CiviCRM Community Forums (archive)

Just wanted to point out what looks like a new Google resource that might be useful

https://developers.google.com/civic-information/
https://developers.google.com/civic-information/docs/us_v1/

http://www.google.com/elections/ed/us
http://votinginfoproject.org/

What is the Google Civic Information API?

The Google Civic Information API allows developers to build applications that display civic information including polling place, early vote location, candidate data, and election official information to users. The initial version of the API is geared towards election-related information for the United States. Future versions of the API may add more types of civic information and expand to other countries.

US election data is based on the political geography of a voter’s registered address. The voter’s address determines where the voter is eligible to vote and what offices and ballot measures the voter may vote on. There are many US elections throughout the year, and the election information relevant to a voter can shift depending on the election. Google assigns every election available in the API an election ID, and the information associated with that ID is intended to be accurate for that election only. You can use the Google Civic Information API to query all upcoming elections and then find information for a voter for a specific election.

Note: For the US General Election on November 6, 2012, there will be one election ID across the entire country.
You can use the Google Civic Information API to query upcoming election information, which includes:

Polling places (including early vote locations) for a given residential street address

Polling places are the locations at which voters cast their ballot on election day.

An address is usually only assigned to one polling place, but in some places voters may choose from a number of polling places or vote centers. Early vote locations are the places at which voter can cast their ballot before election day. Usually an address has more than one early vote location, and voters may choose to visit any early vote location to vote.

Contest and candidate information

Contest information contains races in which a voter is voting. A contest is usually a choice between candidates vying for an elected office.
Candidate information is the names and other data - like party affiliation - related to the individuals from whom a voter may choose when voting in a contest.

Election official information

Every state has an individual or several individuals who serve as the chief election officials with jurisdiction over elections in that state. This office is most often called the Secretary of State. Additionally, most states have local election officials who administer elections. This information allows users to contact the authority administering the election in which they are voting.

The data we return through the API includes both official data published and verified directly by a state or local election official along with data collected from official sources by trusted third party partners.

For more information about Google's US and international elections initiatives, see Google Politics & Elections.

How can this API be used?

The Google Civic Information API allows civic information to be retrieved by organizations and individuals who want to build tools based on this data, provided they accept our API Terms of Service.

Why is Google providing this service?

Google's mission is to make the world's information universally accessible and useful -- and that includes civic information!.

Is this service free?

Yes! The service is free for data providers, users who access this information, and third parties who use our apps to display civic information on their site. Once you register your project in the Google APIs Console, you may make up to 25,000 queries per day. If you need additional quota, use the Quotas page in the Goole API console for your project to request additional quota.

How does Google work with the Voting Information Project? (U.S. only)

The Voting Information Project is a partnership of state election officials, foundations, and leading technology companies in the United States working together to connect voters with the civic information they need to be more engaged citizens. Google is one the founders and participants in the initiatives.