Vote Climate U.S. PAC’s Voter’s Guide gives every incumbent and challenger for the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, a – Climate Calculation – a score for voters to take into the voting booth in November. Our Climate Calculations, ranging from 0 (Climate Zero) to 100 (Climate Hero) will help Americans vote climate. Candidates are scored in 4-climate change categories:
Climate Change Categories
- Position
- Votes
- Leadership
- Fee on Carbon
Scores are averaged for a final Climate Calculation, based upon the following criteria:
Position – What They Think and What They Say
- 0 – Disagrees with the scientific consensus that climate change is real and human-made, from burning fossil fuels.
- 25 – Does not take a position on whether climate change is real and human-made, from burning fossil fuels.
- 50 – Agrees with the scientific consensus that climate change is real and human-made, from burning fossil fuels.
- 75 – Understands the importance of climate action but not as a top priority issue.
- 100 – Understands the importance of action on climate change as a top priority issue.
Vote Score (Incumbents Only)
- 0 – Voted “pro-climate” on 0/8 of all guiding legislation
- 12.50 – Voted “pro-climate” on 1/8 of all guiding legislation
- 25 – Voted “pro-climate” on 2/8 of all guiding legislation
- 37.50 – Voted “pro-climate” on 3/8 of all guiding legislation
- 50 – Voted “pro-climate” on 4/8 of all guiding legislation
- 62.50 – Voted “pro-climate” on 5/8 of all guiding legislation
- 75 – Voted “pro-climate” on 6/8 of all guiding legislation
- 87.50 – Voted “pro-climate” on 7/8 guiding legislation
- 100 – Voted “pro-climate” on 8/8 on all guiding legislation
* U.S. House had only 7 votes, so math is adjusted accordingly.
Leadership – What They Do
- 0 – Public statements, advocacy or votes against climate action.
- 25 – Does not oppose climate action.
- 50 – Supports climate action, but does not advocate for it.
- 75 – Website and position papers advocate for climate action, but does not see it as a top priority issue.
- 100 – Makes public statements and advocates for action on climate change as a top priority issue.
U.S. Fee on Carbon – Position and Leadership
- 0 – Public statements or advocacy against putting a U.S. fee on carbon.
- 25 – Opposes or votes against a U.S. fee on carbon.
- 50 – No known or inconsistent position on a U.S. carbon fee.
- 75 – Supports a U.S. fee on carbon but does not advocate for it.
- 100 – Publicly supports and advocates for a U.S. fee on carbon.