Which of the following is not a quality a candidate needs for public office?
Elections up and down the ballot present voters with important choices. Whether it's a local race that will affect your community or a national race that could change the direction of the country, elections are a time to consider the issues that you care about and decide which candidate you support. Show
But is it possible to move beyond campaign ads, social media chatter, and noisy news cycles to find the best substantive candidate who represents your values and needs? The answer is yes! 7 Steps for Judging CandidatesStep 1: Determine what you are looking for in a candidateYou can judge candidates in two ways:
Your first step in picking a candidate is to decide the issues you care about and the qualities you want in a leader. When you consider issues, what problems do you want people in government to address? For example, you may be interested in national security, government funding for student loans, or climate change. When you consider leadership qualities, what characteristics do you think make an effective elected official? Do you look for intelligence, honesty, humility, an ability to communicate? What else? After considering which issues and qualities are most important to you in this year’s election, record them on the Candidate Report Card shared below. Stay UpdatedKeep up on election and voting news Step 2: Visit VOTE411.org and learn about the candidates on your ballotFind out which candidates are running in your area by using the League’s online election resource VOTE411.org. When you input your address, VOTE411 shows you all the races and candidates on your ballot. VOTE411 also includes information about each office on your ballot, candidate background information, stances on issues directly from the candidates themselves, and extensive background and explanations on ballot questions. Step 3: Gather materials about the candidatesResearch and collect information about the candidates. Read their positions on their campaign websites, watch media coverage, review online discussions, and check out their stances on VOTE411. Sources of information you may choose to review include:
Step 4: Evaluate candidates’ positions on issuesIn a local race, interviews with the candidates can be helpful. For incumbents, a look at their voting records on issues important to you (which you identified in Step 1) can also tell you a lot. Ask yourself the following questions:
Fill in the Candidate Report Card shared below as you gather new information about the candidates. Support our work to empower voters! One Time One-Time Monthly Monthly One-time donation amounts$1000 $500 $125 $50 $25 Other Other Donate Now Step 5: Learn about the candidates’ leadership abilitiesDeciding if a candidate will be a good leader is difficult. How can you know if someone will be honest, open, or able to act under pressure if elected to office? Here are some ways to read between the lines:
Step 6: Learn how other people view the candidateOther people’s opinions can help clarify your own views, but do not discount your own informed judgments.
Step 7: Use the Candidate Report Card to evaluate your optionsReview the information in your Candidate Report Card to compare all the candidates. Ask yourself these final questions:
Is the choice clear? If so, pick a candidate. Transcript Other ConsiderationsAvoid Distortion TechniquesCandidates try to sell themselves to voters, but they can sometimes distort the truth in ways that are difficult to detect. Here are seven examples of distortion techniques that you should watch for as you review candidates’ campaign materials:
Evaluate Candidates’ Use of VideoCandidates are aware of the potential power of video and try to use it to their advantage. When you see videos about a candidate or that feature the candidate, consider that the picture you see may be staged by a media advisor whose job is to make the candidate look good on camera. As you watch news coverage of campaigns, be aware of staged events (also known as photo opportunities) and try to instead focus on what the candidate is saying about the issues. The same applies to political advertisements on television or online. When you watch political ads, be aware of how the medium influences your reactions. Ask yourself: Did you find out anything about issues or qualifications, or was the ad designed only to affect your attitude or feelings about a candidate? Now Take Action
Candidate Report CardMy Priority Issues My Position Candidate A Candidate B Candidate C Example: health care I support universal health care.
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Desired Leadership Qualities My Position Candidate A Candidate B Candidate C Example: Honesty I want a candidate who bases issue positions on facts and data.
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My Candidate Choice: _________________________________________________________ Share this: The Latest from the LeagueSo You Think You’re Ready to Vote? With five short weeks before Election Day, now is the time to get the information you need so that you can participate in the 2018 midterms and the League is here to help! Blog / October 1, 2018 Have you made an Election Day plan? Election Day just three weeks away. Voters across the country will participate in important state and local elections on November 6. Blog / October 15, 2018 Why I’m an early voter Like many Americans, I never know where I’ll be on Election Day. What if I have to travel for work? What if the baby is sick and I can’t make it to the polls? What if I get stuck at the office late and the lines are super long? What are the 4 types of political parties?Types of party organizations. Political scientists have distinguished between different types of political parties that have evolved throughout history. These include cadre parties, mass parties, catch-all parties and cartel parties.
How to choose a presidential candidate?To become the presidential nominee, a candidate typically has to win a majority of delegates. This usually happens through the party's state primaries and caucuses. State delegates go to the national convention to vote to confirm their choice of candidates.
What is meant by candidate selection?Candidate selection is the process of finding the right person to fill a given position at your organisation. Importantly it covers all steps from initial resume screening to making a final hiring decision and preparing a job offer. It can include skill assessments, an interview, and a background check.
Why is an election considered the most important element of a democratic society is it the best method to select a leader?Elections provide an important opportunity to advance democratization and encourage political liberalization. For an election to be free and fair, certain civil liberties, such as the freedoms of speech, association and assembly, are required.
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