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Chapter 12. Voting, Campaigns, and Elections

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Recounting 2000: What happened in Florida

This U.S. News and World Report on-line special: Election 2000: The Postelection Events Day by Day provides a blow-by-blow explanation of the daily events. To figure out how the election would have been resolved following the Florida vote in 2000, a consortium of newspapers, along with the National Opinion Research Center, began the Florida Ballot Project. This web site provides information on the different ballots referred to throughout the Florida recount.

Voter turnout from around the world

How does the United States compare to other nations on voter turnout? According to the text, it does not compare favorably. The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance provides data on voter turnout around the world—merely click on a continent and a particular country to obtain information for that country over time.

Election reform

After the 2000 election and difficulties in Florida over counting votes, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) passed in 2002. The Federal Election Commission provides the text of this law, as well as other information concerning HAVA.

Election 2004: How did we make up our minds?

One of the most exhaustive studies of the American voter in the 2004 election was undertaken by the National Annenberg Election Study (NAES) 2004. The site provides reports on interviews with about 100,000 Americans, as well as links to the 2000 NAES study. It is an excellent source (when cited properly) for term papers on elections.

Are you the new Carville or Matalin?

If you think you could run and win a presidential campaign, do it! This Power Politics 3 Presidential Campaign Simulator provides an opportunity to test your skills.

Is it image or substance or both? The presidential debates

The Commission on Presidential Debates has sponsored and hosted the presidential debates every presidential election year since 1988. The site provides debate transcripts and other historical facts on presidential debates.

Where did they stand on the position, valence, and wedge issues?

The 2004 Republican Party Platform and the 2004 Democratic Party Platform provide the parties' positions on numerous issues. The platforms lay out broad themes and discuss particular issues. Do you think they fully explain position issues, valence issues, and wedge issues?