News

• Oct 30, 2014: USA: Early midterms voters cast their ballots as races heat up down south, The Guardian (2014)
• Oct 02, 2012: Judge blocks American State voter ID law before election, BBC News (2012) Legislation requiring Pennsylvania voters to show government issued photo ID have been blocked by the courts in an effort to ensure ease of access for elderly and young voters. New legislation changing voter ID requirements have been the cause of controversy in the United States with the upcoming presidential election in November.
• Jul 18, 2012: United States: Washington state approves the use of a Facebook app for voter registration. BBC News (2012) Washington State has approved the use of a Facebook app for voter registration. The approval of the online registration system contradicts recent legislation in other states which have passed more stringent rules for voter registration such as government issued photo ID.
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• Oct 27, 2011: United States of America: How Latino voters will choose in 2012, The Guardian (2011) Republicans have a historic opportunity to win Hispanic voters from Obama – but only if they get real about immigration reform
• Oct 06, 2011: USA: Republicans Eye Electoral Vote Changes, Times (2011) The article discusses the proposition made by the Republicans from Pennsylvania and Nebraska to change the allocation of electoral college votes during the presidential election. According to them, distributing the votes according to the congressional districts won by the candidate rather than allocating all the districs from the state won by the candidate would be more fair.
• Sep 13, 2011: USA: Special election a measure of Obama's strength, The Associated Press (2011) The special election in the 9th Congress District is seen as a test for the Democrats. The New York district, that has voted traditionally for the Democrats, could turn on the Republican side due to the population’s dissatisfaction over Obama’s leadership.
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• May 10, 2011: United States: Missouri residents to vote on voter ID and early voting, Kansas City Star (2011) The article reports a future state-wide vote on whether voter ID will be required and whether early voting will be permitted. It highlights the apparent friction between ensuring a fraud-free voter process and getting as many citizens to vote as possible. It also touches on the legal framework surrounding who is allowed to vote and under what circumstances they can do so.
• Apr 04, 2011: USA: Obama announces 2012 reelection bid (video), The Washington Post (2011) The article describes President Obama's announcement of running for a second term in 2012 elections. The announcement was made by posting a video on YouTube and it was accompanied by an email message sent to Obama's supporters.
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• Mar 18, 2011: USA boundary delimitation: Demystifying Virginia’s redistricting, The Washington Post (2011) The article discusses electoral boundary delimitation in Virginia, USA. The electoral districting in the past has been accused of gerrymandering, but attempts are now made to draw the new electoral boundaries by using open-source software developed by political scientists.
• Mar 02, 2011: USA: Republicans admit Barack Obama will be hard to beat, The Telegraph (2011) The article discusses the presidential election campaigns in the USA. Republicans have admitted that as a sitting president Mr Obama will have a major advantage compared to other candidates in the coming 2012 election.
• Mar 01, 2011: USA: 2012 Election Spending Race Heats Up, The Wall Street Journal (2011) The article discusses major parties' attempts to raise money for the coming presidential elections in 2012.
• Feb 17, 2011: USA: Republicans on FEC want firms to be able to raise money for candidates, The Washington Post (2011) The article discusses the US Supreme Court's decision to loosen restrictions on corporations that do political campaigning. The court ruling provided that firms do this without working with candidates. Nevertheless, in a document from three election commissioners (republicans) it was indicated that corporations should be allowed to raise money directly for candidates.
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• Jan 27, 2011: USA: A victory for independent speech, The Washington Post (2011) This article discusses the implications of the Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission which allowed "special interests", such as corporations and union, to be actively involved in electoral campaigns. The authors (the president of Citizens United and his counsel) argue that this ruling did not affect the elections as much as its critics say. Private citizens spent $300 million in the 2010 campaigns, and the authors argue that this is not enough to influence an entire election.
• Jan 27, 2011: USA: Obama gearing up for re-election campaign, The US Daily (2011) This article reports on the latest updates for the presidential election campaign in the US. Elections will be in 2012, but President Obama is already setting up his re-election campaign headquarters. The President already filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission, and he will probably formally launch his campaign in a couple of months.
