Resource Guide - Organizations


American Association of Political Consultants

"Founded in 1969, the AAPC is a multi-partisan organization of political and public affairs professionals dedicated to improving democracy. The AAPC has over 1,350 members hailing from all corners of the globe. It is the largest association of political and public affairs professionals in the world. AAPC members consist of political consultants, media consultants, pollsters, campaign mhttps://twitter.com/ConstitutionCtranagers, corporate public affairs officers, professors, fund-raisers, lobbyists, congressional staffers and vendors."

theaapc.org  |  @theaapc  |  fb.com/AAPCFans



American Political Items Collectors

The American Political Items Collectors is a non-profit membership organization, dedicated to promoting the collection, preservation and study of materials relating to political campaigns and the presidency. Founded in 1945, the APIC serves a growing hobby. Our membership includes collectors and enthusiasts from all walks of life and every occupation such as educators, students, archivists, historians, elected officials including members of Congress, political junkies, political animals, campaign staffers, journalists from print, broadcast and cable, museum curators and even a couple of past Presidents!

www.apic.us  |  fb.com/apicusa



C-SPAN

"C-SPAN is a public service created by the American Cable Television Industry
-To provide C-SPAN's audience access to the live gavel-to-gavel proceedings of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and to other forums where public policy is discussed, debated and decided––all without editing, commentary or analysis and with a balanced presentation of points of view;
-To provide elected and appointed officials and others who would influence public policy a direct conduit to the audience without filtering or otherwise distorting their points of view;
-To provide the audience, through the call-in program, direct access to elected officials, other decision makers and journalists on a frequent and open basis;
-To employ production values that accurately convey the business of government rather than distract from it; and
-To conduct all other aspects of its operations consistent with these principles."

www.c-span.org  |  @cspan  |  fb.com/CSPAN



Center for Responsive Politics

"Nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, the Center for Responsive Politics is the nation's premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy. OUR VISION is for Americans, empowered by access to clear and unbiased information about money’s role in politics and policy, to use that knowledge to strengthen our democracy. OUR MISSION is to produce and disseminate peerless data and analysis on money in politics to inform and engage Americans, champion transparency, and expose disproportionate or undue influence on public policy."

www.opensecrets.org  |  @opensecretsdc  |  fb.com/opensecrets



Close Up Foundation

"We believe that a strong democracy requires active and informed participation by all citizens; therefore we seek to reach participants of every race, creed, geographical community, socio-economic level, and academic standing. Close Up welcomes participation on its programs without regard to gender, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or disability. To carry out our mission, we partner with educators, schools, and youth organizations throughout the country to help young people develop the skills and attitudes to become informed and engaged citizens. Since 1971, over 825,000 participants have participated in Close Up programs."

www.closeup.org  |  @CLOSEUP_DC  |  fb.com/CloseUpWashingtonDC



Federal Election Commission


"In 1975, Congress created the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to administer and enforce the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) - the statute that governs the financing of federal elections. The duties of the FEC, which is an independent regulatory agency, are to disclose campaign finance information, to enforce the provisions of the law such as the limits and prohibitions on contributions, and to oversee the public funding of Presidential elections."

fec.gov  |  @fec



League of Women Voters

"The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

lwv.org  |  @LWV  |  fb.com/leagueofwomenvoters



Museum of Democracy

"Jordan M. Wright a lawyer and magazine publisher, began collecting political memorabilia at the age of ten. Since then, he has amassed the largest and most comprehensive collection in the world. Jordan Wright's collection tells the colorful and exciting story of how incumbents and candidates (and their losing rivals) have wooed voters since America was founded."

www.museumofdemocracy.org  |  fb.com/MuseumofDemocracy



National Constitution Center


"The National Constitution Center is the first and only institution in America established by Congress to “disseminate information about the United States Constitution on a non-partisan basis in order to increase the awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people."

constitutioncenter.org  |  @ConstitutionCtr  |  fb/constitutionctr



The National Museum of American History

"Through incomparable collections, rigorous research, and dynamic public outreach, we explore the infinite richness and complexity of American history. We help people understand the past in order to make sense of the present and shape a more humane future."

amhistory.si.edu  |  @amhistorymuseum  |  fb.com/americanhistory
Government, Politics, and Reform  |  Exhibitions 
Coming June 28, 2017:
American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith



Newseum

"The Newseum, headquartered in Washington, D.C., promotes, explains and defends free expression and the five freedoms of the First Amendment: religion, speech, press, assembly and petition...  Since opening in 2008, more than six million have visited its modern building located on historic Pennsylvania Avenue between the United States Capitol and the White House. The Newseum’s seven levels of interactive exhibits include 15 galleries and 15 theaters."

www.newseum.org  |  @Newseum  |  fb.com/newseum



Presidential Libraries and Museums of the National Archives

"Presidential Libraries are archives and museums, bringing together the documents and artifacts of a President and his administration and presenting them to the public for study and discussion without regard for political considerations or affiliations. Presidential Libraries and Museums, like their holdings, belong to the American people."

www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries



U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

"Exhibition Hall features original documents and artifacts, videos, touchable models, computer interactives and two small theaters, providing visitors with an in-depth look at how Congress works, the history of the Capitol and Congress, as well as information on Representatives and Senators."

www.visitthecapitol.gov
  |  Exhibition Hall



Vote Smart


"Vote Smart is dedicated to providing voters with the essential information to self-govern effectively. Because a knowledgeable electorate is the strongest component of a functioning democracy, Project Vote Smart strives to provide free, non-biased, in-depth, and accurate information about current officials, candidates, issues, legislation, and voting."

votesmart.org  |  @VoteSmart  |  fb.com/ProjectVoteSmart



International Foundation for Electoral Systems

"The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) supports citizens’ rights to participate in free and fair elections. Our independent expertise strengthens electoral systems and builds local capacity to deliver sustainable solutions.
As the global leader in democracy promotion, we advance good governance and democratic rights by:
  • -Providing technical assistance to election officials
  • -Empowering the underrepresented to participate in the political process
  • -Applying field-based research to improve the electoral cycle
Since 1987, IFES has worked in over 145 countries – from developing democracies, to mature democracies."

www.ifes.org  |  @IFES1987  |  fb.com/IFES1987
ElectionGuide



Also note:
Museum of American Political Life: On display at the University of Hartford from 1989 to 2003. >


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