Ballotpedia's editorial approach documents
Federal government
State government
Local government
Public Policy
Influencers
Fact check
Elections
Editorial independence

ThePublic Policy project aims to illuminate major policy issues being discussed and implemented throughout the United States. Public policy can be complicated and controversial and has too often been the province of policy think tanks, academics and experts. Our coverage is neutral, nonpartisan and comprehensive, written in clear language for the non-specialist. We focus on the trade-offs involved when policy makers decide what works best and how to allocate resources to achieve a policy goal.

Ourmission is to help readers discover and learn useful information, so they can participate in public policy discussions and vote for candidates and initiatives aligned with their values and interests. Policy decisions matter because they affect citizens' lives in many ways, especially economically, legally and socially. We strive to present information in an engaging, compelling way that motivates readers to share our articles with others so that more people become informed.

Oureditorial approach includes the following:

• Give background including stakeholders and their stakes (organizations, elected officials, government agencies, etc.).
• Explain how policies are made and by whom, including major turning points (i.e. court cases, major legislation, candidate platforms, media coverage).
• Present the facts in a neutral, nonpartisan and well-documented manner.
• Use multiple, reputable sources, with clear references.
• Present state information in context and compared to neighboring states.
• Present opposing points of view on the issues.
• Avoid jargon and the language of experts.
• Present information in many different ways, including images, charts, links, maps, etc.

Coverage areas

Below is a list of the main areas we cover and some sample articles. For a list of all public policy articles onBallotpedia see theIndex of Contents: Public policy.

Budgets

• Budget and finances by state
• Tax policy by state

Civil liberties

• Nonprofit regulation
• Affirmative action
• Campaign finance

Education

• Education policy by state
• School choice information by state
• Charter schools in the United States
• Higher education by state

Elections

• Voting policy
• Ballot access
• Redistricting

Energy

• Energy policy by state
• Fracking policy
• Fracking information by state
• Oil and gas on federal lands by state
• Energy terms and definitions

Environment

• Environmental policy by state
• Glossary of environmental terms
• Endangered species policy by state
• Glossary of endangered species terms

Healthcare

• Healthcare policy by state
• Medicaid spending by state
• Effect of the Affordable Care Act in the states

Pensions

• Pension policy by state
• Public pension health by state
• Pension Terms and Definitions
• Public pensions

Contact information

For questions about our editorial approach or coverage areas, please contactthe editor.

Public policy state overviews

See also

• Index of Contents: Public policy
• Federal government editorial approach
• State government editorial approach
• Local government editorial approach
• Influencers editorial approach
• Fact check editorial approach

• Ballotpedia public-facing policies