(6/25/02)
- PVS is a "Voter's Self-Defense System" -- of factual, trustworthy, relevant information on candidates and elected officials that allows citizens to defend themselves against the often-manipulative campaign tactics of many candidates.
- What we have and who we cover:
- A national research library of factual information on 40,000 candidates and elected officials (presidential, congressional, gubernatorial, state legislative, and county and local officials)
- 5 categories (voting records, campaign finance contributions, issue positions, backgrounds and contact information, and competing special interests' performance evaluations)
- Provide free access to information in 3 ways: Voter's Research Hotline (1-888-VOTE SMART), web site (www.vote-smart.org), and free publications (Voter's Self-Defense Manual).
- System protected from any perception of slant or bias in 4 ways:
- If you want to come on our founding board and you have a known political reputation, you have to join with a political opposite
- PVS is funded entirely by philanthropic foundations and the contributions of over 45,000 individuals -- we accept no corporate, special interest, labor, or government support
- Most of the work is done by volunteers and interns, who are not paid, and the small paid staff receives minimal salaries.
- We don't lobby for or against any cause or issue, or support or oppose any candidate.
- What makes it all possible are the students and volunteers who are willing to come out to the middle of nowhere (the Great Divide Ranch, our research retreat center), at their own expense, and do monotonous, repetitious data entry, fact checking and envelope stuffing, in order to improve the way politics is practiced.
- The pay-off (besides doing good work) is where we do this work: the Montana Rockies, with skiing, fly-fishing, hiking, etc. in a beautiful pristine wilderness setting.
- We recruit interns and volunteers and have scholarship support available. They usually come for ten-weeks, anytime they want. (Our PVS members come for two weeks, and also work full-time). Can call the Hotline for more information about the internship and volunteer opportunities.
- Urge audience to try out the system by calling the Hotline and going to the web site. Be sure to give out the Hotline and web number/address at least once, and more if you can in each interview. Make sure the interviewer will include it in the story.
