New Mexico in 2012 Elections

This article presents a snapshot of voters, issues and trends in battleground state New Mexico that will influence who and what wins and loses in the 2012 elections.

How New Mexico Votes: Red State or Blue State?

In 2008, Hispanic voters, who then comprised 41% of New Mexico's electorate, cast a whopping 69% of their ballots for Democrat Barack Obama, causing him to win New Mexico.

Also, of the 55% of 2008 voters in New Mexico who cited the economy as their top concern, 60% voted for Obama.

In the last four presidential elections, New Mexico voted as follows: 2008 - 57% for Democrat Obama, 42% for Republican McCain 2004 - 50% for Republican Bush, 49% for Democrat Kerry 2000 - 48% for Republican Bush, 48% for Democrat Gore 1996 - 49% for Democrat Clinton, 42% for Republican DoleIn 2011, New Mexico boasts a Republican governor and lieutenant governor, Susanne Martinez and John Sanchez respectively. Both U.S. senators, five-term Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall, are Democrats. Sen. Bingaman, who has served in the Senate since 1982, is retiring from office by not running for reelection in 2012.

Prior to his 2008 election to the Senate, Democrat Udall was a five-term Congressman from New Mexico, and the former state Attorney General for eight years. Sen. Udall is an avid supporter of wilderness areas and wildlife, and has been consistently awarded a 100% rating by the League of Conservation Voters.

Summary of Top Issues in New Mexico

New Mexico residents enjoy much lower unemployment and foreclosure rates than the national averages, although both remain relevant influences on Land of Enchantment voters.

About 46% of New Mexico residents claimed Hispanic ethnicity in the 2010 census, the highest state percentage and far ahead of California and Texas at 37.6% each. Spanish is the primary spoken-language of 29% of New Mexicans.

As a result, immigration reform is a top New Mexico concern, especially support by most Republican presidential candidates of an armed, U.S.-Mexico border fence. However, the nation's Hispanic population is also deeply disappointed by President Obama's failure to actively support or enact reform of immigration laws.

Another top issue is healthcare coverage. From 2005 through 2011, approximately 21% of New Mexico residents had no health care insurance, including 23% of Hispanics and 28% of Native-Americans. Republicans candidates for both the White House and Congress have pledged to repeal President Obama's reform of healthcare that provides insurances to all U.S. citizens and legal residents.

Since New Mexico ranks only 31st among states in senior citizen population, Social Security and Medicare reductions pushed by Republicans are not major issues among the electorate.

Because New Mexicans hold deep reverence for their state's majestic natural beauty, conservation and preservation of the environment are important statewide values. Raves a state government website, "New Mexico is home to 25 magnificent scenic byways. In fact, eight of the 126 America's Byways are right here in our state!"

Most New Mexico political leaders, both Democratic and Republican, support pro-environment legislation and agendas.

New Mexico Economic Facts and Voter Demographics

Unemployment Rate as of June 2011 - 6.8%, well below the national unemployment rate and 38th among all states.

Foreclosure Rates as of June 2011 - 1 in 1254 homes, significantly lower than the state average of 1 of 583 home in foreclosure, and 29th among states.

State Residents Living Below Poverty-Level Income - 17.1%, which is 5th highest among all states, and concentrated in New Mexico's Native-American population.

Hispanic Population - 46.3% of New Mexico residents are of Hispanic origin, the nation's highest state Hispanic population percentage.

Labor Union Membership - New Mexico is home to 94,000 labor union members, representing 11.6% of the state's workforce.

Senior Citizen Population - 13.2% of New Mexico's total population, ranking 31st among states.

Women as a Percentage of New Mexico's Population - 50.6%, which is 29th in the nation.

African-American Population - 2% of New Mexico's resident population, ranking 39th among states, tied with Hawaii and Oregon.

