Find Candidates Who Support Your Values

Does reading your ballot feel like taking a multiple-choice test? So many candidates and complicated propositions with misleading names! Do you study the all details, vote simply by party, or just wing it?

There is an easier way…Endorsements, Donations and Snopes!

Tip #1. Endorsements!

Who is For and Against the Candidate or Bill?

Candidates:

Do you like the endorser’s values?
Who endorses the candidate? People you respect? Politicians you like? Your favorite organizations?
Endorsements are especially helpful during primaries where people of the same party are competing to be on the final election ballot.

Propositions (Initiatives):

Usually have simple names, but confusing details.
Who has time to study the details? Endorsers and PACs!

Endorsements are the easiest way to evaluate candidates, especially during primary elections when political parties may have several competing candidates. Ballot measures, also called “Propositions” or “Initiatives,” are often complicated and are frequently given attractive, misleading names. Their proponents and opponents create political action committees (PACS) to influence voters. Pay attention to who is behind candidates and propositions (whose donors sometimes prefer to remain hidden).

Tip #2. Follow the Money:

Who Pays? Who Benefits? Where to Find Out?

Names can be misleading, so follow the money! Click on “Donate,” “Make a Contribution,” or “About Us” to see how donations are handled.
Political Parties and Political Action Committees (PACs) are regulated by the Federal or State government. See their top donors at:
- Federal Elections Commission – https://www.fec.gov/data/
- California Fair Political Practices Commission – https://www.fppc.ca.gov/transparency/top-contributors.html
Social Welfare Organizations cannot support candidates, but may advocate and lobby for issues. Donations to a 501(c)(4) such as League of Women Voters US are not tax-deductible.
Social Welfare Organizations whose donations are tax-deductible are not allowed to support candidates and may do only limited advocacy on issues. As a 501(c)(3), donations to the League of Women Voters Education Fund and 411.org, for example, are tax-deductible.

501(c)(3) Charities and social welfare organizations are non-partisan, so are prohibited from endorsing candidates, but may do limited lobbying on issues. Donations to a 501(c)(3) such as the League of Women Voters Education Fund are tax-deductible.

501(c)(4) Social welfare organizations cannot endorse candidates, but are allowed to engage in advocacy and lobbying on issues. Because the League of Women Voters U.S., for example, actively lobbies on issues, they are a 501(c)(4) and donations are not tax-deductible.

Political Parties and PACs (Political Action Committees) are regulated by the Federal or State government. Donations may have limits and are not tax-deductible.

Tip #3. Beware false or misleading “news” and advertisements

Huh, did they really say that? Check it out!
- Go to Snopes which calls itself “the internet’s definitive fact-checking resource.”
“This program is bringing $$$$ to our area, so vote for me!”
- Did they actually vote for or against the bill that’s providing the money? (“Chameleon” politicians often vote against spending bills, but then imply they deserve the credit for the benefits coming to their constituents.)
- Google the bill or program plus politician’s name and you’ll soon find out.
Groups with misleading names
- For example, joining the “American Independent Party” does not make you an “independent” voter with no party affiliation. It’s a conservative political party founded by George Wallace.

“Widely accessible artificial intelligence tools could fuel the rampant spread of disinformation and create other hazards to democracy.”

“Americans need safeguards to protect our elections from the many risks that AI technologies pose. Below are just a few of the actions that should be considered as part of a comprehensive governmental, civil society, and private sector response to the threats that AI poses to elections and democracy.”

Source: How AI Puts Elections at Risk — And the Needed Safeguards | Brennan Center for Justice

Finally, More Non-Partisan Resources:

Vote411.org from the League of Women Voters (LWVUS), is a one-stop shop for non-partisan ballot information, including candidate’s statements.
Ballotpedia, the “Encyclopedia of American Politics,” even provides hard-to-find information on judges running for office (Ballotpedia – Judicial Elections).
League of Women Voters Education Fund – Voting education and candidate debates.
Brennan Center for Justice – Defend Democracy. Reform Justice. Protect the Constitution.
For more choices, including groups focused on ethnic and minority voter populations, see National Voter Corps – National Organizations