New Online Tool Helps Greater Lynchburg Voters Research Candidates Before Nov. 3 Election

Elections Simplified uses AI-assisted research to compile candidate records, campaign contributions and ballot information ahead of the midterm elections.

LYNCHBURG, Va. — With the Nov. 3 midterm elections approaching, Lynchburg-area voters have another online resource to help them learn about the candidates and issues appearing on their ballots.

Lynchburg Agenda rarely ventures into political coverage, but we believe helping readers access information about candidates and ballot issues is a worthwhile public service. Sharing this resource should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any candidate, political party or the website itself.

Elections Simplified uses artificial intelligence and publicly available records to help voters examine candidates' actions, voting histories and campaign contributions rather than relying solely on campaign advertising and promises.

The free website allows users to enter an address or ZIP code to identify elections in their area and explore information about candidates and ballot measures.

How the website works

After entering an address, users can explore the races identified for their voting districts.

Candidate profiles organize information by issue, drawing on voting records, sponsored legislation, professional backgrounds and other available documentation. The website also provides links to supporting sources so users can examine the underlying information.

For ballot questions, Elections Simplified offers plain-language explanations of what a yes or no vote would mean.

Another feature, called "vote power," uses district population and an assessment of race competitiveness to compare the potential influence of an individual vote across different contests.

The rating is calculated by the platform and is not an official election assessment.

What we found testing Lynchburg and Bedford County addresses

Lynchburg Agenda tested the website using residential addresses in the city of Lynchburg and neighboring Bedford County.

For the Lynchburg residential address, Elections Simplified identified six contests and ballot questions for the Nov. 3 election:

• Lynchburg City Council: Three at-large seats are up for election.
• U.S. House of Representatives: Virginia's 5th Congressional District.
• U.S. Senate: Virginia's statewide Senate race.
• Constitutional Amendment Question 1: Reproductive freedom.
• Constitutional Amendment Question 2: Marriage equality.
• Constitutional Amendment Question 3: Voting rights and restoration of voting rights.

With the City of Lynchburg address, the platform assigned the City Council race a "high" vote power rating, while the congressional race and three constitutional questions received "above average" ratings. The U.S. Senate race was rated "average."

The Bedford County address returned five contests and ballot questions. The only difference was the Lynchburg City Council race, which appeared for the city address but not the Bedford County address.

The results demonstrate how the website tailors election information to a voter's location. However, readers should consult official sample ballots to confirm the contests and questions applicable to their addresses.

Understanding the proposed amendments

Lynchburg Agenda also explored how the website explains Virginia's proposed constitutional amendments.

Selecting the amendment concerning voting rights restoration brought up a summary of the proposal, along with separate explanations of what a "yes" or "no" vote would mean.

The page also provided links to the official amendment text, the Virginia Department of Elections and other supporting sources.

The feature allows readers to review the underlying documents rather than relying exclusively on the website's interpretation.

How AI is used to research candidates

According to Elections Simplified, artificial intelligence performs two primary functions: researching publicly available records and translating complicated legislative language into summaries that are easier to understand.

The website draws from government records and other sources its developers consider credible, including legislative voting histories and campaign finance disclosures.

The organization says human reviewers participate in checking the information before publication.

Elections Simplified describes itself as an independent, nonpartisan service funded by its founders and reader contributions. It says it does not accept money from candidates, political campaigns or political parties.

However, the organization acknowledges that its research may not cover every race and that some information may be incomplete or outdated.

The website also allows users to report information they believe is inaccurate or improperly categorized.

Why the website was created

Elections Simplified grew out of a problem its creator, Shu Yang, encountered when preparing to vote: a ballot filled with unfamiliar names and limited information about the candidates beyond their campaign advertising.

In a recent interview, Yang, an information technology professional, explained that he began exploring whether artificial intelligence could make public records more accessible to voters.

He enlisted four friends with differing political perspectives to help develop the website. The five-person team works remotely on the project in its spare time.

Rather than emphasizing campaign promises, Yang said the website focuses on documented actions, including legislative voting records, campaign contributions and professional backgrounds.

He acknowledged that incumbent officeholders generally have more extensive public records than first-time candidates. For newcomers, the website may instead present available professional and career information.

Yang said the developers plan to continue updating the platform for future elections.

Another resource for Lynchburg-area voters

The website can be used to research elections in Lynchburg and surrounding Bedford, Campbell, Amherst and Appomattox counties, although Lynchburg Agenda has tested addresses only in Lynchburg and Bedford County.

Residents can explore the platform at electionssimplified.com.

Voters should review the website's supporting sources, particularly when evaluating AI-generated summaries.

For official election information, including polling locations, voter registration and the contests appearing on individual ballots, residents should consult the Virginia Department of Elections.

Virginia's polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voters in line by 7 p.m. will be permitted to vote.