DRAFT Policy Platform

This Policy Platform was drafted by the SVYD Endorsement Committee and is proposed for adoption during the February 16, 2026 General Meeting.

Mission Statement:

The Silicon Valley Young Democrats (SVYD) pledge to pursue the ideas of liberty, justice and freedom for all regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender; to stimulate in young people an active interest in government affairs; to increase the efficiency of popular government and maintain the viability of our free institutions; and to contribute to the growth and influence of the ideals and philosophy of the Democratic Party.

Preamble:

We, the Silicon Valley Young Democrats, believe that democracy is strongest when power is shared and justice is not concentrated in the hands of a few. In the face of growing inequality, exclusion, and tyranny, we commit ourselves to building a more just and inclusive society. We fight for the Ideals of human rights, accessibility and participation in government, economic mobility, and the ability to shape our own health and futures, as they demand our collective resistance to uphold them.

Human Rights

 Human Rights are universal and non-negotiable. Silicon Valley Young Democrats believe the government has an obligation to protect the dignity, safety, bodily autonomy, and freedom of all its people. While its citizens have a responsibility to hold their government accountable, elected officials have an even greater responsibility to actively uphold equality and defend human rights, regardless of race, gender identity, economic status, disabilities, sexual orientation, or immigration status, not just as it’s enshrined in the constitution but morally.

• Racial and Social Justice
  • Systemic racism and inequality continue to shape outcomes in housing, education, healthcare, employment, public safety, and the justice system.
    • The government has an obligation not only to acknowledge these disparities, but to actively dismantle them through equitable policy, inclusive governance, and accountability.
    • We support policies that confront historic and ongoing discrimination, invest in communities that have been marginalized and over-policed, and ensure that public institutions serve all people with fairness and dignity.
• LGBTQ Rights
  • LGBTQ+ people are entitled to full equality, safety, dignity, and self-determination in every aspect of public and private life. The government has a responsibility to protect LGBTQ+ people, especially queer youth, from discrimination, violence, and exclusion. We support comprehensive nondiscrimination protections, access to affirming healthcare and supportive school environments, and reject policies and narratives that criminalize or deny people the right to live authentically.
• Immigrant Rights
  • Defend immigrant communities from political scapegoating
  • Support undocumented students/youth by establishing more and better access to resources 
  • Promote AND support COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM
    • Enough with breadcrumbs
    • Pathway to Citizenship
  • Protect immigrant workers → promoting access to legal representation, end to wage theft 
  • Safeguard and demand humane treatment for Asylum seekers and Political Refugees 
  • We desire candidates to find avenues to support and fund Santa Clara County Rapid Response Network 
• Empathetic Approaches to Homeless Crisis
  • Treat homelessness as a public health issue and not as a crime
  • Stronger mental health services that prioritizes people over profit
  • Housing First policies that helps tackle root causes 
  • Support fair wage laws
• Health Equity Access
  • Access to quality, affordable and culturally competent healthcare is a fundamental human right.
    • Health outcomes should never be determined by race, income, immigration status, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, geography or employment.
    • Government has a responsibility to ensure that healthcare systems are equitable and inclusive
    • We support policies that expand universal access to comprehensive healthcare, including mental health services, reproductive and sexual healthcare, preventative care, and long term and disability care.
• Gender Equity
  • Gender equity is a fundamental human right that includes women, transgender, nonbinary, and all gender non-conforming people. The government must protect bodily autonomy, ensure safety, and dismantle systemic discrimination based on gender and gender identity. We support equal pay, reproductive freedom, equal access to healthcare and childcare, and survivor-centered approaches to addressing gender-based violence.

Accessibility/Empathetic/Participation in government 

The Silicon Valley Young Democrats believe in accountable government that is grounded in empathy, empowers community participation, requires accessible public systems, supports economic justice, upholds ethical and transparent leadership, and keeps decision-making responsive to the public, not corporate interests.  

