Poll: Do Newspaper Endorsements Influence How You Vote in Elections?

As a policy, Patch does not endorse candidates in elections. But we back any effort to explore all sides of a race or ballot initiative. We have a standing invitation to all incumbents and office-seekers to blog on Patch—giving them direct, unfiltered access to their communities.

But it’s traditional for newspapers to endorse candidates for local, state and national office. Locally, U-T San Diego on Sunday used a wrap-around of the front page to display its editorial backing of Carl DeMaio for San Diego mayor.

In light of media fracturing—with many sources of news and opinion available—do newspaper endorsements still carry any weight? Do people take cues from the local metro daily or the free weeklies? Or are these efforts now meaningless?