Summary: <p><span>Research </span><a href="https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2016/11/7/13553496/down-ballot-vote-local-elections-informed-voter">shows that more than 30% of voters often don’t even bother filling out their entire ballot</a><span>. Is it apathy or a lack of information about some of the less covered and more obscure races and candidates? In our week-long series "DOWNBALLOT," we'll be exploring what some of those down ballot elected officials actually do, what you should consider when you're voting for them, and how you can get research the candidates so that you can feel empowered and make an informed vote. </span>First, we speak to<span> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/phd_unicorn">Bridgett King</a><span>, <a href="https://cla.auburn.edu/directory/bridgett-king/">Associate Professor of political science at Auburn University</a>, to learn why some voters don't vote for their entire ballot, and ways in which that can change. </span><span>Then we hear from<span> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/alexniemczewski">Alex Niemczewski</a>,<span> </span><span>Founder and</span><span> </span><span>CEO of<span> </span><a href="https://www.ballotready.org">BallotReady</a>, a non-partisan organization, about how<span> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/BallotReady">BallotReady</a><span> </span>is working to build a more engaged and informed electorate, and how voters can use it for to feel more confident in voting down ballot.</span></span></p>
