VoteSmartJS

JavaScript wrapper around Vote Smart's REST API with support for Node.js and the browser.

Base Requirements

• Node.js v0.10.33 64-bit
• npmjs v2.1.8

Production Installation

$ npm install votesmartjs

Development Installation

# Install VoteSmartJS
$ git clone https://github.com/votesmart/votesmartjs.git
$ cd votesmartjs
$ npm install

# Run Node.js tests with mocha
$ npm install -g mocha
$ npm test

# Run client tests in the browser
$ votesmartjs server -p PORT -k API_KEY
# Navigate to http://localhost:PORT/frontend-test

Node.js Usage

User must supply a valid API key as the first parameter when making a new instance of the VoteSmart object.

var VoteSmart = require('votesmartjs')
  , votesmart = new VoteSmart('API_KEY')
;

Browser Usage

User must supply a valid API key in the CLI when starting up the proxy server, but does not need to supply an API key when making new instances of the VoteSmart object.

The REST API doesn't currently support CORS, so you'll have to run a small proxy server in order to make requests from the browser:

$ votesmartjs server -p PORT -k API_KEY

Copy lib/votesmart.js into wherever you're serving static files from and load votesmart.js into your application as a regular JavaScript file:

<script src="/static/votesmart.js"></script>
<script>
  var votesmart = new VoteSmart();
</script>

API Reference

Vote Smart official REST API documentation

Address Module

GET campaign()

Grab campaign office(s) and basic candidate information for the specified candidate.

Input:

• candidateId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "candidateId": "3118"
};

votesmart.Address().campaign(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET campaignWebAddress()

Grab campaign office's web address(es) and basic candidate information for the specified candidate.

Input:

• candidateId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "candidateId": "3118"
};

votesmart.Address().campaignWebAddress(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET campaignByElection()

Grab campaign office(s) and basic candidate information for the specified election.

Input:

• electionId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "electionId": "2012"
};

votesmart.Address().campaignByElection(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET office()

Grab office(s) and basic candidate information for the specified candidate.

Input:

• candidateId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "candidateId": "3118"
};

votesmart.Address().office(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET officeWebAddress()

Grab office's web address(es) and basic candidate information for the specified candidate.

Input:

• candidateId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "candidateId": "3118"
};

votesmart.Address().officeWebAddress(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET officeByOfficeState()

Grab office address and basic candidate information according to the officeId and state.

Input:

• officeId
• stateId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "officeId": "3",
  "stateId": "AZ"
};

votesmart.Address().officeByOfficeState(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

---

Ballot Measure Module

GET measuresByYearState()

Return a list of state ballot measures in a given year.

Input:

• year
• stateId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "year": "2012",
  "stateId": "AZ"
};

votesmart.BallotMeasure().measuresByYearState(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET measure()

Return a single ballot measure in detail.

Input:

• measureId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "measureId": "1"
};

votesmart.BallotMeasure().measure(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

---

Candidate Bio Module

GET bio()

Grab the main bio for specified candidate.

Input:

• candidateId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "candidateId": "9490"
};

votesmart.CanidateBio().bio(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET detailedBio()

Expands on GET bio() by adding elements for education, profession, political, orgMembership and congMembership.

Input:

• candidateId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "candidateId": "9490"
};

votesmart.CanidateBio().detailedBio(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET additionalBio()

Grab extended bio for specified candidate.

Input:

• candidateId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "candidateId": "9490"
};

votesmart.CanidateBio().additionalBio(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

---

Candidates Module

GET byOfficeState()

Grab a list of candidates according to office and state representation.

Input:

• officeId
• stateId optional
• electionYear optional
• stageId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "officeId": "5",
  "stateId": "CA",
  "electionYear": "1998"
};

votesmart.Canidates().byOfficeState(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET byOfficeTypeState()

Grab a list of candidates according to office type and state representation.

Input:

• officeTypeId
• stateId optional
• electionYear optional
• stageId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "officeTypeId": "C",
  "stateId": "CA",
  "electionYear": "1998"
};

votesmart.Canidates().byOfficeTypeState(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET byLastName()

Grab a list of candidates according to lastname match.

Input:

• lastName
• electionYear optional
• stageId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "lastName": "Capps",
  "electionYear": "1998"
};

votesmart.Canidates().byLastName(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET byLevenshtein()

Grad a list of candidates according to a fuzzy lastname math.

Input:

• lastName
• electionYear optional
• stageId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "lastName": "Capps",
  "electionYear": "1998"
};

votesmart.Canidates().byLevenshtein(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET byElection()

Grab a list of candidates according to the election they are running in.

Input:

• electionId
• stageId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "electionId": "1",
  "stateId": "CA"
};

votesmart.Canidates().byElection(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET byDistrict()

Grab a list of candidates according to the district they represent.

Input:

• districtId
• electionYear optional
• stageId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "districtId": "21200",
  "electionYear": "1998"
};

votesmart.Canidates().byDistrict(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET byZip()

Grab a list of candidates according to the zip code they represent.

