Ballotpedia:What people are saying

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What people are saying about Ballotpedia

  • The National Taxpayers Union says, "If you’ve ever wanted a “one-stop shop” for information on state and local ballot measures, past and present, I’d recommend you head over to Ballotpedia.org."[1]
  • Mark Tapscott, editorial page editor of the "Washington Examiner" says, "This is an important web site and I expect it to become an essential resource for everybody interested in public policy and politics."[3]
  • Go Green Solar says, "There are plenty of resources out there – most notably ballotpedia.org – that can give you more details about each side of the debate.[5]
  • The New York Times, in its The Caucus blog on July 19, 2008 wrote, "The alliance trainer told them not to hold the mindset that “the media is against us, the net is against us, the world is against us." Be the tireless minority online, she said, borrowing several times from that Sam Adams quote: "It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people’s minds." Those brush fires also translate into a host of new Web sites and tools that the alliance hopes will gain hold. It now boasts three "pedias:" Judgepedia for vetting judges at the state level; Ballotpedia for initiatives and elections; and Sunshine Review for transparency in government."[6]

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Newspapers are citing Ballotpedia

  • The Cincinatti Enquirer in an editorial on August 9 recommended that its readers consult Ballotpedia for "up-to-date information on Ohio ballot issues, plus historical data on state initiatives and amendments."[7]
  • The Daily Breeze newspaper in southern California quotes Ballotpedia's information about the June 3 ballot measure elections, writing, "According to the ballotpedia.org Web site, new parcel taxes to support ongoing local education programs were a tough sell at the polls this week."[9]
  • Erika Stultzman of The Daily Camera in Boulder, Colorado, refers her readers to Ballotpedia for information about Colorado's lengthy 2008 ballot, saying, "Meanwhile, a publicly edited "Wiki" ballot page (less reliable, yet much easier to use and read) is at Ballotpedia". (The only bad publicity is no publicity.)
  • KESQ-TV in Palm Springs, California, says, "If you've still have trouble understanding what's at a stake during the California elections Tuesday, than look no further than Ballotpedia."[10]
  • The Denver Daily News says, "With the near record-breaking number of initiatives scheduled for November’s ballot, learning enough about the measures to make an informed vote can seem overwhelming. Thankfully, the Web site Ballotpedia.com provides comprehensive information on all 19 measures that are likely to be on the ballot."[13]

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Bloggers using Ballotpedia

  • ForceChange, a blog writing about the environment, says "In this day and age of misleading advocacy commercials, Ballotpedia is a great place to get a quick and thorough rundown of both sides of a proposed measure."[15]
  • Jimmy Eat World says "...got my early ballot for arizona. although i try to keep up, there are a few ballot measures that i didn't know much about. while i was surfing around for more detailed info than the explanation booklet, i stumbled on a wiki site that helped."[16]
  • The Ohio Legal Research Blog says, "To locate a quick list of all of Ohio's ballot issues, try out the information compiled by ballotpedia.org. For Ohio it lists both the certified issues on the ballot and those that did not make it. In addition, there are links to news stories, case law references, and key facts on the current issues. A list of all Ohio ballots (from 1913 to 2007) has been compiled, along with summary information on Ohio's ballot procedures and history. All in all, a great research starting point."[17]
  • Daily Axioms says "Ballotpedia.org is arguably one of the more helpful wikis out there for being informed on what will be on the ballot this election. You can search out your individual state and figure out what issues are going to be voted on. Therefor, you can educate yourself on the issues before you enter the ballot box and wonder what proposition 123 is...This is a great example of the power of wikis to inform and educate."[18]
  • Luna Tail says, "I just had to devote a whole post to this site...I love wikis… such as WikiPedia, I love how the community can support them. Sure, sometimes a bad seed gets in, but for the most part good solid people with good solid information take care of it. And BallotPedia is no different. If you are wondering what is going to be on your ballot, what the issues in your state are, and if you also want to help contribute to the wiki, you really probably want to check this site out!"[19]
  • Leggy Lady says, "I'm not a hugely political person. I've always cared about the props but never quite knew how to research them well. I've just discovered a good starter source. Ballotpedia.org. It is a wiki site and has some good resources. Of course, take everything with a grain of salt."[20]
  • The Dude says, "While doing a little research on some of the constitutional amendments and referenda on this year's ballot, I stumbled across Ballotpedia. Pretty cool site with a summary of each of the state-level items on the ballot this year. If you haven't voted yet and need some info on a particular matter, this is a good place to get it. On another note, holy crap that was a long ballot."[21]
  • Chico Laura says, "Have you seen the new "Ballotpedia" web site yet? The site allows you to click on any state on the map graphic to get information about ballot measures and initiatives prior to the election....like Wikipedia, anyone is welcome to register and contribute information. According to the site's editing policies and guidelines, "Views should be represented without bias." (Yeah right...we're talking politics here, right?) : )[22]

