Abstract
This paper explores the midterm elections of 2006 and the lack of participation by the vast majority of eligible voters. The paper further suggests that the same number of people that were guaranteed the right to vote by the XV, XIX and XXVI Amendments to the Constitution choose not to participate in the elections because they were too apathetic. The paper concludes by stating that the elections were decided by only a few of the eligible voters.

From the Paper
"In these elections, only 41% of the eligible voters chose to participate. Nearly 60% of the eligible population was disenfranchised by choice. A democracy is a form of government where the majority rules, and selects the leaders. In the case of the American Democracy, the majority of the electorate is not interested in participating in the process. Either by design or apathy, the lack of participation is hardly noticed. The right to vote for all was a long and hard fought battle. For a long portion of the history of the United States, many were not allowed to participate in the..."

Tags:midterm elections, oligarchy, vote

Abstract
This paper considers many strategies, techniques, philosophies for winning local elections given a three-month election cycle, and how these strategies provide insights into how they may be adapted to other locations. It looks at the use of radio, television and the Internet and the Democratic process in theory and practice.

From the Paper
"Democracy begins at the local level although it is often most associated with national elections. Local officials however, including mayors have a direct impact on the daily lives of the citizens in their region. In ..."

Tags:elections, local, campaigns, campaign strategy, radio, Internet, television

Abstract
This paper examines the nature of the apathy in voter participation rates during the past two federal elections in Canada. It discusses the nature of the reasons used to explain low voter turnout rates in Canadian federal elections. Additionally, the paper proposes useful strategies that could be (and are being) employed in order to combat low voter turnouts.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: Low Voter Turnout
Underlying Roots and Causes Behind Low Voter Turnout
Strategies for Improving Voter Turnout
Conclusions: The Way Forward for the Canadian Electorate

From the Paper
"With more people turning out for the 2006 federal election than did in 2004, the call for electoral reform has become somewhat muted. It is important, however, that the process of reform continue so that Canada can improve its standing among other democratic nations with regard to voter participation. Targeting potential youth voters to impress upon them the importance of the political process and dismantling the winner-take-all electoral system are important first steps in this regard. Federal transparency and oversight of political actions may be the only means that can restore voter trust in politicians. Only time and concerted effort will reveal if it is possible for Canada to avoid a potential voter crisis in the coming decades."

Tags:electoral, democratic, election, politicians

Abstract
The essay covers the past 10 years of California election reform efforts. An overview of open v. closed primary systems, runoff elections, and redistricting are provided with an analysis of effectiveness of each reform. Conclusions, a table of significant legislation, and references are included. The paper focuses on actual legislation as examples in each category.

From the Paper
Pre and Post Efforts to Impact Election Outcomes Introduction At a minimum, elections have an impact on a candidate's bank account, on the local businesses, and other ripples that come from the after effects of elections. Winning a political election can make or break a life-long career in government or politics, change the balance of political power, and determine the direction of local legislation for years to come. With such great stakes at risk, it is not surprising that political parties, candidates, citizens, and affiliates seek to have an impact on the outcome.

Tags:election, reform, california

Abstract
The paper asserts that as software applications are becoming more embedded in systems, it is becoming increasingly evident that software providers have a professional and moral responsibility to ensure that their software products are reliable and trustworthy. The paper argues that unfortunately, numerous investigations conducted by computer scientists and software analysts in recent years of major voting machine manufacturing companies such as Diebold, Sequioa, and ES&S indicate that they have had insufficient interest in ensuring the reliability of the voting machines and software they have designed and developed for nationwide use in elections in the United States.

From the Paper
"As software applications are becoming more embedded in systems, it is becoming increasingly evident that software providers have a professional and moral responsibility to ensure that their software products are reliable and trustworthy. Unfortunately, numerous investigations conducted by computer scientists and software analysts in recent years of major voting machine manufacturing companies such as Diebold, Sequioa, and ES&S indicate that they have had insufficient interest in ensuring the..."

Tags:computer, election, issues

Abstract
This paper explains that, in a democracy, when so few people turn out for an election, it denies legitimacy to the government that is elected and often results in a government that is not answerable to the people because that government was only elected by a small percentage of the people. The author points out three main reasons for the small voter local election: the United Kingdom's use of the First Past the Post system for local elections; the age of the voters; and the proximity of the voters to the polling places. The paper relates that most European nations now use a proportional system for national and local elections, making the United Kingdom's use of the First Past the Post system for local elections somewhat of a relic.

From the Paper
"However, there is still a third variable which must be considered in this problem. The vicinity of the voters to the polling places has been found to have a bearing on how many people participate in the local elections. In areas in which residents live less than five minutes away from the polling place for a local election, voter turnout has been found to be very high, almost sixty-five percent in some cases. However, in areas in which voters lived more than five minutes away from their polling places, voter turnout dropped astoundingly to around thirty-five percent. This indicates that voters want convenience in their polling places, probably because people today lead such busy lives that it is difficult for them to take much time out of their day to go and vote in a local election."

