Great Tool: Project Vote Smart

A knowledgeable electorate is the strongest component of a functioning democracy. Information about elected officials and candidates is crucial to maintaining the defense of one's rights and privileges guaranteed in the Constitution. In that spirit, Project Vote Smart (PVS) provides a comprehensive database about thousands of candidates and elected officials for President, Congress, Governors and State Legislators. Less detailed information is available at the county and local level for each state.

Project Vote Smart covers these candidates and elected officials in five basic categories:

· Background and contact information
· Issue positions, provided by candidates through our National Political Awareness Test (NPAT)
· Voting record
· Campaign finances
· Interest group ratings from over 100 groups across the ideological spectrum

The PVS website also includes:

· Public statements made by U.S. Senators and Governors
· Voter registration forms for each state
· Contact information for state and local election offices
· Polling place and absentee ballot information
· Ballot measure descriptions for each state, where applicable
· Links to federal and state government agencies, political parties and issue organizations

Congress Track

Project Vote Smart provides easy access to information on the United States Congress, including Key Votes, Recent Votes, a Status of Appropriation Chart, Other Congressional Resources and Week at a Glance which details major actions taken to legislation on the floor of Congress.

Voter Registration

Do you have questions about Voter Registration? Check out the Voter Registration section of the PVS website. Information can be found on the Deadline to Register, the Qualifications, where you can get a Voter Registration Form, and Absentee Ballot information for every state. 

If you have questions, call the toll-free Voter's Research Hotline (1-888-VOTE SMART) to speak with a researcher.

To visit the Project Vote Smart website, go here.

I have just added Project Vote Smart to the Tools component on the left sidebar of Blog for Iowa.