I Don't Do Politics - When You Vote I Win

Some of us just don’t have a taste for politics. But our democratic society requires that we pay attention and stay involved in what our government does.

Voting and politics are relevant to American’s everyday lives more than you might think. Here are some examples.

Tax Policy

Child Tax Credit

Voting and politics have a direct impact on families with children through tools like tax policy.

The American Rescue Plan increased the child tax credit to $3,000 per child age seven or older and $3,600 per kids six and younger. It also raised the age limit of eligible children from 16 to 17 years old.

Filers received the tax credit in monthly payments or received the entire amount with their yearly tax return.

How Did the American Rescue Plan Child Tax Credit Work? – Accounting Insights. June 27, 2025.

Healthcare

Medicaid Expansion: Health Insurance and The Affordable Care Act

Prior to Medicaid expansion the number one cause for bankruptcy in America was the inability to pay medical bills. Voting and the positions of elected officials are determinative for many in whether they will be able to obtain health insurance coverage.

Medicaid expansion is the Affordable Care Act’s change to broaden Medicaid program eligibility and increase the number of people who qualify for the program.

Nearly 50 million Americans have been covered through the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance marketplaces over the last decade.

U.S. Department of the Treasury Releases New Data Showing Nearly 50 Million Americans Have Been Covered Through Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplaces Since 2014. September 10, 2024.

Jobs

Minimum Wage and Down-Ballot Voting …

Your elected officials determine, state by state, what your minimum wage eligibility will be.

The federal minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees is $7.25 per hour.

Many states also have minimum wage laws. In cases where an employee is subject to both the state and federal minimum wage laws, the employee is entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages.

List of Minimum Wage Rates by State 2025.

Voting Rights

Felony Disenfranchisement

For justice impacted citizens; laws on voting rights are made on a State level in the legislature. State House and State Senate members make state level law.

Your right to vote is not affected by a criminal conviction in these states and territories:

Maine
Vermont
District of Columbia
Puerto Rico

You can even vote while you’re serving a prison sentence. Find out how to register if you live in one of these states or territories.

You are eligible to vote immediately after you have been released from prison in these states and territories:

California
Colorado
Connecticut
Guam
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
New Mexico
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Utah
Washington

You will get your voting rights back, even if you are on probation or parole, or if you owe any money, including: fines, fees, costs, or restitution.

You are eligible to vote after you’ve fully completed any parole or probation in these states and territories:

Alaska
American Samoa
Idaho
Kansas
Louisiana
Missouri
North Carolina
Northern Mariana Islands
Oklahoma
South Carolina
South Dakota
Texas
U.S. Virgin Islands
West Virginia
Wisconsin

You will get your voting rights back after you’re released from prison and complete any parole or probation. In Louisiana, you may also be eligible to vote while on probation or if you have been on parole for over five years.

You may or may not be eligible to vote after you’ve fully completed your sentence in these states:

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Iowa
Kentucky
Mississippi
Nebraska
Tennessee
Virginia
Wyoming

You may or may not get your voting rights back after you’ve been released from prison and you’ve fully completed your sentence. This means you need to complete conditions of your release, including parole, probation, and/or payment of any money you owe, including: fines, fees, costs, or restitution. If you’re not sure if you still owe any money, contact your attorney, the public defender’s office in the county where you were sentenced, or the county court.

Depending on your state and the details of your conviction, you may:

Be eligible to vote after you have completed your sentence
Have to apply to get your voting rights restored
Never be allowed to vote again

Criminal Justice

The Criminal Legal System in America

The criminal legal system in America consists of three components. Those components are either “in-full” being enforced by elected officials, run by elected officials, or led by appointees who are appointed by elected officials.

The Three Components of the Criminal Justice System. December 10, 2019.

Governance

Powers in Local Government

Powers entrusted to elected officials on the federal level are also held by state and local governments. There are Executives, Legislators and Judicial officials at the state and local levels that make and enforce laws and determine where and how tax payer dollars will be spent.

Who’s the Boss? Separation of Powers in Local Government. February 18, 2021.

I Don’t Do Politics

The Criminal Legal System in America

Powers in Local Government