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Pennsylvania in 2012 Elections

This article presents a snapshot of voters, issues and trends in battleground state Pennsylvania that will influence who and what wins and loses in the 2012 elections.

How Pennsylvania Votes: Red State or Blue State?

Even though Pennsylvanians have voted Democratic in the last five presidential elections, Pennsylvania is considered a swing state largely because the Keystone state voted Republican for most of the 20th century.

Also, the composition of Pennsylvania demographics... 81.9% white per the 2010 Census... predisposes its population to receptivity to conservative Republican messaging. No Democratic presidential candidate has garnered more than 45% of the white vote in three decades.

"Nationally, Obama won 43 percent of the white vote: 46 percent of white women and 41 percent of white men," reported The Times-Picayune newspaper reported after the 2008 election. Per USA Today about Pennsylvania's 2008 election results, "The candidates split the white vote, but Obama was the overwhelming choice among blacks and Hispanics, according to an analysis of information from voters interviewed as they left polling places."

In the last four presidential elections, Pennsylvania voted as follows: 2008 - 55% for Democrat Obama, 44% for Republican McCain 2004 - 51% for Democrat Kerry, 49% for Republican Bush 2000 - 51% for Democrat Gore, 46% for Republican Bush 1996 - 49% for Democrat Clinton, 40% for Republican Dole, 11% for OtherThrough 2012, Pennsylvania's governor, Tom Corbett, and lieutenant governor, Jim Cawley, are both Republicans. Of the state's tow U.S. senators, one, Bob Casey Jr., is Democratic, and one, Pat Toomey, is Republicans.

Of Pennsylvania's 19 U.S. House of Representative members, twelve are Republicans and seven are Democrats.

Summary of Top Issues in New Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's population is heavily weighted toward white voters (81.9% of state residents), labor union members (16.3% of all workers, 4th highest percentage in the nation), and senior citizens (15.4% of state residents, also the 4th highest percentage in the nation).

As a result, Social Security, Medicare and such working-class issues as minimum wages, healthcare insurance coverage, and middle-class income taxes are top political issues in Pennsylvania.

Liberalization of U.S. immigration laws is not a popular stance in Pennsylvania largely because Hispanics comprise only 5.7% of the state's population.

Pennsylvania Economic Facts and Voter Demographics

Unemployment Rate as of June 2011 - 7.6%, well below the national unemployment average, and ranking 31st among all states.

Foreclosure Rates as of June 2011 - 1 in 1509 homes, significantly lower than the state average of 1 of 583 home in foreclosure, and ranking 37th among states.

State Residents Living Below Poverty-Level Income - 12.1%, which is ranked 28th among states.

Labor Union Membership - In Pennsylvania, 899,000, which is 16.3% of all employed Keystone State workers, belong to an organized labor union, the nation's 4th highest quantity of labor union members.

Senior Citizen Population - 15.4% of Pennsylvania's total population, the 4th highest state percentage of seniors in the nation.

Women as a Percentage of Pennsylvania's Population - 51.3%, which is ranked 9th in the nation, tied with four other states.

African-American Population - 11% of Pennsylvania's resident population, ranking as 20th among all states.

Hispanic Population - 5.7% of Pennsylvania residents are of Hispanic origin, ranking 31st among all states.

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Colorado in 2012 Elections

This article presents a snapshot of voters, issues and trends in battleground state Colorado that will influence who and what wins and loses in the 2012 elections.

How Colorado Votes: Red State or Blue State?

Democratic presidential candidates have won in Colorado only twice in 40 years: Barack Obama in 2008 and Bill Clinton in 1992.

However, demographic changes in the state's population in the 21st century have caused Colorado to become a bona fide electoral swing state, one that could easily veer either Democratic or Republican in presidential elections.

U.S. News and World Report analyzed Obama's 2008 victory in Colorado, "... his biggest sources of support, returns show, are voters in Denver and its northern suburbs (Boulder), whose ranks have swelled in recent years."

