As a nonprofit newsroom, The Oaklandside doesn’t choose sides during elections. You won’t find us telling you who or what to vote for. We believe it’s our job to provide news and information — not opinion.

But opinions have lots of value; they’re worth reporting on. Lots of groups and individuals spend considerable time researching the candidates and measures and recommending their favorites based on their goals and beliefs.

If you’re like most voters and you haven’t had time to deeply research the candidates and issues, and you’re looking for a place to get started, one useful exercise is to see how established political groups feel about the people running for office and the measures on the ballot. 

For the 2026 General Election, we’ve rounded up lots of voter guides that focus on local races and issues. 

If we missed a guide you think we should include, let us know and we’ll consider adding it. (Note: we’re not including endorsements made by candidates.)

ACCE: This organizing group is known in Oakland for its work on tenants’ rights issues. Their local chapter has endorsed a few Oakland school board candidates, and they weigh in on state propositions and races.

Alameda County Democratic Party: The local Dems are meticulous about making endorsements in every election. This year, they’ve put their stamp of approval on candidates running in almost every city, special district, and transit agency in Alameda County.

Alameda County Republican Party: The local GOP hasn’t yet updated its 2026 election page, but they usually do list endorsements. We’ll update this when they chime in.

Alameda Labor Council: The umbrella organization for organized labor in our region, representing over 135,000 workers in many industries.

APEN Action: Organizing California’s Asian and Pacific Islander communities around environmental justice issues, APEN is very active in Oakland.

California Working Families Party: This coalition of community groups and labor unions with over 100,000 members endorses statewide and local races. 

East Bay Housing Organizations: EBHO advocates for affordable housing across the Bay Area, and during elections, they focus on ballot measures and state propositions they think will help or hinder that goal.

East Bay Young Democrats: Concerned about inequality, climate change, education and housing costs, this group of 14 to 35 year olds has recommendations for city council, mayor, and local ballot measures.

East Bay 4 Everyone: One of the Bay Area’s pro-housing activist groups, they pay close attention to ballot measures affecting housing and transit, and local candidates with some power to do something.

Empower Oakland: Founded by former councilmember Loren Taylor, this organization produces a detailed voter guide each year. Its volunteers speak to candidates, create questionnaires, and analyze measures before deciding who and what to support.

IFPTE Local 21: A branch of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers union, Local 21 represents lots of city of Oakland workers.

League of Women Voters of Oakland: This non-partisan, good-government advocacy group’s approach is to give you a detailed list of pros and cons for local ballot measures, and provide links to lots of information about the city council, school board, and mayoral candidates.

Metropolitan-Oakland Greater Democratic Club: The MGO is affiliated with the Democratic Party and exists to spread the Dems’ ideas and values and make endorsements.

Oakland Rising Action: This political organization is “focused on supporting leaders who drive a progressive agenda dedicated to racial, economic and environmental justice.” ORA’s voter guide includes endorsements for mayor, school board, city ballot measures, and recommendations for state voter propositions.

SEIU 1021: One of California’s biggest unions, the Local 1021 arm represents lots of city of Oakland workers and other public-sector employees in healthcare and social work.

Sierra Club San Francisco Bay Chapter: Over 100 years old, this environmental group advocates for conservation of Northern California’s wild places and wildlife, and works for environmental justice.

SPUR: Over 100 years old, the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association is focused on housing, land use, transportation, and other local and regional policy matters. Their 16-person Oakland ballot analysis committee has recommendations for city measures.

Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club: Founded to advance the causes of peace, environmental justice, labor, campaign finance reform, and healthcare, these progressive Democrats are always active in local elections.

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