Civic Resources
A Guide to U.S. Elections, Voting, and Civic Engagement
Democracy depends on informed, active participation, and that starts with having the right tools. Whether you're registering to vote for the first time, tracking a bill through Congress, researching candidates on your ballot, or exploring a run for local office, this page brings together the most trusted nonpartisan resources available.
These were selected for educational value, public accessibility, and commitment to nonpartisan civic usefulness. Inclusion does not imply endorsement of any candidate, party, or ideology.
Last updated: May 2026
Sections
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Voting & Elections
Civic Tech Tools
Government Transparency & Legislative Tracking
Contact Your Representatives
Voting & Elections
Fact-Checking & Media Literacy
Research & Public Data
Running for Office
How Government Works
Voting & Elections
Everything you need to register, prepare, and participate with confidence. These official and nonpartisan resources cover voter registration, polling place lookup, absentee and mail voting rules, election calendars, and candidate research, from your local school board race to federal contests.
Voter registration and official state election resources.
The official U.S. government voter registration portal. Connects you directly to your state's election office and provides step-by-step registration guidance for all 50 states and U.S. territories. The most authoritative starting point for first-time and returning voters alike.
Official election information, accessibility resources, and guidance on how elections work.
The only federal agency dedicated solely to election administration. The EAC serves as a national clearinghouse for election information, offering voter toolkits, a polling place lookup, poll worker recruitment tools, and accessible voting resources. An essential official source for understanding how U.S. elections are administered.
Civic Tech Tools
These tools make it easier to act on what you know. Whether you want to contact your representatives without picking up the phone, track how Congress is voting on issues you care about, or verify your voter registration by text, this section covers the platforms designed to lower the barrier to everyday civic participation.
Contacting elected officials by text, without phone calls or web forms.
A free tool that converts text messages into emails, faxes, or postal letters delivered directly to your elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels. Text RESIST to 50409 to get started: Resistbot identifies your representatives by zip code and handles all delivery. You can also text CHECK to verify your voter registration or POLLING to find your polling place.
Launched in 2017 during the first Trump administration, Resistbot is a delivery mechanism, not an advocacy organization. It provides no scripts, suggests no positions, and is used by people across the political spectrum to reach their representatives on any issue. Nearly 10 million people have used it to send over 35 million letters.
Tracking legislation and sending your opinion to Congress before bills are voted on.
A free, nonpartisan platform that alerts you when Congress is preparing to vote on bills related to issues you care about. IssueVoter summarizes each bill in plain language with perspectives from both sides, then lets you send your position directly to your representatives in one click. Your private profile tracks how often your elected officials vote the way you do, giving you a concrete record of how well you are being represented. Available on the web and as a mobile app.
Government Transparency & Legislative Tracking
Accountability starts with access. These tools let you follow the full arc of legislation, from introduction to committee to floor vote, and review how your elected officials are voting on the issues that matter to you. Campaign finance resources are included here too, so you can follow the money behind policy decisions.
Voter registration and official state election resources.
The official U.S. government voter registration portal. Connects you directly to your state's election office and provides step-by-step registration guidance for all 50 states and U.S. territories. The most authoritative starting point for first-time and returning voters alike.
Official election information, accessibility resources, and guidance on how elections work.
The only federal agency dedicated solely to election administration. The EAC serves as a national clearinghouse for election information, offering voter toolkits, a polling place lookup, poll worker recruitment tools, and accessible voting resources. An essential official source for understanding how U.S. elections are administered.