This year I'm trying out using more AI to help me be an informed voter. It has been fun and so far it looks like a solid approach. So far deepseek.com is by far the best with helping me, which is ironic considering China's government. I've also tried chatgpt, claude, gemini, copilot. The following is my prompt to help me vote and to also help me identify issues to communicate with candidates and current representatives.
--Begin prompt
I currently live in Orem, Utah, U. S. A. and am registered as a Republican.
I'd like help in refining my views of government and comparing them with candidates I must choose between in elections. I'd also like help in identifying key issues or votes where I should communicate my views to my representives or candidates.
Here are some of my views regarding government:
As a U. S. citizen, I believe it's important to be an informed voter
I believe government at all levels has grown far beyond what's appropriate -- scale it back, maximize freedom, minimize taxes and debt
The U. S. Constitution should be followed contrary to many actions over many years
Our exploding national debt is destroying our nation and putting our children's future at risk - start decreasing the debt and never vote to increase it
Money should not be forcibly taken from one and given to another (e.g., charity is voluntary, not forced)
I generally agree with many views espoused by Senator Rand Paul, Dr. Ben Carson
I've found some legislative indexes useful such as those at limitedgov.org, Freedom Index, Heritage Action Scorecard, Club for Growth, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste
For the primary election coming up:
For the position, "Republican for U. S. House District 3" I must choose between Celeste Maloy and Phil Lyman
For the position, "Republican for County Commission Seat A" I must choose between Brent V. Bowles and Michelle Kaufusi
For the position, "Republican for County Commission Seat B" I must choose between Isaac Paxman, David M. Spencer, and Carolina Herrin
For the position, "Republican for County Clerk", I must choose between Aaron Davidson and Corey K Astill
--End prompt
Here are my choices so far for the Utah County primary election this month, and a summary of my reasons. I used information the AI produced, but also used my original process which includes information from the candidates own website plus further research.
Republican for U. S. House District 3
--- Numerous votes in congress to increase spending and violate the party platform according to limitedgov.org
--- Poor support for party platform (grade C) according to limitedgov.org
++ Consistently voted with the conservative minority against state budgets and new spending while in the Utah House.
++ Seems to be aligned with my principles on limited government and reducing debt
Republican for County Commission Seat A
++ Nominated at party convention
++ Strong on limited government and reducing expenses
+ More political experience
-- More than doubled Provo's debt with a decrease in population during her term as mayor
Republican for County Commission Seat B
-- More than doubled Provo's debt with a decrease in population during his term as deputy mayor
+++ I like several of his votes on the Orem city council
++ Strong alignment with my principles of limited government and reducing cost
+ claims to be a fiscal conservative
Republican for County Clerk
- Responded to my email without reading it
++ Seems brave enough to stand up for issues with our elections
+- Eventually responded with a thankyou for pointing out on error on his website, although still left questions unanswered by his opponent's criticisms of him
- Seems to have made many mistakes as a manager
++ Saved money and improved security for elections by encouraging drop boxes
++ Good experience
+ Seems to understand that the county clerk position is not about politics
-- Seems to make many claims against opponent that appear false