Election Day is quickly approaching, and tons of races have captured local and national attention. But the major races you’ve been seeing on your feeds aren’t the only races you’ll get the chance to vote on. The ballot you see on Election Day might be a lot bigger than you expect, and Election Day is not the ideal time to discover a judge you’ve never heard of running for reelection, a school board race you know nothing about, or a confusing ballot measure you don’t understand.
With so many candidates and issues to keep track of, it can be easy to overlook races further down the ballot. And when you’re standing in the voting booth, you might not have the time to research an issue or candidate in time to make a decision. Luckily, you don’t have to wait until Election Day to find out what’s on your ballot. Taking a few minutes to look up your ballot in advance can help you learn more about candidates, research unfamiliar races, and make informed decisions before you head to the polls.
Knowing what to expect before you arrive can make the voting process feel less overwhelming. And, with local issues affecting communities just as much as the big federal races, it’s especially worth taking the time to understand before you vote. So, here’s the rundown on how to find out what’s on your ballot before Election Day.
Start With Your sample ballot
In case you’re not familiar with the term, a sample ballot is a preview of the ballot you’ll actually see the day you vote. It lists the candidates and measures you can vote on, depending on your state. It can include federal races, like the ones for the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, as well as state and local contests for offices like governor, mayor, school board, and judge. Looking at your sample ballot ahead of time gives you a chance to research candidates, compare their positions on issues you care about, and learn what ballot measures would mean for you and your community.
Your sample ballot depends on your voting address. Meaning, even if you and your friend live in the same state, you could have different candidates or questions on your ballots because you’re registered to vote in different districts, so you can’t always rely on someone else’s sample ballot to prepare.
Keep in mind that a sample ballot is for preparation, not for casting your vote. You won’t submit your sample ballot, and you can’t use it for early voting. You’ll still need to make a plan and cast your vote, whether that’s by mail, early, or in person on Election Day.
How To find Your sample ballot
The easiest way to find your sample ballot is through your state or local election office’s official website. Many states offer online tools that let voters look up their sample ballots; you can start by searching for your state’s official election website. If you can’t find your sample ballot through the state website, visit your county clerk’s or local election office’s website. It can also help to call the office if you’re still having trouble finding it. Most websites will give instructions on entering information like where you live in order to pull the correct sample ballot. Make sure you fill in the information accurately so you get the right ballot.
Once you find your sample ballot, save it to your phone or print a copy. You can use it to research the issues ahead of time and make notes about your choices. Some states allow you to bring in a sample ballot for reference, but make sure to check your election office’s rules before bringing a marked sample ballot or a digital ballot on your phone into a voting site.
Other ways to research your ballot
It’s important to note that sample ballots just list the elections and measures you’ll be voting on, but they don’t provide explanations or further details. Luckily, they’re not the only way to research important issues. One of the best ways to do more research on anything you don’t understand is through voting guides. These guides compile information about candidate backgrounds and policies, as well as important points on ballot measures.
Some nonpartisan groups publish voter guides on various races, and some states have their own voting guides for people to use. Another great resource for smaller races is the local news. They often publish voter guides featuring candidate questionnaires, interviews, and explanations of local ballot measures.
Once you find a guide, especially with local contests, it’s important to double-check what you find with other election and candidate sites. Remember that voting guides may not cover every issue on the ballot, so it may still help to check out a sample ballot to make sure you’re not missing anything.