Congressional Research Service Reports - 66 Matching Results
Search Results
- Electoral College Reform: 111th Congress Proposals and Other Current Developments
- This report examines and analyzes alternative proposals for change to the electoral college system, presents pro and con arguments, and identifies and analyzes 111th Congress proposals and contemporary alternative reform developments.
- The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act: Overview and Issues
- This report discusses the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986, which was enacted to improve absentee registration and voting for this group of voters and to consolidate existing laws.
- Japan's Historic 2009 Elections: Implications for U.S. Interests
- This report analyzes the Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) policy platform and reviews the implications for U.S. strategic and economic interests now that the party and its coalition allies are set to take control of the Japanese government in the wake of the August 30 parliamentary elections.
- The Democratic Party of Japan: Its Foreign Policy Position and Implications for U.S. Interests
- This report analyzes the Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) policy platform and reviews the implications for U.S. strategic and economic interests in the event that the party takes control of the Japanese government after the August 30 parliamentary elections.
- The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act: Overview and Issues
- This report discusses the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986, which was enacted to improve absentee registration and voting for this group of voters and to consolidate existing laws.
- Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks
- This report discusses Iraq's political system, which has been restructured through a U.S.-supported election process. The Iraqi government is increasingly characterized by peaceful competition rather than violence, but sectarianism and ethnic and factional infighting still remain. This report discusses issues relating to opponents of the Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and also discusses the atmosphere of nationwide provincial elections.
- Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks
- This report discusses Iraq's political system, which has been restructured through a U.S.-supported election process, as well as issues relating to opponents of the Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and the atmosphere of nationwide provincial elections.
- Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks
- This report discusses Iraq's political system, which has been restructured through a U.S.-supported election process, as well as issues relating to opponents of the Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and the atmosphere of nationwide provincial elections.
- 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.
- The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act: Overview and Issues
- This report discusses the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986, which was enacted to improve absentee registration and voting for this group of voters and to consolidate existing laws.
- 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.
- 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.
- Counting Electoral Votes: An Overview of Procedures at the Joint Session, Including Objections by Members of Congress
- This report describes the steps which precede the joint session and the procedures set in the Constitution and statute by which the House and Senate jointly certify the results of the electoral vote. It also discusses the procedures set in law governing challenges to the validity of an electoral vote, and makes reference to the procedures followed during the joint session in 2005 by which the election of George W. Bush was certified.
- Electoral College Reform: 110th Congress Proposals, The National Popular Vote Campaign, and Other Alternative Developments
- No Description Available.
- Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks
- This report discusses Iraq's political system. The result of a U.S.-supported election process, it continues to be driven by sectarianism and ethnic and factional infighting.
- The Constitutionality of Campaign Finance Regulation: Buckley v. Valeo and Its Supreme Court Progeny
- This report first discusses the key holdings enunciated by the Supreme Court in Buckley, including those upholding reasonable contribution limits, striking down expenditure limits, upholding disclosure reporting requirements, and upholding the system of voluntary presidential election expenditure limitations linked with public financing. It then examines the Court's extension of Buckley in several subsequent cases, evaluating them in various regulatory contexts: contribution limits, expenditure limits, disclosure requirements, and political party soft money and electioneering communication restrictions.
- Elections Reform: Overview and Issues
- No Description Available.
- Federal Funding of Presidential Nominating Conventions: Overview and Policy Options
- This report provides an overview and analysis of two recurring questions surrounding the federal government's role in financing presidential nominating conventions. First, how much public funding supports presidential nominating conventions? Second, what options exist for changing that amount if Congress chooses to do so? Both issues have generated controversy in the past and continue to be the subject of debate.
- Election Reform: The Help America Vote Act and Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- Election Reform and Local Election Officials: Results of Two National Surveys
- No Description Available.
- Electronic Voting System in the House of Representatives: History and Evolution
- No Description Available.
- Election Reform and Local Election Officials: Results of Two National Surveys
- No Description Available.
- Campaign Finance: Developments in the 110th Congress
- Recent events suggest continued congressional interest in campaign finance policy. This report provides an overview and analysis of 110th Congress legislation addressed in hearings or that has passed at least one chamber. The report also discusses two policy developments: Federal Election Commission nominations and a recent Supreme Court ruling that could affect future political advertising. As of the writing of this report, approximately 50 bills devoted largely to campaign finance have been introduced in the 110th Congress, but none have become law. This report contains a brief historical overview, campaign finance legislation in the 110th Congress, and recent developments.
- Elections Reform: Overview and Issues
- No Description Available.
- Election Year Restrictions on Mass Mailings by Members of Congress: How H.R. 1614 / S. 936 / S. 1285 Would Change Current Law
- No Description Available.