Input:

• zip5
• electionYear optional
• zip4 optional
• stageId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "zip5": "85716",
  "electionYear": "1998"
};

votesmart.Canidates().byZip(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

---

Committee Module

GET types()

Return committee types (house, senate, joint, etc).

Input:

• None

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()

votesmart.Committee().types(function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET byTypeState()

Return list of committees that fit query criteria.

Input:

• typeId optional
• stateId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "typeId": "S",
  "stateId": "AZ"
};

votesmart.Committee().byTypeState(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET committee()

Return detailed committee data.

Input:

• committeeId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "committeeId": "9831"
};

votesmart.Committee().committee(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET committeeMembers()

Return members of the committee.

Input:

• committeeId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "committeeId": "9831"
};

votesmart.Committee().committeeMembers(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

---

District Module

GET byOfficeState()

Grab district IDs by officeId and stateId.

Input:

• officeId
• stateId
• districtName optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "officeId": "5",
  "stateId": "AZ",
  "districtName": "2"
};

votesmart.District().byOfficeState(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET byZip()

Grab district IDs by zip5.

Input:

• zip5
• zip4 optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "zip5": "85716"
};

votesmart.District().byZip(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

---

Election Module

GET election()

Grab basic district election data by electionId.

Input:

• electionId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "electionId": "1"
};

votesmart.Election().election(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET electionByYearState()

Grab basic district election data by year and stateId.

Input:

• year
• stateId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "year": "1998",
  "stateId": "CA"
};

votesmart.Election().electionByYearState(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET electionByZip()

Grab basic district election data by zip5.

Input:

• zip5
• zip4 optional
• year optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "zip5": "85716",
  "year": "2012"
};

votesmart.Election().electionByZip(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET stageCandidates()

Grab basic district eleciton data by electionId and stageId.

Input:

• electionId
• stageId
• party optional
• districtId optional
• stateId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "electionId": "1",
  "stageId": "G",
  "stateId": "CA"
};

votesmart.Election().stageCandidates(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

---

Leadership Module

GET positions()

Grab leadership positions by stateId and officeId

Input:

• stateId optional
• officeId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "stateId": "AZ"
};

votesmart.Leadership().positions(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET officials()

Grab officials that hold the leadership role in certain states.

Input:

• leadershipId
• stateId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "leadershipId": "138",
  "stateId": "AZ"
};

votesmart.Leadership().officials(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

---

Local Module

GET counties()

Grab counties by stateId.

Input:

• stateId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "stateId": "AZ"
};

votesmart.Local().counties(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET cities()

Grab cities by stateId.

Input:

• stateId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "stateId": "AZ"
};

votesmart.Local().cities(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET officials()

Grab official by locality.

Input:

• localId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "localId": "1419"
};

votesmart.Local().officials(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

---

Npat Module

GET npat()

Grab a candidate's most recently filled out NPAT/PCT.

Input:

• candidateId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var query = {
  "candidateId": "1"
};

votesmart.Npat().npat(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

---

Office Module

GET types()

Grab all office types.

Input:

• None

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()

votesmart.Office().types(function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET branches()

Grab all of the branches of government and their IDs.

Input:

• None

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()

votesmart.Office().branches(function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET levels()

Grab all of the levels of government and their IDs.

Input:

• None

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()

votesmart.Office().levels(function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET officesByType()

Grab offices by officeTypeId.

Input:

• officeTypeId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "officeTypeId": "P"
};

votesmart.Office().officesByType(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET officesByLevel()

Grab offices by levelId.

Input:

• levelId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "levelId": "F"
};

votesmart.Office().officesByTypeLevel(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET officesByTypeLevel()

Grab offices by officeTypeId and officeLevelId.

Input:

• officeTypeId
• officeLevelId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "officeTypeId": "P",
  "officeLevelId": "F"
};

votesmart.Office().officesByTypeLevel(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET officesByBranchLevel()

Grab offices by branchId and levelId.

Input:

• officeBranchId
• officeLevelId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "officeBranchId": "E",
  "officeLevelId": "F"
};

votesmart.Office().officesByBranchLevel(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

---

Officials Module

GET statewide()

Grab a list of officials by stateId.

Input:

• stateId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "stateId": "AZ"
};

votesmart.Officials().statewide(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET byOfficeState()

Grab a list of officials according to officeId and stateId.

Input:

• officeId
• stateId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "officeId": "430",
  "stateId": "AZ"
};

votesmart.Officials().byOfficeState(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET byOfficeTypeState()

Grab a list of officials according to officeTypeId and stateId.

Input:

• officeTypeId
• stateId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "officeTypeId": "N",
  "stateId": "AZ"
};

votesmart.Officials().byOfficeTypeState(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET byLastName()

Grab a list of officials by lastName.

Input:

• lastName

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "lastName": "Obama"
};

votesmart.Officials().byLastName(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET byLevenshtein()

Grab a list of officials by a fuzzy lastName match.

Input:

• lastName

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "lastName": "Obama"
};

votesmart.Officials().byLevenshtein(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET byDistrict()

Grab a list of officials by the districtId they are running for.