• Access to Public Infrastructure and Resources
  • We believe access to public infrastructure and reliable, well-funded, safe, fast, and connected public transportation, safe and affordable housing, clean water, nutritious food, healthcare, education, and digital connectivity is a fundamental responsibility of the government.
    • Public systems must be designed to meet people where they are and ensure that no community is excluded from basic necessities due to income, where they live, language, or ability.
• Economic Justice
  • Silicon Valley’s extreme wealth inequality demands bold, people-first solutions.
    • We support economic systems that reduce inequality, strengthen worker power, and ensure economic security for all. 
    • The government must actively address disparities in income, housing stability, and access to opportunity by prioritizing policies that uplift working people, historically marginalized communities, and those most impacted by systemic inequities.
• Public Servant leadership/Civic Engagement
  • We believe it is the duty of elected officials to cultivate a diverse, representative leadership pipeline that reflects the communities it serves. 
  • Public service should be accessible to working people, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, and people whose first language is not English. 
  • Government processes, meetings, and resources must be designed to encourage participation rather than exclude it. 
  • Our goal is that civic participation is not limited to those with wealth or institutional access and removing barriers to these opportunities. 
  • We value grassroots organizing and community-led engagement as essential to a healthy democracy.
• Transparent finance
  • We support transparent campaign finance systems that promote public trust and accountability. 
  • This includes opposing dark money and undisclosed political spending that undermines democratic decision-making. 
  • We believe elected officials should be accountable to their constituents, not hidden donors.
• Getting corporate money out of politics
  • We push for limiting the influence of corporate PAC money in elections and policymaking. 
  • Democracy functions best when public officials are free to govern in the interest of their communities, not corporate donors. 
  • We support people-powered campaigns and the reduction of the outsized role of corporate interests in our political system.

Affordability and Economic Mobility

All current and future residents of Silicon Valley should be able to live and work in the region with access to dignified affordable housing options and employment opportunities. Our governments have an obligation to invest in the development of the region in ways that provide economic security and mobility to all residents.

• Equitable Taxation
  • Tax policy should be concerned with the demographics which they will proportionally affect and should seek to prioritize an equitable distribution of impact.
• Workers Rights and Livable Wages
  • Government has an obligation to ensure ethical workplace practices through accountability, enforcement, and the promotion of safe and sustainable working environments.
  • Minimum wages should be adjusted regularly to keep up with the cost of living
• Affordable Housing
  • In order to provide residents with dignified housing options, we believe that it is important to emphasize the production, preservation, and protection of housing stock.
  • SVYD prioritizes candidates who support affordable housing but housing that is accessible to business, retail spaces, and office spaces to have a “live, work, play” environment. 
  • We believe Corporate-Ownership over Single-family housing is not beneficial to the livelihood of South Bay communities.
  • Government should be forward-thinking in its development of housing and consider innovative ownership structures that prioritize vulnerable populations.
• Career and Technical Pathways
  • Public and higher education systems should provide access to alternative career development programs

Serving Young People

We strive for a Silicon Valley that amplifies the voices of young people and creates clear pathways for young people to participate meaningfully in government and to step into leadership. We support equal access to education, policies that advance environmental justice, and sustainable, long-term investments by the government to ensure young people have the resources, opportunities, and leadership capacity to thrive now and in the future. 

• Youth Voice and Engagement
  • We support youth participation and leadership by ensuring young people have a voice in decision making and by empowering younger candidates to bring their perspectives to public service. 
  • The Silicon Valley Young Democrats are, and believe our elected officials should be, committed to expanding opportunities for youth to engage in civic life, influence public decision making, and develop the skills and confidence to lead their communities.
• Climate Justice
  • We believe that investing in a sustainable future means supporting long-term environmental justice initiatives to ensure a healthy, livable world for all young people.
  • We believe that the course of progress should not be made at the sacrifice of the health and livelihood of those who are historically marginalized. Climate solutions must be equitable, community-centered, and forward-looking.
  •  We expect leaders we support to understand the historic roots of environmental inequities and to advance policies that protect young people by improving environmental conditions in communities most impacted by pollution and climate risk.
• Equal Access to Education
  • We support equitable access to high-quality education for all students recognizing education’s role as a cornerstone of opportunity, economic mobility, and civic participation. We encourage the removal of systemic, structural, and financial barriers that prevent students from fully accessing and benefiting from public education.