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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.

2014

VoteEasy and PCT Results Released in Maine
Oct. 27, 2014, 6:17 p.m.

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

2013

Elections Aren't Just for Even Numbered Years
Nov. 6, 2013, 1:22 a.m.

It's Election Day! Well, for many of you it is.

2012

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 Maine
Sept. 4, 2012, 10:04 p.m.

National Intern Spotlight: Avantika Krishna
July 16, 2012, 4:41 p.m.

For more information on our National Intern Program, click here.

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

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

2011

Is pizza a vegetable?
Dec. 8, 2011, 10:17 p.m.

"...an increase in the amount of tomato paste required for the paste to be considered a serving of vegetables." Do you agree? 

2009

Same-Sex Unions 2009-- Follow-Up
Nov. 6, 2009, 6:49 a.m.

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.

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