iVoterGuide Can Prepare you to Make an Informed Vote

Have you ever reached a November election and wished you could vote for a good candidate instead of voting against a bad one? Does voting an incumbent out of office seem like an impossible feat? Do you avoid primary elections because you’re unfamiliar with the names on the ballot?
 

I’ve got great news for you! Voting in the upcoming primary elections is your best shot at getting someone in office who aligns most closely with your values. And iVoterGuide can prepare you to make an informed vote. We’re going to make this information as quick and shareable as possible with some frequently asked questions (FAQs) below.
 

Primary FAQs
 

What are primary elections? In most primary elections, candidates in the same party run against each other to determine which candidates in opposing parties will face off in November’s general election. A few states, however, hold “jungle primaries,” in which candidates from all parties run against each other, and the two candidates receiving the most votes run against each other in the general election.
  

Why should I vote in the primary elections? We've got a list of great reasons:

• This is your chance to vote for a candidate who more fully aligns with your values and get that person into the general election.
  
  
• Only about 20% of registered voters cast a ballot in the primary elections. That means your vote carries greater weight, with fewer votes needed to put a candidate over the top.
  
  
• The vast majority of legislative races are decided in the primary election, because 80% to 90% of the districts are drawn to strongly favor one party over the other. So the candidate that wins that party’s primary will have an easy victory in November. If you do not vote in the primary, you miss your opportunity to choose the candidate that best aligns with your values.
   
• The primary election is often your only chance to replace incumbents who 1) may not be standing strong on the issues most important to you or 2) may not have a history of demonstrating strong Christian character.

When are primary elections held? Primary election days (and early voting) vary from state to state, with all taking place several months prior to the general election in November. Primary elections this year start on March 3 and run all the way through September. We’ll notify you of when your primary election occurs, but if you have friends and family in other states, please encourage them to sign up for iVoterGuide emails themselves as their election schedule will be different from yours!
 
Do I have to be affiliated with a party in order to vote in the primary elections? That depends on your state. If your state holds “open primaries,” you can choose to vote in either party’s election without affiliation. But it’s important to find out the related rules for your state.

How do I find the candidate who best represents my values? It’s true that differences between candidates aren’t as obvious in the primary as in the general election. That’s why iVoterGuide’s research and ratings can be extremely valuable in helping you distinguish among all the candidates running under the same party banner. For example, in one primary election, 18 candidates running for one position were affiliated with the same party. However, after iVoterGuide’s research and evaluations, the political ideology ratings we assigned to the candidates ranged from Verified Conservative to Liberal. Informed voters can make the difference in whether the candidates in November are those who will stand up for what’s most important to YOU. 
 
What information factors into the candidate ratings? Our team of staff and volunteers review every piece of information we can find about candidates that might give us insight into both their political philosophy and their worldview. We make that information available for you as well. Listed in order of importance, this research includes:

• Voting record (for someone who has held a legislative office)
• Financial records (including those whom candidates have supported financially, and those supporting them)
• Endorsements
• Candidate website and social media
• Responses to iVoterGuide’s candidate questionnaire
• Other independent research

To help you understand iVoterGuide’s definition of a true conservative platform, check out this resource about voting biblically. And this article, Character and Winnability, can help you discern how serious a candidate is about 1) their Christian faith and 2) making a serious run for office. If you vote for a candidate who shares your moral code and political platform, but that person has not proven to be a serious candidate, you may be throwing away your vote.

Does iVoterGuide evaluate every candidate running in the primary elections? No. Because of limited resources, we cover only the Republican primaries at this time. Be assured, however, that candidates in both parties will be researched and evaluated in the general election. In this year’s Republican primaries, iVoterGuide will provide candidate evaluations for contested federal races in all 50 states; for statewide elections in 40 of those states; and state legislative races in 32 states. We’ll also cover key local, county, and school board races nationwide, as well as critical ballot measures. 

Next steps in casting an informed vote 

Voting in the primary elections is imperative, and being an informed voter is essential. Point your friends and family members to iVoterGuide to find voter guides for their states and districts across the United States. If you’re tired of settling for candidates in the general election who don’t reflect your values, it’s time to take advantage of this other important Election Day.