2020 Primary Primers

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    Primary Primers: Why Minnesota is – and isn’t – a swing state 

Primary Primers: Why Minnesota is – and isn’t – a swing state 

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In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump very nearly won in Minnesota, only missing out by 45,000 votes in the state. Rubrick Biegon takes a close look at whether Minnesota should now be considered to be a swing state. He writes that despite Trump’s recent appeals there, the North Star State’s progressive history and present may make a victory for him very difficult this fall.

This article is part of our Primary Primers series […]

May 1st, 2020|2020 Primary Primers, Elections and party politics across the US, Rubrick Biegon|3 Comments|
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    Primary Primers: Why Texas won’t be turning blue this year 

Primary Primers: Why Texas won’t be turning blue this year 

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As the second most populated state, Texas is a significant electoral prize in presidential contests. Robert Ledger, Madison Imiola and Peter Finn write that changing demographics mean that Democrats are becoming more hopeful about winning the Lone Star State, but other factors such as primary turnout and the COVID-19 pandemic point to an uphill battle this year.

This article is part of our Primary Primers series curated by […]

April 23rd, 2020|2020 Primary Primers, COVID-19, Elections and party politics across the US, Madison Imiola, Peter Finn, Robert Ledger|0 Comments|
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    Primary Primers: Wyoming had made important reforms to its nomination process even before Covid-19 disrupted the presidential primary.

Primary Primers: Wyoming had made important reforms to its nomination process even before Covid-19 disrupted the presidential primary.

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With its small population meaning that it has a relatively low number of delegates on offer for presidential nomination candidates, Wyoming’s caucus typically garners little attention. But this year’s vote, is significant, writes James D. King, as the state’s Democrats have moved to a hybrid primary-caucus model as well as extending the submission deadline for ballots due to the […]

April 17th, 2020|2020 Primary Primers, COVID-19, Democracy and culture, James King|1 Comment|
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    Primary Primers: Wisconsin’s election shows that a pivot to absentee ballots is possible at short notice – though not without problems.

Primary Primers: Wisconsin’s election shows that a pivot to absentee ballots is possible at short notice – though not without problems.

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Last week Wisconsin held its presidential primary election alongside contests for the state Supreme Court and other local offices. Wendy Scattergood reports on controversies and lawsuits in the lead up to the vote as well as the difficulties posed by a rise in the use of absentee ballots in a social distancing election. 

This article is part of our […]

April 16th, 2020|2020 Primary Primers, Elections and party politics across the US, Wendy Scattergood|0 Comments|
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    Primary Primers: Wisconsin shows how the Covid-19 pandemic has made holding elections much more difficult.

Primary Primers: Wisconsin shows how the Covid-19 pandemic has made holding elections much more difficult.

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Wisconsin is set to hold its presidential primary on April 7th, the first to do so following directives for its citizens to stay at home during the Covid-19 outbreak. Ahead of the primary, Wendy Scattergood writes on the electoral challenges that now face the state, from the impending shortage of poll workers and ballots, court challenges over a purge […]

April 2nd, 2020|2020 Primary Primers, COVID-19, Elections and party politics across the US, Wendy Scattergood|0 Comments|
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    Primary Primers: The Covid-19 crisis will disrupt the 2020 presidential election, but it won’t be suspended.

Primary Primers: The Covid-19 crisis will disrupt the 2020 presidential election, but it won’t be suspended.

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The Covid-19 crisis is causing global disruption, with the US far from immune. Peter Finn and Robert Ledger sketch out how the crisis is, and could, affect the ongoing primary process and the presidential election in November. 

This article is part of our Primary Primers series curated by Rob Ledger (Frankfurt Goethe University) and Peter Finn (Kingston University). Ahead […]

March 25th, 2020|2020 Primary Primers, COVID-19, Elections and party politics across the US, Peter Finn, Robert Ledger|0 Comments|
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    Primary Primers: In this election, the Democrats are facing an uphill battle to reclaim patriotism for the left

Primary Primers: In this election, the Democrats are facing an uphill battle to reclaim patriotism for the left

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Patriotism and what it means to be an ‘American’ is often seen as the domain of the Republican rather than the Democratic Party. In challenging Donald Trump for the presidency this year, the Democrats are faced with the challenge of offering a unifying national identity in the face of the Republicans’ nationalism, writes Kristin Hanson. The Democratic candidates have […]

March 13th, 2020|2020 Primary Primers, Elections and party politics across the US, Kristin Hanson|0 Comments|
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    Primary Primers: Why the Democrats may have a shot at winning Ohio this fall

Primary Primers: Why the Democrats may have a shot at winning Ohio this fall

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While Ohio has historically been considered to be a swing state, in the 2016 election, The Buckeye State went against the national trend and voted for Donald Trump. Kevin Fahey takes a close look at how the presidential election may unfold in Ohio, writing that because of the potential impact of COVID-19 on the economy, and the likelihood of […]

March 11th, 2020|2020 Primary Primers, Elections and party politics across the US, Kevin Fahey|0 Comments|
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    Primary Primers: Why Sanders’ win in Nevada could be decisive and what it means for Super Tuesday

Primary Primers: Why Sanders’ win in Nevada could be decisive and what it means for Super Tuesday

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Bernie Sanders came out of the Nevada Democratic caucuses with more than 46 percent of pledged delegates, putting the Vermont Senator in a strong position in the nomination race ahead of Super Tuesday next week. Ronald Ranta writes that depending on how former Vice President Joe Biden performs on Super Tuesday, Sanders may win the Democratic nomination outright or […]

February 27th, 2020|2020 Primary Primers, Elections and party politics across the US, Ronald Ranta|0 Comments|
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    Primary Primers: An open primary means a Sanders win in Virginia on Super Tuesday is no certainty

Primary Primers: An open primary means a Sanders win in Virginia on Super Tuesday is no certainty

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Next Tuesday voters across 14 states will go to the polls to select their preferred nominee to take on President Trump in the fall. Caitlin Jewitt takes a close look at Virginia’s Democratic Primary, writing that while it is not the largest state in terms of pledged delegates to be won, the Old Dominion State will still have an […]

February 26th, 2020|2020 Primary Primers, Caitlin E. Jewitt, Elections and party politics across the US|1 Comment|
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