• Jan 27, 2011: USA: Obama to run campaign from Chicago, The Chigago Tribune (2011) This article reports on the latest updates from the presidential campaign for the 2012 elections in the USA. President Obama chose Chicago as the headquarters for his campaign. Observers believe that a key factor in this decision is the anti-Washington climate among the electorate. Every president in the last 30 years (George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan) set up his re-election campaign office in the capital.
• Jan 21, 2011: USA: White House spokesman: safe to say Obama will run again fro President, The Wall Street Journal (2011) This article reports on the statements of White House Press Secretary Robert Gibb regarding the 2012 presidential election in the USA. Mr Gibbs stated that President Obama will likely run for re-election in the 2012 poll, even though an official announcement has not been made yet.
• Jan 12, 2011: USA: Obama begins gearing up re-election bid, The Wall Street Journal (2011) This article reports on the White House announcement regarding the next presidential elections in the US. The White House will announce the creation of President Barack Obama's re-election campaign as soon as this month. Democratic Party officials said that the campaign and fund-raising need an early start, as the the next poll could cost each party around $1 billion.
• Nov 17, 2010: USA: Report: Black voters had mixed impact in midterm elections, USA Today (2010) This article discusses a report published by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies on the midterm election in the United States. The report analyzes in particular the role of the votes from the African American community, who represented 10% of the electorate. In same races, the black votes were fundamental to secure a victory for the Democrats - like in Delaware, where they represent 22% of the electorate and 9 out of 10 voted for the Democratic candidate. In other races, however, the impact of the black vote could be contradictory: in Illinois, for example, the turnout was high (19%, nine percentage points higher than in 2006), but the Republican candidate won the Senate seat.
• Nov 08, 2010: USA: The Latino impact on midterm elections, The Denver Post (2010) This article discusses the role of the Latino minority in the November 2 midterm elections in the US. Despites efforts to call on a boycott, Latino voters went out and vote, playing a major role in key races. In Nevada, for example, Harry Reid was able to win against Tea Party candidate Sharron Angle thanks to the Latino voters (15% of the electorate). Furthermore, a record number of Latino candidates were elected to office: in New Mexico, Susana Martinez became the first Latina ever elected governor for example.
• Nov 08, 2010: USA: Election by the numbers, The Washington Post (2010) This article discusses the results of the midterm elections in the United States. According to the author, Republicans received most of their votes from older generations, while young voters voted for the Democrats. Similarly, African Americans in the Deep South favor the Democratic Party overwhelmingly (seven of the eight newly elected Democratic Representatives from this region belong to this minority). The Latino voters played a mayor role in key races: in California, for example, they represented 22% of the electorate (a 4% increase compare to 2008).
• Nov 04, 2010: USA: Election 2010: Where will the weather matter? The Washington Post (2010) This article reports on a recent study that analyzes the relation between the weather and the voter turnout in the United States. According to this study, bad weather played a role in a few races of interest in the midterm elections. The study was able to quantify this relations: heavy rain reduces voter turnout by roughly 1% for every inch of rain above normal, while snow reduces turnout by .5% per inch. It is also interesting to notice how the weather influences the actual results: Republican presidential candidates gain 2.5% for every inch of rain above normal, and .6% for every inch of snow.
• Nov 04, 2010: USA: Election results are open to (careful) interpretation, The Washington Post (2010) This article discusses the outcomes of the midterm elections in the US. According to the author, the Republican Party is "overinterpreting" the mandate of an election, while President Obama is "underinterpreting" the message of the American voters. The results of the midterm also showed Mr. Obama how much work he has to do to turn around his presidency, and win a second term in 2012.
• Nov 04, 2010: USA: Midterm elections 2010: it's not all bad news for Barack Obama, The Telegraph (2010) This article discusses the outcomes of the November 2 midterm elections in the United States. According to the author, the Republicans are in a difficult position: this party will control the House, but the Democratic party still holds the majority in the Senate, and a split Congress usually means deadlock. The author argues that in the next two years, the Republicans will try to repeal President Obama's reforms, something that the Senate will never allow. Both parties are already looking forward to the 2012 presidential elections.
