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Why Ballot Beacon exists

This is why we do this…

When ballot titles and summaries change after a measure qualifies, voters can be steered by wording instead of the text of the law. Ballot Beacon exists to give you plain-English clarity — without political spin.

Featured reporting · CBS Sacramento · July 23, 2026

Read the story

California attorney general criticized for changing wording of voter ID ballot measure

After Prop 39 qualified, the official title and summary changed — a case study in why ballot language can matter as much as the measure itself.

From our founder

You Shouldn't Need a Law Degree to Vote

Every election, millions of Americans are asked to vote on ballot measures they don't fully understand.

Not because they're uninformed. Because ballot language is often confusing, filled with legal jargon, and difficult to translate into real-world impact.

That's why I created Ballot Beacon.

We break down ballot measures into plain English so you can quickly understand what a proposal does, who it affects, what it costs, and what a Yes or No vote actually means. No political spin. No special interests. No BS.

Because democracy works best when voters understand what they're voting for.

Keith Harris

Founder, Ballot Beacon

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Effective Date: July 23, 2026

IMPORTANT: This document is a comprehensive policy and governance draft for Ballot Beacon. It is intended for review by California legal counsel before publication. It is not legal advice.

Welcome

Ballot Beacon is an independent educational publisher dedicated to helping people understand laws, ballot measures, elections, and government actions in plain English. Our mission is not to tell readers how to vote. Our mission is to help readers understand what they are voting on. We believe transparency, accuracy, editorial independence, and accountability are essential to public trust.

The Ballot Beacon Promise

We promise to explain government actions as clearly and accurately as reasonably possible, using publicly available information and good-faith editorial judgment. We will never knowingly publish false information, accept payment to alter editorial conclusions, or intentionally mislead readers. We welcome factual corrections supported by reliable evidence.

Editorial Independence

Ballot Beacon operates independently. Editorial decisions are not controlled by political parties, candidates, ballot committees, advocacy organizations, lobbyists, donors, advertisers, sponsors, or government agencies. Publication of a law, candidate, public official, organization, or ballot measure does not constitute endorsement or opposition unless expressly stated.

Editorial Standards

Our standards are Accuracy, Clarity, Independence, Transparency, Accountability, Fairness, Consistency, and Respect for readers. We seek to summarize complex material faithfully while improving readability. We distinguish between factual reporting, explanatory summaries, and clearly labeled opinion if opinion is ever published.

Research & Sources

Whenever practical we rely on official legislative text, Secretaries of State, election authorities, Congress, state legislatures, fiscal analyses, court opinions, agency publications, and other reliable public records. Secondary sources may be used for context but official records take precedence. If a Ballot Beacon summary differs from an official government document, the official document controls.

Educational Summaries

Ballot Beacon creates original educational summaries. Because our purpose is readability, summaries may omit procedural details, legal definitions, exceptions, cross-references, or technical language contained in official documents. Our summaries complement rather than replace official government materials.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence may assist with organization, drafting, translation, transcription, formatting, and summarization. AI does not replace human editorial judgment. Every published article, newsletter, graphic, ballot guide, or video is intended to receive meaningful human editorial review before publication.

Corrections Policy

Accuracy matters. Anyone may submit a correction request by emailing support@theballotbeacon.com. Requests should identify the article, the challenged statement, and provide supporting documentation from an official or reliable source. Ballot Beacon retains sole editorial discretion regarding corrections but will promptly review credible requests and update content when appropriate.

Funding & Conflicts

Ballot Beacon does not sell favorable editorial coverage. Sponsors, advertisers, donors, subscribers, affiliates, or business partners do not control editorial decisions. Any material conflict of interest known to Ballot Beacon relating to editorial content will be disclosed when appropriate.

Informational Use Only

All content is provided solely for educational and informational purposes. Nothing on Ballot Beacon constitutes legal, financial, tax, investment, accounting, medical, or other professional advice. No attorney-client, fiduciary, advisory, or professional relationship is created by use of this website.

User Responsibility

Readers remain solely responsible for decisions made using information published by Ballot Beacon. Users should independently verify important information through official government sources before making legal, financial, business, regulatory, or voting decisions.

Terms of Use

By accessing Ballot Beacon you agree to these policies. You agree not to use the site unlawfully, interfere with its operation, impersonate Ballot Beacon, scrape substantial portions of content, misrepresent summaries, or violate applicable intellectual property rights.

Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise stated, all Ballot Beacon articles, graphics, newsletters, videos, logos, databases, layouts, and educational content are protected by copyright and other applicable law. You may share links and brief attributed quotations. Reproduction or redistribution of substantial portions requires written permission.

Third-Party Links

External links are provided as a convenience only. Ballot Beacon is not responsible for the content, privacy practices, accuracy, security, or availability of third-party websites.

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Subscribers may receive newsletters and service announcements. Users may unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time. Personal information will be handled in accordance with Ballot Beacon’s Privacy Policy.

Disclaimer of Warranties

This website and its content are provided “as is” and “as available” without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, availability, completeness, or uninterrupted operation.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Ballot Beacon shall not be liable for direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, punitive, or similar damages arising from use of this website or reliance upon its content. If liability is established, maximum liability shall not exceed the greater of $100 or the amount paid by the user during the preceding twelve months.

Indemnification

Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless Ballot Beacon, its owners, officers, employees, contractors, editors, contributors, licensors, successors, and affiliates from claims arising from misuse of the website or violation of these policies.

Governing Law & Venue

These policies are governed by California law. Unless prohibited by law, disputes shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Orange County, California. Ballot Beacon recommends that arbitration, class-action waiver, and venue provisions be finalized by California legal counsel before publication.

Changes

Ballot Beacon may update this document from time to time. Continued use of the website after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised policies.

Contact

Support Email: support@theballotbeacon.com
Phone: (888) 630-1688
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Closing Commitment

Ballot Beacon is committed to accurate, understandable, and nonpartisan educational information. We believe citizens deserve access to clear explanations of the laws and public policies that shape everyday life. We welcome constructive feedback, credible corrections, and thoughtful dialogue. Our mission is not to tell you how to vote. Our mission is to help you understand what you are voting on.