July 5, 2026
– By Sue Racanelli
Step 1: Find out Who is Running
Learn about the candidates running for office before you vote! You will find their names on your ballot as well as on the website of the Secretary of State —https://sos.vermont.gov/elections/election-info-resources, and at the League of Women Voters (LWV Vote411 election platform) — www.vote411.org/.
In a Primary Election, you will be choosing candidates to represent your party in the General Election. In the General Election, you’ll be deciding who you want to fill the office.
Step 2: What are You Looking for in a Candidate?
Consider the issues that are important to you and the qualities you want in a leader.
- Where do your candidates stand on the issues you care about?
- What leadership qualities and experience do they bring to the position?
Step 3: Visit Vote411.org to Learn About the Candidates on Your Ballot
Nonpartisan voting election sites are a good place to find objective information on candidates running in your area. Vote411 shows you all the races and candidates on your ballot, providing background and opinions on issues.
Step 4: It’s Time to Research Your Candidates
Evaluate each candidate’s policies, track record, and vision for the future. For incumbents, look at their attendance and voting records as well as bills they sponsored or cosponsored.
- Candidate websites: Tells you what candidates want you to know. Look at the candidates’ background and their experience. How prepared are they for the job?
- Social media feed – Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, etc. provide genuine insight into candidates’ perspectives as they often post unfiltered viewpoints and opinions.
- Mainstream media. Watch reputable media coverage. Many media sources and journalists work hard to provide neutral information.
- Debates and local forums. Hear directly from candidates when you attend events sponsored by the League of Women Voters, broadcast and print media, libraries, chambers of commerce, or political parties.
Observe the candidates’ campaigns. Do they give speeches to different groups (even those who may disagree with them)? Do they accept invitations to debate? Do the campaigns emphasize media events, where the candidates can be seen but not heard?
Google or other search engines. A simple Google search, “candidate name, town, Vermont,” can offer insights into candidates’ positions and affiliations. Online discussion sites are a good source as well.
Look into campaign contributions. Where do the candidates get the funds to finance their campaigns? Do they use their own money or raise funds from a few wealthy donors, from many small contributors, or from Political Action Committees? (PACs – groups formed to raise and distribute money to candidates without disclosing individual donor names.) Sites like opensecrets.org disclose fundraising sources.
Step 5: Carefully Evaluate Information You Find
- Fake news, misinformation, and propaganda are widespread, so use fact-checking sites to carefully verify the information you find.
- Vague language such as “Every child deserves a quality education” or “I will put Vermont first” sound nice but don’t translate into issue positions. Try to find clear statements on what exact policies a candidate will support or oppose.
Step 6: How do Other People View the Candidates?
- Seek the opinions of others in your community. Talk to your neighbors to share what you know about different candidates. Word of mouth can help understand what a potential candidate brings to the table.
- Review organizations that endorse them. Endorsements provide clues to the issues a candidate supports. Get a list of these groups. Find out what they stand for and why they are endorsing this candidate.
Step 7: Final Questions
- Which candidate’s views on the issues do I agree with the most?
- Who ran the fairest campaign?
- Which candidate demonstrated the most knowledge on the issues?
- Which candidate has the leadership qualities I am looking for?
Is the choice clear? If so, pick a candidate and go VOTE.