Voter Guide

Courage California evaluates California candidates and ballot measures, bringing our own research and endorsements from trusted local and statewide organizations together to provide thoughtful and comprehensive recommendations on hundreds of races on one centralized site.

While many voter guides describe candidates and ballot measures, providing users with information on a single issue, they fail to make comprehensive recommendations which would allow you to vote in line with your values. In today’s corporate-funded political climate, information is not enough. Our democracy is under attack, and misinformation is one of the most powerful tools being used to undermine our electoral system and confuse voters. 

This is why we dig into the issues, endorsements, funding sources, and work with both local and statewide partners to ensure that our recommendations are both progressive and competitive. We sift through the money and misinformation campaigns, and work directly with community partners to determine where advancing progressive goals is possible — and where basic rights are under attack. The Voter Guide is an empowering tool for all Californians who want to ensure that their votes will result in the maximum positive impact, and move our state and country closer to a truly representative democracy. 

How It Works

Courage California wants all Californians to have a government that listens and responds to the people it serves, not corporations or any party establishment. The Courage Voter Guide makes recommendations on propositions and candidates that prioritize people, not profit. Our goals are to root out corruption and to institute principles of peace, justice, and co-governance. Courage California has a team dedicated to conducting original research on candidates and propositions and connecting with our partner groups to deepen our recommendations.

For Candidates

Our voter guide team looks into their priority issues, endorsements, campaign contributions, independent expenditures (resources spent in favor of or opposed to a candidate, without their authorization or coordination), and their governing record and/or history of leadership in their communities. We also unpack any misinformation about a race or candidate. The team works closely with local and statewide groups, following the lead of our partners on determining which candidates are most likely to work on behalf of all Californians.

For Propositions and Ballot Measures

Our voter guide team looks into funding sources, endorsements and opposition, and, for propositions responding to previous ballot measures and legislation, the impact of the original policy on our communities. We also address any misinformation so that voters know how to get to the facts and vote with confidence. Our voter guide team also works with local and statewide groups to better convey how each proposition will affect all Californians. We also provide information on the positions of many of our key partners and allies across the state, especially when there is disagreement amongst the community on a given proposition, so that a voter has all of the information they need to make informed decisions on often complicated issues. Click below to read more about our methodology, and please get in touch if you have questions or would like to offer feedback or get involved.

Voter Guide Website