homeFederal Documents Task ForceGovernment Documents Round Table

Elections

Popular Starting Points • General Sites • Indexes and Directories • Government Agencies • Basic Government Publications • Reference • Political Party Sites • Research Centers and Other Educational Sites • Statistics • Archives • Campaign Finance/Federal Election Commission • Congress • Election 2000 Archives • Election 2002 Archives • Election 2004 Archives • Election 2004 General Sites • Election 2006 • Election 2008 • Election Reforms • Election Statistics and Polls • Elections in Other Countries • Electoral College • Electronic Voting • Interest-Group and Other Political Sites • Latin America: Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean • News and Media • Political Parties and Groups • Presidential Debates • Recall Elections • Research centers and other educational sites • State and Local Government • Term Limits • Voter Participation and Registration


Popular Starting Points

  • 2008-2009 Presidential Transition Resources -- General Services Administration (GSA) and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) -- This website, intended for presidential nominees and appointees but also of interest to the general public, "will introduce [nominees and appointees] to the operation of the Federal government and the resources available to help [them] begin ... service in the new Administration." Includes leadership publications, nominee and appointee guidance, and other material on the U.S. government and presidential transition and inauguration. --LII [not available 2-10-09]
  • America's Debate -- Public forums debating policy issues such as economics, education, social and foreign policy, and much more.
  • Change.gov [Presidential transition] -- U.S. Office of the President-Elect -- Official website of President-Elect Barack Obama. Features Obama's election night speech, a transitions press room (with "up-to-the-minute updates and information about all aspects of the transition"), background about positions on issues (such as the economy, health care, and the war in Iraq), an area "designed to provide prospective applicants with information to help them apply for positions in the Obama-Biden Administration," a blog, an opportunity for you to contribute campaign stories, and more.--LII
  • Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) -- The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) sponsors debates for the United States presidential and vice presidential candidates. CPD was established in 1987 to ensure that the debates provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners. Includes unofficial transcripts of most presidential and vice presidential debates.
  • Congress.org -- Capitol Advantage -- Covers writing to elected officials, candidates and issues, issue areas and action alerts from various organizations, recent Congressional votes, agencies, courts, and local and national media by ZIP code.
  • Congressional Report Cards -- Voter Information Service -- Ratings of the U.S. Congress: level of support members of Congress give to particular interest groups; includes links to home page of each advocacy group.
  • Elected Officials -- Capitol Advantage (Congress.org) -- Contact information for and other information about elected officials, including the president, members of Congress, governors, state legislators, and local officials. Provides postal address, e-mail address, and phone and fax numbers. See also Communicating with Elected Officials for tips on telephoning, writing, or e-mailing members of Congress.
  • Election 2008 -- PollingReport.com -- Up-to-date polling results from many polling groups.
  • Elections -- The Brookings Institution -- Election analysis articles from an independent, non-partisan research institution.
  • Elections...the American Way -- U.S. Library of Congress -- Teacher resources on the American election system: candidates, voters, party system, election process, and issues.
  • FactCheck.org -- University of Pennsylvania, Annenberg Public Policy Center -- Monitors the factual accuracy of what is said by major candidates and their supporters in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases.
  • How Lame Is a Lame-Duck President?: HowStuffWorks -- HowStuffWorks, Inc. -- Material about the "incumbent president who's reached the end of his term." On this site, "read about some of the hits (and misses) some lame duck presidents have made in the final days of their terms in this article. But first, read about the Lame Duck Amendment [20th Amendment] to the Constitution," which shortened the lame duck period. Includes links to related material. From HowStuffWorks.
  • Lame Duck Sessions of Congress, 1935-2004 (74th-108th Congress) -- U.S. Congress. Senate. -- This 2006 Congressional Research Service (CRS) report described the activities of each "lame duck" session of Congress from 1935-2004. "A 'lame duck' session of Congress occurs whenever one Congress meets after its successor is elected, but before the successor's term begins." Also includes material about characteristics of lame duck sessions such as occurrence, timing, and length. Opens directly into a PDF file.
  • Lost in Transition -- National Journal -- This blog was launched in November 2008 to help "you navigate the presidential handover" from George W. Bush to Barack Obama. Blog entries include roundups of top transition stories in the press, insider interviews, and commentary on activities, such as the selection of Rahm Emanuel as Barack Obama's chief of staff (which is noted as echoing a plot point from the television show "West Wing"). --LII
  • Obama Fact Check -- Obama for America -- Barack Obama was so concerned about inaccurate ads and statements that he set up his own site to combat what he feels are inaccurate statements.
  • Obama's Transition to Power (PBS Online NewsHour: In-Depth Coverage) -- Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) -- This news coverage of the 2008-2009 presidential transition features background reports, analysis, interviews, and related material. Includes a listing of key positions (such as chief of staff, secretary of defense, and U.N. representative), and related links. From the PBS Online NewsHour.
  • Presidential Transition: Preparing for the White House (C-SPAN.org) -- C-SPAN.org, National Cable Satellite Corporation -- Archive of C-SPAN's 2008-2009 coverage of the 77-day period between Election Day and Inauguration Day, traditionally known simply as the transition. Features audio and video of press conferences, remarks, conference calls, and other activities involving the transition of the White House from President George W. Bush to President-elect Barack Obama. Also includes links to related websites.
  • Psephos: Adam Carr's Election Archive -- Adam Carr -- Complete collection of international electoral information including data from 174 countries. Provides electoral maps, news, statistics, data on historical elections, and information on national legislatures. One can search the archive alphabetically by country.
  • The Living Room Candidate -- American Museum of the Moving Image -- Online collection of presidential election ads, in streaming video format, run from 1952 to present.
  • The Presidential Transition (Brookings) -- Brookings Institution -- This page on the 2008-2009 presidential transition will examine "policy challenges, with public discussions, memos to the president-elect, and a weekly podcast." Browse sections for the memos, podcasts, briefing room, online chats, events, and historical political advice and policy on the presidency. --LII
  • USA Election Polls -- USAElectionPolls.com -- See latest polls by candidate, by polling source, or by state. Also provides Presidential approval scores by state.
  • Voting and Elections - USA.gov -- U.S. General Services Admin. (GSA) -- Topics include the basics, contact elected officials, electoral college, history, learn about candidates, legislation and reform, "Register to Vote and Go Vote," volunteering and contributions.


