Articles tagged with Elections
A mathematical model developed by Duke University researchers shows how changes in North Carolina's congressional voting districts could affect election outcomes. The study found that re-ran elections with tweaked district boundaries resulted in drastically different seat splits, highlighting the need for redistricting reform.
A team of Rice University engineers and social scientists has developed a new electronic voting system that aims to be both secure and easy to use. The STAR (Secure, Transparent, Auditable and Reliable) system is designed to address the looming crisis facing elections officials nationwide as they replace aging voting systems.
Researchers used neural recordings to predict when a rat would give up waiting for a delayed tone. The findings suggest that individual brain cells cast votes for actions, but the outcome is not predetermined.
A surge in anonymous 'dark money' is pouring into US midterm election TV ads, with conservative groups leading the pack. According to a WSU researcher, $68 million has been spent on TV ads by special interest groups, including Americans for Prosperity and Crossroads GPS.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins University researchers found that unelected officials in Washington have limited understanding of the American public. The survey revealed significant differences between federal workers and the general population, including demographic disparities, education levels, and political affiliations.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that people who were surprised by election outcomes are more skeptical of government and democracy. The study suggests that media fragmentation can lead to hearing only what individuals want to hear, eroding trust in elections and government.
A study found that people search for climate information during extreme weather events, with Republicans seeking info during hot spells and Democrats during temperature changes. This suggests a connection between individual experiences of weather and their perceived threat of climate change.
A new study suggests that Hurricane Sandy's influence on the 2012 presidential election was minimal, with voters' attitudes towards Obama shifting from positive to negative after Election Day. The study found no significant impact of Sandy on Obama's vote share, contradicting pundit claims that the storm cost him the election.
A study found that physician contributions to federal elections increased significantly, with most shifting towards Democratic candidates, particularly among female physicians and solo practitioners. The shift away from Republicans was driven by an influx of new donors more likely to support Democrats.
A recent study by Ohio State University found that viewing partisan news from both conservative and liberal viewpoints does not increase acceptance of citizens on the other side of the political fence. Instead, it amplifies polarization, making people more critical of opposing views and less accepting of those who hold them.
Researchers found that smartphone owners made fewer errors on the mobile voting system than traditional voting methods. The study suggests incorporating smartphone-based voting systems into the current process could improve efficiency and usability.
A new study by Michigan State University's Michael Colaresi suggests that foreign aid from rival nations can create mistrust among citizens and hinder the establishment of democratic governments after civil wars. Only one country, Algeria, bucked this trend by becoming more democratic in the following decade.
Researchers found that judges are more likely to side with public majority sentiment on the death penalty after being targeted by moneyed interest groups. The study used a large dataset of over 12,000 votes from 27 years and found that judicial behaviors changed with the rise of new-style campaigns.
A Michigan State University scholar found that Latino and black candidates won as often as their white counterparts when running for office. The study suggests that parties should recruit more minority candidates to address the lack of representation in elected offices
A study by Princeton University finds that black mayoral candidates in Southern cities tend to win close elections with higher voter turnout than their opponents. This is attributed to effective voter mobilization strategies that targeted unregistered African-American voters, making it cheaper for black campaigns to get these votes out.
A new study suggests that people's mental representation of Republican candidate Mitt Romney's face differs based on their political persuasion. Researchers found that when presented with subtle changes to Romney's face, participants who supported him rated the images as more trustworthy and competent.
A voting joystick created at Michigan State University has shown promise in user testing, enabling users with dexterity impairments to vote independently. The device, comparable to a joystick used for motorized wheelchairs, could greatly improve accessibility for millions of Americans.
Ian T. Baldwin, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology director, was elected to the US National Academy of Sciences and German Leopoldina for his work in plant ecology and gene function research. His studies have uncovered molecular mechanisms by which plants survive adverse environmental conditions.
A recent study found that news coverage of female politicians focuses more on character traits and less on policy arguments compared to their male counterparts. The researchers analyzed data from approximately 10,000 newspaper articles covering statewide elections in the US, finding a significant disparity in the focus of news stories.
A new study in Social Science Quarterly finds that scandal-hit politicians typically don't regain their pre-scandal predicted margins of victory until four to six years after the event. Voter turnout increases following a scandal, but is linked to voters wanting to 'kick the bum out', rather than supporting the incumbent.
