Research Races
While people nationwide debate El-Sayed and Talarico’s changes, there are local races you’ve never even thought about. From judges to school board, these roles are how the GOP built power. Take it back by voting every race!
To keep it from getting overwhelming, here are our tips.
How to do it:
Start by locating your ballot. If you get mail-in ballots, wait for yours to arrive. If you vote in-person check your elections site for sample ballots, or use the Ballotpedia tool to look yours up. In some races Ballotpedia may also include funding information that can be useful, but you do have to provide an email address.
With a sample ballot in hand, mark off any races you’ve already decided about, along with any uncontested races. (These are races with only one candidate. These are the ONLY races we skip.) This should leave you with a list of the races and measures you’re uncertain about. Here’s how we decide:
- Read the candidate’s pamphlet statements. Often this is enough to recognize where the candidate’s political alliances hold, even in non-partisan races like judge or school board. Look for dog-whistles like “parent choice” or “tough on crime.” If you don’t recognize GOP terms read through the bigger Republican candidate’s statements and look for common phrases. Now check the smaller races for echoes. Dog whistles are a sign of concealed extremism.
- Check endorsement lists. A Sheriff endorsed by local minority groups, the ACLU or a defense lawyer’s organization is making progressive changes to policing.
- If the candidate lists church affiliations, look up the church. What do they stand for?
- Choose your largest local mainstream paper, and your most progressive alt paper. See if they both endorse the same person. This usually means the opposition is unqualified.
- Finally, choose 2-3 progressive voter guides and see who they endorsed and why. Consider groups aligned with your priorities: the League of Women Voters, the League of Minority Voters, Planned Parenthood PAC, Environmental groups, and of course the Progressive Voter’s Guide, if you have a local one.
- There may be some small, local races left. Enter the candidate name and your town in search and see if you can find any news reporting. Very small local “papers” often interview these candidates, though they may only publish on Facebook and their own web site.
- If you really can’t find any information at all, ask around: PTA, politically active friends, etc.
