Things I'm looking for when reading the voter information guide:
- Did the candidate accept the contribution limits to qualify to submit a candidate statement?
- Did the candidate actually submit a candidate statement?
- Does the candidate's statement reflect that they understand the job they're running for and the powers that will be available to them, and have intentions for how they will use those powers?
Failing the first means they'd rather have unlimited money to blow on TV adverts and will be beholden to big-money donors.
Failing the second means they overlooked a really obvious platform to place their message. Or are bad at paperwork.
Failing the third usually means they think simply filing candidate papers is enough. For the more credible ones, it means they have opinions (or their own profile) to promote, but no actual plans to use the office they're running for.
Peter Hosey