Election News
Election news and analysis from The Daily Signal, featuring reporting, commentary, and conservative insights on campaigns, candidates, and ballot issues.
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- News
Connecticut to Register Voters at DMV. What Could Go Wrong? Critics Ask
The 2014 Connecticut governor’s race was decided by about 30,000 votes statewide. Four years earlier, the contest was decided by just about 6,000 votes. So it’s a concern for state Rep. Arthur O’Neill, a Republican, that the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles—which recently misidentified more than 50,000 people for having unpaid taxes on their vehicles—will…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
The Zombie Voter Apocalypse: California Refuses to Admit Its Voter Fraud Problem
Hollywood has always loved making films about the walking dead, but in Southern California it appears they have a real life problem with “zombie” voters. An investigation by CBSLA2 and KCAL9 found that hundreds of deceased persons are still on voter registration rolls in the area, and that many of these names have been voting…Hans von Spakovsky -
- Opinion
3 Examples of Voter Fraud Across US
With the 2016 election season well underway, millions of voters across the country have already cast their ballots in primaries and caucuses. Republican and Democratic candidates are locked in close races for the highest office in the land, and every vote cast makes a difference. The Heritage Foundation’s voter fraud database catalogues over 400 cases…Jason Snead -
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Poll: Two-Thirds of Voters Think Media Has Too Much Power Over Elections
Voters want more say in elections and less influence from the news media, special interest groups, and the wealthy, a new survey reveals. The Rasmussen Reports survey, released Tuesday, found that although 61 percent of likely voters believe that their vote matters, about the same number—62 percent—believe they don’t have enough say in choosing their political…Kristiana Mork -
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Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Dies, Creating Election Year Vacancy on Court
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died from natural causes while visiting friends in West Texas on Saturday morning. He was 79. News of the conservative justice’s death was first reported by the San Antonio Express and later confirmed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Shortly after, Chief Justice John Roberts released a statement saying he was…Philip Wegmann -
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This Mom Wanted Voters to Pay Attention to an Election. Instead, She Got Sued.
A Colorado mother got caught in a legal battle after buying two ads in a local newspaper to encourage voters to brush up on the candidates running for school board. Terry Holland says she wanted to make other parents aware of their options because no one had run against an incumbent in the previous election. To spread the word, she placed the ads,…Natalie Johnson -
- Opinion
How The Washington Post Got Virginia’s Voter ID Law Wrong
Virginia provides an excellent example of how the photo ID battle has been waged in state legislatures and reported (poorly) by the media. Opponents of voter ID laws began a campaign immediately upon the introduction of the photo ID bill in Virginia and were given a huge assist by The Washington Post, which on the eve…Don Palmer -
- Opinion
Much at Stake Ahead of Spanish Elections
This month Spain will finally head to the polls after a tumultuous past two years that has seen the dramatic rise of two new political parties and an independence movement that threatens to break up the country. Current projections show the race neck and neck between four parties, all of which favor a very different…Alexander Biermann -
- Opinion
Venezuela Staves Off Default in Advance of Dec. 6 Election
Legislative and municipal elections this weekend might give Venezuelans a chance to get out from under the oppressive reign of corruption and criminality that have been the hallmarks of the government of President Nicolás Maduro. But don’t hold your breath. Maduro has warned that he will not “surrender the revolution” to an opposition victory, and…James M. Roberts -
- Opinion
Meet the Police Officer Who’s Been Charged With Voter Fraud
Call the cops! It looks as though someone is committing voter fraud in Indiana again! Ironically, in this case, however, the alleged fraudster who has been arrested by the Indiana State Police was a cop. Unfortunately, even officers who graduate from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy are capable of violating the public trust by allegedly trying…Hans von Spakovsky -
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Why LGBT Advocates Think They Lost in Houston Election
Failing to pass the Houston Equal Rights Protection Ordinance Tuesday night came as a blow to LGBT advocates, who have won recent victories at the U.S. Supreme Court and beyond. “We are disappointed with today’s outcome,” said a coalition of partners that make up Houston Unites, the group behind the sexual orientation and gender identity…Kelsey Bolar -
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Here’s How Houston Voted on Controversial Ballot Measure
Citizens of Houston overwhelmingly voted down a measure that would have created legal protections in 15 categories, including sexual orientation and gender identity. For months, opponents waged a war on the so-called “bathroom ordinance” that would allow transgender individuals to use the bathroom of their choice. On Tuesday, their work paid off, with more than…Kelsey Bolar -
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Meet 7 Big Businesses Behind the Houston Ballot Measure
On Tuesday, the people of Houston will head to the polls to vote on a controversial measure that would create legal protections related to sexual orientation and gender identity, among other categories. The so-dubbed “bathroom bill” has gained national attention, pitting Houston at the center of the latest battle between LGBT and religious liberty advocates….Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
What Turkey’s Election Means for the US
Last June, Turkey held a general election, but no single party won enough seats within the legislature to form a single ruling party. After a few months of trying, it was clear that no coalition government could be formed, either. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was therefore forced to call another election, in line with parliamentary practice…Luke Coffey -
- Opinion
What Makes This Houston Ballot Measure So Threatening
On Tuesday, citizens of Houston, Texas, will go to the polls to vote on a controversial “sexual orientation and gender identity” (dubbed SOGI) measure. Rather than protecting equality before the law, the SOGI ordinance, euphemistically named the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), creates special legal protections based on “sexual orientation and gender identity.” HERO, like…Ryan T. Anderson -
- Opinion
Recent Elections in Latin America Carry Heavy Consequences
Over the weekend, four important elections occurred in the Western Hemisphere. Argentina and Guatemala held presidential elections; Colombia held local and municipal level elections. (Haiti also had an election, but the result will be unknown for several weeks.) For now, the results in Argentina, Guatemala, and Colombia raise key questions for the United States and…Ana Quintana -
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Rule Changes to ‘Empower’ Rank-and-File Republicans Could Come Before Speaker Election
House Republicans from across the conference are negotiating changes to their official rules that could be voted on before they elect their new speaker Thursday. Leaders of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, who have been the loudest in calling for altering process and rules to empower rank-and-file members, are optimistic change could come before Rep….Josh Siegel -
- Opinion
Liberal Party Wins Canadian Elections: Washington Should Pay More Attention to Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada won yesterday’s election, giving them an outright majority in the Canadian Parliament. Justin Trudeau, the prime minister designate and son of former Liberal Party Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, led his party to victory with just under 40 percent of the vote. (Since there is a significant third party, the New…David Inserra -
- Opinion
Philly Legislators Move to Force Union Elections
PHILADELPHIA—A faction within the city’s largest teachers union is planning to challenge incumbent officers in next year’s elections because the faction’s members feel that their interests are not being adequately represented. The Caucus of Working Educators, a group of about 300 school nurses, counselors, and support staff within the 11,000-member Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, is…Evan Grossman -
- Opinion
How Noncitizens Can Swing Elections (Without Even Voting Illegally)
In an article in Politico, Mark Rozell, acting dean of the School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs at George Mason University, and Paul Goldman, a weekly columnist for the Washington Post, point out a fact that should greatly concern all Americans: that the presence of millions of noncitizens, both legal and illegal, could tilt…Hans von Spakovsky