How do you collect information on the candidates and the propositions?

You can collect information on the candidates and the propositions by propositions being able to be sent to the ballot by both the state legislature and the citizens themselves. To gain official ballot status a certain amount of petition signatures must be gathered and submitted to the Secretary of State's Office.  The Secretary of State's Office creates a "Publicity Pamphlet", this pamphlet contains the official title and text of statewide propositions that will be on the ballot, it also contains arguments submitted in favor and against each measure.

according to worldatlas.com, the u.s. has an 86% literacy rate.