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Tool Box
Meeting you where you are, with tools designed for different types of civic autonomy.
JustFacts
Direct access to the official political record.
Inquiry Style
Direct exploration of documented political records and historical data.
Political Fluency Required
Comfortable with policy detail.
Research Hotline
Talk to a real Vote Smart researcher.
Inquiry Style
Direct inquiry supported by a Vote Smart researcher.
Political Fluency Required
No prior fluency needed. Researchers assist with documentation.
Candidate Pages
Full profiles on any candidate — votes, ratings, stances, and contact info.
Inquiry Style
Profile-based deep dive into an individual’s full public record.
Political Fluency Required
Any level — find your representatives or research a race.
Civic Sage
Best if you want to understand something quickly and clearly.
Inquiry Style
Conversational question-and-answer format designed for quick understanding across topics.
Political Fluency Required
No prior fluency needed. Designed for question-driven entry.
Vote Easy(er)
Compare candidates side by side using our advanced inference algorithm — built on 34 years of research.
Inquiry Style
Comparative issue-based exploration to see where candidates align with your views.
Political Fluency Required
Basic civic familiarity helpful.
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Empower your application with our massive database of candidates, officials, and voting records. Used by major news organizations and researchers.
Custom Data Services
Need specific political data sets? Our team can help you find and format the information you need for your research or project.
Our Foundation
Principles before politics. Always.
Founded in 1992 by leaders from across the political spectrum, including honorary co-chairs Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, Vote Smart exists to provide Americans with trusted, factual, and strictly nonpartisan tools.
We accept no donations from corporations, governmental grant programs, political parties, or advocacy groups. Our work is driven by ordinary citizens.
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Source-Grounded
Every fact backed by a complete citation.