From 2000 to 2010, Colorado's population increased by almost 15%, with most growth occurring around Denver and Boulder. Both cities have major university campuses, and a younger and more diverse populace than much of the state.

Per the 2010 Census, Hispanics comprised 20.7% of all Colorado residents, a huge increase of 41.2% from 2000 to 2010 and the nation's 7th highest state Hispanic percentage.

Obama captured the vast majority of Colorado's Hispanic vote in 2008.

In the last four presidential elections, Colorado voted as follows: 2008 - 54% for Democrat Obama, 45% for Republican McCain 2004 - 52% for Republican Bush, 47% for Democrat Kerry 2000 - 51% for Republican Bush, 42% for Democrat Gore, 7% for Other 1996 - 46% for Republican Dole, 44% for Democrat Clinton, 10% for OtherThrough 2012, Colorado's governor, John Hickenlooper, and lieutenant governor, Joseph Garcia, and two U.S. Senators, Mark Udall and Michael Bennet, are all Democrats.

Of Colorado's seven House of Representative members, three are Democrats and four are Republicans.

Summary of Top Issues in Colorado

In 2011, Colorado's economy is fairly healthy in comparison to other states: unemployment and poverty rates are well below the national averages, although the Centennial State boasts the nation's 10th highest home foreclosure rate. Colorado has a low concentration of unionized workers.

Reform of U.S. immigration regulations is a top concern for the state's rapidly expanding Hispanic population. Although most Republicans oppose humanitarian immigration reforms and many push for an armed U.S.-Mexico border, Hispanics are also deeply disappointed by President Obama's failure to actively support or enact reform of immigration laws.

Pro-environmental protection and conservation stances are always important and popular in Colorado, which is home to 18 national parks, including famed Rocky Mountain National Park, and 42 state parks and outdoor recreation areas.

Republican proposals to slash Social Security and Medicare are not major issues in Colorado, as seniors are less than 11% of the state population, which ranks 46th among all states.

Colorado Economic Facts and Voter Demographics

Unemployment Rate as of June 2011 - 8.5%, which is below the U.S. unemployment rate and ranks 22nd among states.

Foreclosure Rates as of June 2011 - 1 in 497 homes, the nation's 10th highest state foreclosure rate for homes and higher than the national foreclosures rate per housing units of 1 of 583.

State Residents Living Below Poverty-Level Income - 11.4%, which is ranked #32 among states.

Hispanic Population - 20.7% of Colorado residents are of Hispanic origin, the nation's 7th highest state Hispanic population percentage. Colorado trails five other western states and Florida.

Senior Citizen Population - 10.9% of Colorado's total population, a very low level that ranks 46th among states.

Women as a Percentage of Colorado's Population - 49.9%, which is 42nd in the nation, tied with Idaho and Hawaii.

African-American Population - 4% of Colorado's resident population, ranking 33rd among states, tied with Alaska, Arizona and Washington.

Labor Union Membership - Colorado does not rank among the Top 20 Labor Union States, and boasts less than 200,000 labor union members.

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Florida in 2012 Elections

This article presents a snapshot of voters, issues and trends in battleground state Florida that will influence who and what wins and loses in the 2012 elections.

How Florida Votes: Red State or Blue State?

Democratic presidential candidates have won in Florida only three times in 40 years: Barack Obama in 2008, Bill Clinton in 1996 and Jimmy Carter in 1976.

In 2008, Obama won 57% of Florida's Hispanic vote, compared to Democrat John Kerry winning only 44% in 2004. By 2010, the Sunshine State's growing population of Hispanics comprised 22.5% of Florida residents, the nation's 6th highest state Hispanic percentage.

The Miami Herald newspaper analyzed after the 2008 elections, "Polls indicate the state's Hispanic vote may now be divided. On one side are conservative older Cuban Americans, who vote reliably Republican. On the other are younger Cuban Americans coupled with an expanding number of non-Cuban Hispanics, who tend to lean Democratic."

