Voting in the United States

Voting Case Law

The Supreme Court did return, in 2014, to the issue of when the government may use race in drawing election districts. (See Alabama Legislative Black Caucus v. Alabama, 989 F. Supp. 2d 1227 (M.D. Ala. 2013), cert. granted, 134 S.Ct. 2695, 2697 (2014).) The plaintiffs in these consolidated cases argued below that Alabama “packed” minority voters into districts where they already had political control, thus reducing their chance of having influence elsewhere in the state. The question is whether this denied minority voters equal protection.

Traditionally, the Court sets half the docket for the coming year before it adjourns in June and grants certiorari in the remaining cases between September and January. With all the cases that have been granted and all that are fast approaching those marble steps on First Street, it promises to be another big year at the Supreme Court.

Approval Voting

An election procedure where voters may vote for as many of the candidates as they like. The candidate with the most votes wins. In the Paper “Approval Voting” (J. Econ Perspectives 9(1), Winter 1995) Robert J. Weber came up with the name “Approval Voting” in 1971, and was one of its discoverers.

Approval Voting is a superior alternative to standard single-vote plurality (used in most United States elections) for winner-take-all elections (a competition where there is a single winner who reaps all, or almost all, of the value competed for) in which the candidate with the most votes wins, and all others lose ). It has the advantage of being very simple and about as good as the best procedures.

Race and Voting, and the United States Constitution

According to the Encyclopedia of the American Constitution, about its article titled “RACE AND VOTING”, the Controversies over race and voting stem from the fact that citizens belong to racial and ethnic groups with different and often conflicting interests, and as group members they tend to vote for candidates representing those interests. What should be done when their group’s preferred receive more or less voting may be the key question.

Voting (Prisoner Rights)

This section introduces, discusses and describes the basics of voting. Then, cross references and a brief overview about Prisoner Rights is provided. Finally, the subject of Civil Rights Law in relation with voting is examined. Note that a list of cross references, bibliography and other resources appears at the end of this entry.

Meetings & Voting (Shareholders)

This section introduces, discusses and describes the basics of meetings & voting. Then, cross references and a brief overview about Shareholders is provided. Finally, the subject of Corporations in relation with meetings & voting is examined. Note that a list of cross references, bibliography and other resources appears at the end of this entry.

Resources

See All

Primaries
Voting Rights
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Primary Election Presidential Primaries
Nonpartisan Election
E-Voting
Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act Of 1975
Counting The Votes
Political Parties History
Political Convention Procedure
Winner-Take-All System
Disputed Elections Of 1824 And 1876
Partisan Election
Direct Election of Senators

Voting