• Nov 03, 2010: USA: Elections conducted with few incidents, The Washington Times (2010) This article reports on the Election Day in the United States. There were scattered claims of voter fraud and voter suppression in several states, but the elections were generally carried out without incidents. In South Carolina, Tea Party supporters harassed people at a polling place at a historically black university, and in California and Kansas voters received prerecorded calls telling them to vote Wednesday rather than Tuesday.
• Nov 03, 2010: Tea Party movement scores key wins in US elections, VOA News (2010) This article reports on the electoral success of the Tea Party in the US midterm elections. The conservative Tea Party movement's candidates won important races for the Republican Party in Kentucky, Florida and Indiana. The movement is well-known for its young and politically unexperienced representatives: in Kentucky, for example, eye-doctor and first-time candidate Rand Paul defeated attorney general Jack Conway in the race for the Senate.
• Nov 03, 2010: USA: Five things to watch on Election Day, CNN (2010) This article discusses the most important issues to keep in mind on Election Day in the US. Many experts believe that if Republicans will win a strong majority both in the House and in the Senate, they will try to try to roll back portions of the health care reform and expand tax cuts.
• Nov 03, 2010: USA: Variety of proposals on ballots in 37 states, CNN (2010) This article reports on the number of proposals on the ballots in many state of the United States. In California, voters rejected the legalization of marijuana. Furthermore, Voters in South Dakota and Arizona cast their ballots on a proposal to legalize medical marijuana, and in Colorado voters will probably reject an anti-abortion amendment. In Arizona and Oklahoma voters passed a measure allowing residents to opt out of President Barack Obama's federal health care reform and its requirement that people have insurance.
• Nov 03, 2010: USA: G.O.P. captures House, but not Senate, The New York Times (2010) This article reports the preliminary results of the midterm elections in the United States. After an intensive campaign, the Republican Party won at least 58 seats in the House. The Republicans prevailed in gubernatorial races as well, winning in key "swing" states like Ohio.
• Nov 03, 2010: USA: Midterm elections: Latest updates, CNN (2010) This article reports on the latest updates for the midterm elections in the United States. In these elections, voters will elect all the 435 members of the House of Representatives and 37 (out of 100) members of the Senate. The Republican Party appear to have gained control of the House, while the Democrats maintain control in the Senate. President Obama congratulated the party and stated that he is looking forward to working with them to find common ground. If the preliminary results are correct, no African American was able to enter the Senate.
• Nov 02, 2010: USA: A host of monitors will watch the city's electronic voting, The New York Times (2010) This article reports on the midterm elections in the United States. In particular, the author discusses the introduction of new Electronic Voting Machines in New York City. The city will welcome electoral observers from across the country and the whole nation will be watching the implementation of this new and controversial machines. In the September primaries, EVMs caused troubles and delays in the voting operations, and the executive director of the Board of Elections was fired as a consequence.
• Nov 02, 2010: USA: Will the majority of Americans not vote in 2010 midterm elections? This article comments the forecast of the voter turnout in the midterm elections in the US. According to most experts, participation will be low on November 2: non-voters are usually Democratic voters.
• Nov 02, 2010: USA: The best Election 2010 online tracking tools, PC Magazine (2010) This article presents and discusses the election tools for the US midterm available on the Internet. These tools help the voters find polling places, follow results, read up on the issues, or share voting experience. American voters will be able to use many different tools developed by online website: Google, Facebook, Yahoo and Twitter just to name a few.
• Nov 02, 2010: USA: More than 400 election observers to monitor Tuesday elections, CNN (2010) This article reports on the decision of the Federal Government to deploy more than 400 electoral observers in 18 states to monitor the November 2 midterm elections. The Justice Department announced that the federal observers will monitor in particular the 30 potential trouble spots, like Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), Houston (Texas), Cleveland (Ohio) and Maricopa County (Arizona). During the 2006 midterm elections, the federal government deployed 850 observers and monitors.
• Nov 02, 2010: USA: California gubernatorial election expected to make history, Xinhua (2010) This article reports on the midterm elections in the United States. In particular, the author discusses the gubernatorial elections in California, where a billionaire woman, Meg Whitman, is running against a senior and experienced politician, Jerry Brown. "Meg" (Ms Whitman) would be the first woman to become governor of California, while Mr Brown would be the first governor to serve three nonconsecutive terms in this state (he governed from 1975 to 1983).
