Elections 2012

The latest TV ad from same-sex marriage opponents in Washington focuses on school children, warning “schools could teach that boys could marry boys.”

The ad mirrors those that ran in other states when gay marriage came up for a vote, notably when Prop 8 was on California’s 2008 ballot. Campaign strategists on both sides agree the “schools ad" has been a game changer.

Last week we invited six members of our source community, KUOW’S Public Insight Network, to our studios in the University District to talk politics. We had a range of views including a self-described Socialist-Independent, a fiscal conservative, a right-leaning Democrat among others. Ross Reynolds sat down with Rob Franco, Rick Wear, Pam Okano, George Robertson, Reena Koshy and Linda Carlson and discussed federal and state issues.

Last week we invited six members of our source community, KUOW’S Public Insight Network, to our studios in the University District to talk politics. We had a range of views including a self-described Socialist-Independent, a fiscal conservative, a right-leaning Democrat among others. Ross Reynolds sat down with Rob Franco, Rick Wear, Pam Okano, George Robertson, Reena Koshy and Linda Carlson and discussed federal and state issues. 

Earlier this year, Washington state Governor Chris Gregoire signed a bill allowing marriage rights for same-sex couples. Opponents gathered enough signatures to force a public referendum, and the law was put on hold. Now, it's up to voters to decide. If Referendum 74 is approved, Washington state will be the first in the country to uphold gay marriage at the ballot box. Should same-sex couples have the same rights to marry as straight couples? Author and civic entrepreneur Eric Liu and Preserve Marriage Washington spokesman Chip White join us.

What if there was a crystal ball that could reveal the outcome of an election? Turns out modern day campaigns use forecast models to project the winner of a race long before a single vote is counted.

In vote-by-mail states like Washington or Oregon, political parties and campaigns have an advantage. They can find out on a daily basis if you’ve returned your ballot.

Young adults aged 18 to 29 currently account for 21 percent of the eligible voting population. In the last four presidential elections, voter turnout among this population has slowly but steadily risen to almost 51 percent in 2008. Here in Washington state, there are 982,000 eligible youth voters for the 2012 election.

Ross Reynolds talks with Tufts researcher Abby Kiesa about what is getting out the youth vote in this year's election.

Procrastinators. That’s how a lot people described themselves while waiting in line Monday for voter registration. It was the final deadline for Washington residents to register for the Nov. 6 election. Hopeful voters had to fill out the paperwork in person since the deadline had already passed to register by mail or online.

With just over a week to go, news outlets are inundated with polling results gaging voter sentiment in the presidential election — up to 20 state and national polls are coming out every day, often with different results. Which ones can you trust? How are they conducted? Washington Post polling director Jon Cohen helps us separate the signal from the noise.

The stakes in this race are high for both political parties. There are three open Congressional seats in the state this year, and Republicans say the 1st District is their best chance to win one.

Candidates John Koster (R) and Suzan DelBene (D) sit down with KUOW's Ross Reynolds for a debate. The candidates address the economy, women's reproductive issues and each other's campaigns thus far.

Former state Senator Kathleen Drew wants to become the first Democrat in nearly 50 years to hold the office of Washington's Secretary of State. She faces Thurston County Auditor Kim Wyman in November. Both candidates join us in the studio.