General Sites

  • American Presidency Project -- Univ. of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) -- Speeches, executive orders, and other primary documents from presidents past and present as well as election data and other statistical resources. Also includes the Public Papers of the Presidents available from 1929-present.
  • Angus Reid Gobal Scan: Election Tracker -- Angus Reid Consultants -- Provides coverage on current elections throughout the world, including background information, campaign news, voting trends, and results.
  • Center for Voting and Democracy -- Advocates "full" representation, usually known as proportional representation (PR). Studies how voting systems affect participation, representation, and governance, with a view to election reform. Covers PR, instant runoff voting (IRV), cumulative voting, campaign finance, redistricting, third parties, voter turnout, women and representation, race and representation, pending legislation, ballot measures, and voting rights.
  • Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) -- The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) sponsors debates for the United States presidential and vice presidential candidates. CPD was established in 1987 to ensure that the debates provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners. Includes unofficial transcripts of most presidential and vice presidential debates.
  • Election Law -- Edward Still -- Includes links to redistricting, campaign finance, voting rights, election reform, and alternative election systems.
  • Election Statistics 1920-2004 -- U.S. Office of the Clerk, House of Representatives -- Official vote counts for 1920 to date for federal elections from the official sources of the states and territories. Federal Elections and Voting Statistics--official 1996 Presidential primary and general election results, voter registration and turnout.
  • Elections -- Cornell Univ. Law School. Legal Information Institute (LII). -- An overview of election law according to Wex: a public-access law dictionary and encyclopedia hosted on the Cornell Univ. Law School's web page.
  • Electoral College 2004 Allocation -- The Green Papers -- Information regarding the Electoral College system for the 2004 presidential election, including state-by-state statistics.
  • Federal Election Reform -- The Century Foundation -- Formerly known as the National Commission on Election Reform. Provides overview of equipment and technologies used and issues raised, including characteristics of the different methods, the design of ballots, kinds and sources of voter error, vote counting, and standards. Discusses whether changes are needed.
  • Gallup's Top 10 -- Synopses of the top 10 policy issues identified by the American public in Gallup polls.
  • League of Women Voters -- Voter information, election reform, campaign finance reform, and other issues. Contacts for elected officials and media representatives. Sponsors DemocracyNet--Enter your zip code to find out who's running for offices on your ballot and where the candidates stand on issues you care about.
  • Politics1 -- Ron Gunzburger -- Covers the Presidency; 2004 election; state and federal candidates; political parties; and many other political topics. Hundreds of links to web sites.
  • PollingReport.com -- Up-to-date polling results from many polling groups covers head-to-head match-ups and ratings of individual candidates.
  • The Campaign Legal Center -- Nonpartisan analyses of issues of campaign finance and elections, political communication and government ethics.
  • The Living Room Candidate -- American Museum of the Moving Image -- Online collection of presidential election ads, in streaming video format, run from 1952 to present.
  • U.S. Electoral College -- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Office of the Federal Register -- Electoral vote totals, popular vote totals, electoral college members, certificates of ascertainment, certificates of vote, state laws and requirements (are your state electors bound by the popular vote?), past electoral results, 1789 - 2000, procedural guide to the electoral college, relevant provisions of the u.s. constitution and federal law.
  • Voter Information Services (VIS) -- Non-partisan, non-governmental organization dedicating to educating voters about political issues that affect their everyday lives, including legislative and congressional news. Includes "report cards" of individual members of congress, comparing their voting records to the personalized issues of the user.


Indexes and Directories

  • Elections -- Univ. of Massachusetts Library -- Links to internet resources on U.S. Presidential, Congressional, and local elections, including campaigns, candidates, and the election process.
  • Mayoral Elections Database -- United States Conference of Mayors -- Searchable database of mayoral election winners by city and date of inauguration from 1999-2007. Scedule of mayoral elections for 2008.


