Beta · v1.0.0-beta.2
Decode your ballot with your own values
A nonpartisan guide that shows what each measure actually does, which claims hold up, and how every contest fits your values, not a party's. The AI work runs in your own Claude; this site guides you, checks the results and lays them out.
Step 1: Your values
Claude interviews you (about 20–30 minutes) about what matters to you, then writes a values.json file. There are no party labels, and you can skip any question.
How to use it in Claude (2 minutes, one time)
Option A: Skill (recommended).
- On claude.ai, open Settings → Capabilities and make sure Code execution and file creation is on (so Claude can hand you a file).
- In Skills, choose Upload skill and pick the .zip you downloaded. It appears as
rivg-values-interview. - Start a new chat and say:
Start my values interview
Option B: Project. Create a Project (for example, "Voter Guide"), open its instructions, and paste the whole .md file. Start a chat in that Project and say Start my values interview.
Claude runs on your own subscription, so this site never sees your conversation.
Step 2: Your ballot
a. Check the library
If your ballot overlaps one that's already been decoded, start from it. Claude then only decodes what's missing, which saves time.
b. Decode and score it in Claude
- Get your official voter guide PDF: the county sample ballot and voter pamphlet, plus your state's voter guide if it has one. Search for "[your county] sample ballot" on your county elections site; many counties also email it.
- Download the Ballot Decoder pack and add it to Claude (same steps as Step 1).
- Attach the PDF(s), your
values.json, and the library file if one fits. SayDecode my ballot. - When Claude asks about Dig Deeper (web research on funding, endorsements, and views from left and right), we recommend yes. It takes longer.
How to use it in Claude (2 minutes, one time)
Option A: Skill (recommended).
- On claude.ai, open Settings → Capabilities and make sure Code execution and file creation is on (so Claude can hand you a file).
- In Skills, choose Upload skill and pick the .zip you downloaded. It appears as
rivg-ballot-decoder. - Start a new chat, attach your voter guide PDF and values.json, and say:
Decode my ballot
Option B: Project. Create a Project (for example, "Voter Guide"), open its instructions, and paste the whole .md file. Start a chat in that Project, attach your voter guide PDF and values.json, and say Decode my ballot.
Claude runs on your own subscription, so this site never sees your conversation.
Tip: finish Step 1 first so Claude can score the ballot against your values.
Step 3: Decide
Go through each contest: what it actually does, which claims hold up, how it fits your values, and how measures interact. Record your first instinct and your final pick, then print your cheat sheet.