Congressional Research Service Reports - 304 Matching Results
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- Executive Branch Power to Postpone Elections
- Because of the continuing threat of terrorism, concerns have been raised about the potential for terrorist events to occur close to or during the voting process for the November 2004 elections. For instance, the question has been raised as to whether a sufficiently calamitous event could result in the postponement of the election, and what mechanisms are in place to deal with such an event. This report focuses on who has the constitutional authority to postpone elections, to whom such power could be delegated, and what legal limitations exist to such a postponement.
- Iraq: Elections and New Government
- Elections for a transitional National Assembly, provincial councils, and a Kurdish regional assembly were held on January 30, 2005. High voter turnout in Shiite and Kurdish areas led to first- and second-place finishes for slates of these two communities, and they are leading the effort to establish a new government. See CRS Report RL31339, Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-Saddam Governance
- Election Reform and Electronic Voting Systems (DREs): Analysis of Security Issues
- This report discusses several questions about voting-system security. To address these questions, this report begins with a description of the historical and policy context of the controversy. That is followed by an analysis of the issues in the broader context of computer security. The next section discusses several proposals that have been made for addressing those issues, and the last section discusses options for action that might be considered by policymakers.
- Iraq: Elections, Government, and Constitution
- This report is regarding the Elections, Government, and Constitutions of Iraq.
- Contingent Election of the President and Vice President by Congress: Perspectives and Contemporary Analysis
- This report provides an examination of constitutional requirements and historical precedents associated with contingent election. It also identifies and evaluates contemporary issues that might emerge in the modern context.
- Palestinian Elections
- Fair and transparent elections are seen by experts and policymakers as a necessary step in Palestinian democratization and for the peace process. Palestinian political reform is an important element in the U.S. policy of promoting democracy, civil society, and good governance in the Middle East. It remains unclear how U.S. policy toward the Palestinian will change now that a designated terrorist organization -- Hamas -- is set to head the government. Some in Congress support restricting or ending economic assistance to the Palestinians so that U.S. aid does not benefit a foreign terrorist organization. Others are wary of initiatives that may weaken Palestinian President Abbas.
- Afghanistan: Elections, Constitution, and Government
- This report discusses the political situation in Afghanistan, more specifically it discusses the recent elections, newly formed constitution and the elected government.
- Iraq: Post-Saddam National Elections
- Elections for a transitional National Assembly, provincial councils, and a Kurdish regional assembly were held on January 30, 2005. High voter turnout in mostly Shiite and Kurdish areas led to a first and second-place finish for slates backed by these two communities. Sunni Arabs, dominant under Saddam Hussein, appear to have been further marginalized by their relative lack of participation in the vote. This report will be updated regularly. See CRS Report RL31339, Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-Saddam Governance.
- Iraq: Elections and New Government
- Elections for a transitional National Assembly, provincial councils, and a Kurdish regional assembly were held on January 30, 2005. High turnout in Shiite and Kurdish areas led to first- and second-place finishes for slates of these two communities, and they determined the composition of a new government inaugurated in May. See CRS Report RL31339, Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-Saddam Governance.
- Iraq: Post-Saddam National Elections
- Elections for a transitional National Assembly, provincial councils, and a Kurdish regional assembly were held on January 30, 2005. High voter turnout in mostly Shiite and Kurdish areas led to a first and second-place finish for slates backed by these two communities; and they are negotiating what appears to be a fragile governing coalition. Sunni Arabs mostly boycotted. See CRS Report RL31339, Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-Saddam Governance.
- Iraq: Elections and New Government
- Elections for a transitional National Assembly, provincial councils, and a Kurdish regional assembly were held on January 30, 2005. High turnout in Shiite and Kurdish areas led to first- and second-place finishes for slates of these two communities, and they determined the composition of a new government inaugurated in May. See CRS Report RL31339, Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-Saddam Governance.
- The President-Elect: Succession and Disability Issues During the Transition Period
- Procedures governing replacement of a President or Vice President-elect during the transition period depend on when the events that might lead to a temporary or permanent replacement occur. This report describes the general election process by which American voters directly choose members of the electoral college and indirectly choose the President and Vice President. This report also describes the so-called "lame duck" period between the election and the incoming President's inauguration, specifically regarding questions of disability or resignation by a President or Vice President-elect during this time.
- Afghanistan: Elections, Constitution, and Government
- In 2004 and 2005, Afghanistan adopted a permanent constitution and elected a president and a parliament. The parliament is emerging as a significant force in Afghan politics, as shown in debates over a new cabinet and the 2006 budget. See CRS Report RL30588, Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy, by Kenneth Katzman.