Government Agencies

  • Election Assistance Commission (EAC) -- U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) -- The Commission serves as a national clearinghouse and resource for information and review of procedures with respect to the administration of Federal elections. Register to vote, become a poll worker, file a complaint.
  • Elections 2004 -- U.S. State Dept., Foreign Press Center -- Briefings, news items, and background information on the 2004 U.S. presidential election as well as American election polictics in general.
  • Electoral Processes -- International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) -- International IDEA provides support for making electoral administration more professional. It supports the design of professionally managed independent electoral processes which are tailored to local circumstances and engender public confidence in legitimate and credible elections and referendums.
  • International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) -- International IDEA acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing knowledge resources, expertise and a platform for debate on democracy issues. It works together with policy makers, donor governments, UN organizations and agencies, regional organizations and others engaged in democracy building.


Basic Government Publications

  • Voting Section Home Page -- U.S. Dept. of Justice (DOJ), Civil Rights Division -- Introduction to federal voting rights laws, statutes the agency enforces, litigation, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  • Voting and Registration -- U.S. Census Bureau -- Information on reported voting and registration by various demographic and socioeconomic characteristics is collected for the nation in November of congressional and presidential election years in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Includes historical tables, some going back to 1964.


Reference

  • Voting Section Home Page -- U.S. Dept. of Justice (DOJ), Civil Rights Division -- Introduction to federal voting rights laws, statutes the agency enforces, litigation, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


Political Party Sites

  • Democratic Leadership Council -- "Idea center, catalyst, and national voice for a reform movement that is...moving beyond the old left-right debate".
  • GOP.gov -- Hot topics, newsroom, floor info, mutlimedia archives, govt websites, issue focus.
  • Political Parties -- Grace York -- Univ. of Michigan -- Links to political party websites.
  • Senate Republican Conference -- Includes republican agenda, television and radio clips, graphics, committee assignments, and calendar of events.
  • Yahoo! Political Parties Directory -- Yahoo! Inc. -- Compilation of links for several international parties as well as the major parties in the United States. Includes Greens, Christian Democrats, Socialists, etc.


Research Centers and Other Educational Sites

  • American National Election Studies (ANES) -- Stanford Univ. and Univ. of Michigan -- ANES compiles data on voting, public opinion, and political participation for analysis of the theoretical and empirical foundations of national election outcomes.
  • American Presidency Project -- Univ. of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) -- Speeches, executive orders, and other primary documents from presidents past and present as well as election data and other statistical resources. Also includes the Public Papers of the Presidents available from 1929-present.
  • Electoral Processes -- International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) -- International IDEA provides support for making electoral administration more professional. It supports the design of professionally managed independent electoral processes which are tailored to local circumstances and engender public confidence in legitimate and credible elections and referendums.
  • International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) -- International IDEA acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing knowledge resources, expertise and a platform for debate on democracy issues. It works together with policy makers, donor governments, UN organizations and agencies, regional organizations and others engaged in democracy building.
  • Other Election Studies -- American National Election Studies (ANES), Stanford Univ. and Univ. of Michigan -- Links to national election studies of other countries, comparative studies, and macro data collections specific to the study of elections, and the National Annenberg Election Survey (NAES).
  • Political Science — Public Opinion & Polling, Worldwide -- Lucy E. Lyons -- Northwestern University Library -- Links to foreign & multinational polls, major U.S. media polls, public opinion in the U.S., public opinion studies in scholarly journals, survey research: learning & teaching.


Statistics

  • A New Nation Votes -- American Antiquarian Society (AAS) -- A searchable collection of American election returns from 1787-1825.
  • American National Election Studies (ANES) -- Stanford Univ. and Univ. of Michigan -- ANES compiles data on voting, public opinion, and political participation for analysis of the theoretical and empirical foundations of national election outcomes.
  • National Council on Public Polls -- An association of polling organizations promoting standards among public opinion pollsters and how to interpret poll results.
  • Other Election Studies -- American National Election Studies (ANES), Stanford Univ. and Univ. of Michigan -- Links to national election studies of other countries, comparative studies, and macro data collections specific to the study of elections, and the National Annenberg Election Survey (NAES).
  • Political Forecasting -- Formulates projections of presidential and congressional election outcomes based on various polls and econometric models.


Archives

  • Virtual Reference Desk: Elections -- U.S. Senate -- Information on Senate and House elections since 1998, as well as on Senate appointments and Senate election history.
  • Voting and Registration -- U.S. Census Bureau -- Information on reported voting and registration by various demographic and socioeconomic characteristics is collected for the nation in November of congressional and presidential election years in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Includes historical tables, some going back to 1964.


