Curious about civics, democracy and government in Minnesota? With the links below you are on your way to becoming an even better citizen:
Civic Education Resources
Data by Topic – Minnesota State Demographic Center, Department of Administration
Find some of the most commonly requested data and resources about Minnesota and Minnesotans arranged by topic, and/ or request data.
How to Follow a Bill – Minnesota Legislature
Find a bill and its status; follow legislation through the process; find out when a bill has been signed or vetoed.
Legislative Television Coverage
Watch Minnesota representatives in action via webcam
Minnesota Coalition on Government Information
The Minnesota Coalition on Government Information (MNCOGI) is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that is devoted to openness and transparency in government.
Minnesota District Finder
Find your voting district
Minnesota Groundwater Contamination Atlas
A tool for learning about polluted groundwater at sites around the state.
Minnesota House of Representatives
Learn more about the bills that may become law
Minnesota Judicial Branch – Public Access
Access judicial records and help topics
Minnesota Secretary of State – What’s On My Ballot?
View your sample ballot; information is posted about 45 days before an election.
Minnesota State Government Series
Learn more about the Minnesota Legislature
mn.gov – Minnesota Government
Be directed to state government sites, including tribal government
Tips for Testifying before a Legislative Committee
Minnesota state lawmakers and committee staff offer advice to people interested in testifying before a legislative committee in this video clip (approximately 6 minutes).
Unclaimed Money from the Government
Find unclaimed funds held by the government that might be owed to you.
Understanding Legislation: How to Read a Bill
This video clip (approximately 7 minutes) contains tips for reading and understanding a bill that is before the Minnesota Legislature.
Civic Education Programs and Initiatives
One of the biggest challenges to teaching civics is making bigger-than-life concepts both relevant and engaging for students in elementary, middle, and high school.
In Minnesota, Learning Law & Democracy administers nationally recognized civic education student programs that provide real-life experience of the citizen’s role in a democracy.
A program designed to improve student understanding of democratic principles and civic deliberation skills.
Minnesota Civic Education Coalition
The Minnesota Civic Education Coalition represents concerned citizens and organizations that promote civic education in Minnesota schools, communities, and government.
Project Citizen is a civics/government curriculum that promotes competent and responsible participation in government.
Super Civics: Elementary Toolbox of Civics Lessons
Minnesota We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution
A national civic education program designed to foster understanding of the institutions of American democracy, including the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Learn more about our federal republic with these U.S. Government Resources
“Congress.gov is the official website for U.S. federal legislative information. The site provides access to accurate, timely, and complete legislative information for Members of Congress, legislative agencies, and the public.”
The FEC, an independent government agency, was created by Congress to promote confidence and participation in the democratic process.
See the details of state and tribal declarations on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s site.
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency.
http://www.oversight.house.gov
Investigations and Oversight – House of Representatives (for the Senate, go to each committee website and look at the oversight or hearing options).
National Association of Counties
As part of its mission to improve public understanding of counties, the National Association of Counties collects, researches, publishes and disseminates a variety of different information for, on and about counties.