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Elections

WV: Scandal clouds W.Va. court race as 3 states vote


Photos of West Virginia's top jurist vacationing with the chief executive of a massive coal producer have transformed an otherwise run-of-the-mill election into that state's most closely watched race, while voters in two other states prepared to cast ballots on key congressional seats.
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OR: Bill Clinton calls mail election a challenge


TILLAMOOK, Ore. -- In his second of three straight days of crisscrossing Oregon campaigning for his wife, former President Clinton said the state's innovative vote-by-mail system is challenging for candidates who are trying to run campaigns in several states at once.
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SD: Networks, AP sue in South Dakota over exit polling


The three major networks, CNN, Fox News and The Associated Press filed a lawsuit Monday asking a federal judge to strike down a South Dakota law that prevents exit polling within 100 feet of a voting place.   Read More
VT: Symington enters race for governor


Speaker of the House Gaye Symington will run for governor in this fall's election, ending the Democrats' search for a candidate and weeks of speculation about whether she officially would announce.   Read More
Neutral govs to remain on sidelines
By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer

In the homestretch of an unprecedented presidential primary season, spinning with competing sound-bites and endless rhetoric, voters still heading to the polls in four states can’t look to their governors for any pre-election advice. These governors plan to wait until after their states vote to make their own endorsements.   Read More
At-risk gubernatorial seats increase
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

After a pair of hard-fought primaries, North Carolina joins Missouri, Washington and Indiana on Out There's list of states where partisan control of the governorship could flip this fall.
  Read More
Will states fix 2012 primary process?
By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer

While voters in Indiana and North Carolina go to the polls today (May 6) to help Democrats pick Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama as their nominee and Republicans rally behind John McCain, party insiders and state election officials are in informal talks to improve the presidential nominating contests for 2012 and beyond.
  Read More
AZ: Same-sex-marriage ban advances  Registration Required


Efforts to put a question on the November ballot asking voters to ban same-sex marriage overcame a major roadblock Monday -- passing through a closely divided state House.   Read More
AZ: House OKs gay-marriage amendment


A state constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman inched closer to the November ballot on Monday after passing the Arizona House of Representatives.   Read More
CA: Nunez leaves mixed legacy as Assembly speaker  Registration Required


Fabian N??ez, the eighth and longest-serving Assembly speaker in the 13 years since the legendary Willie Brown was forced to vacate the position in 1995, is being forced out himself by a legislative term limit law he tried, and failed, to persuade voters to change.   Read More
CO: First delegates are diverse but share passion for politics


A father and daughter. A campaign worker for John F. Kennedy who now champions the disabled from his wheelchair. A civil-rights advocate who almost believes her selection was divine. The first round of Colorado's pledged delegates selected to attend the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver come from a rich mix of backgrounds and are electrified about the party's chances to make American political history.   Read More
CO: Election hard time to tinker with TABOR


Many political, business and community leaders agree the budget gridlock enshrined in the state constitution needs fixing, but as the continued unraveling of a plan to relax TABOR shows, now may not be the time.   Read More
FL: Party leaders weigh Florida primary delegation


U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd, an uncommitted superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, Monday suggested that Florida's 211 presidential nominating delegates should be seated in Denver next summer with a half-vote each.   Read More
FL: Obama plans Hollywood fundraiser during S. Florida swing


After months of virtually ignoring Florida, Barack Obama plans to come to Hollywood to raise money on May 22 and to rally supporters in other parts of South Florida.   Read More
FL: Florida delegate drama nearing a finale  Registration Required


Florida Democratic leaders are expecting some mercy from the national party on May 31 when it reconsiders the state's delegates to the nominating convention. But as Barack Obama continues to expand his lead over Hillary Clinton, Florida's delegates matter less and less.   Read More
GA: Election held to fill House District 93 seat


Voters in parts of DeKalb and Rockdale counties go to the polls on Tuesday in a special election to replace state Representative Ron Sailor.   Read More
IA: Group provides translated forms for voters


Translations of Iowa voter registration forms will be available today in foreign languages through a Web site run by international relations advocates.   Read More
ID: Kempthorne still owes $15,000 from '02 campaign


