Navigating our Website
VoteSmart.org WorksheetBelow are types of questions we typically get from our Voter's Research Hotline callers (usually man-ed/woman-ed by Research Department Interns). With our immense database and overwhelming website, figuring out how to get the answers is half the battle. You might not be answering the hotline, but this is a great tool to get familiar with the scope of our site and comfortable with how to use it. Sometimes we need to use other resources outside of our site to help us find what we are trying to figure out- see some of the HotlineResources commonly used by those answering the hotline. If you have trouble finding something, just ask.
Hotline Calls Worksheet
1.Who are your federal and state legislators? Type in your address to find your full 9-digit zip code.
2.Who are my U.S. Senators and Representatives? I am from California. I don't know my 9-digit but my address is 501 Low Gap Rd., Room 1020, Ukiah, CA 95482 (Make sure you say their name, state, seat, and district).
3.When was Elizabeth Warren first elected? Did she take the PCT? How did she vote on the last VAWA bill?
4.I'd like campaign finance information for Senator Mary Landrieu. Where does Project Vote Smart get that information?
5.What did Senator Sherrod Brown, of Ohio, say about abortion and environmental issues on his PCT? If he didn't fill out the PCT, how can I locate his positions on those topics?
6.How did the National Rifle Association rate Steve King of Iowa? Do you know if the NRA endorsed King in the last election? Has that rating changed for the upcoming election?
7.How did Representative Lee R. Terry vote on H.R. 10, The 911 something bill?
8.I live in Okalossa County, Florida. I want to contact my local election office. Also, I will be turning 18 in July 2016, will it be too late to register to vote by then?
10.What Committees is Representative Henry Waxman on? When is he up for re-election?
11.What is Senator Mary Landrieu's position on oil and gas issues? Can you tell me her last public statement she made regarding oil and gas?
12.I need contact information for the US House Ways and Means Committee. Who is the chair and ranking member?
13.What are the top five industries that contributed to Representative Steve LaTourette's campaign according to the most recent campaign finance data?
14.Did Senator Chris Coons fill out the PCT? What did he say about Educational Issues? How did you find the educational positions on the Vote Easy tool for the senator?
15.I need voting records for the Representative of New York, District 19. What is their name by the way? (note: a voting record can be VERY long, try to limit the search to a topic of interest)
17.I live in California. What ballot measures will appear on the upcoming ballot in November?
15.How can I register to vote? Is it too late? I am living in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Key Votes Interns should familiarize themselves with these questions but do not need to answer any of the questions in writing.
