Don't know where to start? Let these librarian-written guides shape your search.
Learn About Your Elected Officials
The best one-stop place for Philadelphians to learn about our elected officials is the Committee of Seventy's online Elected Officials and Polling Locations Tool, www.seventy.org. The Committee of Seventy is a non-partisan watchdog group which provides a host of useful information on their website, including Political Boundary Maps and Citizen's Guide.
To learn about the position of candidates for Congress on controversial issues that may be important to you, try http://votesmart.org/voteeasy. Voteeasy.org is maintained by the non-profit, nonpartisan group, Vote-Smart.org.
Federally Elected Officials
President of the United States
www.whitehouse.gov
The official site for the President, Vice President and First Lady. You can view information from the West Wing, Presidential news, appointments and major speeches.
U.S. Senate
www.senate.gov
Provides information on Senators, Senate Committees, legislation, voting records and Senate reference materials.
U.S. House of Representatives
www.house.gov
Use your zip code to find your Representatives.
U.S. Government Publishing Office
www.gpo.gov
Find information on all three branches of government.
U.S. Government Official Web Portal
www.usa.gov
A wealth of practical resources for citizens, businesses and federal employees.
Pennsylvania Elected Officials
Pennsylvania State Legislature
www.legis.state.pa.us
Pennsylvania General Assembly: Session Information
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/session.cfm
Provides access to bill tracking reports, a bill topic index and legislation enacted from 1975 to the present.
The Governor of Pennsylvania
www.governor.pa.gov
Take a look at the governor's welcome message, initiatives, pressroom, speeches and contact information.
Philadelphia Elected Officials
City of Philadelphia (Information: 215-686-1776 or 3-1-1)
www.phila.gov
A portal to Philadelphia government.
Office of the Mayor of Philadelphia
www.phila.gov/mayor
Lists Mayoral Initiatives, Staff, Offices and Press Room.
Philadelphia City Council
phlcouncil.com
Along with information on legislation, you can find a list of each council member with mailing address, telephone and email contact information. You can search for your council person by address.
Voting Information
Project Vote Smart
votesmart.org
This nonpartisan site offers comprehensive information on government, elections, candidates and voting for an informed citizenry and offers many approaches to the information.
Pennsylvania Department of State Online Voting Information Center
http://www.votespa.com/portal/server.pt/community/home/13514
Includes an online voter registration application, PA voter information, student voting information, and information on voting rights and absentee voting.
Philadelphia City Commissioners
www.philadelphiavotes.com
Offers information on how to vote and how to register to vote in Philadelphia (English and Spanish).
United States Election Assistance Commission
www.eac.gov
Includes the National Mail Voter Registration form.
U.S. Postal Service Zip Code Lookup
zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp
Find your ZIP Code +4.
Political Watchdog Groups
Govtrack
www.govtrack.us
"An independent, non-partisan, and open-source website launched in September 2004, GovTrack.us was the first website worldwide whose primary goal was to provide comprehensive legislative tracking for everyday citizens by embracing the power of technology such as 'Web 2.0' and 'open data'".
Open Secrets
www.opensecrets.org
From the Center for Responsive Politics, this website is a "clearinghouse for data and analysis on multiple aspects of money in politics—the independent interest groups called 527s, committees, federal lobbying, Washington's "revolving door", privately sponsored congressional travel and the personal finances of members of Congress, the president and other officials."
League of Women Voters
lwv.org
Offers information about many aspects of voting and registration, voter deadlines, voter registration drives, which includes when to vote, where to vote, what to bring with you and what you should expect on Election Day.
League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (717-234-1576)
www.palwv.org
Offers voters guides, emergency absentee ballot applications, and more.
Searching the Free Library of Philadelphia
If you're searching the Free Library of Philadelphia catalog or Electronic Resources consider using these subject headings:
Elections-Pennsylvania
Elections-Pennsylvania-Philadelphia
Philadelphia (Pa.)-Politics and government
Political campaigns
United States-Congress-Elections
United States-Politics and government