Story Archives of '2004 elections'

Wins from Democrats John Kerry and John Lynch put New Hampshire into the blue state category, making the Granite State look much more like its New England neighbors. But even as democrats are celebrating their victories, Republicans can point to a lot of red in the state. The State House and State Senate have Republican majorities and both of New Hampshire's U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators are from the GOP. We'll take a look at the Democratic and Republican parties in New Hampshire today, how they've changed in recent years, and where they might be headed. Laura's guests are Ray Buckley, Democratic State House Representative from Manchester, and Warren Henderson, former Republican State House Representative from Exeter.

Voter challenges, provisional ballots, week-long recounts... since 2000, they've become part of a new vocabulary of our elections. We look at new trends and new difficulties facing our voting process, and if this is something we'll need to get used to. Laura's guests are Linda Fowler, Professor of Government at Dartmouth College and David King, a lecturer in Public Policy and Associate Director of Harvard University's Institute of Politics. In the wake of the 2000 presidential elections, Professor King directed the Task Force on Election Administration for the National Commission on Election Reform, chaired by former presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. That effort culminated in voting rights legislation signed by President Bush in late 2002.

In Maine, voters defeated Ballot Question 2 on Election Day.

The referendum would have prohibited using bait, dogs, and traps to hunt bears.

Hunters and trappers are claiming a significant victory for what they say is their rural Maine heritage.

But that victory may have come at a price.

Supporters of the measure portrayed bear hunters as cruel and unsporting.

Maine Public Radio's Susan Chisholm reports.

One day after this historic election, President Bush and Senator Kerry urged their supporters to join forces, work on common problems and move beyond the rancor of the elections. We're talking about how and if a divided nation can come together and what needs to be done before we do. Laura's guests are Andy Smith, political science professor at the University of New Hampshire and Director of the UNH Survey Center and Michael McDonald, a scholar at the Brookings Institute and Professor of Government and Politics at George Mason University.

Republican Charles Bass was elected to a sixth term in New Hampshire's second congressional district. He beat his democratic challenger Paul Hodes easily with 59% of the vote. New Hampshire Public Radio's Amy Quinton reports.