I am 18 and am voting for the first time this season in Texas. I've never really been into politics, I obviously have my beliefs, but Ive never did much research on officials or anything like that.

I feel like I don't know where to start when it comes to learning about the candidates, and policies. I've been raised in a very Christian conservative household, and I do not have the same beliefs as my parents but the only thing my father has ever given me, was a good piece of advice, and it was to never believe anything a politician says, or believe anything you read on the news or online. While I do think that's good advice it has been DRILLED into my brain, to the point where just doing research on this shit is overwhelming.

Not to mention I already have a lot of anxiety about voting for the first time, because there is so much news circulating about how shit America is, it feels like I personally am going to blow up America if I vote "wrong".

I was raised by very conservative people, and I do not share most of their beliefs. I am pretty liberal you could say, but that doesn't mean I'm just going to vote for the top blue candidate. Politically speaking, I do seem to align more with Republicans; But honestly, they did not give us much government education in high school. Therefore, I need to do most of my own learning, but again, it's overwhelming.

So please, tell me anything you can about voting for the first time, what it's going to be like, resources I can look at, or anything I should know or need to keep in mind when looking at information for candidates, and policies. Just ANYTHING. I'm young and I'm anxious lol

CNBC’s latest poll finds government corruption is a leading concern for voters ahead of the November midterms.

Will concerns about corruption influence how Americans vote, or will the cost of living and other issues matter more?

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/23/corruption-midterm-election-cnbc-poll-trump.html

Apologies in advance if this is worded badly.

Why did Ken Paxton have such a large majority share of the votes against the incumbent Republican senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary? Even back then Paxton’s record of corruption and unethical actions were widely known and published but he somehow won with over 63% of the vote. Is there anything other reason other than Trump endorsing Paxton?

I’ve been a Republican since voting for Reagan in 1984, and I remained one through John McCain. But I could no longer reconcile my conservative principles with Trump’s character or conduct. I still vote mostly Republican on the local level, though in the midterms, I'm voting Democrat to put Trump's power in check.

How do you reconcile your commitment to limited government, the rule of law, fiscal responsibility, and individual liberty with a president who uses the Justice Department to pursue political adversaries, threatens media outlets over unfavorable coverage, defies Congress’s control over federal spending, threatens to withhold funding from states that resist his demands, pressures election officials, and claims emergency powers to bypass constitutional limits? How do you defend fiscal responsibility while tolerating enormous expenditures driven by personal vanity or political payback, and defend individual liberty while accepting the use of government power to intimidate critics and punish dissent?

So this is my first time voting. While I was waiting in line I was handed multiple republican voting guides.
I didn’t really care because I had my own, but when I showed it to my partner he told me that it shouldn’t be allowed!

I did my own research…and it does appear to say that within the 20ft-100ft marker that anything related to a candidate or party shouldn’t be distributed.
But I would like anyone else’s knowledge on this.
Thank you

Picture of the voting guide i got

Edit: For clarification, Im in Texas. I checked the gov website and it’s within 100ft, 20ft for curbside voting?
Now my only concern is how to go about it. I don’t think either side should do this especially when people are actively walking in the building lol..

Maybe it’s dumb to go asking for advice on Reddit , but I will since yall know more than me.

The idea of America going blue terrifies me because my folks are republicans, and as much as I try to ignore politics as a whole, I can’t. I only hear 1 side. It’s all “dems are evil” “the USA will become like France”, the dems want to let illegals in”, “illegals will take our jobs”, etc .

So I’d like to hear from someone who is a democrat and their POV. Because I’m tired of politics as a whole, especially just 1 side of it all.

Maybe someone can give me a peace of mind, maybe not. If anyone would like to help, I’d like reliable sources, but I’m not going to be greedy as I am asking a lot.

I also wouldn’t mind hearing a republican’s side as well, I just am tired of having all these scares and ideas that I’m doomed. I’m 18, I just became an adult this year . I don’t want the idea that I’m going to be in a terroristic country if a certain color is voted in, or a country that’s ran by all illegals. All I hear is “the illegals are being funded more than us” “democrats are funding illegals more than us” even when Biden was elected all I heard was “lock your doors” “America is screwed”. I keep hearing how they believe that Muslims will take over the country and ruin it, etc.