Campaign Finance/Federal Election Commission

  • CQ MoneyLine ( formerly FECInfo) -- Congressional Quarterly -- Non-partisan federal candidate campaign money page, 1979-80 to date; political-action-committee and individual contributor by candidate: "who gave what to which Federal candidates when." Much of this information available only by subscription. Based on U.S. Federal Election Commission data.
  • Campaign Finance -- Brookings Institution -- Research and commentary on campaign finance and reform.
  • Campaign Finance Reform -- National Voting Rights Institute -- An institute founded to promote low to moderate income voters and candidates.
  • Campaign Finance in American Politics -- CampaignMoney.com -- Searchable database of campaign contributions for Presidential and Congressional candidates beginning in 2000. Information can be accessed by candidate, political action committee, or 527 organization. Last updated 2-08.
  • Campaigns & Elections -- Campaigns and Elections Magazine -- Articles on campaigns and elections. Many are available only by subscription.
  • Destination Democracy -- Benton Foundation, Millennium Communications Group, and Communications Development, Inc. -- Money: Democracy's Fuel or Democracy's Roadblock?
  • Fair Elections -- FairElections.us -- Non-profit advocating campaign finance reform in the form of full public funding for elections.
  • Follow the Money -- National Institute on Money in State Politics -- Database tracking political contributions in all 50 states.
  • The Campaign Legal Center -- Nonpartisan analyses of issues of campaign finance and elections, political communication and government ethics.
  • The Mother Jones 400 -- Foundation for National Progress -- Searchable profiles of top contributors to political parties.
  • electionline.org -- Pew Center on the States -- Nonpartisan, non-advocacy Web site providing up-to-the-minute news and analysis on election reform.


Congress

  • Voter Information Services (VIS) -- Non-partisan, non-governmental organization dedicating to educating voters about political issues that affect their everyday lives, including legislative and congressional news. Includes "report cards" of individual members of congress, comparing their voting records to the personalized issues of the user.


Election 2000 Archives

  • Congressional Races: Candidate Profiles -- Center for Responsive Politics / opensecrets.org -- Head-to-head comparisons of the candidates in every U.S. House and Senate race this year. Organized by state or candidate name. Covers 2000 through 2006 elections.
  • Election 2000 -- PollingReport.com -- Results from many polling groups.
  • Election Collection 2000: An Internet Library -- Internet Archive Wayback Machine -- Election-related information gathered between August 1, 2000 and January 14, 2001, including what was published on the candidates’ web sites, political party sites, and major news sites. Commissioned by the Library of Congress.
  • Open Secrets Publications -- Center for Responsive Politics / opensecrets.org -- Head-to-head comparisons of the candidates in every U.S. House 1994 through 2000 elections.
  • Voting and Registration -- U.S. Census Bureau -- Information on reported voting and registration by various demographic and socioeconomic characteristics is collected for the nation in November of congressional and presidential election years in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Includes historical tables, some going back to 1964.
  • Web White and Blue -- Markle Foundation -- Includes Oct. 1-Nov. 7, 2000, Presidential cyberdebate archive (click on "Issue/Date" for specific debate topics) and archive of nonprofit sites.


Election 2002 Archives

  • Congressional Races: Candidate Profiles -- Center for Responsive Politics / opensecrets.org -- Head-to-head comparisons of the candidates in every U.S. House and Senate race this year. Organized by state or candidate name. Covers 2000 through 2006 elections.
  • Election 2002 -- PollingReport.com -- Results from many polling groups.
  • Election 2002 Web Archive (MINERVA) -- U.S. Library of Congress, Minerva Web Archiving and Preservation Project -- A selective collection of nearly 4,000 sites archived between July 1, 2002 and November 30, 2002. Includes citizen, civic and advocacy, government, political party, press, public opinion, etc.
  • Election Statistics 1920-2004 -- U.S. Office of the Clerk, House of Representatives -- Official vote counts for 1920 to date for federal elections from the official sources of the states and territories. Federal Elections and Voting Statistics--official 1996 Presidential primary and general election results, voter registration and turnout.
  • Voting and Registration -- U.S. Census Bureau -- Information on reported voting and registration by various demographic and socioeconomic characteristics is collected for the nation in November of congressional and presidential election years in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Includes historical tables, some going back to 1964.


Election 2004 Archives

  • 2004 Election Calendar -- USA Today -- Complete listings of every state and presidential primary election in each state of the union for the 2004 election year. Also includes national convention dates and general election information.
  • America Votes 2004 -- Cable News Network (CNN) -- Information about Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates, links to their web sites, polling data, money raised and spent, positions on issues, and Democrats' primary recap. See also Election Results.
  • By the People: Election 2004 -- Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) -- Serves as a gateway to all of PBS's 2004 election programming, on-air and online. Includes resources for teachers, historical information, and a section for elementary and high school students.
  • Congressional Races: Candidate Profiles -- Center for Responsive Politics / opensecrets.org -- Head-to-head comparisons of the candidates in every U.S. House and Senate race this year. Organized by state or candidate name. Covers 2000 through 2006 elections.
  • Election 2004 -- PollingReport.com -- Results from many polling groups.
  • Elections 2004 -- U.S. State Dept., Foreign Press Center -- Briefings, news items, and background information on the 2004 U.S. presidential election as well as American election polictics in general.
  • Electoral College 2004 Allocation -- The Green Papers -- Information regarding the Electoral College system for the 2004 presidential election, including state-by-state statistics.
  • Presidency 2004 -- Ron Gunzburger -- Politics1 -- "P2004 Race" provides basic information about 2004 Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates and provides links to other 2004 election sites.
  • The Savvy Voter -- Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) -- Database of links dedicated to educating the American voting public. Includes links to ads, debates, polls, platforms, and other websites pertaining to the 2004 Presidential election.
  • Time.com - Election 2004 -- Time Magazine -- Broad overview of U.S. election issues with a focus on detailed articles and opinion pieces. Includes election results and analysis. Free registration required.
  • Voting and Registration -- U.S. Census Bureau -- Information on reported voting and registration by various demographic and socioeconomic characteristics is collected for the nation in November of congressional and presidential election years in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Includes historical tables, some going back to 1964.