Tags:legitimacy, first-past-the-post, age, location, proportional

Abstract
The paper argues that the future of democracy in Russia depends to a significant extent upon the integrity of elections and the electoral process, for elections are of fundamental importance to the effective functioning of democracy. The paper asserts that as the foundational element of democracy upon which all other elements depend, elections must be fairly conducted and votes must be accurately tabulated; if elections are subverted as they have been in Russia in recent years, democracy becomes a sham and all of the other elements of democracy become corrupted. The paper contends that ultimately, true democracy cannot be achieved or maintained unless a real choice of candidates is available at every level, nor can it be achieved and maintained if ballot boxes are stuffed, if voters are intimidated, or if they are denied access to polling places.

From the Paper
"The future of democracy in Russia depends to a significant extent upon the integrity of elections and the electoral process, for elections are of fundamental importance to the effective functioning of democracy. As the foundational element of democracy upon which all other elements depend, elections must be fairly conducted and votes must be accurately tabulated. If elections are subverted as they have been in Russia in recent years,..."

Tags:democratization, in, russia

Abstract
The paper examines the role of the media in the elections and whether the media played down the race issue in favor of Obama. The paper highlights the significance of the issue of race during the campaign and looks at the difference between Obama and other black Presidential candidates of the past. The paper also discusses America's readiness and need for change. The paper clearly shows how the issues of race and change dominated the proceedings and both were skillfully managed by Obama and his campaign managers in his favor.

Outline:
Role of the Media in the Election Campaign
Was Race an Important Issue During the Elections?
The Difference between Obama and other Black Presidential Candidates of the Past
Was the U.S. Ready for Change?
Was the U.S. in Need for Change?
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Repeated referral to the recently concluded US Presidential elections as 'historic' seems to be a well-worn cliche, but there is no getting away from the fact that the event was indeed historic. A nation, which was founded on the lofty principles of liberty and equality just over two centuries and a half ago, had hypocritically continued to practice apartheid and discriminatory policies against its black population until as recently as the mid-sixties. Hence, even an idealist 'dreamer' like Martin Luther King Jr. could not possibly have imagined that the an African-American would be elected into the White House within such a relatively short period of the start of his struggle against the Jim Crow laws. But this is exactly what the American public did on November 4, 2008: created history by voting in Barack Hussein Obama as the 44th President of the United States."

Tags:Obama, McCain, African, Americans, media, campaign

Abstract
The paper shows that a distinct political revolution occurred between the Presidential Elections of 1824 and 1848. This change is often referred to as the Jacksonian Revolution or the rise of mass politics. It discusses how the beginnings of these changes are seen in 1824, but would not be institutionalized as a part of every election campaign until 1848. The paper shows that the most notable differences between the Presidential Elections of 1824 and 1848 were the use of party identifications or the partisan nature of the papers, the way that editors and people who wrote editorials to the papers argued their points and the development of early forms of polling and political endorsements.

From the Paper
"During the 1824 Presidential Election there are few, if any, forms of polling, political endorsements, or advertisements, but they are all over the papers by the 1848 Presidential Election. Several unscientific polls are reported to the New York Herald regarding the 1848 Presidential Election during the six months leading up to the elections. "Another Vote for Taylor " On a late trip of the steamboat Herald, down the Illinois river, the vote for President was taken and stood as follows:- In the ladies' cabin, for Taylor 14; for Cass, 3. Gentlemen's cabin, for Taylor, 43; Cass, 23." "

Tags:adams, buren, cass, clay, crawford, democrats, federalists, polk, polling, soil, taylor

Abstract
Analysis of the 1984 and 2000 elections. Background of the two-party system. Significance of the 2000 election as the first time in 124 years that the candidate who won the national popular vote lost the electoral vote. Compares the candidates of 1984 and 2000. Role of the media in Presidential elections.

From the Paper
"Analysis of the U.S. Presidential Elections of 1984 and 2000


Introduction - The Birth of the Two Party System
Prior to the election of 1840, America did not have a two-party political system. Federalists and Democratic-Republicans contested elections in the early republic, but they were more representations of class and regional power than political parties. From 1812 to 1824, during the "era of good feelings," there was only one political party, and Presidents James Madison and James Monroe ran virtually unopposed (Shulman, M1).


After a 4-year interregnum in which Andrew Jackson - the man who won the most electoral votes in the election of 1824 - was denied his victory in the House of Representatives in favor of John Quincy Adams, Jacksonian Democracy - a further development of..."