Voting Research Map
A practical guide for researching the choices on your ballot.
The Voting Research Map gives you one place to keep track of the races and questions on your ballot, decide where you need a closer look, research the information that matters to you, and record your choices after reflection.
Use the pages you need. The Map includes tools for researching candidates, judge retention, ballot questions, and recalls.
Print the full Map or use only the research pages that fit your ballot.
Ballot Overview
List the races and ballot questions you’ll encounter, decide which need a closer look or quick check, and keep your final choices together in one place.
Candidate Comparison
Understand what the office actually does, explore each candidate’s priorities, choose the questions that matter to you, and compare candidates using the same questions and standards.
Judge Retention Research
Understand the court and the retention decision, examine the judge’s background, evaluations, work, and documented conduct, and distinguish disagreement with a ruling from concerns about job performance.
Ballot Questions & Recalls
For ballot measures, compare what happens if YES or NO wins and separate what the proposal actually changes from predicted effects. For recalls, examine the reasons for removal, the official’s response, supporting evidence, and what happens if the official is removed.
Helpful Along the Way
Not sure what an office actually does?
Before comparing candidates, it helps to understand what the office is responsible for—and what authority it actually has.
American Together’s Office Duties & Roles page can help you find an official government explanation for federal, state, and local offices.