Election 2004 General Sites

  • Elected Officials -- Capitol Advantage (Congress.org) -- Contact information for and other information about elected officials, including the president, members of Congress, governors, state legislators, and local officials. Provides postal address, e-mail address, and phone and fax numbers. See also Communicating with Elected Officials for tips on telephoning, writing, or e-mailing members of Congress.
  • Election Statistics 1920-2004 -- U.S. Office of the Clerk, House of Representatives -- Official vote counts for 1920 to date for federal elections from the official sources of the states and territories. Federal Elections and Voting Statistics--official 1996 Presidential primary and general election results, voter registration and turnout.
  • Elections -- The Brookings Institution -- Election analysis articles from an independent, non-partisan research institution.
  • Presidency 2004 -- Politics1.com -- An in-depth look at the candidates and issues of the 2004 presidential election.
  • Presidential Market 2004 -- Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) -- Free internet-based simulation/game of the 2004 election using a stock-market analogy. Players trade presidential candidate futures online and try to accumulate the most virtual dollars by predicting who succeeds where and when. Purpose is to increase voter interest in the race.
  • Whitehouse '04 -- Avi Bass, North Illinois Univ. -- Collection of information regarding the upcoming 2004 presidential election, including facts about candidates and important political issues.


Election 2006

  • 2006 Key Races (MSNBC) -- MSNBC.com -- Interactive map of states listing gubernatorial or Congressional races most likely to change parties.
  • Congressional Races: Candidate Profiles -- Center for Responsive Politics / opensecrets.org -- Head-to-head comparisons of the candidates in every U.S. House and Senate race this year. Organized by state or candidate name. Covers 2000 through 2006 elections.
  • Election 2006 -- PollingReport.com -- Up-to-date polling results from many polling groups.
  • Governors' Races -- National Governors Association -- State-by-state list of governors running for election.
  • NPR Election 2006 -- National Public Radio -- National Public Radio's homepage and map covering the 2006 domestic elections.
  • Political Resources Online -- Political Resource, Inc. -- Lists of 2006 candidates and state primary dates as well as a directory of "over 3,300 political products and services providers", links to the sites of local, state, national, and presidential candidates.
  • Politics 1: The 50 State Pages -- Politics1.com -- State and Congressional candidates, campaigns,elections, state parties, local news sources, and more.
  • Secretary of State Offices -- National Association of Secretaries of State -- This site has links to each state's Secretary of State office.
  • State Races -- Stateline -- Map with each states' candidates for governor, secretary of state, and attorneys general.