Researchers found that voters who remained optimistic about the outcome of a ballot measure were more likely to cast ballots, but also experienced greater disappointment when the measure failed. This study sheds light on how voter expectations change in the weeks leading up to Election Day and the impact on voting behavior.
Researchers found that only 22% of manipulated responses were corrected, while 92% of participants accepted and endorsed the reversed political survey score. This suggests that people can reason about issues with considerable openness to change, contradicting traditional polling assumptions.
Research by University of Cincinnati's Jeff Blevins examines eight US Supreme Court cases over a 30-year period defining corporate speech rights. The study reveals that court decisions have dramatically extended power under the First Amendment, marking a new 'gilded age' of free speech.
State supreme court justices who don't face voters are generally more effective than their elected counterparts, according to research led by Princeton University political scientists. The study found that appointed justices bring a higher quality of information to the decision-making process and are less likely to make errors.
A field experiment conducted during the December 2011 parliamentary elections in Russia suggests that fraud had a significant impact on the results. The researchers estimate that fraud accounted for at least 11 percentage points of the vote recorded for the ruling United Russia party in Moscow, resulting in the party retaining its majo...
A recent analysis of voter polls indicates that most Obama supporters favor implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and want to ensure continued federal efforts to provide health insurance coverage. However, this sentiment contrasts with views from Republican voters, who are more likely to oppose parts of the ACA's implementation.
Researchers at Clemson's Social Media Listening Center are developing techniques to analyze the implications of social media for national elections. They have created a prototype visualization tool that captures social media posts related to selected races in the 2012 Congressional election.
A WSU study found that young adults who use social media to express their political beliefs are more likely to participate in public affairs. The study analyzed over 400 undergraduate college students and found that those interested in election information were more likely to use digital sources to learn about elections.
A new report by Caltech and MIT found that voting technology has improved the election process, reducing residual votes by 50% since 2000. However, concerns remain about absentee and early voting, as well as voter identification laws, which can make it harder for some voters to participate.
Research finds that elected judges in Washington state hand down harsher sentences in the last three months before an election, with a 10% increase in sentence length compared to earlier terms. Judges become more calculated and deviate from guidelines more often when re-election is at stake.
The Living Voters Guide has expanded to include fact-checking by Seattle Public Library staff, providing voters with credible information and signals as to what's believable. This initiative aims to promote constructive online debate and informed voting through a collaborative and user-friendly platform.
A recent analysis of survey data shows that feelings of political empowerment among black Americans have decreased significantly since Obama's election, with conservatives and born-again Christians being the most affected. Education remains a key predictor of freedom perceptions among blacks.
A new analysis of 37 national opinion polls reveals that health care is the second most important issue for likely voters in deciding their 2012 presidential vote. Likely voters who prioritize health care are more supportive of the Affordable Care Act and Medicare, favoring Obama over Romney.
A study published in European Neuropsychopharmacology found that voting in national elections triggers measurable hormonal changes and emotional reactions. The cortisol levels of participants were nearly three times higher just before voting compared to the control group, indicating significant stress and arousal.
Experts analyze the biggest threats to democracy, including complacency and the erosion of democratic norms. International leaders share their personal experiences and insights on sustaining democracy in war-torn nations.
A special issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology explores radiology's role in health care reform, including utilization management, value-based payment systems, and patient-centered outcomes. The issue highlights the importance of radiologists being involved in directing overall health policy and budget discussions.
The tool analyzes a person's online reading habits for a month, calculating the political bias in their behavior. It then suggests sites that represent a different point of view and continues to monitor reading behavior, offering feedback.
A recent study by the University of Missouri found that news consumption alone is not sufficient for retaining political knowledge. Adolescents who engage in discussions about the news with peers and relatives tend to have better understanding of political developments.
A recent study from Ohio State University found that media coverage plays a significant role in shaping viewers' perception of presidential debates. Coverage that focuses on policy issues increases the likelihood of viewers forming specific thoughts about candidates' policy proposals.
A study by UC San Diego researchers found that Facebook's 'get out the vote' message boosted voter turnout by an estimated 340,000 votes in 2010. The study showed that social influence and peer pressure played a crucial role in encouraging people to participate in elections.
