1. Use non partisan resources like The League of Women Voters, www.lwv.org, they provide independent non baiased voter education materials and resources. Consider trying the above link as well as various state or county league sites for more information. Primary information is posted, which you can also use as a reference for present candidate statements and positions.

2. The United States Senate site, posts the voting record as well as other information regarding the senators. http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/a_three_sections_with_teasers/votes.htm

3. Look at the ISSUES: Look at proposals for addressing issues. positions on current problems and how to resolve them. Differentiate [words rhetoric and personality] from actual plans and solutions for resolving issues and problems. Look for realistic plans for the future. Are the plans consistent with past voting record. Does the Candidate understanding the history of the present situation will they then move forward with a specific strategic plan.

4. Watch the Debates: Consider recording the debates so you can replay them and compare responses made during the different debates. Viewing a debate 2 or more times usually provides added insight. Observe the candidate’s body language, subtle gestures and speech intonation to get added information about the candidate’s response and feelings. Additionally observe a candidate’s facial and body response to the opponent’s answers. Do not just rely on news commentators interpretations and opinions.

5. Listen to different news channels, radio stations and commentators. Frequently a newspaper, channel, radio station or news commentator favors a particular party and/or candidate. Keep this in mind when considering and evaluating information.

6. Include more objective information from sources such as The League of Women Voters, C-Span, public service stations, census data, voting records, the US Senate site, and first hand information.

7. Who’sstatistics are correct? Many times the candidates offer different statistics on the same issue.Some questions for interpreting the candidates statistics: How can the candidates give different statistics on the same issue? Look how the question was worded? When was the data collected, what years or intervals were used? Who collected the data (was it a group or corporation with a vested interest)? What was the sample or who responded to the questions?

8. Have you already made a choice: Try to keep an open mind, consider all information and use objectivity. Be aware of your own biases. If you already have a favorite, it will probably affect how you evaluate the information about your candidate as well as the other candidate(s).

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