This article will be updated in the coming weeks as additional voting guides become available.
We know there’s a lot of information to sift through as you gear up for the November elections. To make it a little less complicated, we’ve rounded up a few easy-to-use voting guides that break down candidates’ stances on key issues involving the outdoors and beyond, such as climate change, conservation and the outdoor recreation economy, among many others.
At REI, we’re decidedly nonpartisan and don’t endorse candidates. But we do support outfitting voters with information that helps them make educated decisions. Elections aren’t just about picking a candidate—they’re about supporting the policies that a candidate will work to advance. After all, the impacts of these policies echo well beyond any particular candidate’s term.
Browse these guides in the coming weeks so you can head to the polls, or fill out your mail-in ballot, equipped with information on the issues important to you. These are just some of the voter guides available. You can find more online.
Vote411
Launched by the League of Women Voters Education Fund, Vote411 is a nonpartisan tool for learning more about candidates running in federal, state and local races. You can even select two candidates to compare their experience and positions on key issues pertinent to the elected office. Note: some state guides are not yet available and will be published closer to Election Day.
Campus Election Engagement Project
Created to make voting easier for student leaders and college faculty, this nonpartisan guide provides a simple breakdown of where candidates stand on issues such as education, climate change, individual rights, COVID-19 and the environment, among other things. Simply click on the state and select a candidate guide. Many of the guides are offered in both English and Spanish.
League of Conservation Voters
Taking care of the environment is an important part of protecting the outdoors and our ability to recreate outside. This scorecard rates current members of Congress based on their environmental voting records. League of Conservation Voters (LCV) considers a number of categories, including clean energy, air pollution, drilling on public lands and endangered species. Scores are calculated by dividing the number of pro-environment votes cast by the total number of votes tallied, according to the website. You can click on individual candidates to view their voting history. Consider using this tool when evaluating incumbent candidates.
Other organizations have developed voter guides, and some include endorsements. REI does not make endorsements, but if you’re interested in what others are saying you can check out guides by Outdoor Industry Association and Protect Our Winters Action Fund.
Ahead of the November election, we’re outfitting our co-op community—employees and members alike—with the tools they need to participate. Check out more Gear Up to Vote coverage.