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(Credit: ww2.votemccarter.com) While much of the post-election attention has gone to the condition of the national Republican Party and the reasons for its losses, in at least one state, the party may be considering a shake-up. In a state that typically awards its electoral votes to Democrats, Illinois' US congressional delegation was headed by Republicans, who held an 11-8 advantage. After Election Day 2012, Democrats will hold the edge 12-6, with the consolidation of one district through the

(Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) Democrats in Illinois made huge gains in the US House of Representatives last week. Four GOP incumbents were unseated by their Democratic challengers. In addition, two other Democratic candidates -- one already under indictment; the other, still pending -- easily defeated their opposition in what many across the country have called a mockery of the voting process. In a race held steadily in the national spotlight, Democratic challenger Tammy Duckworth defeate

of all US Senators are up for re-election. Every two years approximately one-third 1. Max Baucus (Montana) Baucus is the longest-serving US Senator in the history of Montana, having first won election in 1978. He has voted to allow concealed carry and was a major player in the passage of the Affordable Care Act. 2. Mark Begich (Alaska) Begich is the former mayor of Anchorage and defeated Ted Stevens in 2008, the longest-serving Republican US Senator in history. In his term in the Senate,

Credit: Amber Waterman Angus King has won the Maine Senate race, signaling a party change in the state and an additional Independent Senator in office. The election was called by CNN at 5:19 pm Pacific. Maine offered an interesting race as 6 candidates were running for Senator Olympia Snowe's open seat. The top three candidates to watch in the election were former governor and Independent candidate Angus King, Democratic Senator Cynthia Dill, and Republican Secretary of State Charlie Summers.

I was truly inspired by Obama when he emerged on the national political scene as a presidential candidate promising real hope and change. Healthcare reform, increased transparency, ending the war in Iraq, limiting the influence of special interest groups, ending the use of torture, closing Guantanamo Bay, cutting the deficit, and revising the Patriot Act; the complete opposite of what George Bush seemed to represent. Obama once stated, "transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of

[Update 5:20 PM PST] Independent candidate Angus King is projected, by CNN, to win the Senate seat in Maine. -- [Update 5:15 PM PST] In Ohio, 1.8 million voters cast their ballot early or by absentee ballot. It could still be some time before we know a victory. CNN projects Georgia will go to Mitt Romney. In Florida, over half of the precincts are reporting a very slight lead for Romney now. This is the first time the GOP candidate has taken the lead tonight. His lead is 52-47. -- [Updat

There is a widely-held perception that the Democratic Party and the Republican Party are drastically different in their policy, proposals, philosophy of government, and general modus operandi. While there are certainly some significant differences between the two parties, the number of similarities

[Update 8:18 PM PST] IVN.us announces Barack Obama has been re-elected to a second term. [Update 8:17 PM PST] CNN projects President Barack Obama will win re-election by taking the state of Ohio. [Update 8:15 PM PST] With the projection of Oregon going to Obama, statistically speaking it is very unlikely Romney will be able to pull off a victory because one more state will put the president over the top. CNN also projects Missouri to be carried by Mitt Romney. -- [Update 8:10 PM PST] Th

(Credit: Gage Skidmore) Author's note: As the Independent Voter Network is a non-profit, non-partisan website, the following is not a collective endorsement, but my personal opinion and my personal opinion alone. I appreciate the employment IVN has given me so that I may air my personal views and reasoning in this space. Any mistakes, accidental misrepresentations, and intemperance is mine. ~CW A few days ago I wrote an article for the Opinion page making "The Conservative Case Against Mitt Ro

The 2012 election is almost over and President Obama is a favorite to win in many circles. Considering his historic election as the first black President, perhaps now is the time to reflect upon the possibility of who could be the first Latino President of the United States. Latinos make up the fastest growing bloc of independent voters in the nation and their influence is still little understood. Regional politics prevail and the best candidates will be those who are able to break through and p