Election 2008

  • 2008 Election Center -- GovSpot -- Covers candidates and their stands on the issues, state referendums, and third parties.
  • 2008 Elections -- U.S. Dept. of State -- Links and articles on the election process: primaries, caucuses, issues, electoral college, public opinion polls.
  • 2008 Presidential Election: U.S. Electoral College -- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Office of the Federal Register -- How the electoral college works, interactive electoral map, electoral college calculator, and other sources.
  • 270 to Win -- 270towin.com -- Interactive electoral college map. Select one of the starting views below the map. Click any state to change its outcome. As you modify a state, the total Electoral Vote counter will update. You'll also see historical election info for that state. Provides Presidential electoral maps of the U.S., 1992 to present.
  • Ballot Access News -- Richard Winger -- Non-partisan newsletter on voting issues within the states, including conflicts over who gets on the ballot..
  • CNN/YouTube Democratic Debate: Complete Video -- For the first time in presidential debate history, user-generated video drove the debate. On July 23, 2007, eight Democratic presidential hopefuls answered questions submitted via YouTube in a debate hosted by the Web site and CNN.
  • CQ Politics -- Congressional Quarterly Inc. -- Has a section on House, Senate and Gubernatorial races to watch in 2008 as well as a section on the presidential race. Also describes the political situation in each of the covered districts.
  • Campaign Finance in American Politics -- CampaignMoney.com -- Searchable database of campaign contributions for Presidential and Congressional candidates beginning in 2000. Information can be accessed by candidate, political action committee, or 527 organization. Last updated 2-08.
  • Campaign U -- The Chronicle of Higher Education -- Provides links to articles focusing on the 2008 election and how they affect students, colleges and universities, and higher education in general.
  • Daily Presidential Tracking Poll -- Rasmussen Reports Inc. -- Daily reports on favorite presidential candidates as well as a chart of candidate popularity beginning in 2007.
  • Election '08 -- Pew Research Center -- Polling and survey information relevant to the 2008 election.
  • Election 2008 -- PollingReport.com -- Up-to-date polling results from many polling groups.
  • Indecision 2008 -- Comedy Central -- Video clips, interviews, a news blog, and other humorous resources from Comedy Central featuring "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report".
  • Kaiser Polls [PDF] -- Kaiser Family Foundation -- Surveys on American values, sex, health care issues, politics, and morals. Most files are in PDF form.
  • OntheIssues.org - Candidates on the Issues -- Near the top of the page, look for Candidates: 2008 Speculation: McCain, Obama, Biden, Palin, Nader, McKinney, Barr, and others. Click on a candidate to find quotations from the candidate and his voting record. For House, Senate, and Governor candidates, find similar information by clicking on the apprpriate tab. Choose an issue and a candidate. Extensive analysis of voting records of gubernatorial, senatorial, and congressional candidates and incumbents on major campaign issues.
  • Politics West -- The Denver Post -- Political news and issues information related to the western U.S.
  • Politifact.com -- St. Petersburg Times and Congressional Quarterly (CQ) -- Check out the "truth-o-meter" and "attack files" tabs. You can choose the "candidates" tab to see the overall truthfulness score for major candidates. You can also enter an issue (for example, abortion) in the search box hidden in the bottom right of the page.
  • PollingReport.com -- Up-to-date polling results from many polling groups covers head-to-head match-ups and ratings of individual candidates.
  • Pollster.com -- Various polling, survey, and statistical information on the 2008 election.
  • Presidency 2008 -- Ron Gunzburger -- Politics1 -- Provides basic information about 2008 Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates and provides links to other 2008 election sites.
  • President 2008 -- e-Democracy -- Wiki site for the U.S. Presidential election in 2008. Covers Presidential candidates websites, election 2008 websites, U.S. non-profit non-partisan election information websites, and links to major media political news sections.
  • Project Vote Smart -- Biographies, campaign finances, issues positions, performance evaluations, and voting records for federal and state elections.
  • Sayfie News: Your Morning Cup of Coffee -- Sayfie Media -- Links to editorials, columnists, current newspapers, magazines, media, and press releases from Government cabinet departments. Also includes election news and Presidential candidate news releases.
  • TechPresident -- Personal Democracy Forum -- Site that focuses on the use of the Internet in presidential campaigns.How the candidates are using the web and how the web is using the candidates.
  • The 51st State: The State of Online [PDF] -- Laura Gordon-Murnane -- Infotoday.com -- Nov.-Dec. 2007 article that provides analysis of how candidates, the media, and voters are using the technology of today.
  • The Campaign Legal Center -- Nonpartisan analyses of issues of campaign finance and elections, political communication and government ethics.
  • USA Election Polls -- USAElectionPolls.com -- See latest polls by candidate, by polling source, or by state. Also provides Presidential approval scores by state.
  • VOTE411.org -- League of Women Voters -- Includes links to local candidate information, information on how to register to vote, and more.
  • Voting and Elections - USA.gov -- U.S. General Services Admin. (GSA) -- Topics include the basics, contact elected officials, electoral college, history, learn about candidates, legislation and reform, "Register to Vote and Go Vote," volunteering and contributions.
  • You Choose '08 -- YouTube -- See videos from different candidates. On the bottom half of the page, select a topic and compare candidate videos.


Election Reforms

  • Caltech-MIT Voting Technology Project -- California Institute of Technology / Massachusetts Institute -- Evaluates reliability and uniformity of present election system and proposes uniform guidelines to improve reliability.
  • Center for Voting and Democracy -- Advocates "full" representation, usually known as proportional representation (PR). Studies how voting systems affect participation, representation, and governance, with a view to election reform. Covers PR, instant runoff voting (IRV), cumulative voting, campaign finance, redistricting, third parties, voter turnout, women and representation, race and representation, pending legislation, ballot measures, and voting rights.
  • Election Center -- International service association of election and voter registration officials.
  • Electionline.org -- Pew Center on the States -- News, reports, and analysis regarding election reform in the U.S.
  • Elections Information Center -- WantToKnow.info -- Links to a variety of sources of reliable, verifiable information dealing with major elections cover-ups.
  • Federal Election Reform -- The Century Foundation -- Formerly known as the National Commission on Election Reform. Provides overview of equipment and technologies used and issues raised, including characteristics of the different methods, the design of ballots, kinds and sources of voter error, vote counting, and standards. Discusses whether changes are needed.
  • Help America Vote Act of 2002 -- U.S. Federal Election Commission (FEC) -- Details an act passed in 2002 to assist states in migrating from punch card systems.
  • The Bell -- Safevote, Inc. -- A bi-monthly publication promoting discussion about Internet voting.
  • Verified Voting -- VerifiedVoting.org -- Non-profit lobby advocating reliable and publicly verifiable elections in the United States and critiquing the use of electronic voting systems.


