How to Better Decide Who to Vote For
1. Use non partisan resources like The League of Women Voters, www.lwv.org, they provide independent non biased voter education materials and resources. Consider trying the above link as well as various state or county league sites for more information. Primary information is posted, which you can also use as a reference for present candidate statements and positions.
2. Consider visiting the United States Senate site, which will give information on voting record as well as other resources regarding the senators. http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/a_three_sections_with_teasers/votes.htm
3. What do the Issues say about the candidate?: Look at proposals for addressing problems. What is the candidates voting record on the issue? Do they Understanding the history and the present situation, then moving forward with a specific strategic plan. Where do they Stand on current problems and how to resolve them. Differentiate words, rhetoric and personality from actual plans and actions for addressing and resolving issues and problems. Realistic plans for the future.
4. Watch the Debates: Consider recording the debates so you can replay them and compare responses made during the different debates. Viewing a debate 2 or more times usually provides added insight. Observe the candidate’s body language, subtle gestures and speech intonation to get added information about the candidate’s response and feelings. Additionally observe a candidate’s facial and body response to the opponent’s answers. Do not just rely on news commentators interpretations and opinions.
5. Consider Foriegn news sources. Frequently US newspapers, radio stations or news commentators favors a particular party and/or candidate. This will allow you to get an international view of the candidates.
6. Include more objective information from sources such as The League of Women Voters, C-Span, public service stations, census data, voting records, the US Senate site, and first hand information.
7. Who’s statistics are correct? Many times the candidates offer different statistics on the same issue.Some questions for interpreting the candidates statistics: How can the candidates give different statistics on the same issue? Look how the question was worded? When was the data collected, what years or intervals were used? Who collected the data (was it a group or corporation with a vested interest)? What was the sample or who responded to the questions?
8. Have you already made a choice: Try to keep an open mind, consider all information and use objectivity. Be aware of your own biases. If you already have a favorite, it will probably affect how you evaluate the information about your candidate as well as the other candidate(s).
