Tools for being informed voters

Every time I vote I am impressed and a little dazed by the array of races on the ballot - judges, school board, coroners etc. Here are some resources for the upcoming election so that ballots don’t take us by surprise:

Vote Smart and the League of Women Voters are non-partisan organizations that can help familiarize you with your ballot and help select the candidates that best agree with your policy wish-list.

The League of Conservation Voters publishes an environmental scorecard, so that you can see where candidates line up on global warming and other critical environmental issues.

And for the stance of candidates on the many science-based policy issues, check out the Science Debate 2008 website.

For those of us in Ohio (excuse me while I get local for a sec) there are several important ballot initiatives. Especially important for urban areas is Issue 2, which would reauthorize Clean Ohio Funds. Clean Ohio provides funding for brownfield clean up, which is good news for economic development inside our ailing cities. Issue 2 will not raise taxes as the entire Clean Ohio program is funded through the sale of state bonds.

If you live in and around Cleveland, check out this voter education forum on Tuesday evening. If there are similar events in your area please leave those in the comment section.

Residents in Cuyahoga County can also check out this online resource for judicial elections.

Lastly, remember to vote on November 4th, and offer to take a neighbor to the polls. Let’s make sure policy makers hear the voice of the GLUE region.