Local elections decide who controls your school board, city council, county commission, and district attorney — the offices that shape your daily life far more than any presidential race. Yet most voters show up without having compared candidates at all. This guide walks you through a practical method for using a candidate comparison tool to research anyone on your 2026 ballot, from school board trustee to state representative.
Why Local Elections Matter More Than You Think
The gap between federal politics and your daily life is enormous. Federal policy shapes broad frameworks — tax rates, immigration law, national defense. But local officials decide your property tax rate, whether your kid's school is underfunded, how quickly potholes get fixed, and whether your neighborhood gets new housing or stays zoned exclusively for single-family homes.
In a typical presidential year, national turnout exceeds 60%. In off-year local elections, it regularly drops below 20%. That asymmetry means a small number of engaged voters have outsized influence in local races — and that engaged minority consistently outperforms the disengaged majority on civic outcomes.
Comparing candidates before you vote locally is one of the highest-leverage civic actions available to any individual voter.
What to Look for When Comparing Local Candidates
Local candidates often don't have long legislative records, and many run without party affiliation. Here's what to focus on:
- Specific policy positions, not values statements. "I support our community" is not a position. "I will vote against any zoning variance that increases residential density in existing single-family districts" is a position you can compare against other candidates.
- Endorsements. Who endorses a local candidate reveals their coalition. A school board candidate endorsed by the teachers' union has different obligations than one endorsed by a charter school advocacy group. Neither is inherently right — but the endorsement tells you something real.
- Prior experience. Have they served on a planning commission, school site council, or neighborhood association? Prior service reveals how they behave with actual authority, not just campaign promises.
- Funding sources. Local campaign finance filings are public record. Candidates funded by real estate developers have different incentives than candidates self-funded or funded by small donors.
- Attendance and engagement. Have they attended city council meetings, school board sessions, or public hearings before becoming a candidate? Civic engagement prior to running is a meaningful signal of genuine commitment.
How to Use a Candidate Comparison Tool
The hardest part of researching multiple candidates isn't finding information — it's organizing it so you can actually compare local election candidates side by side. Most voters read about Candidate A, then Candidate B, then Candidate C in separate tabs and sessions. By the time they're done, they've forgotten what Candidate A said about zoning.
A candidate comparison tool solves this by presenting multiple candidates' positions on the same issues in a structured format. Instead of juggling information across tabs, you see each candidate's stance on education funding, infrastructure, housing policy, and other priorities simultaneously.
PoliticalConcern's candidate comparison engine organizes local election candidates by race and displays their positions issue by issue. You can browse upcoming elections in your area, select the candidates running, and compare them on your terms — not theirs.
This approach is especially valuable in races with three or more candidates, where the cognitive load of side-by-side comparison becomes hard to manage in your head.
How to Research Candidates for Local Races in 2026
For 2026 elections, here is a practical research sequence:
- Find out who's running. Your county election office website publishes the candidate list for every race. Search "[your county] election 2026 candidates" to find the official list.
- Look up their websites. Most local candidates have at least a basic website or Facebook page. Read their stated priorities.
- Check local news coverage. Your local paper (even if online-only) covers most contested local races. Search the candidate's name plus your city or county name.
- Find their campaign finance filings. Most states publish local campaign finance data online. Search "[your state] campaign finance disclosure" to find the portal.
- Attend or watch a forum. Many local races have candidate forums hosted by the League of Women Voters or local civic groups. Forums let you compare local election candidates in real time on the same questions.
- Use a structured comparison tool. After gathering information, compare candidates on PoliticalConcern to organize your research in one place.
The Most Common Mistakes Voters Make When Comparing Candidates
Relying only on mailers. Campaign mailers are designed to persuade, not inform. They emphasize the best version of a candidate's record and the worst version of their opponent's. Read them, but treat them as advertising.
Defaulting to name recognition. In local races, incumbents and candidates with common last names have built-in advantages that have nothing to do with their qualifications. Don't skip research just because one candidate's name is familiar.
Comparing candidates on the wrong issues. Before you start, write down the three issues most important to you in this race. Then evaluate each candidate on those specific issues — not on whichever issue their campaign wants you focused on.
Waiting until election eve. Candidate research done the week before an election is rushed. The best comparison happens over a few sessions spread across several weeks, when you have time to think rather than react.
Get Started on Your 2026 Ballot
The 2026 election cycle includes hundreds of local races across school boards, city councils, county commissions, and state legislatures. Most of these races will be decided by a small number of engaged voters.
Ready to compare candidates in your area? Browse upcoming elections on PoliticalConcern → and see every candidate side by side on the issues that matter to you. Create a free account to save your research and join the discussion.