Get to know the Voting Information Project (VIP)

If you’ve ever searched, “where to vote” online, you very likely were met with official election information from the Voting Information Project (VIP). For over a decade, VIP has helped voters navigate the logistics of our elections by making critical information — like where to vote and what’s on the ballot — easily accessible across the internet.

We’ve put together 10 facts to help you get to know VIP a bit better. From the nonpartisan nature of our work to the kind of information we work with, we’re breaking down the in’s and out’s of how we work with election officials to help America vote!

1. We amplify official election information.

The Voting Information Project (VIP) is a partnership between the nonpartisan, civic tech nonprofit Democracy Works and state and local election administrators. For more than a decade, our goal has been to provide official election information to voters where they look for it most: online.

2. We are committed to nonpartisanship.

VIP works to amplify the trusted information that we receive directly from election offices, regardless of party affiliation. In fact, more than 40 state and 150 county election offices regularly publish data through VIP! Our tools and data have been used by the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee, as well as by government resources like USA.gov and the Election Assistance Commission. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit initiative, nonpartisanship is foundational to VIP’s work.

3. We are a program of the nonpartisan, civic tech nonprofit Democracy Works.

Democracy Works is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization on a mission to help America vote no matter what. We do this by providing the tools, information, and support that voters need to confidently participate in every election, from national to local.

As a federally designated 501(c)(3), we do not endorse or support any candidates for public office, nor do we make any campaign contributions, whether monetary or in-kind.

4. We work with election offices to publish official and accurate information.

Election offices are able to submit information to VIP about where to vote and what's on the ballot for their next election. Once our team does initial quality assurance work, that same election office reviews the data and ultimately approves it to be published. With the approval of that election office, VIP publishes the data through Google’s Civic Information API. From there, organizations of all kinds can take advantage of this freely available information.

We know that polling places can change from one election to the next. After an election has concluded, the associated data is automatically removed from Google’s Civic Information API. Removing the data after each election ensures that voters are being informed by the most up-to-date and accurate information.

5. We never ask election offices for personal voter information.

The VIP dataset typically includes voting locations and their respective hours of operation, as well as contact information for state and local election offices. In some cases, it also includes ballot information for that particular election. Our dataset never includes any personal information about voters.

6. We offer our services to election offices free of charge.

Election office participation is free and voluntary for every election, from local to national. Our state and local partners choose to work with VIP solely because of the value and support we bring to their offices and their voters. Year after year, we are humbled by how many election offices take part in VIP.

7. We make free tools that anybody can use.

Any organization can use our free voting location lookup tools. These include the GetToThePolls.com website, our customizable and embeddable Voting Information Tool, and our SMS tool. ​By simply entering their residential address, voters can use our tools to find their polling location(s), contact information for local election officials, and other relevant information to help them successfully cast their ballots.

8. We support election administrators.

​​State and local election officials work hard to empower voters to participate in the safe and secure elections they conduct. VIP is just one of the many vehicles election officials use to amplify the information voters need. Even after the data goes live, election officials can always update it to capture any polling location changes.

9. We probably helped you vote in your last election.

VIP data reaches voters on major technology platforms like Google, Twitter, and Snap, as well as through apps like Spotify, Uber, and Lyft. Organizations like Rock the Vote, League of Women Voters, and Vote.org use our data to build innovative civic engagement tools. Media outlets, colleges and universities, campaigns, and government entities like USA.gov and the US Election Assistance Commission also refer voters to VIP.

The combined reach of VIP’s data means that whenever voters seek election information online, they’re met with official election data.

10. We are happy to answer any questions.

For general questions, reach out to our team at info@votinginfoproject.org. For press inquiries, email media@votinginfoproject.org.