Build the Climate Vote
Why climate votes matter
We need champions in Congress who will fight for us, and we need to hold politicians accountable based on their voting records and public stances. Showing up to vote does exactly that.
We have identified key races where climate justice candidates are running, and we’re organizing to get climate voters informed and out to the polls. Check out below to find out more about key races in the 2024 elections and where candidates stand on climate. Keep checking back as we add more throughout the year!
How you can help
Greenpeace USA volunteers all over the country are writing personalized letters to climate voters in key races. Personalized letters have been shown to be one of the most effective ways to help get voters to the polls. And, it’s fun and easy to do!
Sign up for a letter writing training
If you’ve already completed the training, or you’ve written letters with Greenpeace USA before, you can request a packet of letters below:
2024 Primary Races
CA-30
In California’s 30th district, countless Democrats vie for the congressional seat vacated by Adam Schiff. In this race, Laura Friedman, Mike Feuer, and Jirair Ratevosian, stand out on climate, with all three candidates pledging not to accept contributions from the fossil fuel industry, and supporting a Green New Deal. Friedman, who serves in the California Assembly, authored AB3232, which requires the California Energy Commission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the state’s buildings. She also co-wrote legislation to phase out single-use plastics by 2032. As LA City attorney, Feuer sued Southern California Gas Company over the Aliso Canyon gas leak. During Feuer’s time in the California Assembly, he co-authored critical water conservation legislation to ensure that the people of California have clean and reliable water.
Other candidates in this race include Nick Melvoin, Anthony Portantino, and Ben Savage, none of whom have signed the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge.
See full scorecard below. Please note that candidates only receive a “yes” if they have answered our candidate questionnaire affirmatively or taken a public stance in support.
Write letters to climate voters in CA-30
If you’ve already completed the training, or you’ve written letters with Greenpeace USA before, you can request a packet of letters below:
CA-31
In CA-31, Grace Napolitano is retiring, and several Democrats are campaigning to fill her empty seat. Of these candidates only Mary Ann Lutz and Greg Hafif have pledged to not accept contributions from the Oil & Gas industry. While Gil Cisneros signed the pledge in 2020, he has not yet done so far in 2024. Bob Archuleta and Susan Rubio have not signed the pledge.
Rubio in particular, has received hefty contributions from the oil industry, including more than $2.8M for her 2018 campaign. She has a 47% score from California Environmental Voters, and notably voted against SB 1137, a historic law that mandated a buffer zone 3,200 feet between oil drilling and homes, schools, and hospitals.
See full scorecard below. Please note that candidates only receive a “yes” if they have answered our candidate questionnaire affirmatively or taken a public stance in support.
Sign up for a letter writing training
If you’ve already completed the training, or you’ve written letters with Greenpeace USA before, you can request a packet of letters below:
Scorecard methodology
Greenpeace USA’s Congressional Climate Scorecard is a resource that aims to provide information to the public about political candidates’ positions on climate change, democracy, and other topics.
The scorecard is based on the candidates’ public commitments, obtained either via their campaign website, social media accounts, and/or from statements to the public or the media. We also send a questionnaire to each scored candidate to ensure they have the chance to make their position clear, or in case their position changes in the course of the campaign. Greenpeace USA commits to updating the scorecard to ensure it reflects the best and most current information on candidate positions.
For the upcoming elections, the scorecard consists of the following criteria:
- Has the candidate pledged not to take money from oil and gas companies, by signing the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge?
- Does the candidate support a buffer zone of 3,200 feet between oil drilling and sensitive sites including homes, schools, and hospitals? (California candidates only)
- Does the candidate support ending all government fossil fuel subsidies?
- Does the candidate support Rep. Raskin’s bipartisan anti-SLAPP legislation to protect the right to protest?
- Will the candidate vote for the PRO Act to protect workers’ right to organize a union?
- Does the candidate support halting all new oil, gas, and coal fields and infrastructure, and phasing out fossil fuels, in line with what scientists tell us we must do to avoid the worst impacts of climate change
- Will the candidate vote for the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act?
