How to Be An Informed Voter

It’s no secret how important it will be to be an informed voter in this year’s election.

This year has brought on a lot to test our government’s structure and has shone a light on how important it is to have the right people elected to run your government and state. 

Your vote matters and is essential. 

You’re not just voting on a President in November. 

You are voting on other local and national issues that will impact your life directly. 

If these past months have taught us anything, it’s that we need to show up, vote, and be a part of the decision-making, especially if we don’t agree with something. 

Elections are our opportunity to build a government that supports our beliefs.

Why your vote in this year’s election matters

It’s easy to feel disconnected or disaffected by the system, but in fact, a single vote really can make a difference. (Check out this NPR article that lists all the years where elections were extremely close).  

Remember that low voter turnout means that important local issues are determined by a small group of voters, making a single vote even more meaningful.

When you don’t vote, you give up: 

• Your voice – it’s a privilege to be able to vote and influence change. Speaking up and posting your views on social media is excellent, but you aren’t exercising your voice’s full power without voting.   
• Your money – most elections determine where your tax dollars go. If you’re going to pay taxes, don’t you want a say in where your money goes? 
• Your community – by not voting, you are leaving decisions that directly impact your community in other people’s hands. 

Check out my Voting Checklist for First Time Voters if you are looking for resources on how-to-vote or it’s your first time voting. 

“The vote is precious. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.” – John Lewis. 

So what if you’ve already decided to cast your vote in this year’s presidential election. Now what. 

Well, deciding on what to vote for can be overwhelming, especially when there is conflicting information thrown at you from every direction. 

It is vital to do a little homework and know all the issues and candidates being voted on. 

Being an informed voter allows us to select candidates based on their stated platforms without relying on party propaganda or media coverage. 

So, how do we make sure that our votes are informed and support our beliefs? 

Research political parties and candidates

Check out candidate websites, see what they stand for, and check out what companies sponsor them. Looking at sponsors can be very telling because it gives you insight into their political agendas, what types of issues they support, and what will likely become a priority for them when in office. 

If you feel overwhelmed with all the information, maybe start with one issue you care about and see where they stand. 

Know the issues 

Find out what aligns with your vision of the world and how a government should function. Take a look at who supports each side and look at both sides of the issue. Both may have valid concerns, but you should choose based on what you feel supports your beliefs. 

For those who may not have the time to do a deep dive on every proposition on the ballot, some non-partisan websites/resources become available that compare both sides. These sites usually do an excellent job of breaking down the measures in clear and concise ways. 

Checking these types of sites is an excellent way to start, but if an issue is important to you, make sure to take the extra step of researching yourself. 

CALIFORNIA VOTERS – here is the 2020 ballot guide that I’m using: https://calmatters.org/election-2020-guide/

Curate your stream of political news and information

Choose reliable resources and a variety of them. Make a concerted effort to get out of your “bubble” and include resources that will challenge your thinking. Challenge yourself to read both sides. Then decide from there. You should be seeking out information from a range of views and from around the world. 

It’s also helpful to remember to keep in mind the political rhetoric and strategies used in campaigns. This informed voters guide from the AASCU offers insight into how campaign finances and political rhetoric work during elections. 

Watch presidential debates

There will be a series of presidential debates between the presidential and vice-presidential nominees leading up to the election date. 

Presidential debates are where nominees lay out their policy proposals and political stances. How a nominee responds and reacts during these debates can affect how people vote in the upcoming election, especially those on the fence. 

Upcoming debates: 

• President Donald Trump & former Vice President Joe Biden 
  • September 29th (Cleveland, OH)
  • October 15th (Miami, FL)
  • October 22nd (Nashville, TN)
• Vice President Mike Pence & Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) 
  • October 7th (Salt Lake City, UT)

For more information and announcements leading up to the debates, check out the Commission on Presidential Debates website. 

You can watch the debates on most news outlets who will be broadcasting live on their respective cable and streaming platforms. If you’ve cut the cord and don’t have cable, most of the big networks will stream live for free on YouTube (which is how I’ve been keeping up!). 

Key takeaways on how to make sure you’re an informed voter:

• Your vote matters! If you don’t like something, this is your chance to make your voice heard. 
• Do your own research on candidates. 
• Know the issues, look at who’s supporting each of them and consider WHY they are
• Curate your own stream of reputable sources for political news and information
• Include resources that challenge your way of thinking to avoid being in a “bubble”
• Watch the upcoming political debates.
• VOTE

“Every election is determined by the people who show up” – Larry J. Sabato.

What other ways are you educating yourself this election year? Leave a comment below with some suggestions or resources you’ve been using! 

One last thing to remember is that even when it’s not election time, you should be questioning and fact-checking information that you’re reading or hearing on the news, social media, and other sources.

You need to do your research and come up with your own conclusion about topics.

It’s up to us to make sure we get both sides of the story – and it’s empowering to do so!

If you’re a first-time voter or are looking for more information on voting this year, check out my Voting Checklist for First Time Voters.

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