Reliable Sources – A Consumer’s Guide to Learning about Political Candidates – Part 2: First-Hand Accounts, Public Records, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources
In Part 1 of this series,1 we discussed how having face-to-face interactions with political candidates or attending events where candidates answer live questions are among the best ways to learn about them, especially in local elections. Beyond direct interactions, there are other primary sources of candidate information – sources that can generally be trusted to be unedited, unaltered, and presented in their original form.
Other original sources
· Current or archived articles from established national and local news organizations can be considered primary sources, as they often rely on eye-witness accounts or thorough research by professional reporters. Look for outlets with a strong reputation for journalistic integrity, but keep in mind that even the most reliable sources may exhibit some bias.2 Seek news stories that present multiple perspectives and include fact-checking. It is also important to distinguish between news stories and opinion pieces. Op-eds, which are discussed below, are secondary sources. If you encounter unexpected or extreme claims about a candidate – especially in older articles, remember that candidates’ views and life circumstances (such as family, residency, employment, or affiliations) can change over time. Like anyone, candidates may grow and mature, which is often a positive sign. However, they may also backtrack or shift positions for political convenience. While news organizations are valuable sources of information, stay alert to potential biases and make a habit of diversifying your news sources to gain a more balanced understanding.
· Books and articles written by candidates. Seek out autobiographies and articles in which candidates directly explain their positions on key issues or how they intend to fulfill the responsibilities of the office they’re pursuing. Be cautious with biographies written by others, as these are not primary sources and may reflect the author’s bias. In general, be wary of anyone other than the candidate attempting to define their character or stance. One approach I have found occasionally helpful is reading something the candidate has written that isn’t overtly political – even fiction. Such works can offer meaningful insight into their personal values, interests, and what matters to them. For instance, I recently befriended a candidate for local office known for writing books aimed at young entrepreneurs and business leaders. Among his largely business-focused bibliography, I discovered a lesser-known book he wrote for middle schoolers. This autobiographical story explores challenges of adolescence, such as the fear of being different and the desire for independence. Reading it gave me a unique perspective on his sensitivity, thoughtfulness, and understanding – qualities that matter in a potential community leader.
· Government websites are reliable sources for verifying what incumbents have achieved in their current roles and what candidates have accomplished in previously held public offices. For instance, state legislature websites allow users to track bills through the legislative process, view sponsors and co-sponsors, and see how each lawmaker voted. The Congressional Record, available at www.congress.gov, is an especially comprehensive source for accurate information about the actions of U.S. Senators and Representatives.
· Official candidate websites are a mixed bag. They offer direct insight into a candidate’s platform, policy positions, and campaign messaging, but they are also designed to present the candidate in the best possible light. These sites function as tools for fundraising and volunteer recruitment, and their content is tightly controlled by the campaigns themselves. As a result, decisions about what to include – or omit – can introduce bias. While the information may be factually accurate, watch for vague statements, generalizations, or half-truths. Look for specific examples and data to support claims. For instance, a county executive may claim to have reduced property taxes when the official merely canceled a planned increase; or might boast of hiring 300 new police officers while more than three times that number left through attrition.
· Candidate posts on social media can be as informative as their campaign websites. Focus more on what candidates say about their own vision and plans than on how they portray their opponents. Unlike official websites, social media platforms invite comments from supporters, critics, and even bots – often filled with exaggeration, misinformation, or outright falsehoods.
· Candidate non-political work history – Many political candidates have professional experience outside of politics. Learn what kind of work they have done or are doing and identify their employers and colleagues. Visit the websites of the businesses or organizations they are affiliated with to verify their role and responsibilities. Find out what activities or initiatives they were involved in and look for reports from reputable news sources that evaluate their job performance.
Secondary sources
· Op-Eds in established news organizations - Newspapers clearly label opinion pieces and typically place them on designated opinion pages. While not primary sources, op-eds should still be grounded in fact. By definition they reflect the author’s viewpoint, so when uncertain about any statements presented as factual, verify them through additional reliable sources.
· Endorsements – Voters may find it useful to note whether individuals or groups they trust have endorsed – or declined to endorse – a particular candidate. Written endorsements share many of the same strengths and weaknesses as opinion pieces and should be approached with similar caution. While endorsements can help inform a voter’s decision, they should never be the sole factor in choosing whom to support.
· Independent news channels (e.g. on YouTube) – The term “independent” does not mean “unbiased,” but rather that these channels are not owned by or accountable to major media conglomerates. This category excludes channels featuring individual commentators who promote extremist views or conspiracy theories. Instead, it includes outlets that combine legitimate news reporting with informed commentary. These channels share stories they produce themselves or adapt from traditional media sources, adding analysis from their own journalists. They also conduct original interviews with politicians and government officials. Examples include PBS, NPR, MeidasTouch Network (MTN), Democracy Now!, Breaking Points, and The Young Turks (TYT).
· Websites that provide nonpartisan voter information and candidate profiles – such as Ballotpedia.org, Votesmart.org, and Vote411.org – offer factual, unbiased details about candidates, elected officials, and ballot issues at all levels of government. However, these sites are not always as comprehensive or up to date as desired. (As of Oct. 8, 2025, for example, none had posted information about the November town or county races in my area.)
· Wikipedia can be a quick and convenient way to learn about candidates, but users should exercise caution. As a tertiary source, it summarizes information from primary and secondary sources. Articles are created and maintained by millions of volunteer editors, automated bots, and community review processes – such as “flagged revisions” for sensitive topics – that help detect and correct vandalism or misinformation. The depth and accuracy of a page depend on the editorial attention it has received and the quality of its cited sources, which readers should verify.
Summary – trust but verify
The above are generally reliable sources of information about candidates for office. While they all cover candidates for national and state offices, voters researching local elections may find fewer resources available. You can generally trust these references provided you cross-reference information from multiple outlets to gain a comprehensive and balanced view. Remember that all channels of information, even reputable ones, may have some degree of bias. Always critically evaluate the information and consider the author’s motivations. Reliable sources will support their claims with data, links to original documents, or expert opinions, and provide evidence of fact checking. By combining these resources and applying critical thinking, you can become a well-informed voter. Start researching candidates early to avoid relying solely on often nasty, highly biased, distorted or untruthful mailers and TV ads.
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