By Ximena Garcia and Max Rosenthal

Candidates run on multi-policy platforms, but “single-issue” voters cast their ballots for one. In Princeton, New Jersey, most voters base their decisions on the issues that affect them and their community the most.

“I think that, with the world, there are so many issues that we need to focus on that it’s really hard to narrow down a candidate on their single issue platforms,” said Gwynne Frischmann, 55, of Newtown, Pennsylvania. 

Even so, as a mother who works alongside young women, Frischmann acknowledged that female-centered issues influence her vote.

“It’s hard not to get caught up on platforms of abortion and just all the rights that are being taken away from women, especially young women in today’s world,” Frischmann said, but she feels that single-issue voting misses the bigger picture. 

“You have to step back and see what is best for the majority of people in the world, in your life, and your communities,” she said.

Kylie Gibson, 16, cares about other issues but will vote on what affects her the most: the economy. “Yeah, I mean it’s selfish, but [other issues] wouldn’t be my problem. I care more about my money,” she said.

The general consensus was that single-issue voting is ineffective in upholding democracy, but community members were conflicted about whether the problem is the single-issue ballot or the influence that sways it.  

Valrya Vega, 28, from Mexico City, feels that single-issue voting has failed to promote democracy because of bribery in her country. The Mexican government faced backlash after they unveiled new “scholarship” cards in 2021 that provided 1.2 million preschool, elementary, and high school kids with up to $24 a month for meals and supplies. These “Claudia Cards” resulted in accusations that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has used welfare programs to illegally gain votes and get ahead of future presidential opponents. 

“It’s like selling their votes for a little bit for scholarships,” said Vega. “They’re given money so [politicians] can buy their votes. So that’s a really bad issue.”

When it comes to deciding how to vote, interviewees said that political conversations don’t change the issues they vote on. But for Frischmann, discussing politics with her community is a way to share more about the issues she cares about. 

“I don’t think [these conversations] have impacted my issues,” she said. “It’s just changed how you can either be open or not open about discussing what’s important to you as an individual.”

With midterm elections around the corner, single-issue voting on abortion, the economy, and corruption is not going away. The question is: Will it sway the balance of power this fall?