[Ladygolfer93]

Ideas for sources for pre-election research on important local positions. Noticed a number of local judges on the ballot and need to get started on researching their decisions, legal views, etc. but where to find such information ? Also Sumter county (I believe utility board positions), how does one find the records of these folks ? They never seem to do much public campaigning, and I have not even received (biased) political mailings. These and others are VERY important positions, yet, not easy to find much past a few ads or just "vote for me" mailings. How/where to find the actual records, not emotional appeals and wild promises !

[ctmurray]

Originally Posted by Ladygolfer93

Ideas for sources for pre-election research on important local positions. Noticed a number of local judges on the ballot and need to get started on researching their decisions, legal views, etc. but where to find such information ? Also Sumter county (I believe utility board positions), how does one find the records of these folks ? They never seem to do much public campaigning, and I have not even received (biased) political mailings. These and others are VERY important positions, yet, not easy to find much past a few ads or just "vote for me" mailings. How/where to find the actual records, not emotional appeals and wild promises !

You can call (we did) the local offices of your normal political party and see what they recommend. Or call both, if a judge is recommended for retention by both parties they must be doing an adequate job. An internet search on our own found one or two, but not all. I agree it has not been easy.

[HIgolfers]

try VOTE411
Its a website run by the League of Women Voters. I used it to find info for the primary because the Lake County (where I live) chapter of my party had NO INFO at all on the candidates. Vote411.org has some info, not a lot and it consists of responses by the candidates to questions posed by the League. (some candidates did not respond). I just looked and did not see much on the judicial candidates. Instead of Sumter and Lake County it has a tab for VIllages and tri-county.

[Two Bills]

From what I have read on occasions on the 'other site,' every Judge should be voted out on principal!

[Topspinmo]

Sometimes there no one running against them. So they automatically Get re-elected.