- Afghanistan: Elections, Constitution, and Government
- In 2004 and 2005, Afghanistan adopted a permanent constitution and elected a president and a parliament. The parliament is emerging as a significant force in Afghan politics, as shown in debate over a new cabinet proposed in March 2006. However, insurgent violence continues to threaten Afghan stability. See CRS Report RL30588, Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy, by Kenneth Katzman.
- Palestinian Elections
- No Description Available.
- Voting Technologies in the United States: Overview and Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- Voting Technologies in the United States: Overview and Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- Congressional Primaries and Filing Deadlines, 2006 Schedule
- This report provides the dates of congressional filing deadlines and primary and runoff primary dates for 2006 for the states, the District of Columbia, and territories.
- Russia’s March 2008 Presidential Election: Outcome and Implications
- This report discusses the campaign and results of Russia's March 2, 2008, presidential election and implications for Russia and U.S. interests. Popular outgoing President Vladimir Putin endorsed his First Deputy Prime Minister, Dmitriy Medvedev, who easily won an election viewed by some observers as not free and fair.
- Guatemala: Political Conditions, Elections, and Human Rights
- This report presents political conditions, elections, and Human Rights of Guatemala.
- Disqualification, Death, or Ineligibility of the Winner of a Congressional Election
- No Description Available.
- Contested Election Cases in the House of Representatives: 1933 To 2007
- This report examines only cases considered by the House of Representatives involving the question of whether a Member-elect was duly elected, that is. questions regarding elections and returns, not questions regarding qualifications.
- Internet Voting: Issues and Legislation
- Among the many issues in the ongoing, national discussion about the Internet is its use in the voting process. Because voting determines who runs the government and entails two absolute requirements--the secret ballot and security from fraud--the stakes are higher than for many other transactions routinely conducted via the internet. Public confidence about Internet security is increasing, but many feel that voting online requires a degree of security from fraud beyond the current standard for everyday internet use.
- The Direct Recording Electronic Voting Machine (DRE) Controversy: FAQs and Misperceptions
- As Congress considers proposals relating to DREs, salient issues might include the lack of information about DRE security, especially in relation to other systems and other components of election integrity; potential conflicts with HAVA requirements that might be associated with the proposals; how those proposals might impact voter confidence; and what impacts they might have on future innovation.
- Campaign Finance: Constitutional and Legal Issues of Soft Money
- The term "soft money" generally refers to unregulated funds for election related activities that are not subject to the Federal Election Campaign Act's (FECA) source restrictions, contribution limits, and disclosure requirements. The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, which amended FECA and became effective on November 6, 2002, restricts the raising and spending of soft money. This report contains information on a summary of campaign financing, recent developments, background and analysis, definitions of Hard and Soft money in federal elections, political party soft money, soft money spent on issue advocacy, corporate and labor union soft money, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, and additional related materials.
- Kenya: Current Conditions and the Challenges Ahead
- This report discusses the current political conditions of Kenya, which has long been an important ally of the United States. The report focuses particularly on the December 2007 elections, which many international observers have declared as rigged and deeply flawed. The report also discusses violence that erupted once election results were announced, as well as U.S. efforts to urge Kenya toward election reforms.
- The Direct Recording Electronic Voting Machine (DRE) Controversy: FAQs and Misperceptions
- Most voting systems used in U.S. elections rely on computers in some way. The most computerized is the direct recording electronic voting machine, or DRE. In this system, votes are recorded directly onto computer memory devices. This report discusses questions that arise frequently with respect to the controversy surrounding DREs. Possible misperceptions in the debate can be classified into three categories: those relating to DREs themselves, those that relate to paper audit trails, and those that relate to recounts and audits.
- Elections in States Affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
- The aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita created staggering problems and challenging conditions for the people of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, as well as for the state and local governments there. Many problems were immediately apparent, whereas others that involved ongoing government functions, such as elections, were less obvious at first. This report discusses the challenge of running elections in the many affected communities.
- 2008-2009 Presidential Transition: National Security Considerations and Options
- This report is concerned with the first presidential transition in a post-9/11 world. The report describes the domestic and foreign policy security challenges that will be left over for the new administration, and the security anxiety of foreign influence on the U.S. election.
- The Direct Recording Electronic Voting Machine (DRE) Controversy: FAQs and Misperceptions
- This report addresses various questions regarding Direct Recording Electronic Voting Machines (DREs). Questions that arise frequently with respect to the controversy surrounding DREs and possible misperceptions in the debate can be classified into three categories: those relating to DREs themselves, those that relate to paper audit trails, and those that relate to recounts and audits.
- Kenya: The December 2007 Elections and the Challenges Ahead
- This report discusses an overview of the December 2007 elections and the challenges of Kenya.
