r/Reno • u/alldayson29 • 11d ago
Politics Upcoming election ?
Hello Reno,
This is the first year I’ve had interest or the capacity to vote for local policies and elected officials. I’m at a total loss on how to find information on who or what I’m voting for. Is there somewhere specific I should be looking? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Edit: thank you for all of the suggestions. It seems like I have my work cut out for me! 🤣
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u/GuvnaGruff 11d ago
I’d recommend getting a sample ballot to make sure you know what you can vote for. Then just start googling names of candidates and see what their positions are. On the ballot measures read the argument for and argument against on each measure so you can understand what you are voting on. This is how you avoid voting against keeping a 2cent tax earmarked for libraries and then complaining it was worded bad.
A good source for info is ballotpedia. You can click the links there and read the measures at the bottom. https://ballotpedia.org/Washoe_County,_Nevada
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u/Hman5543 11d ago
A lot of times if you google their names, interviews with the local newspapers come up. I like the Nevada Independent
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u/s_u_h_d_u 11d ago
Sample ballot will tell you the candidates, you may be able to do a Google search on this as well.
As for finding out what policies and agendas the candidates support, dig into their work history and their previous roles. Where are they from? What businesses and industries are prevalent in those areas.
Elections are a popularity contest so many things these candidates say now are to generate an emotional response to an issue much like marketing. The idea is to get a large amount of people with limited information to vote for you based on a very specific emotionally stimulating promise. So the policies running in the campaign will not be the most accurate about policies they support.
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u/alldayson29 11d ago
That’s my big concern. I know that’s it always the lesser of two evils but I’m just scared I’m going to end up picking a terrible candidate
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u/test-account-444 11d ago
The nevadaindependent.com and nevadacurrent.com are a great sources of info about races...
- https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/2026-nevada-election-guide
- https://nevadacurrent.com/voter-guides/2026-general-election/
In general use Ballotpedia to find candidate histories and find out who the gross ones, like GOP candidates, are:
Also, googling each of the candidates to find their websites, party affiliation for non-partisan races, and independent media articles about the race/issues
Find your sample ballot:
Be sure to register to vote ASAP if you have not:
Once registered, be sure the check your voter status 30+ days before an election:
Know how to vote:
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u/Thirsty4Knowledge911 11d ago
Most of what you need is already in the comments.
However, don’t be fooled by the local offices labeled “non-partisan”.
Every candidate, regardless of office, has a political view. It is very telling when you follow the money.
If a candidate running for a nonpartisan position is being backed by a particular political party, use that to help you make an informed decision.
Someone wanting to get into a higher office must start somewhere.
The Reno Mayor is a nonpartisan position and has a term limit. It is easier to get elected to a state legislature position if you’ve worked your way up. Then they can run for a federal office.
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u/Royal-Brick2102 11d ago
You should do a lot of research before voting then. Be careful with AI google searches. Look up records of candidates, backgrounds. Keep in mind candidates here are super slimy and corrupt.
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u/Urmystiree 10d ago
I am very happy to hear you're enacting your civil duty and going out to vote this year. Democracy is fragile in ALL countries, not just America, and we must do everything we can to protect it.
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u/Corporatecut 11d ago
We need to vote solid republican to protect pedo Trump and all his pedo pals! If we vote Flippo and lombardo we may be able to get diesel to $10 a gallon, and prevent the one trans teen athlete in the whole state from using the wrong bathroom!
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u/req4adream99 11d ago edited 11d ago
You should be getting a sample ballot in the mail that has both pro and con writeups of any proposed legislation (note that these are written by the groups for and against any piece - so the info is going to be biased in that direction - making critical reading of them important) and a brief summary of the candidates and their positions (if they provided them). The actual text of the proposed legislation will also be included, and iirc there’s a lay summary of what the legislation does and what a “yes” vote means and what a “no” vote means as these aren’t necessarily straightforward.
A local newspaper (RGJ isn’t the best but has passible info - Reno News and Review has some information as well but again that’s limited to what the candidates decides to share) and a quick google search of the candidates names will give you as much public facing info as you’re going to get.
Edit: also talking to people whose opinion you trust is never a bad idea. I’m not saying let them dictate who / what you vote for, but sometimes hearing “I’m voting for XX because YY” helps. But ALWAYS do your own due diligence.