# How do you research lesser-known, down-ballot measures and candidates? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 25, 2026, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149 "2026-10-25T20:00:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/1 "2026-10-25T20:00:31Z")
Continuing the discussion from [Tell me your hypocrisies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-your-hypocrisies/1034075): A number of posters there (myself included) commented on how lazy & civically irresponsible it is to just vote a party-line ballot without researching the people and measures in depth. But this isn’t always easy, especially for the supposedly “non-partisan” offices (but who are we kidding). How do (or could) you actually get more information for these “dark” candidates and measures? Over in an AI thread, [I had Claude do some basic background checks on them](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-does-one-actually-use-ai/1027842/351), attempting to answer questions like: - Who is endorsing this candidate or measure, both locally and nationally? - Who is donating money to them or funding them, either directly or through traditional “dark money” sources? - Did they say anything in local forums, and were they recorded as podcasts or YouTubes? But these are flawed methods, usually relying on secondhand sources or limited and purposefully obfuscated primary sources when it comes to things like campaign financing. There’s just a lot of astroturfed candidates and measures out there, varying levels of corruption, good-old-boy clubs, etc., especially in small communities where the same people (or dynasties) run in local elections mostly uncontested and without any sort of public presence at all. I don’t think this is how democracy should work. How are you supposed to vote on people and ideas that have no useful information attached to them at all? What would you do? What better ways of getting more information are there? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/2 "2026-10-25T20:17:48Z")
I’ll study the important stuff. I don’t care who’s on the School Board or Fire District. I won’t even bother marking the ballot for uncontested seats. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/3 "2026-10-25T20:19:25Z")
It’s not too hard to find sites like Ballotpedia, where all of the candidates have a paragraph to tell about themselves and their positions. And I’ve found that for most races, even a quick glance over those is enough: For instance, if one candidate didn’t even fill out the Ballotpedia paragraph (and then how diligent will they be about doing their actual job, if elected?), or if they state that their number 1 priority is things that I find abhorrent. For school board specifically, I generally look for who the teacher’s union is endorsing. Although for the last couple of cycles, I haven’t been able to find that. EDIT: I also see that you mentioned ballot initiatives in your OP. Unless it’s something that I’m already clear on (yes, I will be voting for the levy for the public library), I try to read the full text of those, not just the ballot language. Last cycle, there were some measures where the ballot language (written by the Republican secretary of state) was just outright lying about what the measure did. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/4 "2026-10-25T20:22:56Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > It’s not too hard to find sites like Ballotpedia, where all of the candidates have a paragraph to tell about themselves and their positions. I think that’s only the case in big races in major metros, maybe? In many of the rural places I’ve lived, many candidates and measures were altogether either completely missing from Ballotpedia or else only had auto-generated information, like a name and a party affiliation and nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/5 "2026-10-25T21:34:46Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > A number of posters there (myself included) commented on how lazy & civically irresponsible it is to just vote a party-line ballot without researching the people and measures in depth. We may be even lazier–if you’re down-ballot and we can’t find much about you, we vote you out. Lots of our ballots have language like “Retain such-n-such in office”, yes or no. For our early voting a few days ago, we voted no on three of the five because we didn’t really know who they were and couldn’t find out much about them. The other two, we also voted no on, but we knew who they were. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/6 "2026-10-25T21:37:35Z")
For me, it’s judges. There must be 20 of them on the ballot this time. I have no idea who they are or what they’ve done, so I don’t vote them up or down. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/7 "2026-10-25T21:39:53Z")
I look at who appointed them. If I agree with the politician who appointed them I vote to keep them. If not I don’t. If I can’t find enough about a ballot initiative or a candidate, I look at who supports or opposes them. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/8 "2026-10-25T21:51:03Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > I look at who appointed them. If I agree with the politician who appointed them I vote to keep them. If not I don’t. Yeah, this for me, too. And also: > [@Chronos](#): > > It’s not too hard to find sites like Ballotpedia, where all of the candidates have a paragraph to tell about themselves and their positions. And I’ve found that for most races, even a quick glance over those is enough: For instance, if one candidate didn’t even fill out the Ballotpedia paragraph (and then how diligent will they be about doing their actual job, if elected?), or if they state that their number 1 priority is things that I find abhorrent. As you say, if they couldn’t be bothered to fill out the form—given that Ballotpedia is a fairly well-known site of good reputation—that does say something negative about them. As does any language indicating far-right positions. (For me, obviously—it might be catnip to other users of Ballotpedia.) For years I relied on the League of Women Voters’ site; it now seems more hit-or-miss. But that might not stay the case over time. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/9 "2026-10-25T22:56:23Z")
