Every election throughout the year is special (even if it’s regularly scheduled), but the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November always has a particularly special place in our organization’s heart. This year is no exception, and as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, CTCL has worked on civic data efforts to research ballot information from local election offices across the US. This information enables a number of tools to help connect voters to the ballot information they need to make an informed decision when they step into the voting booth.

Here are a few of the places you’ll see our data as you prepare to head into the voting booth today:

• Facebook: This election cycle we’ve renewed our partnership with Facebook to connect all US Facebook users with local ballot information. This year Facebook developed a new and improved candidate information tool that includes direct-to-camera videos from candidates on why they’re running for office, what policy issues they care about, and what they hope to accomplish if elected. All US users have received in Newsfeed nudges prompting them to use the candidate info tool. You can read more here.
• Google Search: We have also continued our years-long partnership with Google to enhance the civic information available on Search. When a user searches for a candidate or office up for election, CTCL’s data is included in Search features that provide useful information about that contest, surface the other candidates competing for that office, and more. More information is available here.
• Google Civic Information API: CTCL’s data is also available via the Google Civic Information API, which allows organizations to build their own custom tools to connect people with ballot information. Tools built with the ballot information in the API include Get to the Polls from the Voting Information Project, Vote.org’s ballot information feature, and a number of state-specific tools from Rock the Vote.

At CTCL, we believe that putting answers to voters’ most asked questions in the places they already go for information is a powerful way to help people feel confident in navigating the electoral process and ultimately make our democracy stronger. We sincerely thank all of the election officials across the country, without whom none of our efforts would be possible, and all of our partners, large and small, who help get this information into the hands of those who can use it. We hope everyone has an excellent Election Day!