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- Go to Ballotpedia
- Click on your state in the map.
- Get out a piece of paper or index card. You can also use software like Apple Notes or Notion.
- In The Offices on the Ballot section, there will be a green check next to each office that is included in the current election. Write each office with a green check on the paper, leave a couple lines of space for additional notes. Ignore Ballot Measures and Local Ballot Measures We will address these later.
- Click on the Local Ballot Measures section and take note if your county has any measures. If so, write them on the paper in a new Measures section. Then go back to the state page.
- Scroll down to the Statewide ballot measures section.
- Write the Title of each ballot measure on the paper. Leave a couple lines of space for notes.
- Go back up to the Offices on the Ballot section.
- Find the first office in the table list, click the Click here link on the right of the row.
- Scroll Down to the section that lists the candidates.
- Click on the candidates name, this will being you to their personal page.
- I’ve found it most helpful to go to the candidates website. This is found on the sidebar along with their social media.
- Review the candidates website to develop a mental profile.
- Repeat steps 10, 11, 12, for the other available candidates.
- Once you find a candidate you like, write their name on the piece of paper under the appropriate Office. Write your reasoning, I promise you, you will forget why eventually. This will also provide you with context for your own decisions. Are you voting straight one party?
- If you had local measures, go back on the state page, in the first table, go to the bottom and click local measures. Write Yes or No based on their description.
- Go back to your state page. Scroll down to the Statewide Ballot Measures section. Click the title of the measure. This will bring you to a page explaining each in detail.
- On your paper, write yes or no and a brief description of your reasoning.
- Make sure you are registered and good to go. This varies on state, but Ballotpedia has decent guides and resources. To access these, scroll midway down on your state page to the small Voting Information section. Click the link and follow the steps to make sure you are registered.
- I would recommend bringing this paper with you and reviewing before voting so that your choices are fresh in your mind when voting.