In 2008, Democrat Obama also attracted the votes of 72% of Florida's 650,000 new voters, most of them young or members of non-white ethnic groups who had newly registered since the 2004 presidential election.

In the last four presidential elections, Florida voted as follows: 2008 - 51% for Democrat Obama, 48% for Republican McCain 2004 - 52% for Republican Bush, 47% for Democrat Kerry 2000 - 49% for Republican Bush, 49% for Democrat Gore 1996 - 48% for Democrat Clinton, 42% for Republican Dole, 10% for OtherIn 2011, Florida's governor, Rick Scott, and lieutenant governor, Jennifer Carroll, are both Republicans. Gov. Scott, a Tea Party-Libertarian Republican and former healthcare corporation CEO, was elected to office in November 2010 by a very narrow margin of 68,000 votes. A year later, Gov. Scott's statewide approval has plummeted to only 26%.

Floridians have elected one Democrat, Bill Nelson, and one Republican, Marco Rubio, to the U.S. Senate. Florida's delegation to the House of Representatives includes 19 Republicans and six Democrats.

Summary of Top Issues in Florida

Florida is currently experiencing the nation's 4th highest unemployment rate (10.6%) and 7th highest home foreclosure rate (1 in 372 homes). Thus, the economy, jobs creation, foreclosure relief, and depressed real estate values are paramount concerns in the Sunshine State.

Florida also boasts the highest state percentage of seniors in the nation, 17.3%, causing Social Security and Medicare to be foremost concerns, too. Republican presidential candidates have all pledged to slash both programs.

Hispanics comprise 22.5% of Florida's residents, per the 2010 census, the nation's 6th highest state Hispanic population percentage. Almost 19% of Floridians speak Spanish as their primary language.

Although Republican leaders oppose humanitarian immigration reforms and many push for an armed U.S.-Mexico border, the nation's Hispanic population is also deeply disappointed by President Obama's failure to actively support or enact reform of immigration laws.

Florida Economic Facts and Voter Demographics

Unemployment Rate as of June 2011 - 10.6%, the nation's 4th highest state unemployment rate.

Foreclosure Rates as of June 2011 - 1 in 372 homes, the nation's 7th highest state foreclosure rate for homes.

State Residents Living Below Poverty-Level Income - 13.2%, which is ranked #22 among states.

Labor Union Membership - In Florida, 601,000 workers, which is 7.9% of all employed Florida workers, belong to an organized labor union, the nation's 9th highest quantity of labor union members.

Senior Citizen Population - 17.3% of Florida's total population, the highest state percentage of seniors in the nation.

Women as a Percentage of Florida's Population - 51.1%, which is 16th in the nation, tied with Maine.

Hispanic Population - 22.5% of Florida residents are of Hispanic origin, the nation's 6th highest state Hispanic population percentage, and the highest outside the western United States.

African-American Population - 16% of Florida's resident population, the nation's 11th highest state African-American percentage, tied with Arkansas and New York.

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Who Can Vote in Federal Elections

To vote in a Canadian federal election you must be a Canadian citizen and be 18 or older on election day.

You must be on the voters list to vote.

Here's how to register to vote in a Canadian federal election.

The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada and the Assistant Chief Electoral Officer are not allowed to vote in a Canadian federal election.

You are also not entitled to vote in a Canadian federal election if you are imprisoned in a correctional institution serving a sentence of two years or more.

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ID for Ontario Elections

When you go to vote at a polling station in an Ontario provincial election, remember to bring identification with you.

You are required to prove your identity and residential address.

If you are already on the voters list, or if you have a Certificate to Vote, you will need to prove your identity to get a ballot. You must show a document or card with your name and it must match your name on the voters list.

