Resources for Voters on Candidate Research

It is great for everyone to involve themselves in the voting process for the upcoming candidates. It gives people a chance to have a say who is representing the county, state, and country. Whether you are just getting started in politics or have been voting for a while now, there are certain resources that could help you make an informed decision about which candidate you want to support.

Know Who is Running

You might know of a few candidates who are running and you latch on to one because you agree with one of their stances. There could be many more candidates that have more aligned stances on issues. You want to research all candidates so you can make the most informed decision. Once you discover everyone who is running, you can start doing more in-depth research. Newspapers and certain organizations can produce voter guides that can have information on the candidates’ views.

Explore the Candidates Website

The website can provide you with information about what the candidate stands for. You can compare how different candidates align with your views on certain issues. Their websites can give voters a view into their story of what brought them to run in the election, their vision for the future, what they’ll do if they get the position and events they will be appearing in. If you feel strongly about a certain candidate you can also find links to donate to their campaign.

Watch the Debates/Go to town halls

Another way to understand positions held on certain topics, watch the debates or attend town halls that are held for the candidates. Websites can be misleading. Candidates have the time and ability to edit and review the information they are putting on it. Debates and town halls, they get less time to be able to reflect on their answers. It can show how passionate they are about certain issues and show voters the ability to carefully watch the information that is laid out.

Review of Candidate History

If candidates have previously held office as a U.S. representative, state office, or local offices you can find information on their voting records. You can go to Congress.gov, your state legislature’s websites, or your local government for the information. It will give you the ability what they have previously done with the positions they have held and also determine if they have worked towards the issues they are discussing on their platforms now.