The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and the state's district attorneys have often clashed on criminal justice policy.

Now, the ACLU is taking aim at the DAs on another front - at the ballot box.

The ACLU announced Wednesday that it is launching a voter education campaign to inform the public about the stances of the state's top prosecutors, particularly those facing contested elections.

"(District attorneys) are consistently the opponents to meaningful criminal law reform, but they also have a major impact on the day to day lives of people who come through the court system. There has not been an organization to take them head on," said Rahsaan Hall, head of the ACLU of Massachusetts' racial justice program and campaign manager of the new "What a Difference a DA Makes" campaign.

The ACLU plans to release report cards on the district attorneys this summer, in time for distribution before the September state primary. The report cards will judge district attorneys on how well they align with several ACLU priorities, including transparency, racial justice, accountability, fairness, community engagement, fiscal integrity and criminal law reform.

Special interest groups frequently release report cards to grade lawmakers on everything from environmental protection to gun regulations. But it is unusual in Massachusetts for groups to focus on the elected district attorneys.

The ACLU is joined by other progressive criminal justice-related organizations and advocates. These groups have clashed with the state's prosecutors on issues such as repealing mandatory minimum sentences and how to deal with drug cases tainted by misconduct at state drug labs.

Hall said the effort is nonpartisan and is not currently planning to target specific candidates or incumbent district attorneys. It will focus on educating voters in areas with contested district attorney's races.

Hall said he hopes providing more information and awareness about the DA races will encourage more people to run for district attorney.