Fact in focus: Delaware leans Democratic but Republican Michael Castle is serving a record 9th term as its only US House Member.

Fact in focus:  In 2008, all 51 US House incumbents won in California, 78% by landslide

Fact in focus: In 2008 every US House race in Arkansas was uncontested by a major party -- since 1982, 70% of incumbents have been "untouchable"

Fact in focus: In 2008 Arizona Democrats won 29% more House seats with only 1.6% more popular votes than Republicans 

Fact in focus: Republican Don Young is serving his 19th term as Alaska’s only US House Member 

Fact in focus: A woman has not won a US House seat in Alabama since 1972 

Dubious Democracy is a series of algorithms that categorize districts and states by rates of overall turnout, wasted votes, turnout dropoff across races, and proportionality of seats to votes.

Of 104 total runoffs between 1994 and 2006, 101 saw turnout declines. Mean turnout decline for the period was 34.7%. Median decline was 32.9%.

This report examines statewide election recount outcomes and practices in the United States, using data from the decade of elections taking place in the years 2000 to 2009. Our findings provide a basis for observations on when recounts are necessary, provisions for model state laws on recounts and forecasts of recount scenarios in elections governed by a national popular vote.

A movement is growing within the states to swing the doors of our democracy wide open, encouraging and facilitating the active participation of young people in the electoral process.