Friday, May 17, 2013
The U.S. Census Bureau says black turnout nationwide, by percentage, exceeded white turnout last year for the first time.
A recent U.S. Census Bureau report shows that blacks had the highest voter turnout among racial identifications in the 2012 general election. Nationwide, 66.2 percent of black citizens voted, exceeding for the first time the turnout of white voters, which was 64.1 percent. In 2008, 66.1 percent of whites voted, to 64.7 percent of blacks. Back in 1996, white turnout was 60.7 percent and black turnout was 53 percent. Black turnout also exceeded white turnout in Pennsylvania last year, 65.2 percent to 62.5 percent. Read a Huffington Post report on the census findings, and see below for statistics comparing other voting demographics: Voter turnout is expected to be far lower in Tuesday's off-year primary election. Polls will be open from 7 a.m…
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
One poll suggests that, while Pennsylvania voters might support medical marijuana use, they aren't in favor of legal pot.
Pennsylvania voters aren't in favor of legalizing marijuana, according to one pole. The Frankin and Marshall College poll of Pennsylvania voters for May 2013 showed that 54 percent of voters polled opposed to legalizing marijuana in the state. A similar F&M Poll at the beginning of February found that 55 percent of respondants were against legalizing marijuana. While voters don't support its outright legalization, 82 percent of those polled favor the use of marijuana for medical reasons if prescribed by a doctor. The poll, which was conducted between April 30 and May 5, gathered responses from 526 registered voters, including 265 Democrats, 196 Republicans and 65 Independents. The full poll is available for review here. The following …
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
According to poll results, more voters support same-sex marriage in 2013.
A majority of state voters said they are in favor of allowing gay and lesbian couples to legally marry, according to one pole. The Frankin and Marshall College poll of Pennsylvania voters for May 2013 showed that 54 percent of voters polled were in favor of allowing legal same-sex marriages. The 54 percent in favor is up from 48 percent in the previous year. The poll, which was conducted between April 30 and May 5, gathered responses from 526 registered voters, including 265 Democrats, 196 Republicans and 65 Independents. The full poll is available for review here. The following information representes the questions asked in the survey and the results given by voters. 1) Would you favor or oppose a constitutional amendment that would allow…
Former U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, a Democrat, announced Tuesday that he's exploring another run for the Senate; Sestak narrowly lost to Pat Toomey in 2010.
A rematch between former U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak and U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey is in the works as Sestak announced Tuesday that he's exploring a run for the Senate in 2016. Democrat Sestak, a former Navy vice admiral, lost narrowly to Republican Toomey in 2010. Sestak, of Delaware County, has formed an exploratory committee—the equivalent of launching a campaign in terms of Federal Elections Commission paperwork, according to a Washington Post report. Can Sestak beat Toomey? Who would you vote for if the Senate election was held today? Tell us in the comments section below. Tuesday's announcement ends speculation that Sestak, 61, is raising money to challenge Gov. Tom Corbett. Sestak raised $460,000 in the first quarter of this year. A Sestak-…
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Joseph Passarella had led the county's Voter Services department since 1994. He reportedly was terminated Wednesday.
Montgomery County officials were tight-lipped Thursday about the circumstances surrounding the apparent dismissal Wednesday of Joseph Passarella, who had run the county's Voter Services department since 1994. Passarella's termination was first reported Thursday morning by The Intelligencer, which cited unnamed sources who said Passarella was called into a noon meeting by unspecified county administrators on Wednesday and informed he was being immediately removed from his post. County Commissioner Leslie Richards, who also serves as chair of the county's Board of Elections, cited the county's policy of declining to comment on "personnel issues" when asked Thursday about both Passarella's departure and whether there were issues within the …
Friday, April 19, 2013
It's not too late to register to vote in the Primary Election.
The last day to register to vote in the May 21 Primary Election is Monday, April 22. Individuals applying to register to vote must be: Montgomery County answers some questions about voter registration here. Download a voter registration form in the pdf section of this article.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
The Democratic state senator for much of the Main Line will pursue Rep. Allyson Schwartz's seat.
Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery, Delaware) announced Tuesday morning he will run in 2014 for the U.S. House of Representatives. Leach will run in Pennsylvania's 13th District, currently represented by fellow Democrat and expected gubernatorial candidate Rep. Allyson Schwartz. Leach was a state representative from 2003 to 2009, and last November he won a second four-year term in the state senate, where his constituencies include residents of Lower Merion, Haverford and Radnor townships. He has become a more prominent Democratic figure through pushes to legalize marijuana and gay marriage in Pennsylvania, as well as through his opposition to voter-ID requirements. In a letter on his website Tuesday, Leach said he is running for Congress for …
Friday, January 4, 2013
The 2nd District congressman is beginning his 10th term.
Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-2nd) was sworn in Thursday to his 10th term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Fattah also announced the introduction of a bill: the Ending Fiscal Cliffs Act of 2013. From Fattah's announcement: The legislation streamlines the process of raising the debt ceiling – which Congress could face within two months—to avoid paralyzing political maneuvers. Under the current system, Congress authorizes Federal spending, then must grant redundant approval to borrow sufficient funds to cover the spending it has already approved. Fattah’s bill restructures the process to make it more efficient. It allows the Administration to raise the debt ceiling, as necessary, in order to avoid default whenever Congress spends money or …
Monday, December 17, 2012
Newt Gingrich says Hillary Clinton will be a formidable candidate if she decides to run for president next time around. What do you think?
Buzz about Hillary Clinton's future is building as she prepares to leave her post as secretary of state. Newt Gingrich says she'll make a formidable presidential candidate if she decided to run. What do you think? Vote in our poll and add your comments below.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Municipal and school board positions are up for grabs.
With the 2012 election and its presidential, congressional and state-legislature races in the past, the next contest will feature several municipal elections. Half of the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners seats will be up for grabs in 2013, as well as more than half of the Narberth Borough Council and just less than half of the Lower Merion Board of School Directors, all to four-year terms. In Lower Merion Township, the even-numbered wards among the township's 14 will have elections. Those seven wards are currently represented by four Democrats and three Republicans: In 2011, Democrats won six of seven races, including two victories by previously interim commissioners. The Democratic Party maintains a 10-4 majority on the board. Four of …
Logan
12:55 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2013
There are more alcohol and prescription related deaths in the state of Pennsylvania. This is more related to the baby boomers for misinformation or "scare tactics" about the recreational use of marijuana. If there were more young people surveyed from age 18-25 the legalization would happen. The baby boomers are very stubborn in this state, and will get with the heard if effectively lobbied. This … more ›