Election Day 2012 will be here in just 54 days. And just like every other election year, we’re reminded once again that children cannot vote and they’re usually not big campaign contributors either. Every time you turn on the television you see a new stump speech or a new political ad, but you don’t hear much about issues that directly impact our state and nation’s kids. You always hear about the importance of our future, but when it comes to specifics, politicians sometimes fail to make the case for what exactly they’ll do for our kids if elected. Over 35 years of work at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, we have learned that the only way to make these men and women address our issues is to ask them directly.

Today we release our “Advocates Guide to the 2012 Elections: Questions to ask about the issues that matter.” Our staff designed this reference to help voters understand the questions AACF believes are critical for our elected leaders to answer. Our state lawmakers are never more available than they are during a campaign. As advocates it is important that we know exactly where our elected leaders stand on the issues impacting our children, grandchildren, and all other kids in our communities. This guide covers:

• After-School and Summer Programs
• Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap
• Juvenile Justice Reform
• Poverty
• Tax & Budget Issues
• Pre-K
• Immigration
• K-12 Education
• Public Health

Give it a look. But more importantly, use it as a guide when you have the opportunity to talk to candidates. If you want to go the extra mile, take time to send us a note with the responses you receive. Issues that affect children and working families in Arkansas cannot remain unresolved. Make sure your state representative or state senate candidates know where you stand. If all of us who care about these issues let our leaders know how critical they are to our state’s future, we can make sure they get the attention they deserve.