WASHINGTON -- Six years after his last election, supporters of Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne are still raising money to pay off debts from his final bid for Idaho governor.   Read More
ID: State's last superdelegate to pick chooses Obama


Idaho's last Democratic superdelegate holdout is backing Sen. Barack Obama for president, meaning an almost certain clean sweep of Idaho's unpledged delegates for Obama.   Read More
ID: Sullivan seeks re-election as Idaho GOP chairman


The chairman of Idaho's dominant Republican Party is running for re-election this June despite a rift with some compatriots over a move to close the GOP's primary election to all but registered party members.   Read More
ID: Idaho responds to ballot lawsuit


The Idaho secretary of state has asked the Idaho Supreme Court to throw out a lawsuit from a man who says he is illegally being kept off the primary election ballot.   Read More
ID: Republicans' lawsuit against Idaho stalled


It's been a month since the Idaho Republican Party filed a federal lawsuit against the state, attempting to restrict the Republican primary election to registered GOP party members. But the second step in moving the case forward -- formally serving the state with a summons or notice of the lawsuit -- has yet to be taken.   Read More
ID: Idaho Supreme Court candidates keep it civil


Previous election campaigns for the Idaho Supreme Court bench have garnered a reputation for being nasty affairs, complete with contentious advertisements and bitter feelings. But so far the race between incumbent Idaho Supreme Court Justice Joel Horton and his challenger, 2nd District Judge John Bradbury, is anything but.   Read More
IN: Star Plaza eyed for gubernatorial debate


The Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville is among 10 sites being considered for a proposed series of fall debates between Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels and Democratic challenger Jill Long Thompson.   Read More
IN: State blames county for voters left off poll books


A state election official said Monday the county is responsible for an error that left several new and longtime voters off the lists provided to most polling places.   Read More
IN: Daniels backs Costas for attorney general


Gov. Mitch Daniels sent state Republican Party leaders a letter Monday endorsing Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas' bid for Indiana attorney general.   Read More
IN: Daniels makes endorsements for AG, state school chief


Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels endorsed Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas for attorney general on Monday and Tony Bennett, superintendent of Greater Clark County Schools, for superintendent of public instruction.   Read More
IN: Schellinger campaign was full of missteps


For years to come, in back rooms and over beers, Indiana Democrats will ponder the question: What doomed Jim Schellinger's bid for governor?   Read More
KS: Missouri Senate panel endorses voter ID measure  Registration Required


Voter ID legislation most likely will see action on the Senate floor this week as lawmakers rush to approve the measure before the session adjourns on Friday.   Read More
ME: King, Allen postpone fundraiser


Democratic Rep. Tom Allen on Monday postponed a campaign fundraiser with bestselling horror writer Stephen King, who asked for the delay after being criticized for remarks he made about the U.S. Army.   Read More
ME: Cote says work on energy issues, Army service equip him for office


Running for Congress is tough. To compete, you must work hard ? criss-crossing the district, shaking thousands of hands, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars, depriving yourself of sleep.   Read More
ME: Rep. Allen endorses Obama bid


Democratic Rep. Tom Allen announced Monday that he is backing Sen. Barack Obama for president, saying that now is the time to end the party's nomination fight gracefully.   Read More
MI: Hoogendyk to challenge Sen. Levin


Republican State Rep. Jack Hoogendyk turned in more than 30,000 nominating petition signatures Monday, making official his candidacy to be a giant slayer -- or sacrificial lamb -- against 30-year veteran U.S. Sen. Carl Levin.   Read More
MI: Confident Obama coming to woo Michigan voters


Sen. Barack Obama returns to Michigan on Wednesday for the first time in 10 months, his campaign increasingly looking like that of a Democratic nominee unwilling to let his Republican rival hustle freely for votes this fall in battleground states.   Read More
MI: John Ramsey drops bid for Mich. House


John Ramsey won't run for the Michigan House after all. Like a few other candidates, Ramsey has withdrawn from the 105th district House race after incumbent Kevin Elsenheimer reconsidered and decided to run for re-election.   Read More
MO: Curators to legislature - Don't let student member vote


