Web Research Resources

contributed by Deb Halpern Wenger
Associate professor, Virginia Commonwealth University and former assistant news director, WFLA, Tampa, Florida

Provides legislative information at the Congressional level on bills, links to good descriptions of Congress and the legislative process and other useful information on the way government works.

One of the best sources for state-by-state information on legislators: compiles voting records, issue positions and special interest group evaluations down to the state legislative level.

Great source for fundraising information on the federal level. For local fundraising information, go to your states Division of Elections website.

  www.newslab.org

If theres a link to it, the Newslab Guide to Covering Campaigns and Elections has it! Youll find everything from a tip sheet on covering money and politics on TV to what you should know about school board elections.

  www.reliableresources.org

A great feature of this site is the Political Reporters Resource Roadmap. Click on your state for access to current contact information for government personnel and academic experts that might be able to point you in the right research direction.

  www.rtndf.org

Click on Researching the Issues and youll bring up a two-page list of sites providing good information on voter issues and polling.