Our Guide to Candidate Research: How to Avoid Falling Down the Google Rabbit Hole
- My Voting Power
- Oct 3
- 4 min read
One of the biggest questions we hear during election season is: “How do I actually learn about the candidates?”
In Greenwich, local elections shape decisions about schools, parks, development, taxes, and sustainability. But with so many names on the ballot, it can feel overwhelming to figure out who stands for what.
The good news? Researching candidates doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple steps, you can cut through the noise, get clear on priorities, and make confident choices that reflect your values.
Let’s break it down.
UPDATE: The League of Women Voters recently hosted a Board of Selectman candidate debate on September 29, 2025. This is a great way to hear directly from candidates about important issues. Watch the recording HERE!
Step 1: Start with the Sample Ballot
Before diving into research, you need to know who’s actually on your ballot.
A few weeks before the election, the Greenwich Registrar of Voters posts a sample ballot online.
You can also view one at your polling place.
Why this matters: Instead of Googling blindly, you’ll see the exact offices and names you’ll be voting on. This gives you a roadmap for your research.
👉 Pro tip: Print out or save the sample ballot and use it as a checklist while you learn about each candidate.
Step 2: Learn What Each Role Does
Understanding the role a candidate is running for helps you focus on the issues that matter.
Board of Education: Curriculum, class sizes, school budgets, and facilities.
Board of Estimate & Taxation (BET): Town budget and tax rates.
Planning & Zoning Board: Development, housing, and neighborhood character.
First Selectman & Board of Selectmen: Town operations, infrastructure, and community priorities.
Representative Town Meeting (RTM): Local ordinances and budget approvals.
Other offices (Town Clerk, Tax Collector, Constable, Board of Assessment Appeals): Day-to-day administration and services that affect your property taxes, records, and community safety.
When you know what the role does, you’ll know what questions to ask. (For example: you don’t need to know a Tax Collector’s stance on education, but you do want to know their track record on efficiency and fairness.) For more information on each elected role, check out last week’s blog.
Step 3: Use Nonpartisan Resources
In Greenwich, several local organizations provide reliable, nonpartisan information:
League of Women Voters of Greenwich publishes voter guides and often hosts debates or forums.
Local newspapers like the Greenwich Time, Greenwich Free Press, and Greenwich Sentinel cover candidate announcements and debates.
Town of Greenwich official site shares background on offices and election procedures.
These resources are designed to help you learn without the spin.
Step 4: Hear Directly From Candidates
Next, go straight to the source. Most candidates share information on:
Campaign websites: find biographies, priorities, and issue statements.
Social media: see what issues the candidates highlight and how they engage with the community.
Debates and forums: hear candidates respond to questions in real time. Some of the local debates include:
Board of Selectman Candidate Debate: Monday, September 29. Watch the recording HERE!
Board of Education Candidate Debate: Monday, October 6 @ 7pm. Event Details HERE
Town Clerk & Tax Collector Candidate Debate: Tuesday, October 7 @ 7pm. Event Details HERE
Board of Selectmen Candidates Debate: Tuesday, October 7 @ 6:30pm. Event Details HERE
BET Debate: Thursday, October 9 @ 7pm. Event Details HERE
👉 Tip: When reading campaign materials, pay attention to specifics. “Support education” is broad. “Expand world language programs in elementary schools” tells you exactly what a candidate plans to do.
Step 5: Ask Questions
Don’t be shy! Local elections are one of the few places where you can directly interact with candidates.
Attend a debate or candidate night in Greenwich. (Check out a schedule of upcoming debates on our TikTok)
Submit questions ahead of time if the event allows.
Reach out via email or social media. Many candidates will even respond personally.
Some great starter questions include:
How do you plan to prioritize the town budget this year?
What’s your position on maintaining and improving parks and recreation spaces?
How should Greenwich address flooding and climate resilience?
What’s your vision for schools and educational programs?
Step 6: Look at Track Records
If a candidate has served before, check their record:
How did they vote on budgets, zoning, or school funding?
Did they show up consistently for meetings?
Are there news stories about how they handled specific issues?
Past performance is often the best indicator of future action.
Step 7: Talk With Your Community
Sometimes the best insights come from neighbors, classmates, coworkers, or friends. Ask what they know about the candidates or issues.
Parents may know a candidate’s stance on school programs.
Commuters may know who’s pushed for infrastructure improvements.
Longtime residents may recall how candidates handled previous local challenges.
Hearing different perspectives can help you think through your own priorities.
Step 8: Keep It Local
Remember, in Greenwich, local elections are about real life issues, not national headlines. While national politics often dominate the news, don’t let that overshadow the immediate impact of your local ballot.
When you’re researching, focus on:
Schools
Parks and recreation
Property taxes
Development and zoning
Environmental resilience
These are the issues you’ll feel in your day-to-day life.
Quick Checklist: Researching Candidates
Here’s a step-by-step guide to keep handy:
✅ Get your sample ballot
✅ Learn what each role does
✅ Check nonpartisan resources
✅ Visit candidate websites/social media
✅ Attend debates and forums
✅ Ask direct questions
✅ Review track records
✅ Talk to neighbors and friends
✅ Stay focused on local issues
Final Word
Researching candidates might feel intimidating at first, but it’s one of the most powerful ways to make your vote count. With just a little time, you can understand who’s running, what they stand for, and how their decisions will impact your schools, roads, parks, and neighborhoods.
Your ballot is more than a list of names, it’s a set of choices about the future of Greenwich. By doing your homework, you’re making sure your voice is informed, intentional, and impactful.
Let’s do this together, MVP Community. Your research = your power at the polls.
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