Farmers and Ranchers Tell Candidates, ‘iFarmiVote’

Alongside the American Farm Bureau Federation’s numerous voter resources is the iFarmiVote pledge, a way for farmers and ranchers to remind candidates that rural America has a considerable stake in the outcome of the election.

The pledge demonstrates Farm Bureau members’ high level of civic engagement, according to Michael Sistak, AFBF director of grassroots program development.

“When they take the pledge, a pin is dropped on a map of the United States to identify their location and visually show the strength of the Farm Bureau family,” Sistak explained.

Other voter tools provided on the AFBF website allow people to find out about their voting status, polling place and absentee ballots and learn more about all the candidates appearing on their ballot. Voter registration is an option, too.

“This toolkit has an entire team dedicated to keep up with changes happening state-by-state and county-by-county, so that no one will be unsure of how to cast their ballot,” Sistak said.

AFBF also has a section dedicated to the two highest-profile candidates’ positions on several topics directly affecting America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities, including trade, labor, regulatory reform and sustainability.

Both President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden responded to a 12-question questionnaire from AFBF. Their answers are presented as they were received, unedited, to give Farm Bureau members an unfiltered look at each candidate’s platform. AFBF has invited candidates from both parties to respond to election questionnaires for more than 40 years.

AFBF’s iFarmiVote election toolkit and voter pledge

Presidential candidate questionnaire