March for Science Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is launching the first Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Science Voter Guide online this week to give voters a sense of where candidates stand on scientific issues affecting society.
“The point is to re-emphasize that scientific issues must be considered in an election,†said Josh Hoskinson, a graduate student at the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and CEO of March for Science. “Science is important for the vote, and the candidates must develop their platform to include science.â€
Questionnaire topics cover government-funded science, STEM education, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ science standards, climate change, energy, agriculture, disease, the role of native nations in science policy and more.
March for Science began as a way for those who value science to voice their dissent of what they saw as the Trump administration’s anti-science actions and policies.
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The local organization presents itself as non-partisan and is attempting to become a vehicle for supporting evidence-based policies. In 2019, March for Science Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ hopes to become a full-fledged nonprofit that focuses on science education, literacy and outreach, Hoskinson said.
The questions are out to candidates now. Their verbatim answers will be posted online as they respond. Answers will not be scored nor analyzed, simply available for the public online.