Start with your official sample ballot or address-personalized election guide to see exactly which races and measures apply to you. Then use voter guides to learn about candidates and proposals, checking who supplied each statement and verifying consequential claims against primary records. Ballot contents, dates, and voting rules depend on your jurisdiction and election.
Start with the ballot that applies to your address
Go to your state or local election office and find its sample ballot or personalized voter guide. A sample ballot tells you which contests, candidates, and measures appear on your ballot; a voter guide adds background to help you decide who to vote for. The two resources do different jobs, so use both when available. USAGov explains the difference and links to voter resources.
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Guide to California Government | $15.26 | Buy on Amazon |
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Impact on Issues 2024 – 2026: A Guide to Public Policy Positions of the League of Women Voters | $6.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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J. J. Keller 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG), Spiral | $4.60 | Buy on Amazon |
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Check both state and county or local election pages. They may cover different offices and proposals. In California, for example, the state voter guide covers federal and statewide candidates and statewide measures, while a county guide includes a sample ballot and information about local candidates and measures. California explains the state and county guide coverage.
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Personalized tools can make it easier to find the contests tied to your precinct. Washington’s 2026 primary page links a precinct-specific VoteWA guide, a statewide candidate guide, videos about statewide candidates and measures, and county election information. These are Washington examples, not a standard format every state must follow. Washington’s voter information page lists its 2026 primary resources.
#1 Best Overall
Compare candidates on the same questions
For each office on your ballot, use a consistent set of criteria rather than comparing one candidate’s biography with another candidate’s campaign slogan. First understand what the office does; then compare each candidate’s relevant experience, stated goals, and positions on issues that matter to you.
- Responsibilities: What decisions and duties belong to the office?
- Relevant experience: What work, public service, or other experience does the candidate describe that relates to those duties?
- Goals: What does the candidate say they intend to do?
- Priority issues: What specific position does each candidate state on the issues you care about?
Voter guides may summarize experience and goals, but a candidate’s own statement is an attributable claim—not independent verification. When a claim matters to your decision, check an appropriate primary record, such as an official document or public record, rather than treating campaign material as neutral analysis. USAGov describes what voter guides can contain; Washington’s guide illustrates how candidate information and statements may be presented. USAGov’s sample-ballot and voter-guide information; Washington voter information.
Rank #2
Evaluate ballot measures by separating text, analysis, and advocacy
Read a measure in layers. The proposed text establishes what the measure would change; a summary helps orient you, while official analysis and fiscal information may explain legal or budget implications. Arguments for and against show how supporters and opponents make their case, but they are advocacy, not neutral findings.
- Read the official text and summary. Identify the legal change voters are being asked to approve or reject.
- Read impartial analysis and fiscal discussion, if available. Note what the analysis says about implementation and potential taxpayer costs, and distinguish estimates from certain outcomes.
- Compare arguments on both sides. Attribute predictions and claims to proponents or opponents; do not merge them with the measure’s text or official analysis.
- Check consequential factual claims. Look for the underlying official record or documentation where available.
California’s statewide voter guide is one example of this layered approach: it includes impartial analysis and potential taxpayer costs prepared by the Legislative Analyst’s Office, arguments on both sides, and measure text and summaries prepared by the Attorney General or Legislature. Availability and format vary by jurisdiction. California describes its ballot-measure materials.
Rank #3
Check jurisdiction, election dates, and voting rules
Before relying on a guide, confirm that it covers your jurisdiction and the election you plan to vote in. A state guide may omit local races; a county guide may not cover every statewide contest. Use the current election-office page to confirm registration deadlines, voting methods, polling-place rules, and election dates.
For a dated example, California’s official guide for the November 3, 2026 general election lists October 5 as the date county officials begin mailing ballots on or before, October 19 as the registration deadline, and November 3 as Election Day. It lists polling hours as 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. These dates and hours apply to that California election only; consult the current election authority for your own location and election. The guide is certified by Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., with a certificate dated August 10, 2026. California’s official voter-guide page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use additional guides without confusing their role
USAGov links to address-based online voter guides and notes that regional newspapers and issue organizations may publish additional guides. VOTE411, provided by the League of Women Voters Education Fund, offers address-based ballot information, registration checks, polling-place lookup, and other personalized voting information. These can be useful supplements; use your election office to confirm official ballot details and rules. USAGov voter resources; VOTE411.
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Best Value
- The 2024 ERG guide helps satisfy 49 CFR 172.602 DOT requirement. This requirement states that hazmat shipments be accompanied by emergency response info.
- Pocketbook aids in emergency preparedness, planning, and training with ERGs numerically indexed and color-coded to help emergency responders find vital information fast.
- 2024 Updates: The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) released a comprehensive summary of updates. Most significantly a QR code on the back cover that provides access to critical incident reporting information.
- Other changes for 2024 have been made to continue to provide the most accurate emergency response information to help all front-line persons and all first responders stay safe during transportation emergencies.
- Specifications: 4" x 5 1/2" Pocketbook Size, English, Spiralbound. Copyright 2024.
Prepare a concise decision sheet
Once you have confirmed your ballot and compared the options, record brief notes by contest and measure. USAGov says voters may bring notes, a voter guide, or a sample ballot into the voting booth, but some polling places restrict phone use. Check with your local election office before relying on a phone or other device at a polling place. USAGov’s guidance on what to bring when voting.
Quick Recap
- List the offices and measures that appear on your own ballot.
- For candidates, note office duties, relevant experience, stated goals, and positions on your priority issues.
- For measures, note the proposed change, official analysis and fiscal discussion, and the arguments made by each side.
- Mark which claims are candidate-provided, independently analyzed, or advocacy arguments.
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