Originally published on 9.28.22

As the 2022 mid-term elections loom closer and closer, we’re again inundated with mass amounts of political advertising. Whether it be smear campaigns before your YouTube videos or texts asking for donations to “save America from eminent peril,” they’re out in full swing.

While I believe everyone should get out on Nov. 8 and vote, or make plans to vote ahead of time, I also believe you should change the channel. Mute your phone, ignore the social media posts from politicians and do your own independent research on their positions and the ballot measures we’ll be voting on.

If you’re a Michigan voter, you’ll see six candidate pairs for governor and lieutenant governor, candidates for secretary of state, attorney general and various other offices depending on your jurisdiction.

The people that we elect work for us. Our tax dollars pay their salaries. I believe it’s more than worth it to take some time and learn their positions to ensure that the candidates you’re voting for align with your values. You also need to know the full story, which is something you’ll never get from these rosy pieces of noise pollution.

The Michigan Voter Information Center, a Department of the State branch, has an online “What’s on the ballot?” tool to show you what you’ll see on your ballot. You’ll input information about your location, which can all be found on the Michigan state voter registration card, and it will show off all of the races you’ll be voting on.