I have a detailed response to this AWESOME post which I should be posting in the next 24 hours. I'd already planned a Substack post on the fiasco in Dallas County on Election Day. This amplifies the points that I was going to make in that post.
Thanks for what you do with the voter guide. In the future, I can also add guides to the list. But the ironic part, is that the number of guides might not be the problem. The problem is that folks don't even take one minute to look for any guide before voting. And yes, I think it would be great to have a full list of guides on the left, right and non-partisan. If you know if a fully compiled list, please let me know!
The problem in many cases isn't the lack of information. It's the failure of voters to read it. Moreover, voter guides (at least in Texas) are now problematic because Republican officials refuse to respond to candidate questionnaires. And with regard to the polling place problem that Dallas & Williamson Counties had on Election Day, part of the problem (apparently) was that the secretary of state's website didn't have the updated precinct polling information or if they had it, they didn't load it to their website.
This is why it is ludicrous to elect judges - especially on a partisan basis. They should be appointed with retention votes only (i.e., Missouri plan).
I highlighted this column and added my own insights based on almost a decade working in the elections industry, https://sharonlawrence.substack.com/p/elections-how-did-kelly-hall-win. You raised an issue that has frustrated me for over two decades so I was thrilled to see this post!
I have a detailed response to this AWESOME post which I should be posting in the next 24 hours. I'd already planned a Substack post on the fiasco in Dallas County on Election Day. This amplifies the points that I was going to make in that post.
In the meantime, I would share this post from almost 2 years ago ... https://sharonlawrence.substack.com/p/elections-countdown-to-elections. (Poor voter education is NOT a recent problem nor confined to this area.)
I can’t wait to read it!
BlueVoterGuide.org does the research for you including nonpartisan races. We help you confidently vote blue all the way down the ballot.
Thanks for what you do with the voter guide. In the future, I can also add guides to the list. But the ironic part, is that the number of guides might not be the problem. The problem is that folks don't even take one minute to look for any guide before voting. And yes, I think it would be great to have a full list of guides on the left, right and non-partisan. If you know if a fully compiled list, please let me know!
The problem in many cases isn't the lack of information. It's the failure of voters to read it. Moreover, voter guides (at least in Texas) are now problematic because Republican officials refuse to respond to candidate questionnaires. And with regard to the polling place problem that Dallas & Williamson Counties had on Election Day, part of the problem (apparently) was that the secretary of state's website didn't have the updated precinct polling information or if they had it, they didn't load it to their website.
Here is another great example of very unexpected outcomes in San Antonio that outline the impact of low information voters in down ballot races: https://www.expressnews.com/politics/article/bexar-county-black-judges-democratic-primary-21955553.php?sid=5936c70d2ddf9c486ef79182&ss=A&st_rid=c00718aa-59dc-4e20-a42e-e43293c451c0&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=subs_old&utm_campaign=saen%20%7C%20express%20briefing
This is why it is ludicrous to elect judges - especially on a partisan basis. They should be appointed with retention votes only (i.e., Missouri plan).
I highlighted this column and added my own insights based on almost a decade working in the elections industry, https://sharonlawrence.substack.com/p/elections-how-did-kelly-hall-win. You raised an issue that has frustrated me for over two decades so I was thrilled to see this post!