Source-first research
Common vs. Commie is designed to let readers examine the underlying material rather than relying only on an editorial summary.
Preferred sources
We prioritize official legislation, roll-call votes, government records, court decisions, party and organization platforms, campaign materials, full speeches, interviews, and direct public statements. Reliable secondary reporting may be used for context, but it should not replace an available primary source.
How evidence is connected
Each evidence item may connect to one or more issues, politicians, political positions, organizations, bills, or public records. A single source can therefore appear wherever it is relevant without being copied into separate entries.
How positions are summarized
Summaries should distinguish between an official platform, a sponsored proposal, a vote, a personal statement, an endorsement, and a broader ideological association. Those are related forms of evidence, but they are not interchangeable.
Dates and historical context
Positions and affiliations can change. Profiles and issue pages should display a last-reviewed date, and historical records should retain the date and context in which the action occurred.
Corrections
Material errors should be corrected transparently. Readers can use the contact page to submit a source, challenge a characterization, or report a broken link.