The University of Missouri Board of Curators approved a resolution this morning to oppose legislation pending in Jefferson City to give the student member of the body the right to vote on most proceedings.   Read More
MO: State Senate committee passes voter ID measure


Missouri senators are set to consider a ballot item that could require Missourians to present photo identification in order to vote.   Read More
MO: Missouri Civil Rights Initiative stays in play even though ballot campaign ends


COLUMBIA - Students, faculty and staff overflow from the sidewalks onto the streets. Chants are heard, signs are raised and fists are pumped in the air on MU's campus down Rollins Street, in front of Johnston Hall.   Read More
MO: Missouri Senate Republicans move forward with voter ID bill


Senate Republicans pushed forward on Monday with a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow voter identification laws in the state. The issue is one of the most partisan issues to be raised in the legislative session.   Read More
MS: Childers tours district with state lawmakers


Congressional candidate Travis Childers made a final appeal to voters Monday in a whirlwind tour of the district he hopes to represent in Washington. The road-weary Booneville native held news conferences in Batesville, Oxford, Holly Springs and Tupelo. In each stop, he appeared with Mississippi political leaders who are backing Childers.   Read More
MT: Candidate Steele targets state spending


Republican Larry H. Steele of Great Falls said he's running for governor to rein in state spending.   Read More
MT: Bill Clinton to return to Montana


Former President Bill Clinton will visit Montana today and Wednesday to campaign for his wife in Kalispell and Missoula.   Read More
MT: Voter registration up for primary


The secretary of state's office reports voter registration in Montana is up amid excitement over the race between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.   Read More
MT: Republican AG hopeful vows tough stand on sex offenders


Tim Fox, a Republican candidate for attorney general, said this month that he'd fix the state's sexual offender registry within six months of taking office and make tracking and prosecuting sex offenders a top priority.   Read More
NH: State GOP leader "sorry" for Clinton assassination remark  Registration Required


The chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party has apologized to Sen. Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton for joking about them being assassinated.   Read More
NJ: Coalition to urge more 'clean elections'


Members of a new coalition today vowed to push for more publicly funded legislative elections next year despite the state's budget problems.   Read More
NM: Primary candidates forum set for Thursday


FARMINGTON, N.M. - Leadership San Juan's Alumni Association hosts a pre-primary candidates forum from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Farmington Public Library, 2101 Farmington Ave.   Read More
NM: Domenici backs ex-aide for Congress  Registration Required


U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici has endorsed his former aide Marco Gonzales in the contested Republican primary in the 3rd Congressional District.   Read More
NV: No new GOP convention date yet


State Republican Party leaders are still hunting for a date to complete a convention abruptly shut down prior to final votes on what was shaping up as a Nevada delegation to the national GOP convention with more supporters for Ron Paul than John McCain.   Read More
OH: Obama picks up 2 Ohio pledged delegates


CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama picked up two pledged delegates Monday from the official results of the Ohio presidential primary held March 4.   Read More
OH: AP Newsbreak - Pocket of Ohio Republicans voted Democratic


The number of Republicans who switched sides to vote for Democrats in Ohio's March 4 presidential primary easily eclipsed President Bush's 120,000-vote margin of victory in the state that decided the presidency four years ago, documents released Monday show.   Read More
OH: Ohio's superdelegate battle rages


WASHINGTON - In the Ohio Democratic superdelegate battle, "uncommitted" still holds the narrowest of leads, but probably not for long.   Read More
OH: 28,627 in local GOP switched parties


Newly released numbers show that more than 28,000 of the Democrats in Southwest Ohio who voted in the March 4 presidential primary previously voted Republican - a number higher than the state average.   Read More
OH: Ohio Democrats pick convention delegates  Registration Required


She could be called the great-grandmother of the Democratic National Convention. At 85, Ruby Gilliam of Minerva will be the oldest appointed member of Ohio's delegation.   Read More
OH: McCain adviser - Voinovich and Brown are 'overstating their concerns' about climate bill


John McCain, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, promoted a cap-and-trade carbon emissions plan today in Oregon. He'll continue to talk up his proposal to curtail global warming with appearances in Washington state Tuesday and in Columbus on Wednesday and Thursday.   Read More
OH: Lucas County Elections Board tries to address ballot problem


