Free & Plain-Language
Civics Textbooks
Two free OpenStax textbooks, broken down by chapter and topic. Pick a spotlighted topic below, or browse a book’s full table of contents.
Other Informative Links
A few more reference and explainer resources from the Open Orgs directory.
Go Government
Guide to federal careers
A nonpartisan resource designed to help students and job seekers navigate the federal hiring process and find opportunities to serve in the U.S. government.
AAAS CASE Program
Science meets policy
An educational program that teaches science and engineering students about the federal policy-making process, the budget, and how to effectively advocate for research.
Ballotpedia
Encyclopedia of elections
Neutral, fact-based coverage of ballots, candidates, and elected officials at every level — from city council to Congress.
START Guide
Civic action directory
A comprehensive database of over 500 organizations categorized by focus area, including democratic reform, social justice, and government accountability.
Vote Smart
The facts on everyone
A nonpartisan research organization that provides candidate ratings from hundreds of interest groups, voting records, and their signature "Political Courage Test."