Here’s Where Republicans & Democrats Stand On Key Issues

There's plenty of talk of where Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump stand on some of the election's biggest issues.

But what about the major political parties they've been nominated to represent on the top of the ticket?

One of the less flashy purposes of a political convention is to adopt the party’s official platform — a.k.a. the stances and goals that the party selects for the next four years until the next convention.

The platform, which is written by a committee with input from the wider range of party members, covers everything from social issues, to foreign policy, to economic reform.

The platforms are non-binding, meaning candidates, activists, and political groups at the state and local level are free to agree or disagree.

Still, for the average American, the platform can function as a sort of cheat sheet for where a political party stands.

So, what do the party platforms say? We’ve broken down what Republicans and Democrats have to say on the big issues that matter to your life, from student debt to reproductive rights.

Ahead, take a look at the differences to help inform your vote come November 8.