2020 election // The Observer

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Mercugliano-Lund ticket forced to drop candidacy for ‘highly unethical behavior’

Observer Staff Report | Thursday, February 13, 2020

The Mercugliano-Lund ticket must forfeit its candidacy after it was found to have engaged in “highly unethical behavior,” Judicial Council announced in a press release early Thursday. The council’s Election Committee found junior Zachary Mercugliano and freshman Aviva Lund violated Section 17.1(i)(1) of the Student Body Constitution, which reads: “The promise of any office or

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Thoughts on the Iowa Caucus

Blake Ziegler | Wednesday, February 12, 2020

You know what really irks me? When people call the United States a democracy. Sure, our nation may have some democratic elements, but our government is not a democracy. Our government is not a majority-wins-all system where the minority is ignored. In fact, the Founders actually feared this democratic form of government. James Madison laments

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Why the Iowa caucus matters and how it works

Ellie Dombrowski | Sunday, February 2, 2020

Iowa will host the first major vote of the 2020 presidential election cycle at the Iowa caucus Monday, Feb. 3. The results of the caucus will likely determine the party nominations, and coverage of the event will let voters across America know where candidates stand on crucial issues. The Observer has two reporters at the

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Stand up for your seat at the 2020 presidential debate

Letter to the Editor | Friday, December 6, 2019

Four and a half months ago at home in Vermont, my sister and I sat before my laptop as the first 2020 Democratic presidential primary debate began to stream. With the political tension in my household, we didn’t bother watching it in the living room. 107 days later, I was standing in the rain on

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What political polarization means for the 2020 election

BridgeND | Thursday, November 14, 2019

“Political polarization” is a term that is often thrown around in the media and news. By definition, political polarization is the “divergence of political attitudes and ideas to the ideological extreme.” Polarization is the idea of “us” and “them,” and this ideology can and does cause confusion and tension between those with differing views. The

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Notre Dame to host first 2020 presidential debate

Observer Staff Report | Friday, October 11, 2019

Notre Dame will host the first presidential debate of the 2020 election campaign on Sept. 29, 2020, University President Fr. John Jenkins announced at a Friday press conference. It will be the first presidential debate hosted at the University. “Notre Dame — throughout its history — has hosted presidents and world leaders, national figures,” Jenkins

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The Mayor Pete moment

BridgeND | Wednesday, March 20, 2019

You’d be forgiven if your mind was elsewhere over spring break, but in the last week, the national media seems to have remembered the mayor of South Bend, Indiana is running for president. After a CNN town hall where he stunned viewers with direct, substantive answers to policy questions (as well as throwing some shade