Often, citizens go to the polls knowing the candidates at the top of the ticket, but little if anything about those running farther down the ballot. Yet down-ballot races are equally if not more important if we are to save our democratic republic.

While it may be more difficult to obtain information about local candidates and races, the organization iVoterGuide is working hard to make sure citizens are informed when they go to the polls. A visit to iVoter Guide.com yields critical information needed to educate voters, including candidate evaluations, campaign finance data, sample ballots, and much more. The main page of the organization's website announces its identity: "Grounded in God. Rooted in research."

"When voters go to our website," says iVoterGuide President Debbie Wuthnow, "they will receive a customized ballot simply by entering their registered voter address." Wuthnow explains that the website offers information on federal and statewide candidates, and drills down to the local level in many areas.

An interactive map allows visitors to select their state and provides a variety of specifics, including localized information about election cycles, polling places, voter registration, and more. "This is not your mama's voters' guide," Wuthnow emphasizes. "In 2022, we're evaluating about 12,000 candidates in 33 states. We do a deep dive on each one, from who their donors are to their positions on important issues, and endorsements they've received. The goal is to evaluate their political ideology. For example, do they value religious liberty? Are they pro-life?"

Gathering information

When Education Reporter interviewed Wuthnow, along with Operations Manager Kori Peterson and Lead School Board Researcher, Tobi Paxton, an obvious question was "how do you do it?" How does a small staff gather all that data and compile it online?

The answer is that iVoterGuide networks with hundreds of volunteers across the country, which the organization calls "panelists." These volunteers comb voting records and research available data on state and local candidates in their areas. They also administer surveys. "We survey candidates on current issues, on education, and we even have a judicial survey for prospective judges," explains Wuthnow. "Candidates answer the questions in their own words, then our panelists go over all the data and reach a consensus as to which evaluation the candidate will receive on the conservative-to-liberal spectrum."

Wuthnow concedes it's a huge undertaking that could not be successful without the group's extensive network of affiliated organizations and volunteers. "We started sponsoring voter guides in Texas in 2008 in just seven of our largest counties," she explains. "We were able to go nationwide in 2012 and began linking arms with like-minded groups such as the American Family Association Action (AFA Action), the Family Research Council Action (FRC Action), Concerned Women for America (CWA), Wallbuilders, and many more."

Currently, iVoterGuide partners with dozens of like-minded organizations, and in 2020, reached 3.5 million voters. In 2022, the organization plans to reach at least five million voters.

To broaden its scope and influence, iVoterGuide recently became part of AFA Action, the AFA's legislative and policy arm. As a result of the merger, Wuthnow is now vice president of AFA Action. She will continue to serve as division president of iVoterGuide and is excited about her expanded role. "The change became effective in January 2022," she notes. "My focus is broader but I will continue working to make iVoterGuide a national resource for our citizens."

Spotlight on school board races

Recognizing the critical importance of the makeup of local school boards, iVoterGuide began a School Board Voter Awareness Initiative last year. The website observes: "Many of the problems threatening the nation today can be traced to years of misplaced priorities in public schools," and that "much of this responsibility and power rests with local school boards." School board races have largely been overlooked by voters or viewed as an afterthought, "but," the website states, "captured by Leftist organizations and special interest groups who have exercised their influence over our children for far too long."

This initiative is iVoterGuide's answer to the dearth of readily available information about school board candidates. "Finding information on local candidates, unless you know them personally or know someone who knows them, is like searching for a needle in a haystack," observes Tobi Paxton. "It's a huge problem, but the good news is that school board elections can be decided with relatively few votes compared to higher-profile races. If we can get principled school board candidates elected, we can begin to change course."

Paxton works to identify candidates running in key school board races across the country, a monumental task. "We need at least several hundred more panelists to get the job done," she admits. "In order to evaluate aproximately 12,000 legislative candidates, as well as key school board races, it will take about 1,200 volunteers nationwide." Whether or not she will get them remains to be seen, but either way, she says she'll start working on six school board races in Oklahoma in April. "We'll identify the candidates and find out their personal philosophies and positions on key issues," she describes.

"The importance of putting the right folks on school boards is the basis for everything," Wuthnow emphasized. "We have to get it right if we are to reclaim our schools."

iVoterGuide is donor supported. The group sends out weekly educational emails to those who sign up. They also offer a School Board eBook, which describes the educational crisis in America and highlights the importance of local school board members, which it calls "gatekeepers of our schools." The eBook is packed with important and helpful information such as how school boards impact decisions about specific curriculum choices and how they can be influenced by school district administrators and state governments.

This invaluable free resource should be accessed by concerned parents and citizens everywhere.

Want to be notified of new Education Reporter content?
Your information will NOT be sold or shared and will ONLY be used to notify you of new content.
Click Here

Return to Home PageEducation Reporter Online - January 2022