How To Research Political Candidates | The Odyssey Online
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5 Ways To Research Political Candidates

Successful democracies are dependent on informed voters. How to be an informed voter is, however, rarely discussed. Here's some tips from someone who's probably a bit too obsessed with politics.

Zach Sparks
Jul 01, 2019
The Ohio State University
48
5 Ways To Research Political Candidates
https://pixabay.com/photos/vote-election-sign-1313063/

The 2020 election is already underway: candidates are holding rallies, money is being raised, and everyone is picking their favorites for the primary next Spring. Elections are about a lot more than just the president though, with many congressional seats also up for election, and states will often have bills and amendments up for a vote at the same time. A further note is that elections happen every year: many local positions - such as mayor and county judge - happen during years where no federal or state elections are happening (remember, there is never an "off-year"). Essentially, the work of our democracy is never ending.

How do you stay informed with such a large number of candidates in a never ending election cycle. Here are a few resources that make the ordeal a bit easier.

Local board of elections/ Secretary of State

Every county have a Board of Elections, and every state has a Secretary of State. The websites of both of these are incredibly valuable resources for voters. Here you can find when elections are happening, where you can vote, and you can also register to vote if you aren't already (and if you aren't, do it). Furthermore, candidate fundraising is a public record, and many times you can find this info at your Board of Elections website.

Board of Elections example

Sec. of State example

Ballotpedia

Ballotpedia is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization focused on providing free information on politics. The website itself is filled with valuable info, but you can also research specific candidates. Ballotpedia provides a brief biography and a summary of their political career as well as committee assignments and important moments in their career.

Vote Smart

Candidate websites

Watch them speak

Misinformation was a huge problem in the 2016 election, and it's pretty easy to guess it will be a problem again in 2020. As voters, we have to be extremely vigilant in fighting this to stay informed and make the right political decisions. I hope these few tips help, and remember: GO VOTE.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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