Slate Votes

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We asked?Slate's staff and contributors to tell us whom they're voting for on Election Day and why. These are their responses. Click?here?to read Editor David Plotz's explanation for why we share this information with you.

Laura Anderson, assistant editor: Barack Obama

Full disclosure: There is probably a 0-percent chance I will ever vote for a Republican presidential candidate in my life. But Romney is particularly unappealing; I?m appalled by his apparent inability to empathize with people who are less advantaged than he is. I haven?t agreed with every single one of Obama?s decisions as president, but his administration?s failure to live up to expectations has more to do with the petty obstinacy of Republicans in Congress than with a lack of character or competence on his part. Plus, Obama has demonstrated a commitment to women?s reproductive freedom and has at least paid lip service to marriage equality, both issues near and dear to my heart.

Emily Bazelon, senior editor: Obama

I?m voting for Barack Obama because I want to live in a country with more opportunity and greater equality. I also want a government that will make Obamacare succeed instead of narrowing access to health care. I care about the rising cost of medical services and entitlements, and about the national debt. If I thought Mitt Romney, the moderate governor of Massachusetts, would show up as president, I?d be open to his candidacy. But I don?t?not with this Republican Party and leadership in Congress. Also, the future of the Supreme Court is at stake.

Jeffrey Bloomer, Slate V editor: Obama

I have already cast a vote for the president. I have selfish reasons, like health care: I?d prefer my domestic partner didn?t have to pay $122.54 monthly in federal taxes on my benefits?and the only change Mitt Romney wants to make to DOMA is to codify it into the Constitution. Really, though? Even if Romney is who he says he is this week, then he believes in near-term military action against Iran, deep cuts to safety nets, and a Supreme Court in the ?mold? of Scalia and Thomas. Not a difficult decision.

Will Dobson, politics and foreign editor: Obama

I grew up in a Republican household. I have voted for Republicans and Democrats. Party identification has never been the most important factor for me. At least, it wasn?t. But given the direction the Republican Party has moved in my lifetime, on a whole host of issues, it feels like the height of irresponsibility to vote for Mitt Romney. I am willing to believe that Romney could be a good president. If he had always portrayed himself as the former governor of Massachusetts, he could have made a play for my vote. But I don?t care for the company he keeps. And when he promises to nominate another Scalia to the court, he seals the deal.

Greg Engel, software engineer: Jill Stein

For me, this election comes down to a stark choice between a wide-eyed idealist who?s often been labeled a ?socialist? and a comparatively tough-minded pragmatist best known for briefly holding elected office in Massachusetts. It?s a genuinely difficult choice! So it is with some ambivalence that I?ve decided to vote for Jill Stein of the Green Party rather than Peta Lindsay (of the Party for Socialism and Liberation.)

Molly Fabbri, art intern: Obama

1. Obama hasn't accomplished everything I wanted him to, but I'm not nearly disappointed enough to switch sides. I still agree with him on most things and I have a little extra hope leftover from 2008.

2. America invaded two countries before I was voting age. I feel a vote for Romney all but guarantees a third war in the Middle East before I'm 21.

3. My pre-existing conditions include being female, and the GOP has scared the crap out of me in that regard.

4. Obama seems composed, intelligent, and rational, all things I want my president to be, whereas Romney's temperament reminds me more of [a less-likable] Bush.

Katherine Goldstein, innovations editor: Obama

I?m voting for Barack Obama because I feel he?s led the country in good direction over the last four years under difficult circumstances. I am happy that he was able to accomplish the herculean task of passing health care reform, which I believe is sensible and will save millions of lives through better preventive care. I believe we share a similar vision about what?s important for America: including a strong middle class, equal pay and reproductive choices for women, and support for ending discrimination and allowing everyone the freedom to marry. On the issues I feel the president has not made enough progress, such as fighting climate change, I feel that his policies are better than the alternatives proposed by his challenger. I am proud to vote for Barack Obama for a second time.

Laura Helmuth, science and health editor: Obama

If you care about science?teaching it, funding it, grappling with its findings, using it to guide policy?Obama is the clear choice. He has assembled arguably the most scientifically accomplished administration in U.S. history. He accepts the overwhelming evidence for climate change, values people over embryos, bases regulations (mostly) on sound science, and invests in the environment. Romney, Ryan, and the Republicans give comfort to creationists and climate change deniers and reject research findings on education, regulations, the environment, and social programs. The data are clear: The scientific vote is for Obama.

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