Input:

• districtId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "districtID": "30903"
};

votesmart.Officials().byDistrict(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET byZip()

Grab a list of officials by the zip5 they represent.

Input:

• zip5
• zip4 optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "zip5": "85716"
};

votesmart.Officials().byZip(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

---

Rating Module

GET categories()

Grab categories that contain released ratings by stateId.

Input:

• stateId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "stateId": "AZ"
};

votesmart.Rating().categories(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET sigList()

Grab special interest groups by categoryId and stateId.

Input:

• categoryId
• stateId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "categoryId": "2",
  "stateId": "AZ"
};

votesmart.Rating().sigList(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET sig()

Grab detailed information for a special interest group.

Input:

• sigId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "sigId": "150"
};

votesmart.Rating().sig(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET sigRatings()

Grab all ratings for a special interest group.

Input:

• sigId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "sigId": "150"
};

votesmart.Rating().sigRatings(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET candidateRating()

Grab a candidate's rating by a special interest group.

Input:

• candidateId
• sigId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "candidateId": "68079",
  "sigId": "150"
};

votesmart.Rating().candidateRating(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET rating()

Grab all candidate ratings from a scorecard by a special interest group.

Input:

• ratingId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "ratingId": "7516"
};

votesmart.Rating().rating(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

---

State Module

GET stateIds()

Grab a list of state IDs and names.

Input:

• None

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()

votesmart.State().stateIds(function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET state()

Grab various data about a state by stateId.

Input:

• stateId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "stateId": "AZ"
};

votesmart.State().state(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

---

Votes Module

GET categories()

Grab categories that contain released bills according to year and stateId.

Input:

• year
• stateId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "year": "2012",
  "stateId": "AZ"
};

votesmart.Votes().categories(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET bill()

Grab general information about a bill.

Input:

• billId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "billId": "15049"
};

votesmart.Votes().bill(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET billAction()

Grab detailed action information on a certain stage of a bill.

Input:

• actionId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "actionId": "39537"
};

votesmart.Votes().billAction(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET billActionVotes()

Grab votes listed by a candidate on a certain bill action.

Input:

• actionId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "actionId": "39537"
};

votesmart.Votes().billActionVotes(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET billActionVoteByOfficial()

Grab a single vote by actionId and candidateId.

Input:

• actionId
• candidateId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "actionId": "39537",
  "candidateId": "3118"
};

votesmart.Votes().billActionVoteByOfficial(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET byBillNumber()

Grab a list of bills according to billNumber.

Input:

• billNumber

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "billNumber": "HB 2780"
};

votesmart.Votes().byBillNumber(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET billsByCategoryYearState()

Grab a list of bills by categoryId, year and stateId.

Input:

• categoryId
• year
• stateId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "categoryId": "4",
  "stateId": "AZ",
  "year": "2012"
};

votesmart.Votes().billsByCategoryYearState(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET billsByYearState()

Grab a list of bills by year and stateId.

Input:

• year
• stateId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "year": "2012",
  "stateId": "AZ"
};

votesmart.Votes().billsByYearState(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET billsByOfficialYearOffice()

Grab a list of bills by candidateId, year and officeId.

Input:

• candidateId
• year
• officeId optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "candidateId": "3118",
  "year": "2012",
  "officeId": "3"
};

votesmart.Votes().billsByOfficialYearOffice(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET billsByOfficialCategoryOffice()

Grab a list of bills by candidateId, categoryId and officeId.

Input:

• candidateId
• categoryId
• officeId optional
• year optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "candidateId": "3118",
  "categoryId": "5",
  "officeId": "3",
  "year": "2012"
};

votesmart.Votes().billsByOfficialCategoryOffice(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET byOfficial()

Grab all the bills an official has voted on by candidateId, officeId, categoryId and year.

Input:

• candidateId
• officeId optional
• categoryId optional
• year optional

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "candidateId": "3118",
  "year": "2012",
  "officeId": "3",
  "categoryId": "5"
};

votesmart.Votes().byOfficial(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET billsBySponsorYear()

Grab a list of bills that fit a sponsor's candidateId and year.

Input:

• candidateId
• year

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "candidateId": "28241",
  "year": "2012"
};

votesmart.Votes().billsBySponsorYear(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET billsBySponsorCategory()

Grab a list of bills that fit a sponsor's candidateId and category.

Input:

• candidateId
• categoryId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "candidateId": "28241",
  "categoryId": "5"
};

votesmart.Votes().billsBySponsorCategory(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET billsByStateRecent()

Grab a list of bills by stateId. Max returned is 100 or however much less you specify.

Input:

• amount optional - default: 100, max: 100
• stateId optional - default "NA"

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "amount": "50",
  "stateId": "AZ"
};

votesmart.Votes().billsByStateRecent(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});

GET vetoes()

Grab a list of vetoes by candidateId.

Input:

• candidateId

var votesmart = new VoteSmart()
var data = {
  "candidateId": "3118",
};

votesmart.Votes().vetoes(query, function (err, res) {
  if (err) throw err;
  else console.log(res);
});