The Voter Update | 2009 Archive
Health-Care Reform Progresses in D.C., Ballot-Access Fight Continues in N.C.
The U.S. House has passed its long-awaited version of health-care reform. What challenges lie ahead in the Senate? And how could the health-care debate affect next year's congressional elections? We speak with Dr. Andrew Taylor of N.C. State University to find out.
Plus, the N.C. Libertarian Party is taking the state to court over North Carolina's ballot-access laws, which it says are among the strictest in the nation. To get the latest on the case and insight into what it all means for North Carolina voters, we speak with Barbara Howe, chair of the N.C. Libertarian Party, and Adam Mitchell, the attorney representing the Libertarians in their suit against the state.
From Health Care Debates to Local Elections
From the simmering health-care debate to North Carolina's upcoming U.S. Senate battle, we make a political roundup with Tom Jensen of Public Policy Polling.
And, did you know there's an election on? It's not too late to vote in your local elections. We speak with Damon Circosta of the N.C. Center for Voter Education, to get the facts on casting a ballot in this year's local elections across North Carolina.
A New Watchdog in Raleigh and the Rebirth of the Whigs
We get insight into the creation of the Raleigh-based Foundation for Ethics in Public Service from the man at its helm, former state auditor Les Merritt.
Plus, 150 years after its demise the Whig Party is back. We speak with Elaine Stephens from the Modern Whigs.
And we continue our look at some of our favorite films about American politics.
Supreme Court Rules on Judicial Conflicts of Interest
How could a new U.S. Supreme Court ruling impact when elected judges must recuse themselves? We speak with Bert Brandenburg of Justice at Stake to find out.
Plus, seven years after its creation, what do North Carolina voters think about their state's system of public campaign financing for the N.C. Supreme Court and N.C. Court of Appeals? Jonathan Crook of Public Policy Polling offers the latest data.
And a look at two of our favorite films about American politics.
Sotomayor's Ascension to the High Court
President Barack Obama has named U.S. Appeals Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor as his pick to replace retiring Justice David Souter on the U.S. Supreme Court. So who is Sonia Sotomayor and how could her ascension to the Supreme Court change the way it rules on cases from gun rights to abortion and more?
Veteran Supreme Court reporter Lyle Denniston of SCOTUSblog.com joins us to offer insight into Sotomayor's nomination to the nation's highest court.
The Latest From the N.C. Legislature
From the chaos of "Crossover Week" to the looming budget crisis, we get the latest from the N.C. Legislature with Ben Niolet of the Raleigh News & Observer.
Political Roundup
How has President Barack Obama faired in his first 100 days in the Oval Office? How will the departure of Justice David Souter shake up the U.S. Supreme Court? Which North Carolina Democrat will challenge Sen. Richard Burr in his upcoming re-election bid?
We contemplate these questions and more with Dr. Andrew Taylor, chair of the political science department at N.C. State University.
Fair Elections Now
North Carolina Congressman Walter Jones (R-3) recently joined 12 of his colleagues in showing bipartisan support for the "Fair Elections Now Act," which would establish a system of public campaign financing for congressional races. Rep. Jones joins us on "The Voter Update" to make the case for reducing the cost of campaigning for Congress and why it should matter to you.
Plus, the N.C. Libertarian Party is squaring off against the state of North Carolina over ballot access laws. Brian Irving from the Libertarian Party explains the latest develops in the case and what's next for the Tar Heel State's only officially recognized "third party."
Reforming the U.S. Supreme Court
Once appointed, Supreme Court justices serve for life. But should they?
Paul Carrington of Duke University Law says that and other aspects of the nation's highest court should be reformed.
Political Roundup
From budget wrangling in the N.C. Legislature, to the tussle over who rightly runs Tar Heel schools and a Supreme Court screening of "Hillary: The Movie," we make a political roundup with Damon Circosta of the N.C. Center for Voter Education.
Taking the Political Pulse of North Carolina
Hunter Bacot of Elon University Poll takes the political pulse of North Carolinians.
Plus, is it time to make it easier for smaller political parties to be on the state ballot? Jordon Greene from North Carolinians for Free and Proper Elections offers his take.
Blogging Tar Heel Politics
We get insight into covering North Carolina politics from Ryan Beckwith, producer of the News & Observer's "Under the Dome" blog.
Plus, we conclude our series looking at Hollywood's take on the presidency by re-visiting one of the longest-serving fake commanders in chief, President Josiah Bartlet of "The West Wing."
Who Rightfully Runs N.C. Schools?
North Carolina's Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson explains her belief that she -- and not Gov. Bev Perdue's appointed school CEO -- should run the day-to-day operations of the state's public educational system.
And Dale Harrison from the Sunshine Center at Elon University tells us how North Carolina fairs when it comes to transparency in government.
Plus, we continue our look at Hollywood's take on the presidency with Bill Pullman battling some illegal aliens of the extraterrestrial kind.
The Supreme Court Weighs in on Voting Rights in N.C.
Anita Earls, executive director of the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, offers insight into a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision invalidating a voting district in Eastern North Carolina and explains what the ruling could mean for minority voting rights in the Tar Heel State.
Plus, Chase Foster from N.C. Voters for Clean Elections explains the next steps for public campaign financing in North Carolina.
And, who would you want in the Oval Office if a monstrous meteor were racing toward earth? Our look at Hollywood's take on the presidency continues.
A Journalist's View from the N.C. Legislature
With North Carolina's legislative session picking up momentum, Charlotte Observer reporter Mark Johnson gives us the latest news from inside the General Assembly. Also, with Republicans reeling after the 2008 election, how can the Grand Old Party reach new young voters? We find out from Kim Cotten, chair of the N.C. Federation of Young Republicans. Plus, we continue our look at fictional presidents and discover what it would look like if Indiana Jones won the White House.
The NAACP Looks to Its Next 100 Years
As the NAACP celebrates its 100th anniversary, we speak with Rev. William Barber, president of North Carolina's chapter of the organization. Plus Damon Circosta, executive director of the N.C. Center for Voter Education, makes the case for investing in the infrastructure of democracy and offers insight into the latest election reforms proposed in the legislature. And we meet "Super President!"
