The Voter Update | 2010 Archive
Republican Revolution Redux?
Some 16 years ago, "Seinfeld" reigned as the nation's top TV show, "Forrest Gump" was a box-office hit, the World Series was canceled by a players' strike and Republicans captured control of both chambers of Congress.
Will the Republican Revolution of 1994 replay in 2010?
For insight, we speak with Dr. Andrew Taylor, chair of the political science department at N.C. State University in Raleigh.
Reporting from Inside the N.C. Legislature
North Carolina lawmakers have concluded their work for the year, after passing a $19 billion state budget, ethics reform and film industry tax breaks, along with scores of other bills and resolutions.
So what's it like to be the eyes and ears within the legislature for thousands of North Carolina citizens?
To find the answer to that and to get an insider's insight into this year's legislative session, we speak with Mark Binker, state government reporter for the Greensboro News & Record and author of the Capital Beat blog.
Ethics Reform Makes Legislative Cut
North Carolina lawmakers adjourned for the year after a final all-night session, but not before passing ethics and campaign finance reforms.
We speak with Jane Pinsky, director of the N.C. Coalition for Lobbying & Government Reform, to get insight into what the ethics reforms mean for Tar Heel politics.
Plus, Damon Circosta, executive director of the N.C. Center for Voter Education, explains the state's response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC and makes the case for improving the way lawmakers wrap up sessions.
And our special four-year-old correspondent offers his take on the founding of America.
Breaking Down N.C. Primary Results
What accounted for just 14 percent turnout in North Carolina's primary and what do the results mean for the general election this fall? We speak with Tom Jensen of Public Policy Polling to find out.
Plus, with the Tea Party making waves, another beverage-based movement is percolating on the political scene. We speak with Davis Hall to get the inside scoop on the Coffee Party USA.
And we hear a special report on youth voting from JulieAnn McKellog, Kate Hoolahan and Mike Lee from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Journalism.
Corporate Bucks and the Ballot Box
In its 5-4 decision in Citizens United v. FEC, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a century of regulations against corporate spending in American elections, while also granting corporations the right of free speech.
What will the decision mean for elections in 2010 and beyond? And what actions might be taken to counter the anticipated flood of corporate cash in U.S. elections?
We speak with Damon Circosta of the N.C. Center for Voter Education and Chase Foster with N.C. Voters for Clean Elections to find out.
