I remember my father setting the example for his children by taking his civic duty of voting seriously. I recall him carefully reading the old Cleveland Press sample ballot and studying and making his selections and voting in each election as long as her was able. I find myself taking seriously the great privilege and responsibility of voting as well. I have the advantage of the vast internet and its great information sources, which he did not have.
I have voted in most major elections, but I admit this is the first one that I will have thought out each issue and each candidate more than ever before. I thank my dad for his example and I thank my heavenly Father that I live in a country where I can have a say in who represents me, as flawed as the choices may be.
Since I became involved in the campaign of my fellow-blogger and friend, Sam, I have become familiar with several resources that have been helpful and may also prove useful to the readers of AGC.
THE FAITH2ACTION WEBSITE
http://f2a.org/coast2coast/voterguides/
If you want a broad national perspective of the key races around the country I recommend Faith2Action Voter Guide. Besides the Governor’s and Senator races in Ohio, there are important senate races in PA, VA, MD, TN, MO, FL, AZ, etc. See my recent article about the importance of keeping and electing conservative Senators. To me the key is to increase the number of Republican Senators so that the confirmation hearing for judges will be a much more level playing field. There already are too many left-wing siding activities judges screwing up our courtrooms, we do not need more judges thinking they can make and create laws to suit their left-wing agendas.
THE ON THE ISSUES WEBSITE
http://www.ontheissues.org/default.htm
On the Issues, is the one resource to which I refer most often in researching candidates actual positions on the issues.. This site categorizes the candidates past voting record and his or her postions on the issues. This website seems to do an objective analysis of the voting records of every major candidate currently in office or who is currently running for office. It analyzes their position of the issues from A – abortion to W – war and terrorism. What I really find helpful is the graph at the end of each candidate positions of the issues. On-the-issues precisely plots the politicians political position on a graph. For example my “favorite” politician in Ohio, Sherrod Brown (the graph above is his) processing all of his positions on the issues comes out as a populist leaning liberal democrat. See this article for an example of how I used this resource to analyze the race in Ohio for U.S. Senator.
JUST ENTER YOUR ZIP CODE ON THESE WEBSITES
The following three website are easy to use. Once you click on the website you can see the major races that will appear on your ballot and you gives you the opportunity to become further acquainted with your choices.
OHIO ELECTION CENTRAL:
http://www.ohioelectioncentral.com/zip_entry_general.asp
After entering your 9 digit zip code you will see a comparison of candidates who turned in answers to questionnaires sent out to each candidate. Many candidates have not chosen to answer them, but you can get a good introduction into who will appear on your ballot.
USA VOTER:
http://www.usavoter.info/
Just enter your 5 or 9 digit zip code. The candidates who will appear on your ballot will be on the left side of the opening page. Click on any of the issues, federal or state candidates. What I really like about this site especially is that it will give you both sides of the issue when you click on any of the 5 issues on this year’s Ohio ballot. This website will also give you the candidates websites, so you can do further research if you desire.
SMART VOTER:
http://www.smartvoter.org/
All you have to do is enter your 5 digit zip code and this site provides you with a wealth of information. The League of Woman Voters presents a website. You can get a more in-depth analysis of a candidate’s positions.
MAKE A GOOD CHOICE . . . VOTE NOVEMBER 7TH
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