• Nov 02, 2010: USA: Americans go to the polls in possible game-changing election, Deutsche Welle (2010) This article reports on the Election Day in the United States. In the 2010 midterm elections, American voters will elect 435 new representatives in the House and 37 senators (out of 100). In 37 states, voters will also cast their ballots to elect thei Governors.
• Nov 01, 2010: USA: The races to watch on where the election is headed, The Washington Post (2010) This article reports on the last hours of the electoral campaigns and identifies the key races that could determine the outcome of the midterm elections in the United States. Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Florida and Colorado are just a few races that are considered indicators of where the election is headed.
• Nov 01, 2010: USA: As elections near, voter outreach intensifies, The Washington Post (2010) This article discusses the last days of the electoral campaign for the midterm elections in the United States. Both parties are focusing on the States that could determine the balance of power in Congress. Experts say that the voter turnout will be a key element: as the 2008 elections demonstrated, Democrats are usually favored by a higher turnout. About 40% of the registered voters already cast their ballots in the early voting stations.
• Oct 28, 2010: USA: Latino voters could swing the midterms, The Guardian (2010) This article discusses the role of the Latino community in the upcoming midterm elections in the United States. A recent television ad sponsored by the conservative Latinos for Reform invited Latino voters not to vote and triggered many debates on this issue. According to the recent polls, the Latino community could influence the outcomes of five of the eight closest senatorial races.
• Oct 26, 2010: USA: Security debate grows over Internet voting, USA Today (2010) This article reports on the ongoing discussions about the introduction of Internet voting in the United States. Some States are looking into the Internet voting for military and overseas voters - 4-5 million voters. The District of Columbia tested an Internet voting system, but computers scientists and hackers quickly demonstrated its vulnerability. Citizens abroad voting in Arizona and West Virginia will use a similar system, while more than 20 states allowed e-mail voting.
• Oct 26, 2010: USA: Efforts to prevent voter fraud draw scrutiny, NPR (2010) This article reports on the proliferation of new citizens groups created to monitor elections in the United States. These groups, who have been campaigning as well, will set up surveillance teams outside polling stations to prevent voter fraud (even offering rewards for information). Some people, however, are concerned about their real intentions and believe that voters will be intimidated and discouraged from voting. The New York University Law School is monitoring this phenomenon. The Democratic Party filed a suit against one of this group in Texas, the King Street Patriots, claiming that they target Democratic voters and minorities.
• Oct 26, 2010: USA: Records broken for fundraising, The Washington Post (2010) This article report on the fund-raising in the electoral campaign in the United States. According to new campaign finance data, congressional candidates have surpassed the fund-raising records for midterm elections ($2 billion). The Federal Election Commission data also showed that GOP-allied interest groups are responsible for most of the fund-raising.
• Oct 22, 2010: USA: Young voters divided over Obama, poll finds, The New York Times (2010) This article reports on a new poll by Harvard's Institute of Politics. According to this poll, young voters (age 18-29) are divided over the President's job in these two years: 49% approve his politics so far. This part of the electorate tend to vote for the Democratic Party, but most of them will not vote in the midterm elections. Only 40% of the people interviewed say that they will definitely vote, and 3 out of 10 are not even registered.
• Oct 22, 2010: USA: Early voting numbers give Dems hope, The Seattle Times (2010) This article discusses about the early voting operations in the United States. This year, 32 states allow some form of early voting and 3 million Americans already cast their ballots.
• Oct 22, 2010: Obama campaigns in Western US, VOA News (2010) This article reports on the electoral campaign in the United States. Just two weeks before the midterm elections, President Barack Obama decided to be very active in the campaign, and he is currently traveling in the western states of the country to rally support of Democratic Party candidates.
• Oct 20, 2010: USA: Facebook: will 'fans' lead to votes on election day? PC Magazine (2010) This article reports on the impact that Facebook will have on the midterm elections in the United States. After the 2010 electoral campaign, many candidates decided to focus on social networks and Facebook has become one important element of their campaigns.
