# vote.direct MCP > vote.direct gives your AI client instant access to localized election and voter data. It lets you audit polling centers near any address, track registration deadlines for specific states, or pull detailed ballot information for upcoming elections. Stop opening government websites; just ask your agent. ## Overview - **Category:** productivity - **Price:** Free - **Tags:** voter-information, election-data, civic-engagement, polling-locations, registration-deadlines ## Description This MCP connects your agent directly to civic participation data, letting you run deep audits on local election systems without needing manual research. You can instantly check what the rules are in a given state by querying registration deadlines or map out all planned elections for a specific ZIP code. It’s about moving from hours of clicking through government portals to one natural conversation. For example, if you're organizing a campaign across multiple states, your agent can gather everything needed—from polling center addresses to the exact contents of local ballots—and compile it instantly. The true power comes when you chain this MCP with other services; for instance, building an automation that first checks eligibility using `get_registration_details`, then uses those results to trigger a messaging service via another connected MCP. This entire workflow runs reliably through Vinkius's zero-trust proxy, meaning your keys are used only in transit and never stored on a disk. ## Tools ### check_api_status Confirms whether the entire election data service is currently operational. ### get_ballot_information Retrieves detailed information about specific ballot items for a given election and address. ### get_upcoming_elections Lists all planned elections, including dates, within a specific ZIP code. ### get_polling_locations Finds physical polling locations that are near any street address you specify. ### get_registration_details Gets the official voter registration deadlines and required links for an entire state. ## Prompt Examples **Prompt:** ``` Find polling locations near '1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC' using vote.direct. ``` **Response:** ``` I've retrieved the polling locations for that address! The nearest site is identified as [Name], located at [Address]. It is open from 7 AM to 8 PM on election day. Would you like to see other nearby locations? ``` **Prompt:** ``` What elections are upcoming for ZIP code '90210'? ``` **Response:** ``` I've identified 2 upcoming elections for 90210! These include a Municipal Election on June 4th and a General Election on November 5th. I can provide the ballot details for either if you'd like. ``` **Prompt:** ``` Get registration deadline for 'New York'. ``` **Response:** ``` I've retrieved the registration information for New York. The deadline for online registration is 15 days before the election. I can provide the official registration link to assist you with the process. ``` ## Capabilities ### Audit local polling locations Find the exact addresses and operating hours for voting centers near any street address. ### Identify upcoming election dates List all scheduled elections, including types and dates, for a specific ZIP code. ### Check state registration requirements Get the official voter registration deadlines and links for any state in the country. ### Review ballot content details Retrieve specific information about what's on a candidate’s ballot for an election. ### Monitor data source health Check the API status to confirm that all civic data is operational and up-to-date. ## Use Cases ### A volunteer needs to set up a rally near a specific address. Instead of calling three different municipal offices, the coordinator asks their agent: 'What polling locations are nearest 45 Oak Street?' The agent uses `get_polling_locations` and returns detailed metadata including operating hours for immediate planning. ### A political analyst needs a regional report on voter activity. The analyst prompts the agent: 'List all upcoming elections and their corresponding deadlines for ZIP code 90210.' The agent calls `get_upcoming_elections` then follows up with `get_registration_details`, providing a comprehensive overview. ### A campaign manager needs to validate compliance across multiple states. The manager asks: 'What are the voter registration deadlines for Texas and Illinois?' The agent uses `get_registration_details` twice, giving the exact dates and official links needed for their outreach materials. ### A student is preparing to vote and needs to know what's on the ballot. The student asks: 'What are the current legislative items on the ballot in this election?' The agent calls `get_ballot_information` using the specific election details, providing a clear breakdown of candidates and measures. ## Benefits - Never manually search for polling places again. Using `get_polling_locations` gives you instant addresses, hours, and names near any point of interest. - Keep your compliance records tight. Check state-wide eligibility rules instantly with `get_registration_details`, ensuring your team always knows the latest deadlines. - Map out regional timelines effortlessly. You can use `get_upcoming_elections` to see all local civic events scheduled for a given ZIP code in one go. - Verify what people are actually voting on. The `get_ballot_information` tool pulls specific, detailed contents of ballots for any election you target. - Maintain workflow reliability by running `check_api_status`. This ensures your agent won't fail because the data source went down unexpectedly. ## How It Works The bottom line is that you get verifiable civic intelligence delivered in plain text, instantly. 1. Subscribe to this MCP in your client dashboard. 2. Enter your vote.direct API Key into your preferred AI client settings. 3. Ask your agent a question, like 'What are the polling locations near 123 Main Street?' ## Frequently Asked Questions **How do I find polling locations using get_polling_locations?** You just tell it a street address. The tool returns detailed metadata about the nearest voting sites, including their operating hours and name. **What is the best way to check registration deadlines with get_registration_details?** Simply provide the state name. It retrieves the official deadline and provides links needed for compliance planning right away. **Can I use vote.direct to find elections in a whole region?** Yes, you can run `get_upcoming_elections` by providing a ZIP code. This lists multiple scheduled events and their dates for that area. **Do I need to worry about the data being current? How do I check the status?** You can use `check_api_status`. Running this query confirms whether the entire election data service is currently active and operational before you start any audits. **How do I set up authentication when using get_upcoming_elections?** You provide your unique vote.direct API key during the Vinkius setup process. Your agent handles all calls securely through this connection, so you never deal with raw credentials in your workflow. **If I use get_polling_locations and no sites are found, how does the agent report that error?** The agent won't throw a hard failure. Instead, it reports a clear 'No polling locations found for this address,' telling you exactly why nothing was returned without stopping your conversation. **What specific details does the get_ballot_information tool need to accurately retrieve ballot data?** It requires two key pieces of information: a definite election identifier and a precise address. Providing both ensures the agent pulls legislative items relevant only to that exact location. **Are there usage limits if I run get_upcoming_elections many times?** The Vinkius platform manages quotas and monitors API consumption for you. If your calls approach a limit, the system alerts your agent before failure, ensuring minimal workflow disruption. **How do I find my vote.direct API Key?** Log in to your [**vote.direct dashboard**](https://vote.direct/), register for an API Key, and you will find it in your account settings. Copy and paste it below. **Does it show the specific items on the ballot?** Yes. The `get_ballot_information` tool retrieves the specific measures and candidates that will appear on the ballot for a given address. **Can the agent check registration deadlines?** Yes. Use the `get_registration_details` tool providing the state code. Your agent will return the official deadlines and registration links instantly.