The following resources will help you prepare to vote on November 5 in the 2024 General Election.

As the 2024 General Election approaches, avoiding misinformation is difficult. We need to be able to find out the truth behind what politicians and pundits are saying to be able to effectively form political opinions and vote.

The following are resource recommendations from UAPL Research Librarians for political fact checking. For further information, get in touch with our Research Department by phone (614-486-3342), email us at [email protected], or stop by the lower level of the Tremont Branch.

RESEARCH TOOLS

The following are a selection of the UA Library’s Research Tools. Unless you are in one of our library locations, you will need your UAPL card number and PIN in order to access them.

• Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints – Controversial issues, such as climate change, abortion, and gun control, are inextricably linked to politics. This resource allows you to educate yourself about the issues, and more importantly, get both sides of the argument.
• Columbus Dispatch Archive and Today’s Paper – For local and state-related political news, search full-text articles from the Columbus Dispatch and read today’s papers.
• US Major Dailies – This resource provides access to articles published in major national newspapers, including The New York Times and Wall Street Journal.

WEBSITES

Websites for National Politics

• FactCheck.org – This site is nonpartisan and nonprofit. It works to reduce deception and confusion in politics. They research the accuracy of major political players, including presidential candidates.
• PolitiFact.com – This is a fact-checking site for elected officials and politicians. It uses the Truth-O-Meter to rate statements from “True” to “Pants on Fire.”
• PunditFact.com – Pundits are people who discuss political news on television, radio, or online. This site also uses the Truth-O-Meter to rate statements that come from these sources.
• Washington Post Fact Checker – The Washington Post uses the Pinocchio test on this site. They also try to clarify issues and provide missing information.
• OpenSecrets.org – The Center for Responsive Politics tracks money in US politics. Their goal is to make the government and politicians more transparent to voters.
• Federal Elections Commission – The FEC oversees and enforces campaign finance law. The Campaign Finance Data portal shows how candidates and committees raise and spend money in federal elections.
• VoteSmart.org – This site offers the public records, voting history, statements, and more on the politicians on your ballot. The Vote Easy tool allows voters to enter their own positions on national issues and be matched up to candidates who agree with them.

Websites for State and Local Politics

• Ohio PolitiFact – Ohio candidates are under Truth-O-Meter scrutiny on this site.
• Judicial Votes Count – Don’t skip the judicial races on your ballot! This site helps voters understand how Ohio’s court system works, why it’s important to vote in judicial races, and how to cast an informed vote. 
• League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus –  The LWV provides helpful voting information and puts out the popular Voters Guide at Vote411.org before important elections.