We Vote Ballot Guide, @WeVote

At one time, there was an app, of which I unfortunately no longer recall the name, that was extremely helpful concerning voting. Not only could one gain helpful, unbiased information concerning the candidates, as well as informationfrom the candidates themselves, but one could also get a sample ballot for a specific district, and mark those candidates for whom one wanted to vote. This was extremely helpful in expediting the process of filling in a sometimes lengthy ballot at a crowded polling place. Also, it was amazingly accessible for those of us who, out of necessity, use screen readers. Sadly, that app went the way of the dinosaur a couple of years ago, so I began seeking a replacement, hoping We Vote would fill the bill. Sadly, it did not. First: if you are not big into social media, are not affiliated with a specific political party, or are not involved in quasi-political organizations that support very specific issues, you get no information about candidates here. If a candidate isn’t registered specifically with We Vote, and if We Vote doesn’t have a link to the candidate’s website (if there is one), you get nowhere. As for marking candidates on a ballot: though, in theory, a sample ballot comes up, if you choose a specific candidate, it doesn’t mark the candidate’s name on the ballot, but assumes that you are supporting him/her in other ways. I am not big into social media, and neither are many of my friends; so, there is no help there. I am not involved with organizations who tend to endorse candidates; so, no help there, either. Finally, We Vote is not easy to navigate when using a screen reader. I’m sure it’s helpful for those who fit into all of the previously-mentioned categories—and who do not use screen readers—but for some of us, it is really a disappointment. And, by the way, the app refused to accept my address at first, so I’m not sure how accurate the information is that I was given, supposedly for my specific district.

I use it for each election, then bring it into the voting booth with me to remember the (sometimes dozens) of similarly named state and local propositions.