Women in Politics - POLS 240 - Roberts

Resources by Paper Section

Section I

A - Background Information on Candidate

• VoteSmart
• Ballotpedia
• Candidate websites (both official and campaign sites if available)
• Candidate social media sites (both official and campaign sites if available)
• News sources (Newspaper Source Plus or Nexis Uni)

B - Background Information on Opponent (see above for resources)

C - Electoral Environment for the Candidate

1. Political dynamics in the state/district (Democratic or GOP leaning, other political factors)

• Ballotpedia
• News sources (Newspaper Source Plus or Nexis Uni)
• Real Clear Politics
• Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball

2. Presidential support or drag (influence of president’s approval rating, policy decisions)

• Real Clear Politics
• Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball
• News sources (Newspaper Source Plus or Nexis Uni)

Section II

A - State/District Profile

• United States Census data
• Real Clear Politics (Polls for state issues)
• Ballotpedia (Search for your state)
• News sources (Newspaper Source Plus or Nexis Uni)

B - Voting Records (if any)

• VoteSmart (part of Ballotpedia)

C - Campaign Finance

• Opensecrets.org
• Federal Election Commission

D-Candidate Campaign Style

• Candidate Websites
• News sources (Newspaper Source Plus or Nexis Uni)
• YouTube or other video sites (search for their campaign playlists)

Section III

Political Analysis of the Campaign

Section IV  

Representational role (If your candidate is a current Senate/House member, then your analysis will need to include an analysis of their past actions in this role and future strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Otherwise, you will be projecting these out based on the candidate’s background and experiences)

Information on Women in U.S. Politics

• Center for American Women in Politics (Rutgers)