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There are many ways for you, the voter, to get information about candidates on the state and national levels this fall.
One of the most common ways is to read this newspaper or others to get information.
Another is to go to the candidates’ Web sites, though some don’t always list viewpoints to all of the issues.
Another way is to go to private organizations that compile information on the candidates. These groups have issues they’re focused on, but they also can help provide more views on the candidates.
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One of the best groups to get information from is Project Vote Smart, which was founded in 1992. It has sent questionnaires to candidates on state and local levels since that time in hopes of giving the voters a source that can tell them where the candidates stand.
Project Vote Smart is an interesting organization in that it has had both conservative and liberal politicians on its board. For example, former President Jimmy Carter, former U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater and presidential candidate John McCain have all sat on the project’s board.
But Project Vote Smart has been finding that it’s tougher to get answers out of the candidates. In 1996, the organization received questionnaires back from 72 percent of the candidates. By 2006, the group was getting only 48 percent of the questionnaires back.
That trend is continuing in Arizona. According to recent information from the group, 47 percent of Arizona’s congressional candidates have returned the questionnaires, and, so far, neither of District 8’s candidates have done so.
When you look at the state legislative candidates in Arizona, it gets worse. Only 22 percent have returned questionnaires, with only a few from the District 25 and District 30 races.
Candidates likely have a variety of reasons they wouldn’t want to answer such a questionnaire. First, it’s detailed on many hot-button issues. Second, it’s information that could be used by their opponents. And, finally, it takes away from the message they may be trying to relay to you, the voter.
We feel they’re missing out on a chance to communicate with the voters and help educate them. This, in turn, allows the public to make decisions based on information directly from the candidates.
With less than two months before the general election, we urge local candidates to find the Project Vote Smart questionnaires and fill them out. We urge you, the voters, to visit votesmart.org.
Not wrote on Sep 9, 2008 8:42 PM:
That is if you only want to get the info that the Herald wants you to read. The Herald has their favorites, and they get the most ink, and praise. I am not going to mention names, because if I did this would be deleted automaticly. "