Lucas County elections officials are investigating ways to avoid a repeat of what happened in the March 4 primary election, when 921 absentee ballots were disqualified because voters failed to seal them in ballot envelopes that were too small.   Read More
OK: Various Oklahoma Co. bond issues are on today's ballot  Registration Required


Today's Oklahoma County bond issue election is mostly about Tinker Air Force Base.   Read More
OR: Opinions on effect of Bill Clinton's mega-tour vary


TILLAMOOK, Ore. -- When former President Bill Clinton visited conservative far-Eastern Oregon this weekend, some were left scratching their heads, wondering why he would even stop by to ask them to vote for his wife.   Read More
OR: McCain joins Democrats on climate issue


Sen. John McCain's Portland-based global warming manifesto now puts all three presidential candidates -- and both major parties' leaders -- firmly in favor of aggressive cuts to greenhouse gases.   Read More
OR: McCain touts greener goals


Sen. John McCain used a wind energy company in Portland as a backdrop Monday to describe his determination to break with the Bush administration and take a much more aggressive approach to fighting global warming.   Read More
OR: In Oregon, McCain touts his cap-and-trade system to fight global warming


PORTLAND, Ore. -- In a major environmental speech, Sen. John McCain on Monday said he would combat global warming with a cap-and-trade system to cut carbon emissions and increase use of nuclear power and alternative energy.   Read More
PA: Taxpayer bill in Pa.'s Bonusgate grows  Registration Required


First, taxpayers footed large, secretive government bonuses to legislative staffers. Now, more than a year into a criminal probe known as Bonusgate, the General Assembly's cost to tighten ethical standards and cope with the scandal has topped the $1 million mark and is growing.   Read More
SD: Obama campaign reaches out to rural South Dakota


Two former state agriculture leaders made a pitch to rural South Dakota on Monday for presidential hopeful Barack Obama, touting farm-policy initiatives aimed at strengthening disaster assistance, helping beginning farmers and boosting alternative fuel supplies.   Read More
SD: Bill Clinton to visit Pine Ridge Reservation Wednesday


Former president Bill Clinton will return to South Dakota on Wednesday, May 14, to campaign for presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton on the Pine Ridge Reservation.   Read More
SD: Bill Clinton plans return visit


Former President Bill Clinton is planning a second trip to South Dakota.   Read More
SD: Obama expected to make S.D. stop


Barack Obama is scheduled to land in Sioux Falls late Friday afternoon in a four-hour stop to rally his South Dakota supporters.   Read More
TX: Texans take on big debts, taxes  Registration Required


A weak economy and angst over ever-rising property taxes didn't keep Texas voters from approving 66 school bond elections this past weekend.   Read More
UT: Herbert miffed by overzealous aide's Facebook posting


Overzealous claims from a top aide to Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert that the lieutenant governor intended to run against incumbent Sen. Bob Bennett in 2010 sent Herbert scrambling Monday to try to squelch the rumor.   Read More
UT: Candidate for lieutenant governor has worked to persuade Latinas to seek office


For more than three decades, Josie Valdez has fought for the rights of ethnic minorities and women in Utah. She plans to take that fight to the state Capitol after filing Monday to run on the Democratic ticket for lieutenant governor.   Read More
VT: Montpelier resident, doctor, Richter eyes run for Lt. Gov.


A Washington County doctor known for her efforts in promoting a universal health care system in Vermont said Monday she is considering a run for lieutenant governor this year as a Democrat.   Read More
VT: Will Dems, Progressives unite?


In March, when it looked like the Democratic Party didn't have a clear candidate for governor, former Gov. Phil Hoff came out and publicly said as long as that was the case, Democrats should back Progressive Anthony Pollina.   Read More
VT: Symington launches gubernatorial bid


Democrat Gaye Symington charged Monday that Vermont has been stuck in neutral under the leadership of Republican Gov. Jim Douglas. Sounding this year's Democratic drumbeat for change, Symington said it was time for a new governor.   Read More
WA: Donors to governors race giving in large chunks


Six months before the election, top gubernatorial candidates Dino Rossi and Chris Gregoire each have stockpiled more than $3 million in cash, and a large share of it comes from donors giving $1,000 or more.   Read More
WA: Gregoire backers up ante by $1.3M in April


Gov. Christine Gregoire's supporters flooded the Democrat with campaign contributions in April, injecting more than $1.3 million into her rematch against Republican challenger Dino Rossi.   Read More
WV: Dems Duel For W.Va.


