Fact-checking websites can help you investigate claims to help you determine whether what you hear or read is true. These resources can help you determine the legitimacy of a claim, but even fact-checking websites should be examined critically.
FactCheck.org
A project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center that checks the accuracy of political statements, news, and claims
PolitiFact
Run by the Tampa Bay Times (which is owned by journalism school the Poynter Institute), this site checks and ranks political claims
Snopes.com
This site, which has operated since 1995, fact-checks urban legends, rumors, and news
The Poynter Institute / Fact-Checking Resources
The Poynter Institute serves as the world’s leading resource for journalists to engage and inform the public in democratic societies.
Media Bias/Fact Check
Aims to call biased or deceptive news and media practices
Washington Post Fact Checker
Fact checks political and governmental topics
Non-partisan organization providing up-to-the-minute news and analysis on election reform. See their resource library for more information on the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Their interactive map lets one see numbers of registered voters, voting age population, voting system used etc.
A non-partisan, non-profit organization that studies how voting systems affect participation, representation and governance. Information on proportional representation, redistricting and voter rights.
MassVote provides information on Massachusetts voter registration, absentee voting, voting rights, and information for new voters.
Campaign Finance Reports and Data
Find data on spending and fund raising by zip code, state, campaign, candidate and committee back to 1980, includes bulk downloading options.
FollowTheMoney.org
Comprehensive campaign finance data and research reports compiled from federal and state disclosure agencies, provided by the nonpartisan, nonprofit National Institute on Money in Politics
OpenSecrets.org
Non-partisan resource from the Center of Responsive Politics on money's influence on U.S. elections and public policymaking