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Interviews about Ballotpedia

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What researchers are saying

  • Governing says, "Come November, gubernatorial, legislative and local races won't be the only items on the ballot. Initiatives and referenda will top ballots in more than a dozen states, and a new Web site, Ballotpedia, aims to help voters navigate these measures."[24]
  • Infominder/Resource Shelf where "where dedicated librarians and researchers share the results of their directed (and occasionally quirky) web searches for resources and information", says, "..here in Florida, there always seem to be a wealth of “citizen initiatives,” etc., on the ballots at election time. The ballot language is often dense and impenetrable, and it can be difficult to figure out what you are voting for — or against. Ballotpedia attempts to keep track of these things and provide some context. It explains how the measure got onto the ballot in the first place, and tells you which groups/organizations are for it and against it — something that can be particularly helpful in the case of those ballot initiatives sponsored by special interest groups, but disguised by language to seem like something other than what they are.[25]
  • The Journalist's Toolbox, which shares helpful research tools for reporters and editors, lists Ballotpedia as a 2008 election resource.[26]
  • Oregon Legal Research, put together by a public law librarian, says, "...did you know about Ballotpedia? Use their search box and type in, uh, Oregon! They also have this beauty, Oregon ballot measures, and it includes 2008!"[27]
  • Dr. John Ratliff, a professor at Arapahoe Community College in Colorado, refers to the Ballotpedia article on Colorado 2008 ballot measures for extra credit reading.[28]

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References

  1. ↑ One-stop shopping for ballot measures
  2. ↑ Great New Tool From Ballotpedia
  3. ↑ Ballotpedia is citizen-powered democracy
  4. ↑ Ballotwatch 2008
  5. ↑ Oh the Confusion! Understanding CA Ballot Initiatives, September 1, 2008
  6. ↑ The Sam Adams Project
  7. ↑ Cincinatti Enquirer, "Voters must take the initiative", August 9, 2008
  8. ↑ Denver Post, "An avalanche of ballot measures, August 5, 2008
  9. ↑ Election aftermath
  10. ↑ Ballotpedia
  11. ↑ Employer manager warns against business initiatives, July 15, 2008
  12. ↑ Commissioners come out against Initiative 113, July 9, 2008
  13. ↑ Denver Daily, "Denver's got issues", August 6, 2008
  14. ↑ Napa Valley Register Voter Guide
  15. ↑ "With heated local ballot campaigns, Ballotpedia.org is a great resource", October 24, 2008
  16. ↑ Ballotpedia.org
  17. ↑ Ohio Legal Research Blog, "Ballotpedia", October 20, 2008
  18. ↑ Daily Axioms, "Ballotpedia: What is on your ballot?", October 20, 2008
  19. ↑ Luna Tail, "Ballotpedia", October 17, 2008
  20. ↑ Leggy Lady, "Ballotpedia", October 5, 2008
  21. ↑ Mountain Buzz, "Ballotpedia - handy ballot summary site"
  22. ↑ Chico Laura blog, "Ballotpedia", October 9, 2008
  23. ↑ Fighting taxation without information
  24. ↑ Governing's Idea Center, August 28, 2008
  25. ↑ Resources of the week: Another handful of niche sites
  26. ↑ Election 2008
  27. ↑ How to find Oregon statewide ballot measures
  28. ↑ Course syllabus, "POLITICAL SCIENCE 111: American Government"
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