Search Form
First, enter a politician or zip code
Now, choose a category

Media

News Releases

2017

Unconventional Elections in America
Sept. 22, 2017, 6:48 p.m.

Did you know that you may have to vote again in your primary if no candidate gets more than half the votes? If not, you may want to find out if this applies to you.

For example, there’s been such a close race for Jeff Sessions’ vacant Senate seat in Alabama that the Republican primary in August did not determine a winner. A primary runoff between the top two Republican candidates, Roy Moore and Luther Strange, is scheduled for September 26.

In over 115 races that Vote Smart has already tracked in 2017, we have encountered other unconventional election practices that voters may not be aware of. Earlier this month, Mississippi held a nonpartisan primary election for its State House Dist. 102 seat that will be determined by a runoff election in October.

Most Americans participate in a first-past-the-post system where winners in primaries and general elections are decided by a “plurality”—the candidate with the most votes wins. Several cities and states across the nation, however, have adopted alternative election methods. Read on for a brief explanation of the unique election practices that are currently used at the state and federal levels.

Political Research Wrap Up: Comey, Healthcare, and Foreign Policy in Under 140 Characters
June 2, 2017, 8:19 p.m.

 James Comey, health care, and foreign policy in under 140 characters. Read on to find out what has kept Congress and President Trump's Twitter account so busy.

Research Wrap Up: What are your legislators up to?
April 5, 2017, 2:34 p.m.

 Congress has been very busy in early 2017. Read further to find out what is happening on both sides of the aisle!

2014

VoteEasy and PCT Results Released in California
Oct. 27, 2014, 4:25 p.m.

Today, Vote Smart released the results of the National Political Courage Test to VoteEasy at VoteSmart.org, giving California voters an invaluable resource for identifying their best political match November 4th. Twenty-eight congressional, state legislative and gubernatorial candidates passed the 2014 Political Courage Test.

2013

A Vote Smart Guide to the Keystone XL Pipeline
March 29, 2013, 3:28 p.m.

The Keystone XL Pipeline: it's been dominating headlines for what seems like forever...

Legislative Wrap-Up: Voter ID
Jan. 16, 2013, 11:34 p.m.

States across America considered legislation in their most recent sessions that would change voting and voter registration requirements.

2012

Same-Sex Marriage Wrap-Up
Nov. 19, 2012, 10:23 p.m.

Over the past few years, the country has witnessed an abundance of legislation on both the state and national levels regarding same-sex marriage.

Candidates Flunk 20-Year Study of Political Courage
Oct. 29, 2012, 8:07 p.m.

A  20-year study of over 15,000 congressional candidates and their willingness to answer questions on the major issues

VoteEasy Tool Launched in California
Sept. 17, 2012, 5:31 p.m.

National Intern Spotlight: John Hogan
July 3, 2012, 9:34 p.m.

We threw the spotlight on one of our returning interns, John, and asked him a few questions about his time, so far, here at the Great Divide Ranch...

June Common Ground E-Newsletter
June 12, 2012, 6:53 p.m.

 Sign up now to receive a copy of this monthly publication.

Standing Your Ground Across The States
June 12, 2012, 2:11 p.m.

The February 26 shooting of Trayvon Martin has ignited a media firestorm surrounding so-called “stand your ground” or “castle doctrine” laws in the United States. 

Comments on Unemployment Rate
June 1, 2012, 9:51 p.m.

The US unemployment rate was published at 8.2% for the month of May, rising a tenth of a point from April's 8.1%. Here's what several congress members had to say about it...

March Common Ground E-Newsletter
March 15, 2012, 8:05 p.m.

Sign-up now to receive a copy of this monthly publication. 

Going for broke: could GOP convention elect nominee?
March 5, 2012, 7:54 p.m.

What if, following Super Tuesday, all four GOP candidates are still in the game and no clear frontrunner has emerged? 

2011

That's strong stuff
Nov. 30, 2011, 4:07 p.m.

University of Southern California student, and current intern, David Hernandez discusses his experience working as a part of our research team. 

Response from major parties following 'SuperCommittee' failure
Nov. 29, 2011, 8:52 p.m.

The inability of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, or 'Supercommittee', to come to an agreement to reduce the United States' government debt by over one trillion dollars has prompted a significant response by both Democrats and Republicans. 

'Supercommittee' misses deadline
Nov. 22, 2011, 8:19 p.m.

The U.S. Congress Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction was established with the goal of improving both the short and long term financial outlook of the US and reducing the deficit “...by at least $1,500,000,000 over the period of fiscal years 2012 to 2021” But they missed their deadline...

2009

Results of the 2009 General Election
Nov. 5, 2009, 6:59 a.m.

Same-Sex Unions in 2009
Oct. 29, 2009, 10:30 p.m.

The View from Across the Water
Oct. 5, 2009, 11:30 p.m.

Shufflings in Congress
July 16, 2009, 9:52 p.m.

2008

Precious Moments
April 10, 2008, 3:57 a.m.

2007

Skip to top

Help us stay free for all your Fellow Americans

Just $5 from everyone reading this would do it.

Thank You!

You are about to be redirected to a secure checkout page.

Please note:

The total order amount will read $0.01. This is a card processor fee. Please know that a recurring donation of the amount and frequency that you selected will be processed and initiated tomorrow. You may see a one-time charge of $0.01 on your statement.

Continue to secure page »

Back to top