Researchers from Northeastern University used Twitter data to analyze voting patterns in American Idol, predicting the outcome of votes with high accuracy. The study also identified geographical influences on voting patterns, suggesting that a different outcome might have occurred if voting had been open to international fans.
Researchers found that foreclosure disrupts neighborhoods, creating economic anxieties and decreased trust, leading to lower voter turnout. The study controlled for factors such as poverty, ethnicity, and education level, revealing a significant impact on political participation.
A University of Colorado analysis predicts Mitt Romney's victory in the 2012 presidential election based on state-by-state economic factors. The model suggests Obama will win 218 electoral votes but lose key swing states, including Colorado and North Carolina.
A study from University of Illinois economics professors demonstrates a new method to analyze relationships among voters' issue preferences, candidates' policy positions, and voter behavior. The researchers found that policy divergence has increased significantly since the 1970s, particularly on cultural issues.
A survey of 15,000 voters found that white Americans tend to prefer people of their own race, with over 70% showing implicit racial bias. The research team measured unconscious racial attitudes using the Implicit Association Test (IAT) and found a significant pattern among eligible white voters.
Researchers found that peer group opinions carry weight when it comes to decisions about distant and abstract issues, but individual views become more influential as an election nears. The study suggests that people are always influenced by what others think, but the timing of these influences can vary greatly.
Recent studies examine the costs of forgiveness in marriage, attachment processes affecting health, racial bias in perceiving pain, and how individuals choose to remain ignorant about potentially upsetting information. Researchers also investigate the role of race in shaping attitudes toward Barack Obama's election.
A new study published in American Politics Research suggests that attack ads sponsored by independent groups are more persuasive and less likely to trigger backlash. The research found that voters punish politicians for sponsoring negative ads, but do not hold the independent groups accountable for their content.
Recent studies investigate the effects of Obama's presidency on racism in US politics, with experts analyzing topics such as citizenship, belonging, and racial identity. The findings suggest that Obama is often viewed as black rather than multiracial, highlighting the persistence of racial schemas in shaping public perceptions.
A new study explores the moral ideas behind tax aversion in America, finding that middle-class feelings of exploitation drive hostility towards taxation. Respondents associate income tax with a violation of the moral principle that hard work should be rewarded.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that experience-taking, feeling emotions and thoughts of a character as one's own, can lead to real changes in readers' lives. In experiments, people who identified with characters who overcame obstacles or experienced prejudice showed improved attitudes and behavior.
A study by Brown University researchers found that voter identification requirements have a negative impact on voting participation among Blacks and Hispanics, but boost turnout among Asians. The authors suggest that attention should be focused on the contexts of participation faced by each group.
A new study from Northwestern University suggests that people consistently believe their preferred candidate will win an election, even if they're behind in the polls. The false consensus effect, a psychological phenomenon, is thought to be driving this trend.
A new study from Rice University and Clemson University found that hand counting of votes can result in error rates of up to 2 percent, emphasizing the importance of well-specified manual auditing procedures. The research also showed that division of labor among group counting members can help reduce errors.
A new study analyzing 40 years' worth of voter data suggests that Americans perceive more political polarization than actual differences exist between parties. Contrary to popular belief, those who perceive greater polarization are more likely to engage in politics, attend rallies, or donate to a party.
A Baylor University study finds that people who vote near churches report more conservative attitudes and negativity toward non-Christians. This suggests that the location of polling places can shape voter behavior and may impact election results. The study's findings have implications for how our surroundings influence our attitudes.
A study by Juan Rodríguez Teruel found that half of Spanish ministers are specialists in their field and have a university degree, challenging the notion of low ministerial qualifications. The study also revealed that most ministers hold power for short periods, often changing offices after three years or less.
Moderate voters tend to cast protest votes to express discontent, whereas extreme left and right voters rarely do. The study reveals that protest voters show their unhappiness by voting for a party further from their preference, aiming to influence the other party's direction.
A Brigham Young University study found that voters who go against the neighborhood norm have less confidence in ballot privacy, with 30% less confidence. Election officials' shift to new voting technology has increased concerns among some voters about privacy.
Michael LeFevre, a renowned family medicine leader, has been elected to the Institute of Medicine. As a distinguished expert in prevention, detection, and treatment of high blood pressure, he will contribute to evidence-based medicine and improve health care outcomes.