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Thank you to member RuthAnn Gonzalez for this question on how to find reliable and accurate information on your local candidates.
What is the best way to find a comprehensive, unbiased description of the candidates and an assessment of their key issues and how they are likely to vote? There is so much opinion out there and I want the facts. And related, what is the most effective way of contacting our representatives? Please don’t tell me it is money...
This is actually a tough one. Candidates of all stripes are slimy salamanders who will try to evade concrete answers to even the most simple questions. Just look at most any candidate’s website and you’ll see their stances on the big issues (ie, for Democrats: Tax reform = bad. And basically the reverse for most Republicans). These are often presented as soaring themes and not the concrete answers you desire. It’s often their positions on local, non-headline garnering issues that most voters truly care about.
So debates or candidate forums seem to be the best place to start. Many of the stories written after debates focus on the big national, or even the heated local issues, so look on CSPAN or the website of the group who hosted the debate and try and watch the entire thing. Your question may not have made the news, but the candidates may have answered —or evaded—it. But also, be an engaged citizen and find an event your candidates are holding. Then just go ask them directly.
Also, it’s 2018 so hit these politicians up on social media, but make sure to let them know up front that you’re a local voter. They need you more than you need them. Some candidates are holding Twitter or Facebook Q&A’s with voters—and if yours aren’t, ask them to hold one. Or you can merely respond to their social media posts and ask them your specific questions. Many candidates will be more open with an informed voter than they are with reporters, so do your research and have at them!
