08/26/2026
🗳️ Anatomy of a Ballot:
Do you know what “down-ballot” means?
Did you know that some ballots have races listed on the front and the back?
Here are some helpful definitions, and tips for your next trip to the ballot box! 👇
When you look at your ballot, high-profile races like President or Governor are usually right at the top (“top of the ticket”). 🎟
But if you keep reading, you’ll find more races listed below them, literally down-the-ballot!
These may include elections for local and state offices like City Council, County Commissioners, Attorney General, or State Court Justices. These lesser-known election items are sometimes referred to as “down-ballot” races. But just because they are lower down the ballot, does’t mean they are any less important. 🔔
Why down-ballot voting matters:
💥 Local Impact: These roles directly shape policies in your daily life, from local judges to school boards and city budget decisions.
💥 Higher Vote Power: Fewer people finish their entire ballot. When you research and complete every race, your vote carries even more weight!
Bottom line: don’t leave your ballot half-blank. Start researching what will be on your ballot before any and every election.
And when you vote, be sure to turn the ballot over to see if there are additional items on the back!
How to Research a Ballot:
🥇 Start by looking up an official sample ballot (specific to you) online. This can be done at Vote411.org or through your State or County Board of Elections.
🥈 Once you have your sample ballot, confidently research every ballot item before you get to the voting booth. 💡
(you can even bring a copy of your choices into the voting booth)
We know civics can sometimes feel overwhelming. We hope this series has demystified some of the ways you can get involved in the democratic process.
This has been brought to you by Civility Localized and .
Many thanks to Ranekqwa Edwards of for collaborating with us on this project and bringing civics to life!
