MapLight Launches Illinois Voter Guide for Citizens

MAPLIGHT LAUNCHES VOTER’S EDGE ILLINOIS, A NONPARTISAN VOTER INFORMATION GUIDE TO THE 2016 ELECTIONS – Illinois Public Media and NBC 5 Chicago partner with MapLight to bring citizens in-depth voting information, that’s easy to understand, all in one place

March 2, 2016 — MapLight, a 501(c)(3), nonpartisan research organization that tracks money in politics, is pleased to announce the launch of a new voter information guide, Voter’s Edge Illinois. Voter’s simply type in their home address and their personalized ballot is delivered, supplemented by helpful information such as news articles, funding sources for Presidential and Congressionalcandidates, candidate biographies, ballot measure summaries, and more. Voters can mark their choices and print their ballot to bring to the polls or share with family and friends via social media.

“Voter’s Edge Illinois makes it quick and easy for Illinois voters to get the comprehensive, unbiased information they need to decide for themselves how to vote,” said Daniel G. Newman, Co-Founder and President of MapLight. “In the polluted environment of negative political ads, it’s a breath of fresh air for voters.”

The race for the U.S. Senate seat in Illinois is ranked as a toss up by the Cook Political Report. Voters can now use Voter’s Edge Illinois to quickly view funding profiles of all candidates in the race.

For example, citizens can immediately learn that Tammy Duckworth (D) and Mark Kirk (R) are the top fundraisers for their parties having raised $5.7 million and $4.5 million, respectively. To view funding profiles for all the candidates in the race, including their total money raised, the top five contributors to their campaign and the geographic origin of their funding, click through their image below.

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“MapLight is very proud to join with Illinois Public Media and NBC 5 Chicago to bring this essential information to voters before the Illinois primary on March 15,” Newman said.

“Illinois Public Media is fortunate to partner with MapLight to bring Voter’s Edge’s trusted research and information to our audience and citizens across the state,” said Kimberlie Kranich, director of community content engagement at Illinois Public Media. “Together we are able to provide sources of Congressional and Presidential campaign funds, news and analysis, the candidates’ political and professional experience, and more in time for the primary election.”

About Voter’s Edge

Voter’s Edge Illinois was made possible by generous support from the Joyce Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. The national expansion of the Voter’s Edge project was also generously supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Kaphan Foundation, the Rita Allen Foundation, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. MapLight California is a joint project of MapLight and The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, non-profit educational organization.

About MapLight

MapLight is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization that tracks money in politics. More information about MapLight can be found here.

MapLight Launches Illinois Voter Guide for Citizens

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