This guide offers Information about politicians and their activities; elections, campaigns, voting, political activism, and civic engagement as well as information on researching and tracking legislation at the federal and state-level.
The resources below will assist in connecting you with your elected officials, their positions on major issues, and information about campaign finances.
Center for Responsive Politics (OpenSecrets.org)
The Center for Responsive Politics is the nation's premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy. Nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, the organization aims to create a more educated voter, an involved citizenry and a more transparent and responsive government.
Project Vote Smart
Tracks the performance of over 13,000 political leaders. Gives issue positions, voting records, performance evaluations, campaign finances, and biographies.
OnTheIssues: Every Political Leader on Every Issue
Provides non-partisan information for voters in the Presidential election, so that votes can be based on issues rather than on personalities and popularity. Information is compiled by volunteers daily from newspapers, speeches, press releases, and the Internet, then sorted by topic and by candidate.
FactCheck.org
FactCheck.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit consumer advocate for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics by monitoring factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases. Use this site to cut through the spin and verify what is true and what is false.
PolitiFact
Reporters and researchers from PolitiFact and its partner news organization, the Tampa Bay Times, examine statements by members of Congress, state legislators, governors, mayors, the president, cabinet secretaries, lobbyists, people who testify before Congress and anyone else who speaks up in American politics. These statements are rated for accuracy and consistency, and a record is kept of whether campaign promises are kept, compromised, or broken.
Voter's Research Hotline
Call Project Vote Smart's Voter's Research Hotline at 1-888-VOTE-SMART (1-888-868-3762), and your own personal researcher can answer your questions about candidates and elected officials instantly over the phone.
