Web sites offer voters non-partisan information

Patricia Moore

Because the millennial generation is more comfortable with technology, the Internet has become an integral part of the communication process between candidates, political activists and voters.Both presidential candidates have comprehensive Web sites that outline their campaign platforms and provide visitors with detailed information about their stance on issues. These Web sites can be found at www.JohnMcCain.com and www.BarackObama.com

Several other Web sites strive to offer non-partisan information on current political leaders and candidates.

Project Vote Smart provides visitors with biographical information, issue positions, voting records, transcripts from speeches and a variety of additional resources.

Project Vote Smart is vigilant in maintaining an equal balance of Democrats to Republicans in its membership and providing non-biased information to the voting public.

The Annenberg Political Fact Check project is another voter advocacy organization. Their Web site provides a counter balance to the “spin” that political candidates often employ when speaking to the public.

As a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, the organization accepts no funding from corporations, unions or lobbyists and focuses primarily on checking the factual accuracy of campaign ads, speeches, interviews and news releases.

Another useful tool for voters can be found on the Tax Policy Center’s Web site. By following a link in the center of the page, visitors to the Web site can access a side by side comparison of each candidate’s tax plans. The information is updated often and is available for download in PDF or Excel formats.

The Arizona Secretary of State’s Web site, www.azsos.gov, provides visitors with instructions on how to register in person or online; information on deadlines and important dates; a full listing of 2008 candidates, ballot measures, and propositions; as well as a list of accepted forms of identification.

Although sorting through the mountain of available information may seem overwhelming for young people who are new to the political scene, turnout among 18-29 year old voters is on the rise.

According to MCC student Danny Malouf, who voted in this year’s primary and intends to vote in the general election,

“It’s not a hassle. I only had to drive two blocks and I was only there for five minutes.”

Another student, Caysi Coronoado, who has not previously been active in politics, admits, “I don’t know anything about Biden.” But she is still enthusiastic about participating in the political process and intends to educate herself on the issues prior to election day.

Non-partisan Sources

Project Vote Smart
Http://www.votesmart.org

Annenberg Political Fact Check
Http://www.factcheck.org

Tax Policy Center
Http://www.taxpolicycenter.org

The Urban Institute
Http://www.urban.org

The Brookings Institute
Http://www.brookings.edu

On The Issues
Http://www.ontheissues.org

  • Mesa Legend Staff

    These are archived stories from Mesa Legend editions before Fall 2018. See article for corresponding author.

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