How to Learn More About Government Election Candidates

Another major election will happen this year. Many citizens tire of the months of campaigning, and interviewing. People may either watch or listen to stay informed, or they may burn out and zone out.  

So, if you find yourself frustrated, start with going straight to the source instead. Find each candidate’s campaign website and see what they say about themselves. That can be one effective way to learn more about someone who has not held an office before.

If a candidate has already held an office, you may find information on an official government website – especially for state and federal offices. (Note, though, that U.S. state websites differ from state to state.)

For U.S. federal information, I suggest starting with the website GovInfo.gov. In the search box on the homepage, type the name of the person you want to research. On this second page, you can search your candidate further by date, topics, and more.

If you pull up a digitized copy of a bill they sponsored or any other government document, you will see an emblem on the top of the document. This emblem will include the letters GPO, which stands for the Government Publishing Office. This emblem is proof of the authenticity of this document, so you can be sure that it is officially a legal document you can trust.

If you require further assistance in your search, Nette Information Services LLC is available to help. Remember, the initial consultation to discuss exactly what you need is free!