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VI Summit of the Americas, Cartagena, Colombia 2012

Latest News

  • Democrats Retain Control of U.S. Senate

    The Democratic Party keeps control of the U.S. Senate, which was often paralyzed by partisan gridlock in President Obama’s first term. 

  • U.S. Voters Set New State Laws on Same-Gender Marriage, Marijuana

    President Obama’s re-election victory may have been the worldwide focus of the United States’ Election Day, but the millions of Americans who turned up to vote November 6 did much more than choose the country’s next president. 

  • Voters Elect Governors in 13 Jurisdictions in November 6 Election

    Late on November 6, the race for the White House was the center of attention as election returns trickled in from across the United States, but results also were being reported in another 13 chief executive contests in states and territories. 

  • World Reacts to U.S. Presidential Election

    Leaders and others around the world offer reactions to President Obama's re-election. 

  • 2012 Vote Will Maintain Status Quo in House of Representatives

    U.S. voters have chosen divided government again, as Republicans hold on to a majority in the House of Representatives, with a Democratic Party-controlled Senate and presidency. Legislative leaders on both sides of the party divide signal what their priorities will be in the upcoming session. 

  • After Hard-Fought Campaign, Obama Retains White House

    The long campaign of 2012 ends with the re-election of President Obama. 

  • Campaign 2012: Happiness Is a Big Red Button

    When a U.S. voter finally casts his or her ballot, it is the final step in the very long journey that was Campaign 2012. 

  • Voters in New Jersey Undeterred by Storm Damage

    In New York and New Jersey, officials and citizen voters work together to find creative solutions to obstacles that Superstorm Sandy placed in the path of voter turnout on Election Day. 

  • How the News Media Can Predict Election Winners

    American news organizations invest substantial resources to “call” states as soon as possible after the polls close. In doing so, they straddle a fine line between the endless competition to be the first to report the news and the desire to avoid errors and retractions. 

  • In Storm-Ravaged New Jersey, Community Needs Transcend Politics

    In the wake of natural disasters, U.S. elected officials regularly put partisan politics aside to focus on saving lives and restoring livelihoods. President Obama, a Democrat, and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a Republican, are working together to help victims of Hurricane Sandy. 

  • International Observers Arrive in U.S. for 2012 Elections

    As a participating country in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the United States has committed to inviting the OSCE to monitor its general and midterm elections. The organization has sent observers since 2002. 

  • Close Presidential Race Puts Focus on U.S. Electoral System

    Under the U.S. Electoral College system, President Obama and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney need to win at least 270 of the country's 538 electoral votes to be president, rather than simply the majority of votes from American voters. With pollsters predicting a close race, the Electoral College result could possibly yield a controversial election outcome. 

  • Final Presidential Debate Keeps Some Focus on U.S. Economy

    The third and final presidential debate between former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and President Obama was originally intended to focus on foreign policy, but both candidates are able to shift the conversation to the U.S. economy, which is the primary focus of U.S. voter interest. 

  • Second Obama-Romney Debate Reflects Americans' Economic Concerns

    The 82 undecided voters who participated in the October 16 town hall–style presidential debate mostly asked about the American economy and prospects for job creation, reflecting widespread public concerns as the United States continues its recovery from an economic recession. 

Election Day Events

Video

eJournal USA

  • Youth Votes! The 2012 U.S. Elections

Book

  • USA Elections In Brief

Pamphlets

  • Getting Involved and Making a Difference

    From the staff members of local government officials to presidents in the Oval Office — everyone involved in the political process has a story about how he or she first decided to become involved in government. 

  • Presidential Candidates and Campaign Biographies

    Here are quick facts about the prominent participants in the 2012 U.S. presidential election. 

  • What Happens After Elections

    U.S. elections are fought hard. Yet citizens expect that elections will be fair and the results respected, with a peaceful transition of power from one leader to the next. 

  • U.S. Law Restricts, Protects Federal Workers

    The Hatch Act bars federal employees from participating in political campaigns, protects them from political acts. 

  • Election Day: Democracy in Action

    Election Day in the United States often arrives dressed as a carnival, ready to attract attention and excite voter interest. 

  • A Diverse Electorate

    The voters to whom presidential candidates must appeal in 2012 have changed since Barack Obama was elected in 2008. 

  • Media and Campaigns

    Americans get their election campaign news from broadcast news programs, television comedy shows, websites and many other sources besides their local daily newspaper.