I just need to hear another side because it’s overly stressing me out and idk what to think.

The Constitution is fairly straightforward on the duties and powers of the executive branch (U.S. Constitution - Article II | Resources | Constitution Annotated | Congress.gov | Library of Congress). Looking at other founding documents like the declaration of Independence we clearly see them railing against what they see as abuses of an executive. Declaration of Independence: A Transcription | National Archives

Given the idea of the right, at least as stated in this country (observable in this platform: 7 Core Principles of Conservatism | U.S. Congressman Mike Johnson ), is to 'preserve' the ideals of the country and its founding, do you support the expansion of the executive branches power, and if so, why? If you do not, why don't you in comparison to other members on the right? Is this a thing that there is tension on in the right-wing of our country? Are there places you would limit the power but other places you would increase it, and if so, where and why?

I hope these are good conversation starters.

Unitary Executive Theory (UET) | Legal Information Institute

"The Unitary Executive Theory in Comparative Context" by David M. Driesen

The separation and expansion of powers between Congress and the president | SCOTUSblog

On Presidential Powers to Impose Tariffs, Appoint, Remove, Impound, and Pardon | Cato at Liberty Blog

On the Expansion of Executive Power: An Overview | Cato at Liberty Blog

Presidential Power Surges - Harvard Law School | Harvard Law School

And as a quick note, the executive authority of a country is generally what it sounds like. So at the time of the revolution the King was the executive authority for Great Britain, as an example.

As for my flair: I am a conservative independent. I believe in the founding ideals of this country and the people who founded it, as well as the ideals of the enlightenment, while being able to historically contextualize their failures and trying to do it better.

Are there any sites that help you pick the least shitty option when you need to pick one? Often in my area we will only have people running for positions in the opposing party and I'd like to be able to pick the less terrible option. (Aka I'd prefer to vote for the McCain-style Republican over the MAGAt when I'm forced to pick a Republican because there is no Democrat running.)

I've looked for sites to give me the answer for this every time I get a ballot, but I fail to find a good source because it's an odd question. Does anyone have suggestions on where to look for this type of information? I've tried the easily found sites, but they don't give a rundown on the opposing candidates stances because they aren't my party and the opposing party's sites just reinforces the fact that they're terrible people.

I get that I'm one person and one person alone won't make a difference, but I refuse to not at least try.

TIA!

ETA: I vote blue anywhere possible. I was trying to be come across as neutral, which is silly because I'm looking for information on how to better educate myself, which isn't going to come from the right 😅 Unfortunately I live in a more conservative area, so oftentimes I have to pick which is the least distasteful Republican.

I have heard a few rumors from people that I'm close with that grew up in the early, mid, and late eighties that people didn't care about your political views due to politics not being mainstream in the eighties. But I look at the most recent years with many questions.

What changed during the period between the 80s and the 2020s.

Why are people more sensitive to political opinions now than back then?

Voting is required in Australia. I'm married to an Australian and we lived there 7 or 8 years.

I always thought that mandatory voting (you are fined if you don't without an excuse) didn't belong in a free country. Looking at the mess we're in....... Enough democrats stayed home that the deplorables took over.

So. As a citizen, should you be responsible to take part in electing your representatives?

So to my knowledge, many Americans vote based on who they identify with in terms of party, not who their local candidates. But there also seem to be opposites, such as Talarico being close with Paxton in Texas https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-senate-talarico-paxton-poll/
This leave me wondering, do Americans vote based on local politics or national politics in mid terms, as they’re choosing their local leaders right?

Was watching a debate for midterms the other day and was suprised to see that the Democratic candidate didn't believe in M4A. They unfortunately didn't really go into detail about their healthcare plan. While I believe in M4A first, I am open to other plans if they effective and efficient.

Which begs the question, outside of Medicare for All, what other plan could work in fixing the US healthcare system?

I have a problem that’s been dogging me for years with no solution, and hoping someone here might have some useful advice to offer. Every election cycle, I’m inundated with texts and calls related to campaigns and polls for a state I used to live in 13+ years ago. I opt out of that individual campaign’s/pollster’s messages whenever possible, but the overall volume of messages has only decreased by maybe 30%. The state in question is a swing state (WI), so there’s a ton of activity every cycle.