Election Statistics and Polls

  • 2006 Key Races (MSNBC) -- MSNBC.com -- Interactive map of states listing gubernatorial or Congressional races most likely to change parties.
  • American National Election Studies (ANES) -- Stanford Univ. and Univ. of Michigan -- ANES compiles data on voting, public opinion, and political participation for analysis of the theoretical and empirical foundations of national election outcomes.
  • Angus Reid Gobal Scan: Election Tracker -- Angus Reid Consultants -- Provides coverage on current elections throughout the world, including background information, campaign news, voting trends, and results.
  • CBS News Campaign 2000 -- CBS News, Inc. -- Click on state for latest official 2000 Presidential, Governor, and Congressional election counts.
  • Election Statistics 1920-2004 -- U.S. Office of the Clerk, House of Representatives -- Official vote counts for 1920 to date for federal elections from the official sources of the states and territories. Federal Elections and Voting Statistics--official 1996 Presidential primary and general election results, voter registration and turnout.
  • Gallup's Top 10 -- Synopses of the top 10 policy issues identified by the American public in Gallup polls.
  • Kaiser Polls [PDF] -- Kaiser Family Foundation -- Surveys on American values, sex, health care issues, politics, and morals. Most files are in PDF form.
  • Meta-analysis of State Polls -- Princeton Univ. -- Poll analysis site using a unique statistical method to predict the outcome of the 2004 Presidential Election.
  • National Annenberg Election Survey -- Annenberg Public Policy Center, Univ. of Pennsylvania -- Weekly reserves provide public opinion on election issues such as stem cell research, veteran service, assault weapons, candidate personalities, and the war in Iraq.
  • National Council on Public Polls -- An association of polling organizations promoting standards among public opinion pollsters and how to interpret poll results.
  • Other Election Studies -- American National Election Studies (ANES), Stanford Univ. and Univ. of Michigan -- Links to national election studies of other countries, comparative studies, and macro data collections specific to the study of elections, and the National Annenberg Election Survey (NAES).
  • Political Forecasting -- Formulates projections of presidential and congressional election outcomes based on various polls and econometric models.
  • Political Science — Public Opinion & Polling, Worldwide -- Lucy E. Lyons -- Northwestern University Library -- Links to foreign & multinational polls, major U.S. media polls, public opinion in the U.S., public opinion studies in scholarly journals, survey research: learning & teaching.
  • PollingReport.com -- Up-to-date polling results from many polling groups covers head-to-head match-ups and ratings of individual candidates.
  • Voting and Registration -- U.S. Census Bureau -- Information on reported voting and registration by various demographic and socioeconomic characteristics is collected for the nation in November of congressional and presidential election years in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Includes historical tables, some going back to 1964.


Elections in Other Countries

  • Angus Reid Gobal Scan: Election Tracker -- Angus Reid Consultants -- Provides coverage on current elections throughout the world, including background information, campaign news, voting trends, and results.
  • Dutch Parliamentary Election Studies -- This site offers information about electoral research in the Netherlands. On this site, political scientists, journalists, students and others can find information about electoral research in the Netherlands.
  • Election Resources on the Internet -- Manuel Álvarez-Rivera -- Comprehensive database of links to national and local election statistics from around the world, as well as other election resources.
  • ElectionGuide.Org -- International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) -- Upcoming foreign elections.
  • Electoral Processes -- International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) -- International IDEA provides support for making electoral administration more professional. It supports the design of professionally managed independent electoral processes which are tailored to local circumstances and engender public confidence in legitimate and credible elections and referendums.
  • European Election Studies (EES) -- The European Election Studies (EES) cover electoral participation and voting behaviour in European Parliament elections. They are also concerned with the evolution of an EU political community and a European public sphere, with citizens' perceptions of and preferences about the EU political regime, and with their evaluations of EU political performance.
  • International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) -- International IDEA acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing knowledge resources, expertise and a platform for debate on democracy issues. It works together with policy makers, donor governments, UN organizations and agencies, regional organizations and others engaged in democracy building.
  • Latin American Election Statistics: A Guide to Sources -- Karen Lindvall-Larson -- Univ. of California, San Diego. Social Sciences and Humanities Library. -- Covers elections in selected Latin American countries - Mexico, Colombia, and selected Central American and Caribbean countries. Provides chronologies of elections since independence at the municipal, state, and national levels and list sources of statistics for each election.Includes glossary of Spanish election terms.
  • Lijphart Elections Archive -- Univ. of California, San Diego -- District-level election results for 350 national legislative elections in 26 countries.
  • Other Election Studies -- American National Election Studies (ANES), Stanford Univ. and Univ. of Michigan -- Links to national election studies of other countries, comparative studies, and macro data collections specific to the study of elections, and the National Annenberg Election Survey (NAES).
  • Psephos: Adam Carr's Election Archive -- Adam Carr -- Complete collection of international electoral information including data from 174 countries. Provides electoral maps, news, statistics, data on historical elections, and information on national legislatures. One can search the archive alphabetically by country.
  • SNES Program -- Göteborg University -- At this website, you find information about SNES research, activities, studies, field work, questionnaires, data, analyses, scholars and publications.
  • The Swiss Electoral Studies Selects -- Swiss National Science Foundation -- Selects is an electoral research project of several political science departments of Swiss universities that started in 1995. Thanks to Selects electoral studies in Switzerland have has reached a high level of continuity. It has also been possible to constantly include innovative new research questions. Selects participates in two international comparative networks. The modules of the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems (CSES) have been included in the Selects studies since the 1990s and the CSES project is in its third round. In addition Selects has participated in the Comparative Candidate Survey (CCS) which included a survey among all the candidates for the 2007 national elections.


