Swem Government Information - Elections/Campaigns

November 2009 General Election Unofficial Results

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:44:00 -0500

https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2009/37C2EDEB-FACB-44C1-AF70-05FB616DCD62/UnOfficial/2_s.shtml Offers results in the statewide Virginia races for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General, plus all General Assembly contests, local referenda, and a tab for examining election results for a particular city or county with vote results to the precinct level. From the State Board of Elections.

Electoral College Reform: 111th Congress Proposals and Other Current Developments

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:54:00 -0500

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40895.pdf Discusses the arguments for and against switching to a system of direct popular election of the president and those for and against reforming the perceived defects of the electoral college system. Also discusses recent proposals for change with special emphasis on direct popular election through an interstate compact. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

Improving State Voter Registration Databases: Final Report

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:49:00 -0500

http://www.eac.gov/program-areas/research-resources-and-reports/copy_of_docs/vrd-full-report-pre-pub-embargoed/attachment_download/file Final report from a series of workshops on the functioning of state voter registration databases. It depicts some of the problems in acquiring, operating, and maintaining voter registration databases and general approaches for resolving some of these issues. From the National Research Council and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

Filling U.S. Senate Vacancies: Perspectives and Contemporary Developments

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:19:00 -0500

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40421.pdf Discusses methods by which vacancies in the Senate have been filled since the passage of the 17th Amendment in 1913, the recent surge of vacancies, and legislative proposals that would mandate special elections with federal financial assistance to the state holding such an election. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

Voters Hold the Key: Lock-in, Mobility and the Portability of Property Tax Exemptions

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:22:00 -0500

http://www.frbatlanta.org/filelegacydocs/wp0919.pdf Looks at the growth of schemes to cap property tax assessments since California voters approved Proposition 13 in 1978 and whether reasons for voter support of such measures are grounded in the desire to curb local government expenditures or to reduce tax share at the expense of other property owners. Working Paper 2009-19 of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

Federal Elections 2008: Election Results for the U.S. President, the Senate and House of Representat

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:11:00 -0500

http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2008/federalelections2008.pdf Offers tables and maps with the official election results. State and national results for general election and primaries. From the Federal Election Commission.

Voter Turnout Increases by 5 Million in 2008 Presidential Election

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:26:00 -0500

http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/voting/013995.html Reports that about 131 million people voted in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, an increase of 5 million from 2004. Significant increases in turnout occurred among Hispanic, Black, and young voters. Press release with links to detailed tables on Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2008. From the Census Bureau.

Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:17:00 -0500

http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL32045_20090622.pdf Describes changes in the approach of the Obama Administration toward Iran, and discusses the stability of the current regime following the disputed elections of June 2009, issues of human rights and dissent, Iran's strategic capabilities and WMD programs, and its relations with other states and terrorist groups. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.

Iran's 2009 Presidential Elections

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:53:00 -0500

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/R40653.pdf Reviews the results of the election and the allegations of fraud. Also discusses the possible outcomes of the civil unrest following the election and the implications for U.S. policy. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District Number One v. Holder

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:05:00 -0500

http://laws.findlaw.com/us/000/08-322 8-1 ruling by the Supreme Court that an Austin, Texas municipal utility district could apply to opt out of the provisions of the Voting Rights Act. The court declined to use the case to declare unconstitutional the provisions that require 16 mostly southern states to gain Justice Department approval to prevent discriminatory voting practices. From Findlaw.com

European Parliament Elections 2009

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:20:00 -0500

http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp2009/rp09-053.pdf Describes the results of the elections held in 27 states of the European Union between 4 and 7 June 2009. Part 1 presents the full results of the United Kingdom elections including regional analysis and local level data. Part 2 presents summary results across the EU together with country level summaries. From the House of Commons Library.

2008 Presidential Campaign Financial Activity Summarized: Receipts Nearly Double 2004 Total

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:52:00 -0500

http://www.fec.gov/press/press2009/20090608PresStat.shtml Reports that financial receipts increased by 80% in the presidential campaign of 2008 compared to 2004. Covers fund raising in the primary and presidential election phases of the campaign. Press release with links to statistical tables. From the Federal Election Commission.

Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal Co.

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:52:00 -0500

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/08pdf/08-22.pdf 5-4 decision of the Supreme Court that excessive campaign contributions to a judge create an unconstitutional threat to a fair trial. The case involved a Massey Coal Company executive who contributed $3 million to the campaign of a candidate for the Supreme Court of West Virginia after his company lost a lower court case involving a judgement of $50 million. The well-funded candidate won the election over the incumbent and became the decisive vote in overturning the lower court decision. From the Supreme Court.

Middle East Elections 2009: Lebanon, Iran, Afghanistan, and Iraq

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:32:00 -0500

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/R40586.pdf Discusses how elections in four strategic countries could reshape regional dynamics and complicate or advance U.S. policy goals in the Middle East. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

Lebanon's Parliamentary Elections: Anticipating Opportunities and Challenges

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:12:00 -0500

http://library.usip.org/articles/1012243.1113/1.PDF Examines the parliamentary elections in Lebanon, including power sharing, opportunities for reform, electoral challenges, and stakes in the elections. From the United States Institute of Peace.