How to Research Candidates
Tips for making informed voting decisions
Why Research Matters
Your ballot will likely include many races beyond the headline contest. State legislators, judges, school board members, city council representatives, and ballot measures all directly affect your daily life — often more than federal races. Researching all the candidates and issues before you vote ensures your ballot reflects your actual values and priorities.
Campaign ads and social media posts are designed to persuade, not inform. Taking time to research beyond the headlines helps you make decisions based on facts rather than rhetoric.
Where to Find Reliable Information
Start with nonpartisan sources that present facts without favoring one side. These organizations are dedicated to providing objective voter information:
Ballotpedia (ballotpedia.org)
A nonpartisan online encyclopedia of American politics. Look up your sample ballot, read candidate profiles, and find information on ballot measures. Covers federal, state, and many local races.
Vote Smart / VoteSmart.org
Provides candidates' voting records, public statements, campaign finances, and ratings from interest groups. A good way to see how candidates have actually acted, not just what they promise.
League of Women Voters (lwv.org/vote)
Publishes nonpartisan voter guides for many races. Their VOTE411.org tool lets you compare candidates' positions side by side based on their own responses to questionnaires.
Your State and County Election Websites
Official government election sites publish sample ballots, candidate filing information, ballot measure full text, and voter guides. Search for “[your county] election office” or “[your state] secretary of state elections.”
Local Newspapers
Local journalism often provides the most detailed coverage of down-ballot races that national media ignores. Many local papers publish candidate interviews, endorsement analyses, and ballot measure explainers. Read multiple sources for a balanced view.
Candidate Websites
Visit each candidate's official website to read their platform, policy positions, biography, and endorsements. Remember that these are self-promotional — cross-reference their claims with nonpartisan sources.
Questions to Ask About Each Candidate
Use these questions as a framework when evaluating candidates. You do not need to agree with a candidate on every issue — focus on the issues most important to you.
What are their policy positions?
Look for specific proposals, not just vague promises. How do they plan to address issues like education, healthcare, the economy, housing, public safety, and the environment? Are their plans realistic and detailed?
What is their experience?
What qualifies them for this specific office? Consider their professional background, prior government service, community involvement, and any relevant expertise. Experience is not the only factor, but it matters.
What is their track record?
For incumbents or candidates with prior office experience: How did they vote? Did they follow through on past promises? Check voting records on VoteSmart or your state legislature's website.
Who funds their campaign?
Campaign finance information is public record. Check OpenSecrets.org (for federal candidates) or your state's campaign finance database. Large donations from specific industries or interest groups can reveal priorities.
Who endorses them?
Endorsements from organizations, newspapers, elected officials, and community leaders can tell you a lot about a candidate's priorities and who they are accountable to.
Researching Ballot Measures
Ballot measures (propositions, referendums, initiatives, amendments) ask you to vote directly on a proposed law or policy. They can be some of the most consequential items on your ballot. Here is how to evaluate them:
- Read the full text. Ballot measure titles and summaries can be misleading. Read the actual text of the proposed law (available on your state election website or Ballotpedia). It is often long and technical, but at minimum skim the key provisions.
- Understand what a “yes” and “no” vote means. This is not always intuitive. Sometimes a “yes” vote repeals a law, and sometimes a “no” vote keeps a new policy. Read carefully.
- Look at the fiscal impact. Many states publish an official fiscal analysis. How much will this measure cost? Who pays? What revenue does it generate? Where does the money go?
- See who supports and opposes it. Follow the money. Which organizations and industries funded the campaign for and against the measure? Their motives often reveal what the measure actually does.
- Read nonpartisan analyses. Ballotpedia, the League of Women Voters, and your state's official voter guide often publish neutral analyses of ballot measures.
Spotting Misinformation
Election misinformation is widespread on social media and in campaign advertising. Here is how to protect yourself:
- Check the source. Is the information from a recognized news organization, government website, or nonpartisan group? Or is it from an anonymous social media account, a partisan blog, or a forwarded message with no source?
- Verify claims. If something sounds shocking or too perfect, look it up on fact-checking sites like FactCheck.org, PolitiFact.com, or Snopes.com before sharing or believing it.
- Be skeptical of images and videos. Photos and videos can be manipulated, taken out of context, or generated by AI. Check if reputable news outlets are reporting the same story.
- Watch for emotional manipulation. Misinformation often uses fear, outrage, or urgency to make you react before you think. If content makes you feel intensely emotional, that is when to slow down and verify.
- Be cautious with “voting logistics” information from unofficial sources. Misinformation campaigns sometimes share wrong election dates, wrong polling place addresses, or false ID requirements. Always verify voting logistics through your official state or county election website.
Your Research Worksheet
Use this space to write down your research and decisions. Bring it with you to the polls.
Federal Races
U.S. President:
U.S. Senate:
U.S. House of Representatives:
State Races
Governor:
State Senate:
State House/Assembly:
Other state offices:
Local Races
Mayor / City Council:
School Board:
Judges:
Other local offices:
Ballot Measures
Measure 1:
Measure 2:
Measure 3:
Helpful Resources
- Sample Ballot Lookup: ballotpedia.org/sample_ballot
- Candidate Comparison: vote411.org (League of Women Voters)
- Voting Records: votesmart.org
- Campaign Finance (Federal): opensecrets.org
- Fact Checking: factcheck.org, politifact.com, snopes.com
- Election Protection Hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)