elections

Before Primaries, Party Elites Played Larger Role In Picking Nominees

5:18pm April 12, 2016

NPR's Robert Siegel interviews Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow in the governance studies program and director of the Center for Effective Public Management at the Brookings Institution, about why a contested convention seems undemocratic to some, but is protected by the First Amendment and supported by the courts. She gives examples in history and compares the U.S. system with democracies around the world.

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan delivered remarks on the state of American politics last month.

Paul Ryan Rules Himself Out As Possible GOP Nominee

4:52pm April 12, 2016

by Susan Davis

Rumors have swirled that Republican delegates could nominate Ryan in a multiballot convention. Ryan put those rumors to rest, definitively ruling himself out.

As compared to Wisconsin, which Bernie Sanders won, New York is more diverse, older and independents cannot vote — things that should help Hillary Clinton.

Politics & Government

Demographics Show Why Clinton, Trump Are Favored In The New York Primary

3:14pm April 12, 2016

by Asma Khalid

"Demographics are destiny" has almost become a political cliché, but, so far in this campaign, it's holding true. That gives some clues for how people might vote in the New York primary in a week.

Clinton And De Blasio Land 'CP Time' Joke With Unfortunate Timing

12:14pm April 12, 2016

by Tamara Keith

In a skit with Hillary Clinton, the New York City mayor joked about "CP time," which is slang for "colored people time." This primary battle, it seems no lame joke goes unpunished.

Protesters with a coalition of progressive groups sit in front of the U.S. Capitol steps Monday as part of the Democracy Spring demonstration.

Hundreds Protesting Political System Arrested On Capitol's Steps

7:30pm April 11, 2016

by Peter Overby

The Democracy Spring coalition of progressive groups called on legislators to replace caps on campaign donations, fix the Voting Rights Act and end gerrymandering. At least 400 were arrested.

Despite Federal Court Rulings, Texas' Voter ID Laws Remain In Place

6:36pm April 11, 2016

by Wade Goodwyn

Despite being ruled in violation of the Voting Rights Act and the U.S. Constitution by seven federal judges, Texas' voter ID restrictions are still the law of the land. It's been six months since the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals again ruled the law unconstitutional, but it looks as if Texas will go through another election with the restrictions in place.

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Map of women's representation in state legislatures

See Where Women Have The Most And Least Political Representation In The U.S.

6:36pm April 11, 2016

Women may make up half the population in the U.S., but just 24.5 percent of state lawmakers are women.

Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) hold a campaign rally at City Garage April 10, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Is It OK To Vote For Hillary Clinton Because She's A Woman?

6:35pm April 11, 2016

by Danielle Kurtzleben

A listener's 8-year-old daughter tells her dad to vote for the "girl" candidate, because she's a woman. It's a sweet clip, but it gets at the deep question of how identity and issues are intertwined.

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NPR Politics Podcast Explores The History Of Contested Conventions

5:25pm April 11, 2016

by Domenico Montanaro

The NPR Politics Podcast talks with elections law attorney Ben Ginsberg about how a contested GOP contention would play out.

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Can A Candidate Pay Delegates? Plus, 3 Possible GOP Convention Scenarios

4:59pm April 11, 2016

Rides on Air Force One and state dinners were lures the last time there was an open convention. What about cold, hard cash? Top Republican lawyer Ben Ginsberg explains what's permissible and not.