| All elections boards keep records of the results in | | | | deadline, not so much because it is easier for the |
| every political campaign election going back for | | | | elections office clerks, but because the earlier you |
| several years. These records are public records | | | | pick your number, the sooner you will know what |
| and can be obtained at you local elections office. | | | | you have to do to win. |
| The people who work in elections offices are | | | | Analyzing the campaign issues and statistics is |
| usually pretty good about helping you find what | | | | pretty simple. You look to see how other races |
| you need. We have always found them to be | | | | turned out, paying particular attention to those |
| polite and helpful. | | | | years where there were races similar to yours. A |
| You should keep in mind, however, that elections | | | | three-way race is a lot different than a |
| offices are always in a boom or bust cycle. | | | | one-on-one political campaign, and of course the |
| Shortly before the filing deadline for the primary | | | | winning number of votes is lower. |
| campaign season they are very busy, so if you | | | | If one year there was a hot local campaign issue, |
| go in then and ask to see the statistics, they | | | | like a tax levy, it was likely to have increased |
| might give you short shrift. | | | | voter turnout for that year and you have to take |
| A week later, they will probably have plenty of | | | | that into account when figuring out how many |
| time and be glad to help with your campaign | | | | likely voters there will be in your particular election. |
| issues. The best time is long before the filing | | | | |