May 01, 2013 — The state's Attorney General and Assembly Speaker have proposed an early voting system for New York that they say can improve voter participation and democracy.  Go to full article

Rensselaer, NY, Feb 02, 2012 — Governor Cuomo says the possibility of three primary elections in New York this year is not in anyone's best interest.

A federal judge has already ruled that congressional primaries must be held June 26. While Assembly Democrats would like statewide primaries to also be held on that date, Senate Republicans prefer an August primary.

If no action is taken, the statewide primaries will automatically fall on September 11 this year. The presidential primary is in April. In Albany, Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Ottawa, ON, Mar 23, 2011 — Canada's Finance Minister Jim Flaherty presented the Conservative Government's proposed budget to Parliament Tuesday afternoon. All three opposition parties immediately announced they will not support it - which could force a federal election this Spring. Should a no-confidence measure pass, Members of Parliament will head back to the polls, in a short election cycle of about 6 weeks duration. Lucy Martin has more.  Go to full article

Dec 15, 2005 — In Iraq, tribal Sheiks are often central figures for the U.S. military. Unit commanders meet often with sheiks to talk about local events and act as a mutual bridge between U.S. soldiers and Iraqis. Lately, a lot of the talk has centered on Thursday's elections. Freelance photojournalist Bill Putnam recently sat in on one such conversation. Captain Adam Lackey of the 101st Airborne Division spoke with a sheik in Bayji, in the area known as the Sunni triangle. Their conversation was far-ranging, from the Sunni sheik's surprising support of a Shiite candidate, to concerns over ballot rigging and Iran, to the sheik's desires for a secular Iraq. Putnam sent us this audio postcard.  Go to full article

Dec 14, 2005 — New York State is under federal mandate to have new voting machines on line by next November's elections under the Federal Help America Vote Act. But the State Board of Elections is still trying to adopt standards for those machines. Members of the State Board got an earful at the first of three public hearings, held in Rochester yesterday. Bud Lowell at public radio station WXXI reports.  Go to full article

Jun 14, 2005 — Governor George Pataki says reform of lobbying practices and crime initiatives are some of his top priorities for the legislative session, which is set to end June 23. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.  Go to full article

Oct 28, 2004 — The race for the 114th Assembly district has turned harsh in recent weeks, fueled by dissatisfaction with Albany and by a huge infusion of cash from the Democratic Party. Incumbent Republican Chris Ortloff and challenger Bernie Bassett have traded accusations about jobs and the dysfunctional legislature. Brian Mann reports from Plattsburgh.  Go to full article

Oct 13, 2004 — In the 114th Assembly District, Plattsburgh Republican Chris Ortloff faces a challenge from Democrat Bernie Bassett, a former school principal from Morrisonville. Ortloff won his last election by a three-to-one margin. But this year, Bassett has received more than thirty-five thousand dollars in financial support from the state Democratic party, which hopes to claim a second assembly seat in the North Country. As Brian Mann reports, the campaign is being shaped by deep public anger over gridlock in Albany.  Go to full article

Nov 19, 2003 — Good government groups continue to press for public financing of campaigns in New York. They say a survey they've done shows that currently, most donations to the state legislature come from business and union interests. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Aug 29, 2003 — Advocates for the disabled are critical of a new report by the state board of elections on how to improve voter access in New York. They say the report is too vague, and may end up disenfranchising some voters. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article