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Scroll to the Election of interest to you.
Click a candidate’s name and rate them
Rate candidates based on the presented attributes. The higher the number, the more favorable your opinion.
Repeat step 3 for all candidates in the election.
Share your ratings on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram.
Download/Print if you want.
If your opinion changes, login and make changes.
Definitions & Candidate Attributes
What is a Candidate Scorecard?
A Candidate Scorecard is a favorability rating scale that allows a voter to assign value to a variety of candidate attributes.
- Favorability Rating Scale – a method of using numbers to assign value to something, such as candidate attributes.
- Candidate Attributes – candidate qualities, characteristics, traits, beliefs, objectives, etc.
Candidate Attributes
This is a partial list of attributes. Attributes selected for rating, and points assigned, will be different depending on the election. For example, the attributes rated in a City Comptroller election will be different from the attributes rated in a high school student government election. We welcome feedback regarding attribute definitions and point values.
Integrity
Is the candidate ethical? Is the candidate honest and open? Does the candidate adhere to the rules of fair play? Is the candidate trustworthy, responsible, and accountable? Is the candidate dignified and respectful?
Policy Agenda
Job creation, public education, the environment, healthcare, housing, immigration, infrastructure, law & justice, police & military, public safety, regulations, taxes. How favorable is the candidate’s policy agenda?
Leadership
Can the candidate give examples that show how they have solved important problems? Can they give examples that show how they have led people to work together to achieve goals or solve problems?
People before Party
Is the candidate loyal to the voters or their political party? Can the candidate “cross party lines” to achieve the common good, or will they just “toe the party line”?
Communication Skills
Public speaking, interviews with journalists, interactions with voters, debates with other candidates, published writings such as opinion pieces. Regardless of whether or not you agree with the candidate’s message, how favorably do you view their skill at getting their message across?
Pragmatist or Ideologue
Is the candidate willing to compromise in pursuit of “the greater good”? Is the candidate able to accept achieving some portion of a desired outcome or is it “all or nothing”?
Education & Experience
How favorably do you view the candidate’s employment history? Their educational achievements? Their volunteer work? Their military service?
Personality Traits
The “big 5” personality traits include Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism. Does the candidate have the right temperament for this job?
Endorsements
How favorably do you view support for the candidate coming from current/former elected officials, unions, or their political party?
Electability
Anyone on the ballot has a shot at winning. But realistically, do you think this candidate can win this election?
Is there an election you’d like us to include on mycandidatescorecard.org?
Student Government, school board trustee, town mayor, governor, US President…we can customize candidate attributes to suit the needs of any group of voters. If there is an election you’d like us to consider, please email info@mycandidatescorecard.com
Please Give Feedback
We want to know what you think. Are these attribute definitions ok? Are there other attributes we should consider? Are they valued correctly? Please tell us. Thank you!