MyNCRep

MyNCRep is a civic-information tool built to help North Carolina voters cut through noise and get the facts that matter. It shows where to vote, what you need, and what each candidate actually stands for. No spins. No party narratives. Just information you can use.

This project began as an entry for the Congressional App Challenge, created by students who realized most new voters don’t lack opinions; they lack context. MyNCRep was our answer to that gap.

What It Does

• Shows nearby polling places using optional location access
• Explains how to register and vote, with reminders for key deadlines
• Displays candidate profiles with issue positions, biographies, and voting histories
• Pulls data from trusted sources like Vote Smart and NCSBE
• Provides short guides on government processes for new voters
• Tailors information based on a simple onboarding quiz

The goal is simple: help people understand who represents them and what those people stand for.

Technical Overview

• Google Civics API for polling and representative data
• Leaflet + OpenStreetMap for interactive mapping
• Python backend managed with Poetry
• Modular architecture so contributors can easily extend functionality

Known Challenges

During development, we ran into several issues that shaped how the app works:

• Missing NC polling data in VIP, requiring fallback logic
• Choosing between API-driven data flow and local storage
• Designing location features without compromising user safety
• Ensuring civic data is presented in a neutral, verifiable way

Roadmap: Version 2.0

• Expand beyond North Carolina
• Real-time updates when bills are introduced or candidates release statements
• Gamified civics learning modules
• AI-powered summaries of bills and issue positions
• Partnerships with election boards for verified polling data
• Cleaner UI and broader device support

Setup

1. Clone the Repository

Clone the repo using your preferred method.

2. Install Poetry

(Invoke-WebRequest -Uri https://install.python-poetry.org -UseBasicParsing).Content | python -

Add this directory to your PATH:

shell
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Python\Scripts

Verify installation:

poetry --version

3. Create a Virtual Environment

python -m venv venv

4. Activate it:

venv\Scripts\activate

If script execution is blocked:

Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser -Force

5. Install Dependencies

poetry install

6. Run the App

python main.py

The server will automatically restart when changes are made.

Development Notes

To add new packages:

poetry add package_name

Other contributors should run:

poetry install

to stay synced with the environment.

Authors

Built by Aryan Vyahalkar, Evan Yango, Heerak Shah, & Arav Vyahalkar, students committed to making civic participation clearer, simpler, and easier to start.

If you want to contribute, feel free to open an issue or pull request.