Research Candidates & Issues
RESEARCH by visiting the websites below to review nonpartisan information about candidates and elected officials. Local political parties may have websites that can be easily found through searches.
LEARN who is running for office in your area. County websites provide a link to a sample ballot showing which candidates are running for office. Statewide information can be found on the Secretary of State website. More information can be found on these websites.
ENGAGE with the candidate. Check the candidate’s website and Facebook. What are their positions? Check their event calendar. Is the candidate making themselves available? Statewide debates are aired on Idaho Public Television or available online.
READ responses to questionnaires. Several organizations send questionnaires for candidates to state their positions: The Idaho Statesman, League of Women Voters (LWV), American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) are a few. Does the candidate participate in the questionnaires sent to them? If not, why not?
TALK to friends or family who are engaged in educating themselves about the candidates. Ask them why they are voting for a specific candidate – or why not? Work in a group with others who are willing to find information to share. Expand your sphere to others and share information even if you don't always agree. Engagement is more important than our differences.
REVIEW the financial contributions made to candidates. Individuals, businesses and Political Action Committees (PAC) donate money to candidates they support. The information is available on the Secretary of State website. Company and PAC names might not be obvious identifiers and may require research to learn about the donations and the organizations making them to candidates.
"Voting is as much an emotional act as it is an intellectual one."
Monica Crowley