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To find the ballot that applies to you, start with your state or local election office, then use a voter guide to learn about the candidates and measures listed on it. Check the official sample ballot for your address or jurisdiction: third-party guides can add useful context, but they may not cover every local contest.
Find the official sample ballot for your location
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Open USAGov’s election office directory and select your state to reach its election office. From there, follow the instructions for your state or local jurisdiction.
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Look for a sample-ballot, voter-information, or “what’s on my ballot” page. Depending on the jurisdiction, the election office may let you download a sample ballot or request one by mail; availability and timing vary.
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Use the address or jurisdiction lookup provided by the election office, if available. Confirm that the ballot is for your location and the current election. The official ballot is the reference for which races and measures apply to you.
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Use a voter guide for candidate and measure background
A sample ballot identifies the contests and measures, but it usually is not a full research guide. For candidate information and explanations of ballot measures, try VOTE411, a resource from the League of Women Voters Education Fund. Its address-based service provides election information, but coverage can differ by location and election.
Compare any guide’s results with your official sample ballot. If a guide does not show a contest, that does not establish that the contest is absent from your ballot; use the election-office ballot to confirm what you will see.
Check county and city sources for local contests
Statewide guides may not include all county or municipal races and measures. California illustrates the distinction: the Secretary of State says its statewide guide covers federal and statewide candidates and measures, while county guides include a sample ballot and local candidates and measures. Check your own county or municipal election office for the equivalent materials and process in your area.
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Evaluate guides before relying on them
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Jurisdiction: Does it cover your exact address or the local area that administers your election?
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Publisher: Is it an election authority, a nonpartisan voter-information organization, or a news organization? Note the publisher’s role when interpreting its material.
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Scope: Does it establish ballot details, provide candidate background, explain measures, or some combination? A background guide does not replace the official ballot.
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Currency: Does it clearly apply to the current election? Use current election-office information to confirm the contests.
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Bring your research with you
USAGov says voters can bring notes, a voter guide, or a sample ballot into the voting booth. Rules on phone use can vary by polling place, so check local instructions before relying on a phone; print the relevant information or bring handwritten notes if needed.
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