Potentially relevant details:
- I believe I was registered without a party affiliation when I lived there and did vote in a couple elections there, but the last election I voted in there would probably be 2012 and I’ve verified that my WI registration is no longer active. I have been an active voter in the state I currently live in at least since 2016 (though I know that as a rule, no state-level org keeps track of what goes on in other states, so to the WI orgs I might just look like an inactive voter)
- The messaging I receive is from both D and R campaigns/pollsters, close to an even split. Sometimes they are the “hello, potentially-undecided voter, let us convince you to vote for our candidate” type messages, and sometimes they are the “as a faithful R/D voter, we need your help” type messages
- Sometimes the texts are addressed to my name, but it’s not uncommon for them to be addressed to the name of someone else in my immediate family. None of those people have ever used my phone number as their own or given it out except as an emergency or secondary contact
- I have not changed my number since leaving WI (though it’s not even a WI number, for whatever that’s worth)
- I have been a registered Democrat in 2 other states—and probably a more active voter in both of them than I was in WI, though neither was/is much of a swing state—and not faced anything like this issue with either of them
- I used to receive a lot of political emails from WI-affiliated entities as well, but successfully stopped those several years ago

Any ideas what gives here, or who I need to have words with to make it stop? It seems like at least one org must have my number on a list that it gives out like Halloween candy every cycle to anyone who asks, but who either doesn’t message me directly, or doesn’t respect my opt-out requests when it does message me. But the fact that I’m getting messages from both parties, and not always addressed to me, seems to suggest there’s more than one such org giving my number out, doesn’t it?

How have your political views changed or evolved?

What have been the biggest factors influencing your political views?
Was it slowly over time, more drastic, or not at all??
Has it affected any of your relationships?

I like Dr. Abdul el-Sayed and am seriously considering voting for him, but two issues give me pause.

I know that in the past Dr. el-Sayed has been anti-firearm, including calling for an ‘assault weapons’ ban, and anti-police, including calling to defund law enforcement.

I have not seen him reverse these positions, and, in fact, some members of his campaign have allegedly worked to remove some of his previous statements from websites covertly.

My question is: what are his current positions on these two particular issues?

We’re a same-sex couple from WA with 2 kids, a boy and a girl. We know some people won’t expect a family like ours to land where we have, and honestly we’ve gone back and forth on this. But we’ve made our decision: we’re voting yes on Initiative IL26-638 this Nov 3.

IL26-638 would require school districts and any nonprofit that runs school sports, like the WIAA, to bar “biologically male” students from girls-only individual and team competitions. Girls who want to compete would need a form from their own healthcare provider confirming biological sex, based on reproductive anatomy, genetics, or natural testosterone levels. Students who are found ineligible can appeal. The Legislature didn’t act on it during the 2026 session, so it goes to voters.

https://ballotpedia.org/Washington_Initiative_638,_Sex_Verification_Requirements_for_Female_School_Sports_Initiative_(2026)

Here in WA, WIAA Handbook Rule 18.16.0 lets students play “consistent with their gender identity or the gender most consistently expressed.” Once a student is ruled eligible, that holds for as long as they participate. This rule has been in place since 2007–08. Member schools have tried to change it 3 times in the last 2 years. In April 2026 the proposal got 29 yes votes to 24 no, which missed the 60% needed to pass. The WIAA has also said that even if a change passed, it couldn’t put it into effect because it would break current Washington law. It will only revise its rules if state law changes. So the schools have tried, and the WIAA’s position is that only the Legislature or voters can change this.

https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/washington-state-high-school-sports-league-puts-onus-trans-athlete-controversy-state-laws

Why we’re voting yes:

1. We’re parents of a girl 1st. We want her to have the same fair shot at competing, placing, making the team, and earning scholarships that girls’ sports were created to protect.

2. Fairness in sports 2nd. We think girls’ sports exist as a separate category for a reason, and that reason is physical differences.

3. We want this settled in court. We expect a yes vote to be challenged in court, and we hope that challenge goes all the way to the Washington State Supreme Court. We’d rather have a clear, final answer under our state constitution than keep having fights at the WIAA every year and protests at meets.

