Resources

Ballotpedia is a free, comprehensive digital resource that provides unbiased information on elections, voting, politics, and public policies. Users can see a sample ballot based on their address, along with reviewing content related to the cuurent year's federal, state, and local elections and ballot measures. In addition to election and voting information, the site provides background on the current presidential administration and also statistics, snapshots, maps, and other details about the three branches of the federal government, state and municipal governments, and even information about local school boards in large U.S. cities.

Developed by the League of Women Voters Education Fund, Vote411 provides users with all types of nonpartisan election related information for national and state/local specific races and ballot questions. Users can simply click on their their state and get up to date information about upcoming elections. Moreover, users can access a polling place locator where they can type in their home address find their exact voting location. In addition to these options, users can retrieve information about early voting procedures, ID requirements, and tips on how to watch debates with a critical eye.

COABE has compiled an extensive online library of voter resources. There are links to help people register to vote, either online or by mail, and a link on where to get more information about their local polling place. In addition, the site includes a very comprehensive list of free voter resources for all levels of ABE students. Resources from Voice of America, StoryCorps, TED-ED, and US Citizenship Podcast, just to name a few, can be easily accessed.

The mission of Vote Smart is to provide free, factual and unbiased information on candidates and elected officials at the federal, state and local levels. Vote Smart provides candidates' biographical information, voting records/positions on various issues, endorsements, speeches, and contribution history. There are links related to ballot measures, election contacts, and voter registration by locality. For teachers and students, Vote Smart offers a free K-12-level government curriculum and an online “Government 101” tutorial with informative overviews on all aspects of American politics.

A repository of non-partisan civics, law-related, and government lesson plans and other supporting materials for use in elementary, middle, and high school leveled classrooms, including ESL. The lessons focus on both national and Minnesota state government topics and have been developed and provided by the Learning Law and Democracy Foundation.

iCivics is a free, non-partisan, one-stop website for all topics related to civic knowledge.  It includes curriculum units and downloadable lesson plans for government-related topics such as the Constitution, the three branches, and civil rights. Other units focus on citizenship, core literacy skills, and persuasive writing. The lessons are written for middle to high school leveled students. iCivics also offers a variety of online educational games that emphasize social studies skills and topics.