How Do You Make an Informed Voting Decision in 2024 Part II

 
FLORIDA  

Opinion by: E. Eugene Webb PhD

A few weeks ago I published How do you make an informed Voting Decision in 2024 Part I. For reference you might want to check this Post.

In this Post, we flesh out the details of the preliminary outline for making an informed voting decision.

Here, I include details for you to use as criteria when you are evaluating candidates for elective office. Many of these criteria focus on down ballot issues providing insight into candidates for state Legislature, County commissions, School Boards, and City Councils.

By now your mailbox should be overflowing with flyers from various candidates for your local and regional offices. Before you just lightly throw all those flyers away, begin using this outline to evaluate what these candidates are proposing. As you do that, you will be able to sort out a number of candidates who you are not interested in voting for, and hopefully, a few you feel are worthy of your vote. Be sure to hang on to those political flyers.

Local candidate debates for state and regional offices are often presented on your local cable system’s channel. These can be exceptionally good looks at how candidates perform in public and how carefully they have thought through and can articulate their positions on the very issues that impact you the most. If you use the criteria below as you watch these debates, it will significantly help you in your voting for these offices.

People often skip over these down ballot races not realizing that the government that most affects your daily life is your local government. Your City Council and your County Commission. Do not leave these offices to chance, inform yourself of the issues and then vote wisely.

1. Policy Positions and Ideologies

• Alignment with Personal Values: Ensure the candidate’s policies align with your personal beliefs and values.
• Specific Policy Proposals: Look at the candidate’s stance on key issues like healthcare, education, the economy, national security, and social justice.
• Feasibility and Specificity: Evaluate how realistic and detailed their policy proposals are.

2. Experience and Qualifications

• Political Experience: Consider their previous roles in government or public service.
• Professional Background: Assess their career outside politics to gauge their skills and knowledge. Look for conflicts of interest
• Achievements: Look at their history of successful initiatives and leadership qualities.

3. Character and Integrity

• Honesty and Transparency: Evaluate their honesty, ethical standards, and how transparent they are about their plans and actions.
• Consistency: Check if they have been consistent in their views and actions or if they flip-flop on critical issues.
• Reputation: Consider their reputation among peers, the public, and political analysts.

4. Leadership and Communication Skills

• Decision-Making Ability: Assess their ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Vision: Look for a clear vision for the future and how they plan to achieve it.
• Communication Skills: Evaluate their ability to communicate their ideas and policies clearly and effectively.

5. Electability and Public Support

• Broad Appeal: Consider their ability to unite and appeal to a wide range of voters.
• Polling and Endorsements: Look at their performance in polls and endorsements from respected figures or organizations.

6. Past Performance and Accountability

• Record in Office: Review their performance in any previous office they held.
• Accountability: Check their willingness to take responsibility for their actions and decisions.

7. Personal Connection and Empathy

• Relatability: Consider if they seem relatable and empathetic to the needs of the average citizen.
• Engagement: Evaluate their engagement with the community and responsiveness to current issues and constituent concerns.

8. Partisan Considerations

• Party Affiliation: Consider how their party affiliation aligns with your political beliefs and how it might influence their policy decisions.
• Party Support: Assess the support they have within their own party and their ability to work across party lines.

9. Debate and Campaign Performance

• Debate Skills: Evaluate their performance in debates for articulation, poise, and knowledge.
• Campaign Conduct: Look at how they run their campaign, including the tone of their ads and interactions with opponents.

10. Long-Term Impact

• Legacy: Consider the long-term impact their policies and leadership might have on the country or your community.
• Sustainability: Assess whether their policies promote sustainable development and long-term welfare.

If you are voting by mail, you may have already received your ballot. Use this information as you vote to make sure you are selecting candidates that will function in the interest of your community.

By considering these factors, voters can make a more informed and holistic decision when choosing a candidate.

E-mail Doc at mail to: dr.gwebb@yahoo.com or send me a Facebook (E. Eugene Webb) Friend request. Like or share on Facebook, follow me on  X at  @DOC ON THE BAY.

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