Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
For U.S. elections, start with your state or local election office to confirm what is actually on your ballot. Then consult its official voter guide and use VOTE411 as a nonpartisan companion for candidate and ballot-measure background. A sample ballot tells you which contests apply; it is not a substitute for researching the people and proposals in them.
Start with the official ballot for your address
Use USAGov’s election-office directory to find the relevant state or local office, then look up your ballot or sample ballot using the office’s instructions. Your address matters: candidates and measures can differ between counties, cities, and other districts, even in the same state.
USAGov describes sample ballots as showing “the elections and candidates and any ballot measures that will be on your real ballot.” Treat one as a checklist of contests to research, not as an explanation of candidates’ records or measures’ effects. See USAGov’s sample-ballot guidance.
Use the official voter guide for jurisdiction-specific material
After confirming the ballot, find the state or local election office’s voter guide. Depending on the jurisdiction, it may include candidate statements, measure text, summaries, analysis, or arguments for and against a proposal. Coverage and format vary; a statewide guide may not cover every local race. Check the guide’s election date and geographic scope, and consult your county or city election office for anything missing.
The variation is substantial: the National Conference of State Legislatures and U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s 2025 report describes differences in who is responsible for guides, required content, measure summaries, review of arguments, and distribution. Some guides are interactive or address-sensitive. See the report on election administration.
What an official guide does—and does not—establish
An official guide is a dependable place to find the jurisdiction’s published ballot materials, but not every sentence in it is necessarily a neutral government analysis. Candidate statements may be written by candidates, and arguments for or against measures may be submitted by advocates. Check labels and authorship rather than treating all included material as independently verified fact.
Use VOTE411 to compare candidates and measures
VOTE411, run by the League of Women Voters Education Fund, offers general and state-specific information, including factual information about federal, state, and local candidates and ballot measures where available. Its personalized ballot tool can help organize research for your location. The League says it is strictly nonpartisan and neither supports nor opposes candidates.
Coverage depends on the election and location. Check whether the particular contest or measure you need has information, and verify the list of contests against your election office’s ballot. VOTE411 complements the official ballot; it does not replace it.
Read ballot-measure material by source and purpose
For a measure, begin with the actual text and any official summary or impartial analysis. Then read arguments for and against as advocacy, noting who prepared them. Keeping those categories separate helps distinguish what a proposal says from what supporters or opponents predict it will do.
California example
California’s Secretary of State describes several distinct pieces in its voter information guides: the Legislative Analyst’s Office prepares an impartial analysis and potential taxpayer costs; proponents and opponents prepare arguments for and against; and the Attorney General or Legislature prepares measure text and a summary. These components are useful precisely because their roles and authors differ. The state’s guide page links the November 3, 2026 general-election guide and earlier guides: California Voter Information Guides.
Check for local gaps and recognize advocacy
If a statewide guide or VOTE411 does not cover a local candidate or proposition, check the county or city election office and look for reputable regional or nonprofit guides. Before relying on an additional guide, consider who publishes and funds it, how it sources claims, and whether it makes endorsements or advances a particular position.
Political-party guides can explain a party’s preferred candidates or positions, but they are advocacy, not nonpartisan voter guides. Keep them in a separate category when comparing claims.
Arizona example
Arizona’s Citizens Clean Elections Commission offers a voter education guide with election-process information and statements from statewide and legislative candidates. The commission says it does not list every candidate on an individual ballot and directs voters to other lookup resources for additional candidates. Its page also notes that local proposition information may be added over time, so check it again as the election approaches: Arizona Voter Education Guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A quick way to compare the sources
| Source | Best use | Check before relying on it |
|---|---|---|
| State or local election office, official ballot, and voter guide | Confirm which contests apply and find the jurisdiction’s primary materials | Address and election date; coverage of local contests; whether measure material is official analysis or submitted argument |
| VOTE411 | Nonpartisan candidate and measure information organized for a voter’s location | Whether information is available for the specific race or measure; compare the contest list with the official ballot |
| Other nonprofit or regional media guides | Add local reporting or fill coverage gaps | Publisher, funding and editorial method; sourcing; endorsements or stated positions |
| Political-party guide | Understand a party’s preferred slate or issue positions | Treat it as advocacy and identify the sponsoring party |
Bring research to the polling place thoughtfully
USAGov says voters may bring notes, a voter guide, or a sample ballot into the voting booth. Rules are not uniform, however, and some polling places restrict cell phone use. If you are unsure about local device rules, check with your election office and bring a paper copy rather than relying on a phone.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →
