Although how you vote is private, you can have discussions with family and friends to make your choices. It is your official right to be able to cast a secret ballot without anyone bothering you or telling you how to vote. But listening to different sources and people can help you make up your own mind.
The Key to Community team wants you to be clear about what kinds of information you are using to make your choices. You are likely to see paid campaign ads, social media messages, TV and newspaper stories, volunteers from all kinds of campaigns.
Some people are tempted to pass on messages that may not be completely true. During campaign season, there are negative ads, rumors and conspiracy theories. You can tell if you are in a "learning-focused" conversation if you are expanding your understanding of the issue. If you are being asked to accept an over-simplified explanation, someone may be trying to "sell" you a point of view.
One way to combat fake news is by having real conversations with real people.
This video is from the October 9, 2020 Key to Community workshop Voting: You and Your Community
This video shares how to ground your voting choices in the issues that matter to YOU, not just what political campaigns want you to pay attention to. Learn about how parts of the government relate to what you care about and how to get nonpartisan information to make choices about what to vote on.
Voting is not like taking a test. Instead, it's a chance to learn, grow and express yourself about what matters.
You might plan a discussion with family, friends or neighbors. In addition to the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates, see what local candidate debates are being offered in your area.
You can use the Sample Ballot sent to you by your County Elections Office as a worksheet to make notes about your choices. You can copy your final decisions onto your actual ballot.
At the Voters Edge website, you can scroll down to the bottom of the page for each proposition to see who is making the largest donations for and against proposition. That information is also available for some of the candidates.
When you actually vote, either with the ballot mailed to you or in person, you can ask for help. And you have a right to get a new ballot if you have made a mistake before you voted. You can:
Click here to see the complete Bill of Rights for voters in California. And then when you vote, be sure to take a photo with your ballot or your "I voted" sticker! We will post all of the photos you send!