With names like Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump making headlines, there’s no doubt that election season is in full swing. Presidential elections always get the most attention, but there are countless elections at the state and local levels that are just as important. Fortunately, there are a lot of online resources to help voters navigate their way to the voting booth. Here are the top five:
The United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC): The EAC Voter Resources website provides a wealth of voter information. Detailed information about how to register, confirming your registration, the mechanics of the voting ballot, polling locations, absentee voting, and election calendars are included. The National Voter Registration Application form is available for download. Tip sheets and FAQs are available in English and multiple other languages, along with a comprehensive election resource library.
VoteSmart.org:  VoteSmart is an interactive site that makes learning about the different candidates fun. VoteSmart pulls together facts about politicians in nearly every race in the United States. Using only accurate and reliable sources, the VoteSmart site gives specific details about a candidate’s record, positions, and funding sources as well as biographical information. Because each board member must be balanced out by another member with opposing political views, VoteSmart’s unique concept ensures unbiased reporting. For example, President Jimmy Carter and former President Gerald Ford once served at the same time. Requiring board members from both sides of the spectrum and refusing any financial assistance from special interest or candidate support groups ensures impartiality. Among VoteSmart’s many voter resources is an interactive questionnaire that helps you find the candidate that most closely matches your beliefs.
BallotPedia.org: BallotPedia calls itself the Encyclopedia of American Politics. Covering local, state, and federal politics, BallotPedia has an editorial staff of over 50 researchers and writers. Content is neutral, verifiable, and fact-checked before publication. Candidate information includes offices held, election results, education, campaign donors, and recent news. Information about elections includes everything from local school board races to presidential contests. The site also features an extensive list of voter education resources.
Vote411.org: Vote411 is funded by the League of Women Voters (LWV) education fund. This searchable database relays information about the elections in local, state, and federal races. The LWV voters’ guide also includes a personalized ballot, a side-by-side candidate position table, and a ballot you can print out to use as a reference guide when you go to the polls.
Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP): FVAP is a real-time voter alert resource that provides information about election dates, deadlines, and instructions on how to cast your ballot if you are an absentee voter. American citizens who live overseas, voters who temporarily reside outside of their local voting areas, military voters, and others who are unable to go to the local polls on voting day can sign up to receive email alerts and instructions.