candidatefirst

CandidateFirst is a term used in civic technology and political analysis to describe a voter-centric approach to presenting information about political candidates. The approach prioritizes accessibility and relevance, organizing data to help voters compare candidates quickly and make informed decisions.

The concept emerged from discussions about improving transparency in elections and reducing information overload. It is employed by information portals, election guides, and civic-tech platforms that curate data about candidates' policy positions, voting records, endorsements, campaign finance, and biographical details.

Typical features include concise summaries of policy stances, side-by-side comparisons, relevance scoring based on a voter’s stated issues, filters by geography or issue area, and links to primary sources. Interfaces emphasize plain language, nonpartisan presentation, and accessibility for users with disabilities.

Supporters argue it helps voters focus on substantive differences and reduces cognitive load. Critics warn that any scoring or prioritization can introduce bias, that data may be incomplete or outdated, and that the approach depends on the quality of the underlying data.

Related concepts include civic tech, voter information portals, and candidate evaluation frameworks.