youth Voting for the first time can be exciting, empowering and -- if you head to the polls without doing your homework -- downright daunting. That's especially true in California, where voters are typically asked to weigh in on a litany of issues and candidates for both statewide and local races.

Next week's midterm election on November 4 is no exception: the ballot is thick and dense, with lots of contests that can seem pretty obscure or just plain irrelevant, particularly for young voters.

With that in mind, a team of researchers at Youth Radio looked over statewide propositions as well as local measures in Bay Area cities, and picked out the handful of races that seemed most directly relevant to young voters. The result: this nifty, interactive guide, boiling down the issues and presenting the pros and cons. Take it with you to the polls (or use it to even find your polling place). For a more detailed rundown of statewide propositions, also check out KQED's comprehensive election guide.

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Bay Area Ballot Measures Relevant to Young Folks: A Youth Radio Prop Guide