Being an informed voter starts with asking good questions.
Who are these candidates? What does this office actually do? What would this ballot measure change? Who supports these candidates, and why?
Even for engaged voters, there may be more on the ballot than expected. Beyond the races making headlines, judicial candidates, local officials, party positions, millages, and ballot measures may warrant a closer look.
Fortunately, you don’t need to become an expert on every race or issue. Start by finding your sample ballot, typically available through your Secretary of State or local election office. Ballotpedia offers a helpful sample ballot lookup tool to streamline your research. From there, a little curiosity, along with reliable information and conversations with people you trust, can help you make informed decisions.
How to Research Candidates for Federal and State Office
Campaign websites and social media pages are good starting points for learning about a candidate’s background, priorities, experience, endorsements, and whether they’re an incumbent. Since these materials are produced by the campaign, supplement them with other sources.
Ballotpedia can be helpful for comparing candidate backgrounds, election history, endorsements, and questionnaire responses in one place. For incumbents, look at their record as well: What legislation have they sponsored? How have they voted? What leadership positions do they hold? What issues have they prioritized in office?
This can be especially important in a primary, when candidates from the same party may share broad political philosophies but differ in experience, priorities, and approach to governing.
Voters in competitive states or districts may have another question to consider: Do you support the candidate who most closely reflects your views, or also weigh who may have the strongest chance in the general election? Understanding the political makeup of each district can help with that decision.
Researching Judicial and Other Nonpartisan Races
Judicial races can be challenging to research because they are often nonpartisan. Start with a candidate’s legal experience, qualifications, previous positions, and judicial philosophy.
Then look at endorsements.
For example, teachers unions and some labor organizations tend to support more liberal candidates, while organizations such as the Federalist Society or pro-life groups tend to support more conservative candidates. Candidates may also receive endorsements from bar associations, law enforcement groups, current or former elected officials, and community leaders.
Rather than simply counting endorsements, consider what they tell you. Who is offering the endorsement? What does that individual or organization value? Do you recognize and trust any of the people supporting the candidate? Endorsements shouldn’t make the decision for you, but they can provide valuable context when other information is limited.
Researching Local Elections and Candidates
City council members, township officials, county commissioners, sheriffs, prosecutors, school board members, and other local officials make decisions that directly shape our communities.
Because these races may receive less media coverage, your community can be one of your best resources. Talk to friends and neighbors. Read candidate interviews or questionnaires in your local newspaper. Attend a candidate forum or watch a recording. Ask people who follow local government closely.
Personal recommendations can be especially useful when they come from someone whose judgment you trust or who has firsthand experience with a candidate. And when someone recommends a candidate, stay curious: Ask them why.
Don’t Overlook Party Offices on Your Primary Ballot
Primary ballots may also include party offices such as precinct delegates or state party committee members. These candidates may be your neighbors, coworkers, people you attend church with, or other familiar faces in your community.
These individuals can play an important role within political parties. Depending on state and party rules, they may help elect party leadership, vote on rules and resolutions, choose convention delegates, or participate in processes for selecting nominees or filling candidate vacancies.
If one of these positions appears on your ballot, learn what the role does in your state and who is running. You may even be able to ask the candidate directly why they’re running and what they hope to accomplish.
Evaluating Ballot Measures, Millages, and Tax Proposals
Your ballot may also include constitutional amendments, referendums, bond proposals, millages, tax increases, or other initiatives that affect taxes, public services, schools, infrastructure, and community priorities.
Start by determining what would actually change if the proposal passes.
For a millage or tax proposal, is it renewing an existing tax, increasing one, or creating a new one? What will the money fund? How much will it cost taxpayers, and for how long? What outcomes are expected?
For renewals, look backward, too. How has the existing funding been used, and what has it accomplished?
Then consider the broader questions. Is the government best positioned to provide this service? Are nonprofits or the private sector already addressing the need? Would taxpayer funding complement those efforts or duplicate them?
Some needs may require taxpayer support. Others may already be met effectively by businesses, nonprofits, philanthropy, or other community institutions. The goal isn’t to assume a proposal is good or bad, but to understand what you’re being asked to support, what it will cost, and the potential tradeoffs.
Becoming an Informed Voter Starts with Curiosity
Being an informed voter doesn’t mean having all the answers. It means being willing to ask questions.
Look at your sample ballot. Learn about the candidates. Talk with people you trust. Read the details of ballot proposals. When you encounter an unfamiliar name, office, or issue, get curious rather than skipping it.
The Policy Circle’s Active Voter Guide offers additional questions and practical tools to help you research your ballot and prepare to vote.
At The Policy Circle, we believe informed citizens strengthen their communities. The habits behind an informed vote — curiosity, conversation, critical thinking, and engagement—matter long after Election Day.
