USA Simple Civics
Government explained
in everyday words.
Understand how decisions are made, what is on your ballot, and how public policy affects daily life.
Start hereBrowse all topicsCapitol photo by Harold Mendoza via Unsplash.
Choose a starting point
What would you like to understand?
You do not need to read these guides in order. Start with a question that matters to you.
How does a law get made?
Follow an idea through Congress and the president.
Who can fix this problem?
Explore who affects prices, roads, services, and other common concerns.
What will be on my ballot?
Find your sample ballot and understand its choices.
What do political labels mean?
Separate government systems from economic systems.
Who represents me?
Start with the members of Congress directory.
How do other countries do it?
Explore health care, college, taxes, transport, and more.
Explore the full collection
Find something you’re curious about
Pick a subject or follow a question. Open “more guides” to see every topic in a group.
Government basics
Who can actually fix this?
Gas prices, potholes, taxes, medical bills—find out who has a say.
Start exploringExplore government basics
- The three branches Who does what in Washington?
- How laws are made From an idea to a law.
- Executive orders What a president can direct.
- Government & economic systems Democracy, capitalism, socialism & more.
Explore 3 more guides in government basics
Elections & voting
What am I voting for?
Understand the names, offices, and questions on your ballot.
Start exploringExplore elections & voting
- Elections & voting hub Start with the voting hub.
- Research candidates Find reliable candidate information.
- How elections work The steps from voting to results.
- Presidential elections & the Electoral College Popular votes, electors & maps.
Explore 4 more guides in elections & voting
Leaders, laws & rights
What did Congress vote for?
Explore important votes and the decisions behind them.
Start exploringExplore leaders, laws & rights
- Members of Congress Find members of Congress.
- Congressional ethics & money Rules, disclosures & conflicts.
- Campaign finance How campaigns get their money.
- Presidents & their terms Presidents and their terms.
Explore 7 more guides in leaders, laws & rights
Taxes, budgets & the economy
Where does the money go?
See what states send to Washington and what they receive.
Start exploringExplore taxes, budgets & the economy
- Data hub Explore the data collection.
- U.S. numbers & government decisions Numbers, trends & policy context.
- Tax brackets & major tax changes Tax rates and who changed them.
- The national debt Debt over time and who held office.
Explore 1 more guide in taxes, budgets & the economy
Everyday costs & public services
Why does health care cost so much?
Explore spending, insurance, and policy changes.
Start exploringExplore everyday costs & public services
- Housing costs Home prices, income & policy.
- Housing & zoning What can be built, and where?
- Medical insurance history How coverage changed over time.
- College costs Tuition, costs & public policy.
Explore 1 more guide in everyday costs & public services
Immigration
How does immigration work?
Start with the legal paths, history, work rules, and benefits.
Start exploringCrime, policing & prisons
What do crime numbers tell us?
Compare changes over time and learn the limits of the data.
Start exploringAround the world
How do other countries do it?
Compare everyday services, costs, voting, and public spending.
Start exploringExplore around the world
- Medical costs around the world Health spending across countries.
- College costs around the world Tuition and student support.
- International tax rates Compare tax systems and rates.
- Public transport & high-speed rail Trains, transit, fares & high-speed rail.
Explore 5 more guides in around the world
How to use these guides
Start with the explanation, then check the sources. For tables, look at the year, what is being measured, and any notes about missing information. A number and the person in office at the time do not, by themselves, prove what caused a change.
Topic directory updated October 18, 2026. Each guide explains its own sources and review limits.