- Haiti: Developments and U.S. Policy Since 1991 and Current Congressional Concerns
- This report outlines Congressional concerns regarding Haiti including fostering democratic development, stability, and security; the cost and effectiveness of U.S. aid; protecting human rights; combating narcotics trafficking; addressing Haitian migration; and alleviating poverty. Bills addressing those concerns have been introduced in the 110th Congress.
- Elections in France, 2007
- This report discusses about the election in France. It further discusses about the election of 2007 and Implications for the United States.
- The Electoral College: Reform Proposals in the 109th Congress
- No Description Available.
- 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.
- Election Reform: Issues and Legislative Proposals in the 109th Congress
- No Description Available.
- Campaign Finance: An Overview
- Concerns over financing federal elections have become a seemingly perennial aspect of our political system, long centered on the enduring issues of high campaign costs and reliance on interest groups for needed campaign funds. Rising election costs had long fostered a sense in some quarters that spending was out of control, with too much time spent raising funds and elections "bought and sold." This report contains information on the evolution of the current system, campaign finance practices and related issues, policy options to address campaign finance issues, legislative action in the 109th and 110th Congresses, and additional information and figures.
- House Contested Election Cases: 1933 to 2005
- This report provides a summary of contested election cases from the 73rd Congress through the 109th Congress, 1933 to 2005. The descriptions primarily provide information concerning the nature of the action and the disposition of the case. The summary is limited to only those cases that were considered by the House of Representatives; cases decided at the state level are beyond the scope of this report.
- Elections in States Affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
- No Description Available.
- 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.
- Iraq: Elections, Government, and Constitution
- This report discusses Iraqi government in the wake of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Elections in 2005 for a transitional National Assembly and government (January 30, 2005), a permanent constitution (October 15), and a permanent (four year) Council of Representatives and government (December 15) were concluded despite insurgent violence and attracted progressively increasing Sunni participation. However, escalating sectarian violence and factional infighting have delayed formation of a new government.
- Elections in States Affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
- No Description Available.
- 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.
- Campaign Finance
- Concerns over financing federal elections have become a seemingly perennial aspect of our political system, long centered on the enduring issues of high campaign costs and reliance on interest groups for needed campaign funds. This report contains a summary of campaign finance, recent developments, the evolution of the current system, campaign finance practices and related issues, perceived loopholes in current law, policy options, legislative actions of the 108th and 109th Congresses, and related materials.
- Iraq: Elections, Government, and Constitution
- This report discusses Iraqi government in the wake of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Elections in 2005 for a transitional National Assembly and government (January 30, 2005), a permanent constitution (October 15), and a permanent (four year) Council of Representatives and government (December 15) were concluded despite insurgent violence and attracted progressively increasing Sunni participation. However, escalating sectarian violence and factional infighting have delayed formation of a new government.
- Fatah and Hamas: the New Palestinian Factional Reality
- For the first time in its history, the Palestinian parliament is set to be led by Hamas, which the United States and European Union have designated a foreign terrorist organization. Although some lauded the generally free and fair election in January 2006, others criticized the outcome and accused Hamas of “hijacking” democracy. This report provides an overview of the new political realities in the West Bank and Gaza after the election, the challenges Fatah and Hamas face, and possible implications for U.S. policy.
- Federal Voluntary Voting System Guidelines: FAQs
- No Description Available.
- Federal Voluntary Voting System Guidelines: Summary and Analysis of Issues
- This report begins with a discussion of the historical context of the VVSG, followed by a summary of the guidelines and a discussion of each of the issues identified above. However, there are many specific issues, such as whether wireless communications should be permitted, that are not covered here. The report also briefly summarizes relevant legislative proposals in the 109th Congress
- Federal Voting Systems Standards and Guidelines: Congressional Deliberations
- No Description Available.
- Timing of Election Activity Reporting Requirements: Chart Comparing Reporting under the IRC and FECA
- This report consists of a chart comparing the timing of election activity reporting requirements imposed on section 527 political organizations by the Internal revenue Code and those imposed on political committees by the Federal Election Campaign Act.
- 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.
- The Electoral College: Reform Proposals in the 109th Congress
- No Description Available.
- Elections Reform: Overview and Issues
- No Description Available.
- Haiti: Developments and U.S. Policy Since 1991 and Current Congressional Concerns
- This report discusses the social and political development in Haiti and U.S. its relations with United States. Following elections that were widely heralded as the first free and fair elections in Haiti's then-186-year history, Jean-Bertrand Aristide first became Haitian President in February 1991.
- Campaign Financing
- This report discusses various issues regarding campaign finance law and potential options for policy responses.
- Campaign Financing: Highlights and Chronology of Current Federal Law
- This report summarizes major provisions of federal law and offers a chronology of key legislative and judicial actions which govern financial activity of federal election campaigns. The laws are based on two principal statutes: the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1971, as amended in 1974, 1976, 1979, and 2002, and the Revenue Act of 1971.