• Oct 20, 2010: US Latinos want ads pulled, The Sydney Morning Herald (2010) This article reports on the League of United Latin American Citizens' request to remove political ads that stereotype and denigrate the Hispanic community. The League, which is the largest Hispanic rights group in the United States, believe that some candidates in the race of the midterm elections are spreading intolerance and discrimination in their campaigns. The group did not mention any name, but they are probably referring to Republican candidates in Louisiana and Nevada. The Latinos make up 7.5% of the registered voters, and 16% of the US population.
• Oct 20, 2010: USA: Hispanics defy ad to shun elections, The Washington Times (2010) This article reports on the reactions to the political ad that invite the Hispanic community not to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. The controversial ad, sponsored by the Latinos for Reform, invite people not to vote to protest the failure to pass an immigration law. Univision, the country's largest Spanish-language broadcast network stated that it will not show it.
• Oct 20, 2010: USA: GOP in lead in final lap, The Wall Street Journal (2010) This article reports on the latest opinion poll in the United States. According to the poll, Republicans are leading the electoral race for the forthcoming midterm elections. The poll showed another interesting trend: 69% of the people interviewed stated that their vote is a signal to the president (while 59% said so in 2006).
• Oct 19, 2010: USA: Ad tells Latinos not to vote in congressional elections, The Washington Independent (2010) This article reports on the electoral campaign aimed at the Latino minority in the United States. Latinos for Reform published two ads inviting people to vote for state and local elections, but not for congressional candidates. According to the group, this would be a good way to demand action on the immigration reform.
• Oct 19, 2010: USA: Absentee ballots mailed late to overseas voters, ABC News (2010) This article reports on the Justice Department's pressures on many states for missing the deadline to ballots to overseas voters (September 18). The federal government sued elections officials in New York, New Mexico and Nevada for the delays, and allowed voters from overseas (mostly military personnel serving abroad) more time to return ballots.
• Oct 19, 2010: USA: How early voting is changing elections, NPR (2010) This article discusses the effects of early voting in the electoral process. In more than 30 states, voters are already casting their ballots and this influences the voters choices' as well as the whole electoral campaign. In many counties, the number of absentee ballots has reached unprecedented levels. According to the director of the Early Voting Information Center at Oregon's Reed College, Paul Gronke, early voting is a vital tool for mobilizing voters and monitoring turnout.
• Oct 19, 2010: Money to play key role in US election campaign, VOA News (2010) This article reports on the election campaign for the midterm elections in the United States. The author discusses the role of individual candidates' spending: most candidates spent tens of millions of dollars for this campaign, focusing on television ads. According to the author in many states, like Nevada, the campaign turned into a war of TV words.
• Oct 18, 2010: USA: The gloves are off in the midterm elections, ABC News (2010) This article reports on the electoral campaign for the midterm elections in the United States. Just two weeks before the elections, candidates are still campaigning very ardently - insulting their opponents with strong language.
• Oct 18, 2010: PACs linked to foreign firms inject millions into U.S. elections, The Washington Post (2010) This article discusses the role of political action committees connected to foreign-based corporations in the ongoing electoral campaign in the United States. According to the author, hundreds of foreign corporations are already playing an integral and legal role in American politics. The top donors list include: British drug-makers AstraZeneca and Credit Suisse Securities.
• Oct 18, 2010: USA: Groups push limits in advertising, The New York Times (2010) This article reports on the election campaign in the United States. The author discusses the consequences of the Supreme Court ruling about political financing and advertising. The unlimited financial aids from individuals and corporations to non-profit groups must be directed to “issue ads”, that do not “express advocacy” directly. The groups, however, are apparently pushing the legal limits with border-line television ads.
• Oct 16, 2010: USA: Study details black voters' potential impact on congressional races, The Miami Herald (2010) This article discusses the role of the African-American minority in the forthcoming midterm elections in the United States. According to a report of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, African-American voters could have a major role in the elections of 20 House of Representatives and 14 Senators. This community, however, is characterized by a low turnout in nonpresidential election years.
