How to be an informed voter in Michigan
There’s a ton of information online, and not all can be trusted. Here are tips to help research issues with the election and claims made by candidates.
The Golden Rule
Be skeptical. Rely on trusted news sources. Resist confirmation bias. Beware of memes and sites you never heard of. Get a variety of sources, even those you may not agree with.
Fact-checking claims
Several outlets routinely check the claims of candidates, politicians and campaigns, including:
- Politifact
- FactCheck.org
- Snopes
- The Michigan Secretary of State fact-checking service.
Campaign finance
Money fuels election campaigns and knowing who is giving to candidates, ballot measures and parties can provide insight to voters. Here’s where you can find information:
- Michigan Campaign Finance Network (statewide and federal races)
- Open Secrets (typically federal campaigns, including Congressional and Presidential)
- Michigan Secretary of State campaign finance data
Other resources
- The League of Women Voters of Michigan has produced a voters' guide to local, state and federal candidates as well as local issues for many parts of the state.
- Facebook's Voting Information Center provides localized, updated information about the voting process and registration.
- Ballotpedia provides an overview on every race
- The Citizens Research Council of Michigan offers analysis of the three ballot proposals.
- The Michigan Health and Hospital Association has its own voters guide.
- Voters' guide on governor's race, secretary of state's race and the Michigan Supreme Court race from guides.vote, a national nonpartisan organization.
Political parties in Michigan
- Michigan Republican Party
- Michigan Democratic Party
- Michigan Libertarian Party
- US Taxpayers Party of Michigan
- Michigan Green Party
- Working Class Party of Michigan
Endorsements
- AFL-CIO
- Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan
- Detroit News
- Detroit Free Press
- Detroit Regional Chamber
- Michigan Association for Justice
- Michigan Association of Realtors
- Michigan Chamber of Commerce
- Michigan Education Association
- Michigan League of Conservation Voters
- National Rifle Association
- Police Officers Association of Michigan
- Michigan Association of Police Organizations
- Sierra Club
- Small Business Association of Michigan
- United Auto Workers
- Voters Not Politicians
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