What is the Department of Government Efficiency?
President-Elect Donald Trump recently began announcing his presidential cabinet nominations, tapping Congresspeople, former Republican presidential nominees, and close allies. As the leader of the executive branch, the President must appoint about 4,000 officials, including the members of his cabinet, who serve as heads of executive departments. Some cabinet positions, including UN Ambassador, require confirmation by […]
How News Organizations “Call” the Presidential Election
Tuesday, November 5th marks Election Day in the United States. As millions of voters cast their ballots, news organizations carefully analyze incoming voting data to determine the winner in several races, including the presidency. But even though news organizations such as the Associated Press can “call” a presidential election, their projections do not constitute official […]
Protecting Our Democracy Act: Weighing the Pros and Cons
Background The Protecting Our Democracy Act (PODA) is a bill under consideration in Congress that aims to protect the integrity of the democratic process. The bill was originally passed in the House in 2021. It was received in the Senate in late 2021, where it failed to pass due to the use of a filibuster. […]
Immigration Policies: Where Each Presidential Candidate Stands
As the upcoming election draws near, immigration remains a top issue of concern amongst voters. According to Pew Research, 61% of registered voters say immigration is a “very important” issue when considering their vote. Many presidential candidates have centered immigration reform in their platforms, addressing everything from the border wall to administrative reforms in immigration […]
U.S. Census Citizenship Question: The Controversy and Its Lasting Impact
Background The citizenship question is a proposed addendum to the decennial U.S. Census. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the U.S. Census every ten years to determine the headcount of the United States. The results of the U.S. Census are used for several purposes, including: The Census Bureau sends the decennial Census in the form of […]
Podcasting for the Presidency: Candidate Interview Recaps
As Kamala Harris and Donald Trump continue on the campaign trail, both presidential candidates have attempted to reach new audiences of potential voters. In recent months, both candidates have tapped into the expanding podcast industry, appearing on popular shows to speak on political issues and encourage the expanding base of podcast listeners to vote. Recap: […]
North Carolina’s Voter ID Law: Unpacking the Debate Over SB 824
Introduction In the United States, voter ID requirements vary widely by state law. Currently, thirty-eight states strictly require residents to present ID before they can cast a countable ballot. Voter ID laws fall into four types: strict photo, strict non-photo, non-strict photo, and non-strict non-photo. Strict photo ID laws require voters to present photo identification […]
Pros and Cons of New Hampshire’s SB 418: How the New Voter ID Law Affects First-Time Voters
What is SB 418? On June 16, 2022, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed a new piece of voting legislation: Senate Bill 418. Before SB 418, first-time voters who could not provide documents proving their identity at a polling place could still cast a ballot by signing a Qualified Voter Affidavit under oath. SB 418 […]
Should Election Day Become a Federal Holiday? Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks
Election Day is always held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November during an election year. Congress codified this tradition in 1845 to account for the nation’s largely agrarian labor force who needed most other days of the week to tend to their crops, travel, or worship. In modern times, many argue that […]
Freedom to Vote Act: Pros, Cons, and Impact on U.S. Elections
Background The Freedom to Vote Act (FTVA) is a bill under consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives that would expand protections for voting rights in the United States. The bill was originally introduced in 2019 during the 116th U.S. Congress as the For the People Act (FTPA). After being blocked in the Senate, the […]