Are your elected officials being honest in their statements? Are things people say about a certain politician true?
It’s important we don’t jump to conclusions, and that we learn the facts so we can effectively vote in elections, form political opinions, engage in informed debate, and hold politicians accountable. Luckily, there are many reliable sources to help you with this.
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 reference@ualibrary.org, or stop by the lower level of the Tremont Branch.
INDEXES/DATABASES
The following are a selection of the UA Library’s online subscriptions. Unless you are in one of our library locations, you will need your UA Library card number and PIN in to access them. Please note: Links to our databases open in a new window or tab in your browser.
- 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.
- Gale Reference eBooks – To know the history behind current events and politics, what better resource than authoritative and comprehensive reference encyclopedias. The UA Library’s collection of Reference eBooks is available to card-holders any time of day. Check out the following titles if you are interested in looking into the history behind issues currently facing the United States:
REFERENCE RESOURCES
The UA Library reference book collection, available for use in the Reference Department of the Main (Tremont) Library includes a variety of books covering information and history of United States Politics and Government. Here is a selection of titles available
- The Almanac of American Politics
- The Annotated U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence
- Guide to Interest Groups and Lobbying in the United States
- How Congress Works
- Propaganda and Mass Persuasion
- The U.S. Constitution A to Z
- The Voter’s Guide to Election Polls
JOURNALS/MAGAZINES
The following are a selection of titles of the UA Library’s popular news and editorial magazines, that cover politics and current events in the United States. These titles have recent issues available for checking out, and in some cases, there is an archive of older issues in the Main Library’s Reference Department. Follow the links to the catalog or see a librarian for more information.
- The Atlantic
- Commentary
- Harper’s Magazine
- Nation
- National Review
- New Republic
- New Yorker
- Newsweek
- Time
- The Week
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 transcaregiver to voters.
- Federal Elections Commission – The FEC oversees and enforces campaign finance law. The Campaign Finance Data portal show how candidates and committees raise and spend money in federal elections.
- FollowTheMoney.org – The National Institute on Money in Politics tries to help voters understand the role money plays in politics.
- VoteSmart.org – This site offers the public records, voting history, statements, and more on the politicians on your ballot. The Vote Smart – 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.
SEARCH STARTERS
Select a subject term to find books and other material you can borrow in the UA Library’s catalog.