NPR

Essential Public Radio Stories on Election 2012

Even as Pennsylvania’s Voter ID law goes through legal challenges, one lawmaker is introducing a package of bills aimed at “fixing” parts of the bill. The so-called “Every Voter Counts” package contains three parts. The first part would create an online voter registration system. The second would require the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to use new technology and mobile outreach to help registered voters obtain needed photo identification.

Vice President Joe Biden made a quick stop in Washington, PA on Thursday, talking with patrons at Hog father’s BBQ.  His visit was not announced ahead of time, he walked into the restaurant to applause from diners.

Congressman Jason Altmire endorsed Mark Critz for reelection in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District on Monday, despite losing to Critz in the Democratic primary election last month.

The future of Pennsylvania’s recently passed voter ID law may be decided in Commonwealth Court.

Five state House incumbents have lost their seats in the primary, according to the latest vote counts. But one longtime Republican lawmaker is holding out until the absolute last vote is counted.

Greg Parks, the Pleasant Hills Democrat running for State Senate in the 37th district, believes enough people wrote his name on the ballot to make him eligible for a run in the general election.

Republican Tim Murphy faced his first challenge from within his own party since taking office in 2003. Murphy handily defeated Tea Party-backed opponent Evan Feinberg, winning 63% of the vote. The Congressman thanked supporters at a gathering in Greentree, and said it’s now time to move forward.

Mt. Washington resident and former Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project executive director Erin Molchany defeated Martin Schmotzer in the 22nd Pennsylvania house district Democratic primary for Pennsylvania representative on Tuesday, 52 to 39 percent. The remainder of the vote went to Shawn Lunny, who had been tossed from the ballot by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, but not in time for his name to be removed from the voting machines.