US Election 2012 - Latest on the presidential race

USA Votes 2012

Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney campaigns at Van Dyck park in Fairfax, Va., Sept. 13, 2012.

President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign rally in Golden, Colorado, September 13, 2012.

Kofi Annan Commission Criticizes Financing of US Elections

Commission says soaring cost of US elections is a major hindrance to democracy More

Romney Questions Obama's Truthfulness in Upcoming Debates

Republican candidate says he expects president to make inaccurate statements during next month's presidential debates More

Polls Show Obama Builds Modest Lead Over Romney

But analysts say the race remains close as both campaigns prepare for a series of debates beginning October 3 More

On the Record

What have the people vying for the White House said about your country? What statements have they made on hot-button issues like the economy, immigration or Iran?

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Scenes From the Campaign Trail

U.S. voters will go to the polls to elect a president on November 6. With less than two months to go both candidates work to influence the undecided.

More Election News

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney campaigns at Van Dyck Park in Fairfax, Virginia, September 13, 2012.

Romney Mourns Loss of Americans in Libya

Republican presidential candidate did not repeat his earlier criticism of president's handling of Middle East unrest

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign rally in Las Vegas, Nevada September 12, 2012.

Obama: Romney's Statements on Embassy Attacks 'Lack Judgment'

President says Republican challenger has 'a tendency to shoot first and aim later'

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney comments on killing of US embassy officials, Sept. 12, 2012

Romney Criticizes Obama on Cairo Embassy Attack

Republican presidential candidate accuses administration of apologizing for US principles

Romney Adviser Discusses Foreign Policy Plans

Dov Zakheim, who in administrations of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, is among Romney's foreign policy advisers.

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke on Capitol Hill, Washington, June 7, 2012.

Central Bank to Weigh Further Stimulus Measures

Outcome of upcoming Federal Reserve meeting is sure to reverberate across the U.S. political landscape

U.S. President Barack Obama (L) waves at supporters as he leads his family across the stage at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina September 6, 2012.

Experts Explain Absence of Socialism in America

Political system discourages third parties, culture emphasizes limited government

President Barack Obama speaks in Norfolk, Virginia, September 4, 2012.

Obama Edges Romney in Latest Opinion Polls

Surveys find president enjoying 'bounce' among voters after Democratic National Convention

A supporter uses her personalized mobile phone to take a picture of U.S. President Barack Obama as he speaks at a campaign event at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida, September 9, 2012

US Jobs Numbers Fuel Presidential Campaign Rhetoric

Obama and Romney highlight economic problems, offer different remedies to overcome

President Barack Obama walks on stage as he is introduced at a campaign event at St. Petersburg College-Seminole Campus at the Natural Habitat Park Field, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Obama, Romney Hit Campaign Trail

The president is in Florida while his Republican rival is traveling to Virginia

President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign event at University of Iowa, September 7, 2012, in Iowa City, Iowa.

Poor US Job Numbers Play Key Factor in Presidential Race

Economy added fewer-than-expected 96,000 jobs in August, jobless rate fell only because more Americans stopped looking for work

Conventions introduce the Democratic and Republican party candidates to potential voters

Africa Pro-Democracy Advocates Evaluate US Conventions

Events often lauded for transparency, but cost remains a concern

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama wave as they board Air Force One before leaving Charlotte, N.C., after the Democratic National Convention, Sept. 7, 2012.

Obama, Romney React to Latest US Jobs Figures

Both are focusing on battleground states likely to determine outcome of November 6 presidential election

President Barack Obama addresses the Democratic National Convention Sept. 6, 2012

At DNC, Obama Defends China Policy, Slams Romney

In his most important campaign speech to date, president defends his foreign policy

Poll Numbers

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Romney Adviser Discusses Foreign Policy Plans

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is known for his abilities in the corporate world, but he has been criticized for lacking experience in foreign policy. Dov Zakheim, a foreign policy adviser to Mr. Romney, spoke to VOA about some of the Republican nominee's policy plans. VOA's Suzanne Presto in Washington reports.

How America Elects

Party Conventions Formalize Nomination of Presidential Candidates
Gatherings follow procedures that formally select each party’s presidential candidate. More
Vice Presidential Picks Part of US Election Strategies
One of several important factors for a vice presidential candidate is to know how Washington actually functions More
Internet, Social Media Prominent in US Presidential Race
Facebook, Twitter, Google and other mediums have evolved into critical two-way forms of political communication More
'Identity Politics' Play a Role in US Elections
Political process taps into self-identification as a means of motivating voters More
PACs Boosted by Supreme Court Ruling
While some decry Supreme Court's decisions, rise of Super PACS, others say both parties have equal opportunities to raise money More
How America Elects - Winning Party's Nomination Takes Winning Delegates
To run for US president, candidates must first campaign state by state to win support of members of their respective political parties More
US Presidential Race Is Hugely Expensive, Highly Regulated
Democrats, Republicans, are locked in enormous fundraising effort that escalates with every presidential election More
How We Vote: Registration as Party Strategy
Electoral registration considered essential part of political party strategies More
US Republican Candidate Debates Define Positions
Republican Party's presidential candidates confronting each other in debates gives voters a sense of where they stand on critical issues More
Two Parties Have Dominated US Politics for 150 Years
The Democratic and Republican parties have controlled the White House and Congress for one-and-a-half centuries. More
Primary Balloting Sets Stage for US Presidential Election
The next stop for the US Republican Party candidates is the primary election in New Hampshire More