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Elections 08: Pennsylvania Primary Election Results

In addition to holding their much anticipated presidential primary election, residents of the Keystone State headed to the polls Tuesday (April 22) to choose which statewide candidates would move on to the November general election. Candidates for the executive positions of attorney general, treasurer and auditor general were chosen. Additionally, candidates for both chambers of the state General Assembly were on the ballot. Here's how the numbers break down after the primary:

Elections 08: Ohio and Texas Primary Election Results

While much of the nation was focused on the battle for the White House Tuesday night, two states also turned their attention toward the battle for their state houses.

In addition, Massachusetts held a special election to fill four vacancies in its state house. For Ohio and Texas, March 4 was the day to select state legislative candidates for the November general election. Here's how the numbers break down for the general election:

Elections 08: Ohio and Texas State Primaries

Presidential primaries took place in four states Tuesday - Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas and Vermont. While a large amount of attention has been placed especially on Ohio and Texas' presidential outcomes, voters in those two states will also be selecting candidates to face off in November for important statewide offices. 

New Jersey's 2007 Election

New Jersey’s Nov. 6 election saw two referendums pass and many new faces elected to the legislature.

All 40 seats in the state Senate and the 80 seats in the Assembly were up for election. Though the Democrats gained a seat in the Senate, they lost two seats in the Assembly.

The Dems still remain in the legislative majority. Republicans have not controlled a legislative house in New Jersey since 2001. 

Is Change In The Air?

Are voters ready for change?

Apparently so, says Terry Madonna, a professor and director of the Keystone Poll at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa.

“Voters are in a very change-oriented mood,” Madonna told Stateline.org.

Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher, who lost Tuesday’s election and will be replaced by former Lt. Gov. Steve Beshear, was plagued by a merit-hiring scandal. Voters in New Jersey, Oregon and Utah all repudiated their governor’s endorsement of high-profile ballot initiatives.

But, according to state elections expert Tim Storey, this year’s limited state elections included some unusual circumstances.

While Madonna believes there are some hints from this year’s elections, “I wouldn’t draw huge conclusions …,” he said.

Kentucky Governor Loses Bid for Re-election

Kentucky voters rejected a bid for re-election by the state's top executive Tuesday, choosing instead to elevate Steve Beshear, a former lieutenant governor and state attorney general, to the Commonwealth’s highest office.

Dogged by an internal hiring scandal, Gov. Ernie Fletcher trailed Beshear throughout the race in most polling, often by as much as 20 points. Beshear and his running mate, State Sen. Daniel Mongiardo, handily won election to the Governor’s Mansion with just over 58 percent of the vote in an election with lighter turnout than predicted – just over 37 percent of registered voters participated.

Other Races
Interestingly, in a campaign of six constitutional races (Kentucky’s governor and lieutenant governor run together on one ticket), voters seemed to take each position and candidate on his/her own merits, splitting the overall ticket between Republicans and Democrats.

Election Brings Changes to States

There'll be a new governor in Kentucky and a new ruling party in the Virginia Senate come January, but in Mississippi, the sitting governor will return for another four-year term.

Those are just some of the results in the few state races on the ballot across the country. Voters in several states decided ballot measures with split results.

Voting, But Looking to 2008

It's an off-year for elections, but that doesn't necessarily mean it hasn't been an interesting -- or important -- one.

Voters in Kentucky and Mississippi are picking governors today, and legislative control is up for grabs in three states. The outcome could indicate how strong the parties are come next year. But state elections expert Tim Storey told stateline.org the issues and concerns in this year's elections are very state specific, so they may not be a strong indication of what will happen in 2008.

Kentucky voters are picking between incumbent Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher and former Democratic Lt. Gov. Steve Beshear. Beshear leads Fletcher in the polls by double digits. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket with the governor. They're also choosing other statewide offices, including agriculture secretary, attorney general, auditor, secretary of state and state treasurer.

Mississippi voters will pick between incumbent Republican Gov. Haley Barbour and Democrat John Eaves. Barbour is expected to be re-elected handily. Voters in Mississippi, as well as Louisiana, will cast ballots for lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general.

Supreme Court to Hear Voter ID Case

Should voters be required to show photo IDs before casting a ballot?

That's a question the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to answer. The high court on Tuesday agreed to decide whether states can require voters to show government-issued photo identification cards. The ruling is expected by the end of June, 2008, and coud have a major effect on the 2008 presidential election.

Indiana, Georgia and Arizona have new photo ID laws, which have been upheld in the last year, while Missouri's law was blocked from taking effect. Indiana Democrats have challenged the requirement, saying it discourages people who usually vote Democratic. Republicans have championed the requirement since 2002 as a means to prevent fraudulent voting.

The Council of State Governments will release an issue brief on state voting requirements at its Annual State Trends and Leadership Forum in November. Visit www.csg.org for the reports.

To learn more about the Supreme Court decision, check out the story on stateline.org.

2008 Presidential Election: States may play historic role

While the field of presidential contenders for 2008 continues to widen, the way in which our national leader is elected has been called into question and at no time in our nation’s recent history has a change in the Electoral College system been more contentious – and more likely.

National Popular Vote Inc., a national nonprofit composed of a broad group of political science academics as well as current and past national political figures, has crafted an interstate compact that would dramatically revise how state electoral votes are allocated. According to the new interstate compact, each state participating in the plan would award all its electoral votes to the presidential candidate receiving the most popular votes nationwide (in all 50 states and the District of Columbia).

Supporters claim the measure is long overdue and point to recent presidential elections in which the popular vote winner did not obtain the required 270 electoral votes to secure the White House. Detractors simply assert that the proposed plan is unconstitutional – going against the entire purpose of the Electoral College system.