Government articles
What does the Federal Election Commission (FEC) do?
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent federal agency responsible for enforcing campaign finance laws in US federal elections. Its work includes overseeing the public disclosure of campaign finance data, enforcing contribution limits, and managing public funding for presidential campaigns. It was established in 1975.
Voter lists: what are they?
Each state manages a list of registered voters, used to verify eligibility and manage elections.
How do runoff elections work?
Nine states schedule runoffs for congressional primaries where no one candidate takes a majority, and two have general election runoffs.
Why don’t people vote?
Eighteen million registered voters didn't cast a ballot in 2024. What was their reason?
How do voting laws differ by state?
Voter registration, ability to vote by mail, and ID requirements to vote in-person vary by state.
What does the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) do?
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is an independent executive branch agency responsible for safeguarding employees’ rights to unionize and preventing unfair labor practices. Its functions include conducting union elections, investigating charges of unfair practices, deciding cases, and enforcing punishment. It was established in 1935.
What does the National Mediation Board (NMB) do?
The National Mediation Board (NMB) is an independent federal agency responsible for managing labor relations in the railroad and airline industries. It mediates contract negotiations, resolves labor disputes, and conducts union representation elections to help prevent work stoppages and maintain uninterrupted transportation services. It was established in 1934 under the Railway Labor Act.
What does the Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) do?
The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) is a subdivision of the Department of Labor responsible for promoting and protecting democracy and integrity within labor unions by enforcing standards for union officer elections, investigating violations, and requiring public disclosure of union financial information. It was established in 1959.
USAFacts’ top 10 articles of 2025
Crime, government activity, federal revenue and debt, election data, border security, and federal employment numbers were among readers’ favorite articles.
State of the Facts 2024: Americans’ views on data, election information, and AI
Americans are more likely to use “new media” as news sources, but less likely to trust them.
What does the House of Representatives (HOUSE) do?
The House of Representatives (the House) is one of two chambers of the legislative branch responsible for creating and passing federal laws. It has 435 voting members, each representing a district within one of the 50 states. Members serve two-year terms and can be re-elected an unlimited number of times. As one of the chambers of Congress, the House introduces and votes on bills, drafts budget and appropriatons legislation, conducts investigations, and initiates impeachment proceedings against federal officials. It was established in 1789.
How do marijuana laws differ between states?
As of April 2026, recreational cannabis is legal in 24 states and Washington, DC, while medical marijuana has been legalized in an additional 16 states.
How many Americans voted in 2024?
Voter turnout was the third highest since 1980 but declined by 1.5 percentage points since 2020.
How much of the American workforce is unionized?
Union membership is at its lowest in nearly 40 years. Workers in the public sector are the most likely to unionize.
Breaking down government finances: federal, state, and local
In this episode of Just the Facts, Steve Ballmer breaks down how government responsibilities and spending are divided across federal, state, and local governments in the United States, using official government data. With nearly 91,000 government entities nationwide, understanding who does what — and who pays for it — is more complicated than it might seem.
The naturalization process: Explained
For anyone not born a US citizen, the only way to become one is by naturalization. Learn about what it is, how it’s changed, and what the process entails.