VoteMatch Responses (Click here for VoteMatch quiz)
VoteMatch Question & Answer (Click on question for explanation and background)	Based on these stances: (Click on topic for excerpt & citation)
Strongly Favors topic 1: Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right (+5 points on Social scale)	Require state & local governments to allow abortion coverage: Strongly Favors topic 1 Ensure women have full range of reproductive health services: Strongly Favors topic 1
Strongly Favors topic 2: Legally require hiring women & minorities (-5 points on Economic scale)	Make Newton a more hospitable climate for African Americans: Strongly Favors topic 2
Strongly Favors topic 3: Comfortable with same-sex marriage (+5 points on Social scale)	Appointed first transgender member of Newton government: Strongly Favors topic 3 Transgender military ban makes us less safe: Strongly Favors topic 3 Repeal DOMA; support ENDA: Strongly Favors topic 3
No opinion on topic 4: Keep God in the public sphere (0 points on Social scale)	(No votes on which to base response)
Strongly Favors topic 5: Expand ObamaCare (-5 points on Economic scale)	Health care is a right; support single-payer: Strongly Favors topic 5 Accessible and affordable mental health and dental health: Strongly Favors topic 5 Move us towards single-payer healthcare: Strongly Favors topic 5 Defend ObamaCare; improve efficiency & reduce fraud: Strongly Favors topic 5 Defend ObamaCare; improve efficiency & reduce fraud: Strongly Favors topic 5
Opposes topic 6: Privatize Social Security (-3 points on Economic scale)	Raise FICA tax cap over current limit of $106,800 income: Opposes topic 6
Strongly Opposes topic 7: Vouchers for school choice (-5 points on Economic scale)	Invest in new school facilities & classroom resources: Strongly Opposes topic 7 Public education is cornerstone of equal opportunity: Strongly Opposes topic 7
Opposes topic 8: Fight EPA regulatory over-reach (+2 points on Social scale)	Take advantage of a clean energy economy: Opposes topic 8
Strongly Opposes topic 9: Stricter punishment reduces crime (+5 points on Social scale)	More parole instead of privatization of prisons: Strongly Opposes topic 9 Opposes federalization of police: Opposes topic 9
Strongly Opposes topic 10: Absolute right to gun ownership (-5 points on Economic scale)	Join 18 mayors in banning assault weapons: Strongly Opposes topic 10
Favors topic 11: Higher taxes on the wealthy (-3 points on Economic scale)	Raise taxes on wealthy; close loopholes: Strongly Favors topic 11 Eliminate tax breaks; wealthy pay their fair share: Strongly Favors topic 11 Make R&D tax credit permanent; cut small business taxes: Opposes topic 11
Strongly Favors topic 12: Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens (+5 points on Social scale)	Support sanctuary cities; oppose summary deportations: Strongly Favors topic 12 Local police shouldn't enforce immigration law: Strongly Favors topic 12 Make City Hall an immigrant sanctuary to lead sanctuary city: Strongly Favors topic 12
Opposes topic 13: Support & expand free trade (-3 points on Economic scale)	Fair Trade based on labor & environmental standards: Opposes topic 13
No opinion on topic 14: Support American Exceptionalism (0 points on Economic scale)	(No votes on which to base response)
Opposes topic 15: Expand the military (+2 points on Social scale)	Cut nuclear arsenal; cancel weapons; exit bases abroad: Strongly Opposes topic 15 Employ all assets to combat terrorist activity worldwide: Favors topic 15
Strongly Favors topic 16: Make voter registration easier (+5 points on Social scale)	Supports automatic voter registration: Strongly Favors topic 16
Favors topic 17: Avoid foreign entanglements (+2 points on Social scale)	Draw down Afghan troops pending developments on the ground: Opposes topic 17 Obama is ending the Iraq War; bring our troops home: Strongly Favors topic 17
Strongly Favors topic 18: Prioritize green energy (-5 points on Economic scale)	Support use of wind, solar, & other renewable energy: Strongly Favors topic 18 Drilling for more oil is no solution for energy crisis: Strongly Favors topic 18 Take advantage of a clean energy economy: Favors topic 18
Opposes topic 19: Marijuana is a gateway drug (+2 points on Social scale)	End mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug crimes: Opposes topic 19 Combat opioid addiction by funding treatment: Opposes topic 19
Opposes topic 20: Stimulus better than market-led recovery (+2 points on Economic scale)	Closed $40M deficit in city of Newton & maintained services: Favors topic 20 Make R&D tax credit permanent; cut small business taxes: Strongly Opposes topic 20