Beware Those "Voter Information Guides"

We do this warning every election. Right about now, your mailbox is going to get inundated with these colorful and seemingly helpful "Ballot Guide for Democrats" mailers - usually with Obama and Biden on the front and how you should vote on every other race and initiative inside.

PLEASE be careful with these. Your first red light is the disclaimer on them, which usually states something similar to:

"Appearance paid for by each candidate and ballot measure marked with a (*)"

...which is generally about 80% of what's in there. Do your homework and you'll discover many of these actually are a vote against your ideology or worse, your better interests.

Yeah - these don't necessarily come from real Democratic interests, but organizations who want to trick you into voting for something you normally wouldn't.

Do your homework. Don't confuse these with the sample ballots sent to you by your local election board, and definitely don't confuse these with reality. This is one of those times you should be a skeptic.

Comments

[legadillo]

The State of Texas doesn't mail voter info like California does. Here you're on your own. People depend heavily on the League of Women Voters' Guides, and even those you have to hunt down.