• Oct 14, 2010: USA: CNN Election Center app launches, CNN (2010) This article reports on the launching of the new CNN Election Center App. This application will provide real-time electoral news and updates on the 2010 elections in US. It is the first time that a major cable news brand has simultaneously launched an application for Android, BlackBerry, and iPhone and iPod touch. On Election Day, this "app" will give real-time updates on the results.
• Oct 14, 2010: USA: What's missing from the midterm election campaigns, FOX News (2010) This article discusses the major issues discussed in the electoral campaigns of the candidates for the midterm elections. According to the author, many fundamental issues have been ignored and neither party articulated clear and coherent policies.
• Oct 13, 2010: USA: Obama to college students: Help us in the elections, USA Today (2010) This article reports on President Obama's appeal to young people. The United States President has launched a series of get-out-the-vote appeals to the youth and to college students in particular. Early in the campaign, many electoral experts pointed to the role of first-time and young voters in the upcoming elections.
• Oct 13, 2010: USA: DOP groups launch massive ad blitz, The Wall Street Journal (2010) This article reports on the last weeks of the electoral campaign for the midterms in the United States. The Republican Party supporters are launching a $50 million advertising plan for this week only, the biggest spending blitz ever by such groups in a congressional election campaign. American Crossroads, Crossroads GPS, American Action Network and Commission on Hope, Growth and Opportunity are among of the biggest groups that are supporting the party's candidates.
• Oct 12, 2010: USA: Secret campaign money, The Washington Post (2010) This article discusses the great amount of "secret" money that is funding the electoral campaigns in the United States. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled to extend to private corporations and unions the right to donate anonymously unlimited sums of money. According to the author, the "Citizens United" ruling is not to blame, but the real problem lies in a tax code that allows too much political activity to take place in secrecy.
• Oct 12, 2010: USA: Republicans prove unpopular with voters against Obama in Poll, Bloomberg (2010) This article reports on the latest opinion poll in the United States. The Bloomberg National Poll reveals that Republicans still maintain their lead in the electoral race, and the American people approve of their campaigns to lower taxes. As the November 2 elections are approaching, the two major parties are focusing on the independent voters, who make up to 10% of the electorate.
• Oct 11, 2010: USA: New York violating MOVE Act, FOX News (2010) This article reports on the voting abroad operations in the United States. American citizens abroad are already casting their ballots, as the 2009 MOVE Act states that ballots must be sent out 45 days before the elections. Much criticism has been raised against the state of New York, which still has not sent out the ballots. New York City alone has more than 50,000 men and women voting from abroad (most of them are serving in the army).
• Oct 06, 2010: USA: Clean and open American elections, The New York Times (2010) This article discusses the report of the Center for American Progress, a policy group based in Washington, on the role of the United States Chamber of Commerce in the electoral campaign. According to the report, the Chamber would be actively inviting foreign corporations to invest and finance the electoral campaigns for the mid-term elections. The Chamber would receive "dues" payments from foreign companies, and then advocate on their behalf for candidates. The Chamber (who denied all charges) will spend $75 million for the elections, and according to the federal tax code donors can remain anonymous.
• Oct 06, 2010: USA: Hacker infiltration ends D.C. online voting trial, The Washington Post (2010) This article reports on the recent piloting of an Internet-based voting system in Washington D.C., USA. The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethnics launched this system for a week-long trial period, inviting hackers from all over the world to test its effectiveness. On Friday, the board's chief technology officer admitted that the system had been violated. Students of the University of Michigan were able to hack the system and program it to play their fight song, "Hail to the Victors".
• Oct 06, 2010: USA: Latino vote turnout likely to lag, new poll finds, The New York Times (2010) This article reports on a new opinion polls about the role of the Latino minority in the upcoming elections in the United States. According to the latest poll, only 51% of the Latino registered to vote said that they will absolutely vote (a low figure compared to 70% of all registered voters). This might be a big disadvantage for the Democratic Party: according to the same poll, 65% of the Hispanic population support the Democrats, while only 22% vote for the Republican party.