Examples of acceptable proof of identity are: Ontario Driver's LicenceOntario Health CardCanadian PassportCertificate of Indian StatusCredit CardHospital Card

If you are on the voters list, your Notice of Registration Card will serve as proof of your residence. If you have misplaced your Notice of Registration Card, then bring a card or document that shows both your name and address (see list below).

If you are not already on the voters list, you can get on it by applying when you get to the polling station if you can show one piece of identification with both your name and residential address.

Examples of documents that show both proof of identity and proof of residence are: Ontario Driver's LicenceOntario Motor Vehicle PermitCancelled Personalized ChequeProperty Tax AssessmentCredit Card StatementBank Account StatementPhone Bill

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Elections Quebec keen on corruption probe

Quebec's chief electoral officer is requesting a copy of a leaked report that claims corruption and collusion in the construction industry, and could launch a separate investigation.

A spokesperson for the elections watchdog has asked to interview Jacques Duchesneau, the head of Quebec's anti-corruption squad, and author of the leaked report.

Elections Quebec could launch an investigation of its own, the spokesperson said Thursday — and prosecute individuals in the construction industry suspected of giving illegal donations to political parties in return for lucrative building contracts.

Quebec's transport minister has dismissed calls for a full-scale enquiry into the construction industry, despite a damning anti-corruption squad report that details a deeply rooted clandestine public tender system marked by cost overruns and bid-rigging.

Transport Minister Pierre Moreau calls the leaked report a "proper diagnostic" of ills plaguing Quebec's construction sector, which gives the government "a way to proceed, to make changes."

But there's no need for a wider inquest into the construction industry, said Moreau, rejecting opposition demands for a larger investigation.

The minister did say he hopes the report will assist police in making arrests.

He also said he wants to see changes within his own ministry.

"I would like to see, as far as I'm concerned as transport minister, measures that are implemented within the department to make sure that it won't happen again," he said.

Calls for a full-fledged construction industry inquiry were renewed this week, after Radio-Canada released troubling findings gleaned from a report prepared by Quebec's anti-collusion squad.

Squad leader Jacques Duchesneau details systemic irregularities in Quebec's Transport Ministry and construction sector that he says threaten the department's integrity.

Without naming any specific firms, the report documents a system massively infiltrated by organized crime elements linked to construction companies.

Some engineering firms regularly inflate costs for major projects without any scrutiny from the Transport Department.

Those firms then make large donations to provincial political parties.

The province's anti-corruption squad was created in February 2011 with a mandate of investigating and prosecuting cases of corruption, influence peddling and embezzlement in the province.

The government pledged $30 million a year to fund the squad, which it called the first of its kind in Canada.

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Who Can Vote in Federal Elections

To vote in a Canadian federal election you must be a Canadian citizen and be 18 or older on election day.

You must be on the voters list to vote.

Here's how to register to vote in a Canadian federal election.

The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada and the Assistant Chief Electoral Officer are not allowed to vote in a Canadian federal election.

You are also not entitled to vote in a Canadian federal election if you are imprisoned in a correctional institution serving a sentence of two years or more.

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BC Elections

British Columbia has fixed dates for provincial general elections. The next British Columbia general election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, 2013.

On May 12, 2009, at the same time as 2009 British Columbia general election, a second referendum was held on electoral reform, and British Columbians voted on whether to adopt the BC-STV electoral system or keep the current first past the post system.

The BC-STV proposal was defeated and BC will stick with the first past the post electoral system.

Not sure about the meaning of a term or phrase used in Canadian elections? Look it up here.

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Ontario Elections

Ontario now has set dates for provincial general elections. The next Ontario provincial election is scheduled for Thursday, October 6, 2011.

On October 10, 2007, at the same time as the 2007 Ontario general election, a referendum was held to ask Ontario voters which type of electoral system should be used in the future to elect members to the Ontario Legislative Assembly. Ontario voters rejected the proposed electoral reform.

Not sure about the meaning of a term or phrase used in Canadian elections? Look it up here.

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