Politics & Government
Will Shorter Lines Boost Voter Turnout at the Polls?
By MacKenzie Babb — January 23, 2014
The bipartisan Presidential Commission on Election Administration has released a report encouraging jurisdictions across the country to cut down on long lines at polls on Election Day by expanding early voting, increasing online voter registration, and checking voter registration lists against those provided by other states.
Can Reality TV Lower the Teen Birthrate?
By MacKenzie Babb — January 13, 2014
According to a new economic study, shows like MTV’s “16 and Pregnant” and its spin-off, “Teen Mom” may have prevented more than 20,000 births to teenage mothers in 2010 alone.
Different Motivations Lead to Bipartisan Support to End Mandatory Sentencing
By Emily Fetsch — January 10, 2014
Twenty-five years after Congress passed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, which set mandatory minimum sentencing requirements for drug offenders, an unlikely alliance of Tea Party Republicans and liberal Democrats has formed to propose legislation reversing the policy.
What’s to Blame for the Polar Vortex?
By MacKenzie Babb — January 7, 2014
As freezing temperatures break records and make headlines across the country, some wonder what’s behind the so-called polar vortex responsible for the frigid dips. The severe drop in temperature may not come as a complete surprise for many Americans, as 63 percent of people say the weather has been getting more extreme during the past few years, while six percent say it’s gotten less extreme and about 3-in-10 (29 percent) say it hasn’t changed.
Supreme Court Addresses New Challenges to Obamacare Contraception Mandate
By MacKenzie Babb — January 7, 2014
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued an injunction December 31 temporarily blocking a portion of the Affordable Care Act that requires religious organizations to offer health care plans covering contraceptives.
Colorado Won’t be the Only State to Legalize Marijuana Sales for Long
By MacKenzie Babb — January 3, 2014
As marijuana became legal this week in Colorado, the state became the only place in the world where marijuana is regulated from seed to sale. The historic move follows an important shift in public opinion on the legalization of marijuana — in 2013, a majority of Americans supported legalizing the drug for the first time.
Democrats Believe Minimum Wage Will Be a Winning Issue in 2014. Are They Right?
By MacKenzie Babb — December 31, 2013
As Democratic and Republican congressional candidates prepare for the 2014 local and national elections, each party is seeking to find an issue that will rally support among voters; according to Jonathan Martin and Michael D. Shear’s latest for The New York Times, Democratic Party leaders may have found it in their efforts to increase the minimum wage.
Nearly Two-Thirds of Gun Laws Since Newtown Loosen Restrictions
By MacKenzie Babb — December 11, 2013
Just after the Newtown shootings one year ago this week, most Americans favored strengthening gun control laws. But in the 12 months following the attack that left 20 students and six adult staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School dead, more states have actually loosened gun control laws than tightened them.
Minimum Wage: Would You Like a Raise With That?
By Joseph Goodman — December 5, 2013
The federal minimum wage, which was last increased in 2009 to its current $7.25 an hour, has been the subject of renewed interest on Capitol Hill and around the country.
Miss PRRI’s Latest Immigration Report? Check Out National Media Coverage Here!
By MacKenzie Babb — December 2, 2013
In case you missed it, PRRI’s latest immigration survey report, What Americans (Still) Want From Immigration Reform, received significant national media coverage last week.
PRRI, Quinnipiac Find Steady Support for Path to Citizenship in 2013
By Daniel Cox — November 26, 2013
While immigration reform legislation has experienced its ups and downs during 2013, recent surveys have shown that American views on immigration have not budged over the course of the year.
Across Religious and Party Lines, Steady Support for Path to Citizenship
By Robert P. Jones — November 25, 2013
Despite the ups and downs of the prospects for comprehensive immigration reform in Congress, public support for a path to citizenship for immigrants currently living in the United States illegally has remained steady throughout 2013.
PRRI’s Newest Immigration Report Receives Comprehensive Coverage in The New York Times
By MacKenzie Babb — November 25, 2013
Prominently featured both online and in The New York Times print edition today is an article by Julia Preston on PRRI's latest report, What Americans (Still) Want from Immigration Reform, released just today at the American Academy of Religion Annual Conference!
Specific Immigration Provisions: Fines, Waiting Periods, and Increased Border Security
By Joseph Goodman — November 25, 2013
Although immigration reform policy is complex and continues to evolve, the Senate bill that passed in June (S-744) includes three key features: a 13-year waiting period before immigrants may become full citizens, an estimated $4,000 in mandatory fines and fees to be paid over the course of the citizenship process, and a $46 billion investment in increased border security. While there is consensus around some provisions, on others, views differ sharply by political affiliation.
Melissa Deckman on the Limits of Libertarianism for Women
By MacKenzie Babb — November 22, 2013
Affiliated scholar and PRRI board member Dr. Melissa Deckman discusses the gender gap in libertarianism today.
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