Election 2020
How to watch a political debate — it’s not about winners and losers
Critics of presidential debates argue that they are not necessary because they don’t change many votes. Since 84 million people watched the first 2016 presidential debate and according to polls 90% had decided for whom they were going to vote, they must watch for reasons other than to be persuaded. Some of those 90% may […]
In heated first debate, Ernst and Greenfield clash on vacant court seat, mask mandate
In their first televised debate, Republican Sen. Joni Ernst and Democratic challenger Theresa Greenfield sparred over the upcoming Supreme Court confirmation vote and argued over the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and criminal justice reform. Several times during the debate, the exchanges became heated enough that “Iowa Press” host and moderator David Yepsen […]
Judge upholds law prohibiting auditors from correcting or completing absentee ballot applications
An Iowa judge has denied a temporary injunction and upheld a Republican-backed law that prohibits county auditors from correcting or completing portions of voter-submitted absentee ballot applications, according to court documents released on Monday. In July, League of United Latin American Citizens and Majority Forward filed a lawsuit alleging the measure impeded Iowans’ fundamental right […]
The ethics of presidential slogans: They may be catchy, but can we believe them?
“In God We Trust” is the official motto of the United States, but the first to appear on a circulating coin was “Mind Your Business,” conceived by Benjamin Franklin. The motto appears on the 1787 “Fugio” cent — the Latin for “I fly” is a reference to “time flies.” The coin also is printed with a depiction of […]
Iowa county auditors may open absentee ballots prior to general election
The Iowa Legislative Council unanimously approved four emergency orders from Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate that are aimed at easing the voting process for Iowans navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. The following four emergency orders were approved by the bi-partisan council during its meeting Friday afternoon: Allow residents in health care facilities to mail their […]
Young opposes Paris climate agreement, Axne supports it
The candidates for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District seat are split on whether the United States should abide by the Paris Agreement on climate change. In an interview Friday, Republican former Congressman David Young said he opposes what he sees as a “voluntary” agreement rather than a treaty approved by Congress, in part because the United […]
Hart, Miller-Meeks split on federal mask mandate
The candidates for the 2nd Congressional District seat in southeastern Iowa on Thursday split on the idea of a federal mask mandate, but agreed more federal stimulus aid is needed to address the pandemic. Democrat Rita Hart and Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks, locked in a battle to replace retiring Democratic Congressman Dave Loebsack, answered questions from […]
Iowa secretary of state asks legislators to relax election rules due to pandemic
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is asking the Iowa Legislative Council to approve emergency measures to ease voting rules pertaining to the November’s election. Citing the COVID-19 pandemic, Pate is seeking the council’s approval of four emergency orders: Allow residents in health care facilities to mail their ballots to their county auditors, instead of […]
Hart: Congress should stop environmental rollbacks, support ethanol
Democratic congressional candidate Rita Hart said the next Congress should reverse Trump administration rollbacks on environmental regulations and address climate change by working with farmers and supporting ethanol. “We can’t go backwards,” Hart said in an interview with Iowa Capital Dispatch. The 64-year-old former state senator and former teacher is running against Ottumwa ophthalmologist and […]
Kamala Harris in Detroit: ‘Poverty is trauma-inducing’ for children
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris visited Flint and Detroit on Tuesday in hopes of building enthusiasm with Black voters days before early voting begins in Michigan. “I am here to speak with you because you possess an ability to make a decision in this election that could impact hundreds of millions of people in […]