• Oct 06, 2010: USA: Move over Election Day; early voting leads to Election Month, NBC (2010) This article reports on the early voting operations in the United States. 36 States and the District of Columbia have adopted measures to allow pre-Election Day voting, an opportunity that many voters choose to take: in 3006 one-quarter of the electorate voted early, and in 2008 one-third did. Citizens are already casting their ballots for the November 2 mid-term elections in many States, like Ohio, Iowa and California.
• Oct 05, 2010: USA: Democrats gain in poll but GOP still leads as midterm elections near, The Washington Post (2010) This article reports on the latest opinion poll in the United States. According to Washington Post-ABC News poll, the Republican party is still leading the electoral race (49%). Since early September, the Democratic Party gained percentage points (43%), cutting in half the Republicans' advantage, but the midterm elections are approaching.
• Sep 24, 2010: USA: Deadline nears for voter registration, CBS (2010) This article discusses voter registration procedures in the United States. To participate in the upcoming midterm elections, voters can register by October 5th. People can register in the Supervisors of Elections office, in many public libraries and civic organizations offices. Voter can choose to register also when they renew their drivers' license.
• Sep 23, 2010: USA: The election campaigners we can't see, The Washington Post (2010) This article discusses the electoral campaign in the United States. Following the Supreme Court ruling on the unlimited campaign donations to parties and candidates, Wall Street, the insurance lobby, oil companies and other special interests started to have an unprecedented role in the campaign. A new bill to force corporate donors to disclose their identity is currently been discussed, but the Republic Party is clocking it. Oil and insurance companies are the most active ones.
• Sep 17, 2010: Tea Party fights back with claim it can win national elections, The Telegraph (2010) This article discusses the latest updates from the Tea Party in the United States, which is gradually gaining popularity. Within the Republican party, however, tensions are rising, as inexperienced candidates from the Tea Party are winning the Republican primaries. Experts believe that if the Tea Party prevails, the Reoublican party will have fewer chances of regaining control of the Congress in the November 2 midterm elections.
• Sep 09, 2010: USA: Q+A: Congressional midterm elections, Reuters (2010) This article discusses the most debated issues in the electoral campaign for the midterm elections in the United States. The article tries to answer some of the most "critical" questions, like who will win the elections, and what would a republic leadership of the congress mean.
• Sep 07, 2010: USA: Midterms 2010: What you need to know, The Washington Post (2010) This article discusses the major issues regarding the 2010 electoral campaign for the midterm elections in the United States. The article also discusses the campaign expenditure for the two main parties, and presents a brief history of midterm elections in the US. In November, the electorate will vote for the House of Representatives and part of the Senate.
• Sep 07, 2010: USA: Republicans making gains ahead of mideterm elections, The Washington Post (2010) This article reports on the latest opinion polls in the United States. According to the Washington Post-ABC News poll, Americans are deeply dissatisfied with the federal government's performance, regarding the economy in particular. 40% of the people interviewed trust the Democratic Party, while 38% the Republican one. Three months ago, however, the Democrats were leading the poll with a 12 percentage point advantage.
• Sep 03, 2010: USA: Ohio: Fox Accused of Illegal Help in Campaign, The New York Times (2010) This article discusses the role of the media in the upcoming mid-term elections in the US. The Democratic Governors Association presented an elections complaint against FOX News, accusing the broadcaster of illegally helping the Republican nominee in Ohio. FOX allowed the candidate, John Kasich, to request contributions from viewers and showed the address of his campaign Web site.
• Sep 03, 2010: USA: Voter turnout tough to predict during 2010 mid-term elections, FOX News (2010) This article discusses the difficulties in predicting the voter turnout in the upcoming mid-term elections in the United States. Elections officials predicts record turnout for the rest of the primary elections, but experts believe that in November very few people will cast their ballots.
• Sep 02, 2010: USA: Ex-con Jim Traficant is House candidate, USA Today (2010) This article reports on a controversial independent candidate in the US November elections. Jim Traficant will be a candidate for the House of Representative on November 2nd. Mr Traficant has been a congressman for 20 years, and he was then convicted for 10 criminal counts, including corruption. Mr Traficant is notorious for his irreverent speeches and 'unorthodox' haircut.
