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Start with your state or local election office to confirm what is on your ballot and which election rules apply where you vote. Then use a sample ballot to identify the contests and measures, and a voter guide to learn more about them. Check that every source matches your jurisdiction and election date; no guide should be assumed to cover every race.
Start with your official election office
Election details vary by jurisdiction, so first find the website of your state or local election office. Use it to verify your ballot, the races and measures in your area, and applicable voting information. The National Association of Secretaries of State’s #TrustedInfo2026 initiative directs voters to election officials for credible, timely election-process information.
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For a federal starting point, USAGov’s guide to finding out who is on your ballot explains how sample ballots and voter guides differ. Follow its links or your state’s election-office site to reach information for your own election.
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A sample ballot is an inventory of contests and ballot measures expected on your ballot. It helps answer “Who is on my ballot?” but generally is not a substitute for background on candidates or questions. Match the sample ballot to your location and election date; a guide for another district or an earlier election may not apply.
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Use a voter guide for background, then check its coverage
Voter guides may provide candidate background, candidate responses, ballot-question explanations, official summaries, fiscal analysis, or arguments for and against a measure. Their contents, authors, review methods, and distribution differ among states and elections. The National Conference of State Legislatures and Election Assistance Commission describe this range of practices in Election Administration in the United States.
Some states require election offices to prepare voter guides; the NCSL and EAC report that at least a quarter of states had statutory requirements as of their March 2025 reference. All states with citizen-initiative processes have a statutory voter-information requirement, according to that same reference. These broad descriptions do not establish what your jurisdiction publishes for a particular election, so confirm local availability with election officials.
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Consider VOTE411 as a nonpartisan supplement
VOTE411 is run by the League of Women Voters Education Fund. The organization says it provides general and state-specific election information, including factual candidate information and ballot-measure information where applicable, and that the League neither supports nor opposes candidates. Its service is broad, but it does not promise that every local race or candidate response will appear. Check the official ballot when a listing is missing; absence from a guide does not establish that a candidate is not running or is not qualified.
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Evaluate candidate information and ballot-measure claims separately
For candidates, distinguish a response from a verified record
Questionnaire answers tell you what candidates say about their positions and goals. Attribute those statements to the candidate rather than treating them as independently verified facts. Where available, compare relevant claims with public records for the office or issue in question.
For measures, separate the text, analysis, and advocacy
A ballot measure’s legal text, an official summary, fiscal analysis, and campaign arguments serve different purposes. Read the actual text and official explanation or fiscal analysis where available, then compare those materials with arguments from supporters and opponents. A campaign argument is advocacy, even when it appears alongside official information in a voter guide.
Use a quick checklist before relying on a guide
- Authority: Is the information from an election office, a nonpartisan guide, a campaign, or another source?
- Jurisdiction and date: Does it match your location, district, and election?
- Coverage: Does it include all contests and measures on your ballot, or only some?
- Method: Does the guide explain how candidate responses or measure information are included and reviewed?
- Evidence: Are candidate statements distinguished from documented facts, and are measure claims distinguishable from official analysis?
- Accessibility: Is the information available in a language or format you can use, including print or other accessible formats?
Check polling-place rules before bringing notes
USAGov says voters can bring notes, guides, or sample ballots, but local restrictions on cell-phone use may apply. Check your election office’s rules before relying on a phone at the polling place. A paper copy of your notes or sample ballot can be useful if phone access is restricted.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A state example: California’s 2026 guide
California’s Secretary of State provides an official voter information guide for the November 3, 2026 general election and describes it as nonpartisan. The page says the guide was certified August 10, 2026, and points voters to the Secretary of State and county election offices for additional trusted information. This is a California example, not a national schedule or rule; use your own election office to check dates, ballot details, guide contents, and voting rules.
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