Why Policy and Voting Are Essential to Closing the Income Gap
As I reached the final stage of researching the income gap, I realized something important. Individual action matters. Company policies matter. But without strong public policy and leadership, the wage gap will continue for generations. This is why one of the major themes of the #LevelThePayField campaign is encouraging people to vote for leaders who support fair pay and equal opportunity.
The income gap is not just a workplace issue. It is a policy issue that affects families, schools, healthcare access, and entire communities. For example, the United States Equal Pay Act was passed in 1963, yet wage inequality still exists today because the law does not fully address the complex causes of pay discrimination. The National Women’s Law Center explains that gaps remain due to weak enforcement, outdated protections, and loopholes that allow unequal pay to continue. Their research can be viewed at https://nwlc.org/resource/wage-gap-explainer/.
One of the biggest steps forward has been the rise of pay transparency laws. States like Colorado, California, and New York now require employers to include salary ranges in job postings. Early results show that transparency helps narrow wage differences by giving workers clearer information and reducing the risk of discrimination. The National Conference of State Legislatures offers an overview of these laws at https://www.ncsl.org/state-legislatures-news/details/more-job-seekers-will-be-seeing-pay-ranges-in-job-postings.
Voting for leaders who support fair pay policies is essential because lawmakers influence everything from minimum wage to parental leave to workplace protections. When elected officials care about equality, they strengthen the systems that protect workers, enforce fair hiring practices, and hold companies accountable. A study from the Center for American Progress highlights how equal pay legislation, paid leave, and childcare support all help close the wage gap. Their findings are available at https://www.americanprogress.org/article/playbook-for-the-advancement-of-women-in-the-economy/closing-the-gender-pay-gap/.
This made me reflect on how powerful voting can be. Many people think that their individual vote does not matter, but when millions of voices come together, real change happens. Policy change often moves slowly, but history shows that it moves even slower when people stay silent.
Through the #LevelThePayField campaign, I want people to feel motivated to learn about the candidates in their community, pay attention to who supports pay equity, and use their voice to influence change. The income gap is not just a statistic. It is a lived reality for millions of workers. Voting for leaders who understand this issue is one of the most effective ways we can create a future that is fair for everyone.
Closing the gap will take time, but it is possible when awareness, action, and policy work together.