• Sep 01, 2010: USA: Campaign finance law changed face of elections, report shows, The New York Times (2010) This article reports on the impact of the new law that finance political parties' electoral campaigns in New York City. New discussion on this topic followed after the Campaign Finance Board released a report. A record of small donations from individuals, propelled an unusually large number of challengers to victory over incumbents in the mayoral race.
• Aug 26, 2010: USA: New D.C. voting machines pass their final publi test before primaries begin, The Washington Post (2010) This article reports on the introduction of new voting machines in Washington D.C. The new machines went through their final test, and passed it. The machines guarantee the validity of the votes with a "triple redundancy": votes are saved three times, one of which on paper. The option to vote on paper remains.
• Aug 26, 2010: USA: Citizens United aftershocks, The Washington Post (2010) The article discusses the consequences of the Supreme Court's ruling allowing corporations "unlimited spending in pursuit of political ends". The 'Citizens United' decision raised lots of concerns, as big corporations started raising incredible amounts of money.
• Aug 26, 2010: Voter anger becomes major factor in US elections, VOA News (2010) This article reports on the election campaign in the United States. In the election climate, voters appear to be angry at politicians from both parties. According to most experts, much of this anger is related to the national economy and the growing pessimism about the future. This frustration leads people to ask for political change in Washington.
• Aug 20, 2010: USA: Democrats reject gloomy election forecast, Reuaters (2010) This article reports on the latest updates for the November midterm elections in the U.S. Public opinion polls show that the Republic Party might gain the majority of the seats, but the Democratic Party is currently focusing on the first-time voters (who helped President Obama in his campaign). In the elections, 435 House seats and 37 seats in the Senate will be at stake. The Republicans only need 29 seats in the House and 10 in the Senate to gain the majority.
• Aug 17, 2010: USA: Don't underestimate the younger voter, The Seattle Times (2010) This article discusses the "Millennial" Generation' vote in the upcoming midterm elections. The Millennial Generation (people born after 1980) is the largest generation in the history of the United States, yet too often politicians underestimate their vote and do not target them in their campaigns and programmes.
• Aug 17, 2010: USA: Election outcomes affect suicide rates, UPI (2010) This article reports on the findings of U.S. researchers on the relations between suicide rates and elections. Richard A. Dunn and Timothy J. Classen found that suicide rates decrease when a majority of voters in a region supported the national election winner, and the same effect can be reported when the majority of the voters supported the election loser.
• Aug 17, 2010:
• Aug 12, 2010: USA: Congressional election fail to stir voters, Reuters (2010) This article comments the electoral campaign for the upcoming midterm elections in the United States. Apparently, neither the Republic candidates nor the Democratic ones seem to be catching the voters attention. Most voters see little differences between the two parties.
• Aug 11, 2010: USA: Fear new machines will confuse voters, The Wall Street Journal (2010) This article discusses the implementation of the new electronic voting machines in the United States. Local and state board of elections have launched voters' education campaigns and programmes, but experts believe that this is not enough. Voters will be given paper ballots, asked to mark the chosen candidates with an oval mark, and then feed the ballots into a scanner (the system cannot respond to "over-voting" - when there are more than one mark in the ballot).
• Aug 11, 2010: USA: Obama's youthful voters more likely to skip midterms, The New York Times (2010) This article discusses the participation for the upcoming midterm elections in the United States. Voters under 30 years old (likely to vote for the Democratic Party) will probably not go to the polls in November.
• Jul 27, 2010: USA:Obama chides Republicans on campaign finance, The Los Angeles Times (2010) President Obama is attempting to make a bill on campaign finance reform a central issue ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. The Republican Party is largely opposed to the bill that would require corporations and special interests to disclose their donations to political campaigns.
• Jul 27, 2010: USA:Obama Assails Republicans on Campaign Finance, The New York Times (2010) Democrats are trying to get a bill that will require corporations, special interests and even foreign donors to disclose their contribution to political campaigns approved by the Senate. The bill has already been passed by the House.
• Jul 16, 2010: USA:Possible 2012 contenders rake in campaign cash, BBC News (2010) This article discusses the fundraising of potential candidates for the 2012 Republican nomination for president. So far two of the most successful fundraiser are former presidential candidate Mitt Romney and former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
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