For years, I have posted a blog or written an article to you all about this time of year and the importance of voting and making your opinion heard at the polls. 2026 is no different, and I hope everyone is putting time on their calendar to get out and vote.
While many are traditionalists who like to vote on Election Day, many states are now offering up early voting windows so you can get in and out quickly without having to wait in long Election Day lines. Whatever option you choose, it’s worth knowing what’s on your ballot and when and where you can vote. That’s why the Legislative Team at ACD has assembled an Election Day Guide webpage where members can learn more about what is on the ballot, early voting hours, races to watch, and some of the latest election news.
Now, as we close in on Election Day 2026, just 4 weeks away, rhetoric from the Swamp and political pundits on both sides of the aisle is in high gear. My advice to members: don’t get consumed by the latest polls. We’ve seen these polls get it entirely wrong in the last two federal elections, as well as at the state and local levels. Polls are paid for by candidates and parties that, in many cases, want a particular answer. We all know this.
Which begs the question: why do we even look at these stupid things in the first place? But I digress.
My point is this: take a few minutes to check out our Election Day Guide and do your homework before you head to the polls over the next four weeks.
Take a look at each candidate’s campaign website and see where they stand on the issues. A quick visit to most campaign sites will give you a pretty clear sense of a candidate’s position on the major issues. And if the site is full of rambling gobbledygook that never actually tells you where the candidate stands, well, there’s your answer. And yes, some campaign websites are really bad.
I also strongly encourage members to try to listen to at least part of a debate. Most Senate and House races, as well as other statewide races, will have debates taking place over the next few weeks.
Obviously, what candidates say during these debates matters. But I’d also encourage you to listen to how they answer the moderator’s questions. Are they thoughtful in their responses, or are they simply regurgitating talking points handed to them by a political operative?
One thing I’ve noticed in my advanced age is that the newer crop of politicians coming to the Hill can sometimes seem more and more robotic in their responses. They don’t always seem genuinely interested in what you have to say or, more importantly, who you represent.
Personally, I’ve found that the politicians who are willing to say, “I don’t know squat about that issue, but I’d like to learn more,” are often the ones who are genuinely interested, responsive, and with whom you can build a relationship moving forward.
At the end of the day, an educated electorate makes solid decisions as to who they select for office. I strongly encourage all of our members to take the time to be part of this educated electorate equation. Listen to a debate, scour the campaign sites for information that gives you a better flavor of how these folks will vote and act, go to a town hall meeting, whatever you need to do to better prepare yourself. All these factors are important, make a difference, and could very well determine an outcome that leads to a more promising future!
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