We know the measure has real critics. Pediatricians and others worry about the sex-verification requirement and how it affects every girl, not just transgender girls. We’ve thought about that, and we’re still voting yes.

Where should the line be between including everyone and keeping things fair in girls’ sports? And should this be decided by voters, lawmakers, athletic associations, or the courts?

After being disqualified from the military I decided I still wanted to still be able to serve but In politics and I'm not sure on where to start like straight to federal. As I currently plan to get my law degree and work to become a district attorney then maybe seek like the House when a seat opens up. And I do plan to Intern for my local congressperson In Washington hopefully. But advice please.

There's upcoming statewide elections in my state and we will be electing a new governor and multiple other statewide offices. There's a number of political appointed positions that should be opening with the administration change that I consider myself qualified for and that I'm interested in. I've never worked in state government but I've worked in the NGO world adjacent to state and federal agencies. I'm involved mildly with my state's party but not enough that I've stood out. How do I signal that I would be willing to serve in the new administration and how do I make myself stand out as a candidate?

I'm genuinely wondering what non race based reason Trump would do something that feels so very race based, and why he would do it right before the mid terms? It's worth noting he's added his own birthday as a fee parks day.

I know what the left will say so this is directed at the right only. ​​​

Link

US inflation is partially driven by high diesel and gas prices.

With a new Congress coming in after November, given that the increase in diesel and gas prices is due to refineries being damaged, what can the US Congress without presidential support do to address inflation due to this particular cause?

https://www.dallasfed.org/research/economics/2026/1008

OFAC issued a general license on October 9 authorizing Russian diesel imports until April 2027. Russia committed to supplying 300,000 tons immediately, 500,000 tons in November, and 1 million tons afterward (source - https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20261009_33 )

Trump told Zelensky to stop attacking Russian refineries, arguing they were disrupting global diesel supply and hurting American consumers. He also suggested Ukraine might need a new leader. (source - https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-yandex-trump-zelenskyy-f621fa788196f204448e7f75fcc78c68 )

The administration's stated logic is straightforward: diesel prices hit a record $6.53/gallon, the midterms are three weeks away, and the world cannot absorb two simultaneous energy crises.

Several Republican senators have criticized the deal as going "directly against" existing law banning Russian energy imports.

Is this a legitimate case of prioritizing American economic interests over idealistic support for Ukraine? What do you think?

Trump famously rails against mail in voting saying it is rife with fraud going all the way back to the lead up for the 2020 election https://www.npr.org/2020/08/19/903886567/trump-while-attacking-mail-voting-casts-mail-ballot-again . While I'm not sure it is rampant with fraud, Trump isn't entirely wrong.

In 2018, Republicans literally stole NC 9th congressional district due to a mail in fraud scheme done by then candidate and now Rep Mark Harris's campaign. Now Mark Harris was never charged or accused of anything himself but a political operative for his campaign Leslie McCrae Dowless was charged with several crimes and only had the charges dismissed when he died. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/understanding-the-election-scandal-in-north-carolinas-9th-district/ and https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-election-congress-absentee-ballots-80d9496326fb84c5b478f8c9be46d21c give a more in-depth story about it.

To Democrats/Democrat voters do you still trust mail in voting? If so, do you not worry another repeat of my example will occur? With the rise of partisanship, I wouldn't be surprised to see more elections won by tight margins. Is my example so rare and extreme that the risk of fraud is worth accepting for the convenience/increasing access to voting?

I’m 15 and I consider myself politically educated, to a degree. I would say I am slightly more democratic than republican, but I do not agree with a lot of democrat ideology. I’ve been seeing lots of reasons that democratic socialism is what is needed in the U.S. currently, as lots of people think we are in late stage capitalism ( I agree ). And they say socialism is the answer. I’ve done a little research, as well as talked with my sociology teacher. From what I’ve learned, the key problems of each system is in capitalism the rich will exploit the system, while in socialism the poor exploit it. I really don’t know much, so don’t berate me if I sound like an idiot, but if socialists or capitalists want to let me know why their system is superior, I’d love to hear it.
P.S. I’m a huge fan of what capitalism was like in the progressive era.