By Andrea Milne

In talking with the Editorial Board about my aforementioned Election Day magnum opus, we reached a consensus that it would be better to have a less than perfect (though factually accurate) product delivered to you, our readers, on October 28th, than wait until our November 4th issue to give you the information you’ll use when casting you ballot. A voter information section is only worth something if voters are able to read it before the election. So, with a somewhat heavy heart (I was hoping for a slightly longer post-break recovery period) I have started the process of compiling candidate profiles and information for first time voters.

An interesting note: it is much harder to get good information on national third party candidates than I had ever expected it would be. I say this as a member of Smart Women Vote who has compiled numerous more voter information packets than I care to remember.

I’m no genius, but I’m pretty well informed when it comes to getting the facts; I know which sites have a good reputation, which websites have the best information, and in some cases I actually know some of the folks in charge of said websites. But I guess national elections are truly different monsters, and this election, especially, is anything but business as usual.

I have long operated off the assumption that, with fewer resources and staff to support them, Libertarian, Green, Constitution and Independent candidates would necessarily use the Internet as their primary campaign platform. After all, local candidates tend to have really lovely websites… why would this race be any different? Let’s just say, if the information that’s out there on third party candidates’ websites and on voter sites is any indication, these folks aren’t concentrating their attention on cyber-campaigning.

So there you have it: such is my love for the bi-college community, and such is my commitment to democracy, that I’m spending my free time looking up Bob Barr’s position on the United States’ relationship with Cuba. While it may not end up being the magnum opus I had hoped for, I can guarantee right now that this voter guide will be a very useful resource for undecided, first-time, and super-excited voters. I guess I can’t ask for more than that.  

Off the Record is meant to give you a glance into the newsroom. From policy, to ed board conversations, to the comments we get from our readers, this blog will cover it all. Questions, comments, or suggestions can be emailed to amilne@brynmawr.edu. For more Off the Record posts, click here.

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