It's difficult to know where to find unbiased information about your local elections. Here are a few websites that I've found over the years.
I like to use Vote411 in conjunction with Ballotpedia (which won't let me use the fancy link), because the information isn't always complete. Some candidates don't bother to fill out questionnaires, so although I really appreciate the opportunity to be able to view a sample ballot ahead of time, the usefulness of that information is limited if I don't know the views the candidates have on different policies.
Up until recently, I thought that this was about it when it came to impartial voting information. I've found it pretty difficult to get actual, reliable information about candidates and ballot measures ahead of time. I sort have to wait for them to trickle over to me--I'm really active on social media, and somewhere along the way I somehow began to follow a lot of people who like to stay up to date on things like politics and current events.
Recently, I found votesmart. I wasn't even looking for it--I was comparing Colin Allred to Ted Cruz, and stumbled onto what looks like one of the most comprehensive databases I've seen so far.
Now, I don't like that the address lookup is nonfunctional for me. I really like that vote411 and ballotpedia let you access your relevant information quickly and easily, and that you can save your preferences for later. I don't like how quickly vote411 refreshes the page (meaning you have to input your information to see your ballot again), but I like that ballotpedia lets you include personal notes.
I also don't like that I can't seem to find some of the non-presidential candidates with the search function on votesmart, and the layout is not straightforward to me.
What I do like is that, in addition to including the candidates' comments on their proposed policies, they also include a section detailing how the candidates have actually voted. There's also a section for the companies that fund each politician, which I really appreciate.
To be quite frank: all of these could use some work. There's missing pieces in every single. This could be due to the fact that these are all nonprofits--it takes a lot of time and work to track down the facts on every single politician, and the US has so many of them.
There's also an official website from the US government.
They have a helpful reminder that you can print out a sample ballot and take your handwritten notes into the ballot box. Unfortunately, this is more trouble than it should be--my sample ballot doesn't have all of the information. There's a redirect that goes to your state website, and I don't see an option to select my city so I can get more relevant information. This part is probably as good as your state government, since they're the ones in charge.
USAGov also recommends Ballotready, which has a nice, simple layout.
It doesn't have as much information as the other websites, but it's easy to follow and easy to read, so it's far less overwhelming.
One problem I have with most of these sites is that they have drop down menus for every single proposition and candidate, meaning it's not easy to find a way to print all the information as a whole. It's far easier to use an electronic device than it is to peruse the same information in physical form.
This wouldn't be much of a problem if there weren't laws against using electronic devices around polling booths. They're supposed to let you use your own notes, but it's up to the discretion of the poll workers. If you get a stickler, you're going to have to vote blind.
In this day and age, I think it's ridiculous to have laws that discourage informed voting habits. Most people use their phones for almost everything. This is no longer new, it's a part of our daily lives.
Now, if you'll excuse me--my city has 21 propositions that they're asking us to vote on before we even reach the candidates, so I need to go study.
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Ruza Aldin
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I don't want to live through another Trump presidency.
When I shared McSweeney's list of the damage that Trump has done, my uncle laughed at me. I thought that the people who raised me taught me about integrity. I thought they believed that lying is wrong. My dad warned me about the sex offender's in my grandma's neighborhood, and warned me that it wasn't safe to walk alone.
