Political Science
Research Guides
Elections and Voting
270 to win is an interactive Electoral College map for 2008 and a history of Presidential elections in the United States
American National Election Studies
Conducts "quality data on voting, public opinion, and political participation to serve the research needs of social scientists, teachers, students, policy makers and journalists who want to better understand the theoretical and empirical foundations of national election outcomes." [from the site]
Affiliated with Harvard Law school "the mission of the CMLP is to provide legal assistance, education, and resources for individuals and organizations involved in online and citizen media."
Commission on Presidential Debates
"The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) was established in 1987 to ensure that debates, as a permanent part of every general election, provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners. Its primary purpose is to sponsor and produce debates for the United States presidential and vice presidential candidates..."
This "nonpartisan coalition was formed to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to participate in the political process."
A nonpartisan, nonprofit, "consumer advocate" for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding."
"FairVote acts to transform our elections to achieve universal access to participation, a full spectrum of meaningful ballot choices and majority rule with fair representation for all. As a catalyst for change, we build support for innovative strategies to win a constitutionally protected right to vote, universal voter registration, a national popular vote for president, instant runoff voting and proportional representation."
The name of this site refers to the number of electors in the Electoral College. It's mission is "... to accumulate and analyze polling and political data in way that is informed, accurate and attractive. Most narrowly, to give you the best possible objective assessment of the likely outcome of upcoming elections."
The League of Women Voters encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy, gives the most up-to-date information, and provides tools to get involved in the democratic process at the federal, state and local levels.
League of Women Voters of Oakland County Voter's guide
A voter's guide to the local and national elections, including city councils, district court judges and university governing boards.
National Association of Secretaries of State
This nonpartisan web site was created by state election officials to help eligible voters figure out how and where to go vote.
Polling data on politics, business, social issues updated as it becomes available.
Research on candidates for local and national elections collected by volunteers from candidates and public records. Biographical data, position records, voting records and interest group ratings are included for local, state and national elections.
Residents can search this site to determine if they are registered to vote, find the location where they will go to vote and view a copy of the ballot they will be presented with in the booth.
"Updated every morning and throughout the day, RCP culls and publishes the best commentary, news, polling data, and links to important resources from all points of the political compass and covering all the important issues of the day."
Sandra H. Wilson
Associate Library Professor, Head of ReferenceReference Services
McNichols Campus Library
wilsonsh@udmercy.edu
313-578-0577