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GovFacts: Understand Government

14 Min Read

What Is Universal Basic Income (UBI)?

In August 2026, Stanford researchers updated a study of U.S. payroll records. Employment among workers ages 22 to 25 in occupations exposed to artificial intelligence (AI) stood 19 percent below…

17 Min Read

TrumpRx Drug Prices: Every Presidential Deals Medication

TrumpRx advertises Plavix for $15.95 with a 98 percent discount. On the Plavix product page, it tells insured patients to check their copay first; it may be lower. The discount…

An Independent Team to Decode Government

GovFacts is a nonpartisan site focused on making government concepts and policies easier to understand — and government programs easier to access.

Our articles are referenced by trusted think tanks and publications including Brookings, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, Pew Research, Snopes, The Hill, and USA Today.

Your Money & Home

What Happens to Your Health Insurance If You Lose Your Job

Losing your job can end your health insurance too. See how COBRA, marketplace plans, and Medicaid compare on cost, deadlines,…

Why the Section 8 Waitlist Can Take Years

Section 8 waitlists can take years because of capped funding, housing shortages, and landlords who refuse vouchers, not paperwork delays.

How to Cut Most of Your Junk Mail (and What You Can’t Stop)

Free tools like OptOutPrescreen and DMAchoice can clear out most credit offers, catalogs, and coupons cluttering your mailbox each week.

Your Health & Safety

How the Juvenile Justice System Differs

Juvenile court differs from adult court in age limits, legal rights like those from the Gault case, and three ways…

CHIP: How Kids Get Health Coverage

CHIP covers checkups, dental, vision, and mental health care for kids, with total family costs capped at 5 percent of…

The Barriers People Face After Prison

Collateral consequences are legal barriers to jobs, housing, and voting that can outlast a prison sentence. Learn how to find…

Your Voice & Rights

How to Find Out What’s on Your Ballot Before Election Day

See your ballot early using official state and county election sites, plus nonpartisan tools like Ballotpedia and Vote411 for candidates…

Can You Still Vote If You’re in Line When Polls Close?

If you're in line when polls close, you can still vote. States like Virginia and California use lists or markers…

What to Expect at the Polls on Election Day

Learn what happens at the polls on Election Day, from ID checks and check-in to accessible voting and provisional ballots,…

Your World

How U.S. Counterterrorism Works

See how NCTC, FBI, DHS, CIA, NSA and the military divide counterterrorism duties, and how they coordinate under the laws…

Who’s Actually in Charge of the U.S. Military?

The U.S. military chain of command runs president, Secretary of Defense, then combatant commanders, and troops must refuse illegal orders.

The Fight Over America’s Public Lands

Explains who controls America's public lands, how four federal agencies split the job, and why grazing rules and monument fights…

Why Family Green-Card Waits Can Last Decades

Learn how family visa categories, priority dates, and life events like marriage or death can affect a green card case…

Trending Federal Guidance

Understanding the Social Security Earnings Limit

You can receive Social Security retirement or survivor benefits while still employed. However, if you begin receiving benefits before reaching your Full Retirement Age (FRA), specific rules limit how much…

21 Min Read

USPS Package Size Limits

Whether you're shipping products nationwide as a small business owner or sending gifts to loved…

Understanding Your Passport Costs: A Clear Guide to Fees

Getting a U.S. passport is your ticket to international travel, but understanding the associated costs…

USPS Media Mail Rules and Restrictions

Media Mail is an economy shipping service provided by the USPS specifically for sending media…

Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Employees: Understanding Your Rights Under the FLSA

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the cornerstone of federal wage and hour law…

Other Top Federal Guidance

Step-by-Step Guide for Applying for Social Security Benefits

Navigating Social Security benefits doesn't have to be complicated. This guide breaks down the application process for Retirement, Disability, and…

Official USPS Change of Address

Moving to a new home is an exciting chapter but it also comes with a lengthy to-do list. Among many…

Federal Programs Eliminated Between January and September 2025

The Trump administration made changes to federal programs, offices, and initiatives between January and September 2025. The changes affected multiple…

Can the President Order FEMA Into a State Without the Governor’s Request?

In the American system of government, a delicate balance of power exists between the federal government and the states. This…

FEMA Disaster Aid and Federal Benefits: Will Your Social Security or SNAP Be Affected?

After a disaster, your focus is on safety, shelter, and recovery. The last thing you should worry about is whether…

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What Happens If You Show Up Without ID?

What really happens if you show up to vote without ID, from provisional ballots to state rules and the cure deadlines some voters must meet for their vote to count.

19 Min Read

What Counts as Valid Voter ID?

Learn how voter ID rules differ by state, what documents count as valid ID, and what to do if you show up without one, based on federal law and NCSL…

24 Min Read

Voter ID Requirements by State

Voter ID rules differ by state, from strict photo-ID laws to none at all. See what your state requires and what to do if your ID does not match.

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How to Track Your Mail Ballot After You Send It

Learn how to track your mailed ballot through postal and election systems, decode status messages, and fix problems before deadlines pass.

19 Min Read

Absentee vs. Mail-In Ballots: What’s the Difference?

Absentee and mail-in ballots differ by state: some require an excuse, others send ballots automatically. Learn the rules on deadlines and signatures.

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How to Vote by Mail: The Full Process

Learn the five steps to vote by mail: check eligibility, request your ballot, fill out the envelope correctly, return it early, and track it to catch rejections.

21 Min Read

How to Check If You’re Registered to Vote

Learn how to check your voter registration status online, what labels like inactive or pending mean, and what to do if your name is missing.

17 Min Read

Voter Registration Deadlines by State

See how voter registration deadlines vary by state, from 30-day cutoffs to same-day registration, plus how North Dakota and military voters differ.

21 Min Read

How to Register to Vote: A Step-by-Step Guide

A step-by-step guide to registering to vote online, by mail, or in person, covering required ID, proof of address, and state rules on age and eligibility.

19 Min Read

The Hidden Meaning Packed Into a ZIP Code

ZIP codes pack real routing info: the first digit picks a region, the middle three name a hub, and the last two find your local post office.

16 Min Read

The Problem ZIP Codes Were Built to Solve

The five-digit ZIP Code, launched in 1963, fixed a mail-sorting crisis by replacing clerks' memory with a machine-readable code, then found new uses.

22 Min Read