On the measure, I am good- I read the measure or at least the synopsis, and read the pro and con arguments. After the big posts, I just vote D, unless I know something drastic. ---
**Author:** ![themapleleaf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/themapleleaf/32/14349_2.png) [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/10 "2026-10-25T23:12:27Z")
Since I became a Czech citizen in 2018, I have voted in five elections. The last one was just the other week and it was the first time I voted in a municipal election here. Specifically, this election covered municipal elections (in Prague that means both for the city council and for district [borough] councils) and senatorial midterms. I already know a lot of about my local senator and voted for him for the second time (he won). But I was clueless about municipal elections, who would be standing as candidates, and what issues they entail. In all my time in the Czech Republic, local government was something of an uncharted water for me. Unlike Canada (well, certainly unlike Toronto), municipal councils are run on party lines and the Mayor is elected by the city council, not by popular vote. Being as I am someone who believes strongly in civic rights and responsibilities, I decided to remedy that this time. I discussed municipal issues with various people and then used a website called a voting calculator, where you answer your opinions on various issues and it gives you a ranking of which parties most represent your views. I used this to help me select the party I would be voting for for the city council and I circled a candidate from a list of available ones who I was vaguely familiar with. For the Prague 5 district council, I voted for a party that seems to be involved in keeping the local nature in good condition and after looking at the candidates they are fielding on their website, selected one from my neighborhood. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/11 "2026-10-26T00:08:36Z")
For measures/candidates that are (meant to be) partisan, I vote D across the board. For things like referendums I’ll check the local ACLU or other similar websites that explain exactly what a yes/no vote means and what the ramifications of it are, and usually go with their suggestions. Now, for non-partisan candidates (judges/school board etc), this is the only time I pay attention to yard signs. Specifically someone that lives down at the end of my block. I figure, based on the pride flags on their house and pride stickers on their car, whoever they’re backing is probably the right (well, Left) person. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/12 "2026-10-26T00:40:23Z")
I have zero qualms about voting a straight D ticket. In Arizona the Rs are MAGA all the way down. I posted this in another thread a few weeks ago regarding non-partisan issues: > Our district Democrats send out a helpful voter guide - really helps sort out the tons of judicial retention votes. Identifies all judges affiliated with the Heritage Foundation and Turning Point. Also translates innocuous sounding initiatives put on the ballot by the Republican legislature (mainly attempts to bypass the governor’s veto) into readable form so I can vote “No” with a clear conscience. No citizen initiatives made it this cycle. Information I could have dug up myself. For example, the only AZ Supreme Court justice up for retention this cycle was the chief justice guy who wrote the opinion upholding the abortion ban that was adopted a half century before AZ was even a state. Fuck that guy. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/13 "2026-10-26T01:25:40Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > For me, it’s judges. There must be 20 of them on the ballot this time. I have no idea who they are or what they’ve done, so I don’t vote them up or down. We have to vote for retention of judges. The bar association issues recommendations for each of these elections; the most important part is the listing of judges (usually only a few) whom they do _not_ recommend for retention. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/14 "2026-10-26T01:29:06Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > We have to vote for retention of judges What happens if the vote is not to retain them? Do you wind up with fewer judges? ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/15 "2026-10-26T01:33:30Z")
As I mentioned in the other thread, local offices here in Corpus Christi are non-partisan. Normally I research the social media profiles of the candidates and make my decision based on who they endorse / are endorsed by. This year, there’s basically a slate of candidates, one for each side of the major issue. The supporters of each side are posting photos and names of who they endorse for their particular side. That makes it easy to decide who to vote for. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/16 "2026-10-26T01:38:52Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > What happens if the vote is not to retain them? Do you wind up with fewer judges? AIUI, the post would be filled with a new appointment. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/17 "2026-10-26T01:58:11Z")
Which other thread, and what major issue? ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/18 "2026-10-26T02:00:25Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > > > What happens if the vote is not to retain them? Do you wind up with fewer judges? > > AIUI, the post would be filled with a new appointment So they’re not elected, they’re appointed? But at some time after they’re appointed, there’s a vote on whether to retain them? That’s an interesting mix. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2026, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-lesser-known-down-ballot-measures-and-candidates/1034149/19 "2026-10-26T02:03:48Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > So they’re not elected, they’re appointed? But at some time after they’re appointed, there’s a vote on whether to retain them? That is correct, as I understand it. Initial appointment, then retention for additional terms is done via elections. It’s cumbersome, and requires voters to weigh in on judges they have never heard of, but I think the idea is that it keeps judicial appointments from being automatically lifetime positions.