Electoral College

  • Center for Voting and Democracy -- Advocates "full" representation, usually known as proportional representation (PR). Studies how voting systems affect participation, representation, and governance, with a view to election reform. Covers PR, instant runoff voting (IRV), cumulative voting, campaign finance, redistricting, third parties, voter turnout, women and representation, race and representation, pending legislation, ballot measures, and voting rights.
  • Electoral College 2004 Allocation -- The Green Papers -- Information regarding the Electoral College system for the 2004 presidential election, including state-by-state statistics.
  • Electoral Web Zine -- Avagara -- Broad range of undocumented information from "the only Electoral College fanzine on the web."
  • Faithless Electors -- The Center for Voting and Democracy -- List and brief biographies of the 156 electors who did not vote for president as indicated by their state's electoral vote.
  • U.S. Electoral College -- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Office of the Federal Register -- Electoral vote totals, popular vote totals, electoral college members, certificates of ascertainment, certificates of vote, state laws and requirements (are your state electors bound by the popular vote?), past electoral results, 1789 - 2000, procedural guide to the electoral college, relevant provisions of the u.s. constitution and federal law.


Electronic Voting

  • How E-Voting Will Work -- Kevin Bonsor -- Howstuffworks -- An article explaining how the new e-voting will work when it is implemented.


Interest-Group and Other Political Sites


Latin America: Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean

  • Latin American Election Statistics: A Guide to Sources -- Karen Lindvall-Larson -- Univ. of California, San Diego. Social Sciences and Humanities Library. -- Covers elections in selected Latin American countries - Mexico, Colombia, and selected Central American and Caribbean countries. Provides chronologies of elections since independence at the municipal, state, and national levels and list sources of statistics for each election.Includes glossary of Spanish election terms.


News and Media

  • Sayfie News: Your Morning Cup of Coffee -- Sayfie Media -- Links to editorials, columnists, current newspapers, magazines, media, and press releases from Government cabinet departments. Also includes election news and Presidential candidate news releases.


Political Parties and Groups


Presidential Debates

  • Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) -- The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) sponsors debates for the United States presidential and vice presidential candidates. CPD was established in 1987 to ensure that the debates provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners. Includes unofficial transcripts of most presidential and vice presidential debates.
  • Debate This! -- Debate This -- An organization aimed at ensuring coverage of under-represented third parties.
  • Presidential Debate History -- CNN -- Contains information on the first and second presidential debates between 1960 and 1996. [not available 2-19-09]
  • The Living Room Candidate -- American Museum of the Moving Image -- Online collection of presidential election ads, in streaming video format, run from 1952 to present.


Recall Elections

  • Recall Governor Election 2003 -- League of Women Voters of California Education Fund -- Voter registration, election calendar, and basics, including how the winner is determined and definitions of key terms such as "recall."
  • Recall in California (Hot Topic) -- Institute of Governmental Studies, Univ. of California -- Covers the recall mechanism, constitutional & statutory basis, history, and the 2003 gubernatorial recall election


Research centers and other educational sites

  • Caltech-MIT Voting Technology Project -- California Institute of Technology / Massachusetts Institute -- Evaluates reliability and uniformity of present election system and proposes uniform guidelines to improve reliability.
  • Election Center -- International service association of election and voter registration officials.
  • National Election Studies -- Univ. of Michigican, Institute for Social Research -- "NES conducts national surveys of the American electorate in presidential and midterm election years and carries out research and development work through pilot studies in odd-numbered years. The NES time-series now encompasses 23 biennial election studies spanning five decades."


State and Local Government

  • Ballot Watch -- Initiative and Referendum Institute, Univ. of Southern California -- Lists the state ballot initiatives in annual elections.
  • Mayoral Elections Database -- United States Conference of Mayors -- Searchable database of mayoral election winners by city and date of inauguration from 1999-2007. Scedule of mayoral elections for 2008.


Term Limits

  • Legislative Term Limits: An Overview -- National Conference of State Legislatures -- Provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on term limits.
  • Term Limits Take Effect -- Susan Heavey -- Washington Post -- An article talking about term limits and career polititians.


Voter Participation and Registration

  • Election Assistance Commission (EAC) -- U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) -- The Commission serves as a national clearinghouse and resource for information and review of procedures with respect to the administration of Federal elections. Register to vote, become a poll worker, file a complaint.
  • Registering to Vote and Voting -- U.S. General Services Admin. - USA.gov -- Covers absentee ballots in the United States and for uniformed and overseas citizens, registering to vote by mail, state election offices, state voter registration deadlines, voting rights and discrimination, and when to vote with polling hours by state.
  • VOTE411.org -- League of Women Voters -- Includes links to local candidate information, information on how to register to vote, and more.
  • Voting and Elections - USA.gov -- U.S. General Services Admin. (GSA) -- Topics include the basics, contact elected officials, electoral college, history, learn about candidates, legislation and reform, "Register to Vote and Go Vote," volunteering and contributions.
  • Voting and Registration -- U.S. Census Bureau -- Information on reported voting and registration by various demographic and socioeconomic characteristics is collected for the nation in November of congressional and presidential election years in the Current Population Survey (CPS). Includes historical tables, some going back to 1964.



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