WHEELING, W.Va. - West Virginians go to the primary election polls today, but they must go to their correct polling location for their vote to count.   Read More
WV: Obama supporters undaunted by predicted Clinton win in W.Va.


Barack Obama is widely expected to lose the West Virginia primary Tuesday, but it would have been hard to tell that from the excited supporters who came to see him speak at the Charleston Civic Center.   Read More
WV: Polling places open on time for W.Va. primary


It's primary day in West Virginia and things are off to a smooth start.   Read More
WV: Obama, Clinton ready for W.Va. primary


If there was any question regarding why Sen. Barack Obama was at the Charleston Civic Center Monday, the presidential hopeful answered it quickly.   Read More
WV: W.Va. early voting tops 76k; mostly Democrats


A record 76,519 West Virginians have already cast their primary ballots, most of them through the "no excuse'' early voting that ended Saturday.   Read More
WV: Judge delays decision on turning over Maynard's e-mails


Supreme Court Justice Spike Maynard's e-mail records won't be turned over to The Associated Press a day before West Virginia's primary election after all.   Read More
WV: Political currents swirl in Smalltown, W.Va.


FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. -- As a fog enveloped the nearby New River yesterday on a chilly, rainy afternoon, this small town an hour southeast of Charleston was covered in a similar haze about which way its residents would tilt in today's Democratic presidential primary.   Read More
WORTH NOTING: Voters' guide promotes phone sex
By Pauline Vu, Stateline.org Staff Writer

An Oregon voters’ guide lists a very wrong number. California’s governor insults rural legislators. And Pennsylvania considers selling wine in vending machines. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in.   Read More
Seeds of social issues dot 2008 elections
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

With a sagging economy and a divisive war occupying Americans’ minds, will social issues be overshadowed in state elections in 2008?
  Read More
With justices' OK, voter ID moves ahead
By Daniel C. Vock and John Gramlich, Stateline.org Staff Writers

A decision Monday (April 28) by the U.S. Supreme Court to let Indiana demand photo identification from voters paves the way for other states to do the same during November’s presidential election, experts say.   Read More
Will Democrats grow legislative edge in '08?
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

For the past several election cycles, the Democrats have been on a roll in legislative elections. This year, the party is well-positioned to hold its majority of chambers — but greatly expanding Democratic control may not be in the cards.
  Read More
'Purple' states turn a little more 'blue'
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

The national polls point to a tight presidential race in November. But Democrats have a bit more to cheer about than Republicans do, regardless of who wins the Democratic primary, according to the latest state-by-state electoral-vote projections by “Out There.”
  Read More
Obama's friends in unlikely places
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

Barack Obama is striking an unlikely connection with voters in the reddest of red states. However the Democratic presidential contest plays out, the Illinois senator has breathed new energy and resources into several long-forsaken state parties.
  Read More
Commentary: Govs beat White House hopefuls as agents of change
By Gene Gibbons, Stateline.org Executive Editor

This column was published simultaneously by The Politico.
It took a while for most of the presidential candidates to figure out that voters want “change” and action on a variety of issues that affect their lives. They might have gotten it sooner if they had noticed the way that many states, led by innovative governors, are moving forward in areas like health care, immigration and global warming.
  Read More
A tale of two comebacks
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

Not long ago, the approval ratings of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Alabama Gov. Bob Riley were in the dumps. Both managed to climb back to popularity. Their stories hold lessons for other politicians.
  Read More
AG contests attract serious attention
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

Once, races for state attorney general were quiet affairs. No longer. Attorneys general can wield enormous power in such areas as consumer protection and criminal prosecutions – and can use the job to vault into higher office. Here's how this year's 10 state races for attorney general are shaping up.
  Read More
Iraq casts shadow on 2008 state races
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist