Empowering the Future: The Importance of Child Care in Elections

Charlotte Randolph, the dedicated owner of a child care center located on Milwaukee’s North Side, proudly affixed a button to her chest that boldly declares, “I’m a Care Voter.” In a vibrant display of community spirit, she laid out a delightful spread of pizza and snacks outside her center, enticing mothers and their children who were enjoying a warm evening in the neighborhood. As the presidential election drew near, Ms. Randolph felt a strong sense of urgency to ensure that women enter the voting booths with a critical issue at the forefront of their minds: child care.

“Access to quality child care and its affordability are paramount,” Ms. Randolph emphasized. “It’s essential that these concerns resonate in their minds and hearts as they cast their votes.”

Despite its significance, child care often remains an overshadowed issue within the realm of presidential politics, frequently eclipsed by discussions surrounding inflation, immigration, reproductive rights, and foreign policy. However, in battleground states like Wisconsin, the urgency of this issue has intensified, and there is a growing recognition that presidential candidates can no longer afford to overlook the pivotal role that child care plays in the lives of voters, particularly women.

In her final major address before the election, Vice President Kamala Harris highlighted her commitment to addressing this pressing concern. Speaking in Washington on Tuesday, she stated her intention to make parenting more affordable for families. “I’ll advocate for a child tax credit that will help save parents money, which in turn will lift American children out of poverty,” she declared. “Additionally, I am dedicated to lowering the exorbitant costs of child care that are currently out of reach for far too many working families.”