillions of dollars and millions of jobs back to the United States. Through immigration reform, we will restore wage growth and reduce the related fiscal burdens on state and local governments. These reforms will help lift wages and will create opportunities for millions of Americans to get back in the workforce.

Q: What, if any, actions will you support to create a pathway to citizenship?

A: We must re-establish the rule of law in this country. Criminal illegal immigrants will be deported. No one should be given the gift of U.S. citizenship based on illegal behavior.

Q: What should government do to provide an equitable, quality public education for all children pre-K through grade 12?

A: My administration will provide states with incentives to increase school choice options for parents and local school districts. Allowing the entrenched Washington education establishment and federal bureaucrats to leverage federal funds to dictate educational practices, curriculum and outcomes must be stopped. Control of K-12 education must be returned to parents and citizens locally.

Q: What actions would you support the U.S. undertake to protect its interests abroad?

A: We are the leader of the free world - whether we like it or not - and we must ensure we seek partners willing to make sure our national interests are defended. We only gain this respect from both adversaries and allies by having a strong military, being clear about defeating radical Islam, & stopping rogue nations from attacking/threatening our citizens, economic interests, resources and allies.

Q: What kinds of policies will you pursue to promote social and racial justice for all Americans?

A: The best way to ensure social & racial justice is to return Constitutional limits on government & appoint Supreme Court Justices who will defend the Constitution, not rewrite it. The President must provide leadership & make sure the government works for the people. We must ensure low income & minority children learn to read at grade level & not trap them in failing schools based on zip code.


Darrell Castle

Party: Constitution

Candidate was not asked to participate.

Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente

Party: American Delta

Candidate was not asked to participate.

Gloria La Riva

Party: Socialism and Liberation

Candidate was not asked to participate.

Evan McMullin

Party: Better for America

Candidate was not asked to participate.