- Federal Voluntary Voting System Guidelines: Issues
- This report discusses the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG), which are a set of technical standards for voting systems that use computers to assist in recording or counting votes. Systems covered include most used in the United States—not only DREs (direct recording electronic systems) such as touchscreen voting machines, but also optical scan and punch card systems. Hand-counted paper-ballot and lever-machine systems, which do not involve computers, are not covered. However, they are used by a small and decreasing number of election jurisdictions.
- Congressional Authority to Standardize National Election Procedures
- Recent events surrounding the Presidential election have led to increased scrutiny of voting procedures in the United States. This report focuses on the constitutional authority and limitations that might be relevant to attempts by Congress to standardize these and other procedures.
- Internet Voting: Issues and Legislation
- No Description Available.
- Congressional Authority to Standardize National Election Procedures
- Recent events surrounding the Presidential election have led to increased scrutiny of voting procedures in the United States. This report focuses on the constitutional authority and limitations that might be relevant to attempts by Congress to standardize these and other procedures.
- Congressional Authority to Standardize National Election Procedures
- Recent events surrounding the Presidential election have led to increased scrutiny of voting procedures in the United States. This report focuses on the constitutional authority and limitations that might be relevant to attempts by Congress to standardize these and other procedures.
- Internet Voting
- No Description Available.
- Internet Voting
- No Description Available.
- Campaign Finance Reform: A Legal Analysis of Issue and Express Advocacy
- Issue advocacy communications have become increasingly popular over the federal election cycles. Often these advertisements could be interpreted to favor or disfavor certain candidates, while also serving to inform the public about a policy issue. However, unlike communications that expressly advocate the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate, the Supreme Court has ruled that issue ads are constitutionally protected First Amendment speech and cannot be regulated in any manner. According to most lower court rulings, only speech containing express words of advocacy of election or defeat, also known as “express advocacy” or “magic words” can be regulated as election-related communications and therefore be subject to the requirements of the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). Unlike express advocacy communications, therefore, issue ads may be paid for with funds unregulated by federal law, i.e., soft money
- The Electoral College: Reform Proposals in the 108th Congress
- American voters elect the President and Vice President of the United States under a complex arrangement of constitutional provisions, federal and state laws, and political party practices known as the electoral college system. Despite occasional close elections, this system has delivered uncontested results in 46 of 50 elections since adoption of the 12th Amendment, effective in 1804. Throughout this period, nevertheless, it has been the subject of persistent criticism and many reform proposals. Related measures fall into two basic categories: those that would eliminate the electoral college and substitute direct popular election of the President and Vice President, and those that would retain the existing system in some form and correct perceived defects.
- Ukraine’s Presidential Elections and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses Ukraine's presidential elections, held on October 31 and November 21, 2004. The report discusses the election's importance in Ukraine's political transition, the conduct of the elections, and the political crisis that emerged after the elections. It also addresses U.S. policy on the elections, and congressional action.
- Peru: 2006 Elections and Issues for Congress
- Peru held the first round of national presidential and parliamentary elections on April 9, 2006. No presidential candidate won over 50%, so a run-off election is necessary. The results among the top three candidates were so close, however, that election officials may not know until the end of April which two candidates will be in the run-off in late May or early June. It appears that populist Ollanta Humala will be one of the two candidates. The other will be either Lourdes Flores Nano, a conservative, or left-of-center former president Alan Garcia. Congressional concern regarding the elections will likely focus on the impact the winning candidate would have on the U.S. relations with Peru
- Election Reform and Local Election Officials: Results of Two National Surveys
- No Description Available.
- Election Reform Legislation: Comparison of House and Senate Versions of H.R. 3295
- No Description Available.
- Election Reform Bills in the U.S. House of Representatives, 107th Congress: A Comparison of Selected Legislation
- No Description Available.
- Automated Political Telephone Calls (“Robo Calls”) in Federal Campaigns: Overview and Policy Options
- This report provides an overview of how automated political calls are used in federal campaigns.
- Election Reform Bills in the U.S. Senate, 107th Congress: A Comparison of Selected Legislation
- No Description Available.
- Campaign Finance: Potential Legislative and Policy Issues for the 111th Congress
- This report discusses selected campaign finance policy issues that may receive attention during the 111th Congress such as the electronic filing of senate campaign finance reports, bundling, hybrid advertising, joint fundraising committees, 527 Organizations and more.
- Campaign Finance: Potential Legislative and Policy Issues for the 111th Congress
- This report discusses selected campaign finance policy issues that may receive attention during the 111th Congress such as the electronic filing of senate campaign finance reports, bundling, hybrid advertising, joint fundraising committees, 527 Organizations and more.
- Elections Reform: Overview and Issues
- This report provides information about the Elections Reform. HAVA created a new federal agency.set requirements for voting, voter- registration system and other aspects of election administration.