By Ruza Aldinabout a year ago in The Swamp
Europe and South America Seal a Trade Pact for the Trump Era
A Deal Decades in the Making After more than two decades of negotiations, Europe and South America have finally moved closer to sealing one of the world’s largest trade agreements: the EU–Mercosur pact. Covering the European Union and the Mercosur bloc—Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay—the agreement represents a market of nearly 780 million people. But what makes this moment especially significant is timing. The deal is being framed, openly and strategically, as preparation for a potential return of Donald Trump-era trade policies. In a world where tariffs, trade wars, and “America First” rhetoric reshaped global commerce, Europe and South America are signaling that they want stability, predictability, and diversification—before geopolitical shocks force their hand again. Why the Trump Era Still Shapes Global Trade Even years after leaving office, Donald Trump’s approach to trade continues to influence global economic planning. His presidency normalized aggressive tariffs, skepticism toward multilateral agreements, and a willingness to weaponize trade for political goals. With Trump once again a central figure in U.S. politics, governments around the world are preparing for renewed uncertainty. For the EU, the lesson was clear: overdependence on any single market—especially the United States—creates vulnerability. For South American economies long reliant on commodity exports and limited trade partners, the risk is even greater. The EU–Mercosur pact is, in many ways, a hedge against a future where access to the U.S. market becomes more restricted or unpredictable. What the EU–Mercosur Agreement Promises At its core, the agreement aims to eliminate tariffs on more than 90% of goods traded between the two regions. European exporters—particularly carmakers, machinery producers, and pharmaceutical companies—stand to gain improved access to South American markets. In return, Mercosur countries would benefit from easier entry for agricultural exports such as beef, soy, sugar, and poultry into Europe. Beyond tariffs, the pact includes provisions on: Rules of origin, making it easier for businesses to qualify for preferential treatment Public procurement, opening government contracts to foreign companies Intellectual property protections, important for European brands Sustainable development commitments, including labor rights and environmental standards Supporters argue that this combination creates a modern, rules-based trade framework that strengthens both regions economically and politically. The Environmental and Political Backlash Despite its economic promise, the agreement remains controversial—especially in Europe. Environmental groups and some EU member states argue that increased agricultural exports from South America could accelerate deforestation in the Amazon. French farmers, in particular, fear being undercut by cheaper South American beef produced under looser environmental and animal welfare standards. These concerns stalled ratification for years. What has changed now is political urgency. European leaders increasingly view the pact as a strategic necessity, even if it requires side agreements, enforcement mechanisms, or sustainability add-ons to address critics. In short, geopolitical pressure is outweighing political hesitation. South America’s Strategic Calculation For Mercosur nations, the deal is about more than trade—it’s about relevance. South America has often found itself caught between major powers: the United States, China, and the European Union. By deepening ties with Europe, Mercosur countries gain leverage, diversification, and access to technology and investment. Brazil, the bloc’s largest economy, sees the pact as a way to modernize its industrial base and attract European capital. Argentina, struggling with inflation and debt, hopes expanded exports will stabilize its economy. Smaller members like Uruguay and Paraguay view the agreement as a gateway to global markets they otherwise struggle to reach. Importantly, the pact also reduces overreliance on China, which has become South America’s dominant trading partner over the past decade. A Message to Washington While no official statement names the United States, the message is unmistakable. Europe and South America are preparing for a world where U.S. trade policy may once again turn inward. By locking in long-term access to each other’s markets, they are insulating themselves from sudden tariff shocks or political bargaining. This doesn’t mean cutting ties with the U.S.—far from it. Instead, it reflects a broader shift toward a multipolar trade system, where regions rely less on a single economic superpower. If Trump-era policies return, Washington may find that its traditional partners have already adapted. Challenges Still Ahead Sealing the deal politically is not the same as implementing it smoothly. Ratification still requires approval from EU institutions and member states, some of which remain skeptical. Monitoring environmental commitments will be crucial, as failure could reignite opposition and undermine public trust. There is also the risk that domestic politics—on either side of the Atlantic—could derail progress. Elections, leadership changes, and economic downturns all have the power to slow or reshape the agreement. Yet compared to previous years, momentum now appears stronger than resistance. What This Means for Global Trade If finalized, the EU–Mercosur pact would be one of the largest trade agreements in history. More importantly, it would signal that multilateral trade deals are not dead—even in an era of nationalism and protectionism. For businesses, it means new supply chains and investment opportunities. For governments, it offers a template for balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility. And for the global system, it represents a quiet but firm pushback against trade isolationism. Final Thoughts Europe and South America sealing a trade pact for the Trump era is not about the past—it’s about the future. It reflects a world learning from recent disruptions and choosing cooperation over confrontation. Whether the agreement lives up to its promise will depend on enforcement, trust, and political will. But one thing is clear: as uncertainty looms, regions are no longer waiting to react. They are preparing in advance—and reshaping global trade without asking Washington for permission.
By Muhammad Hassan2 days ago in The Swamp
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