There is not much overlap between these two groups of voters, and proponents of a same-day vote say it would insure a larger and more representative turnout, especially when library trustee elections are contested.
Proponents of the measure said holding both votes on the same day would ensure a larger and more representative turnout, but opponents, who included six of the seven library trustees, argued that the wide variety of voting eligibility requirements and candidates on the ballots would cause the electorate too much confusion.
"Special elections are always difficult — they are low turnout, high intensity races," said Representative Steve Israel of New York, the head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Perhaps it has to do with with the challenges of finding a representative sample, predicting turnout, and picking up late shifts in voter preferences.
"Special elections are always difficult — they are low-turnout, high-intensity races," said Representative Steve Israel of New York, the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Mr. Hahn is counting on high black turnout in a contested election to succeed Representative Julian Dixon, who died last fall, to help increase his support.
In Maryland, Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend carried Democratic strongholds in her race for governor but lost to Representative Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. because of strong turnout in predominantly white counties.
Some are even wondering if the SPD, the country's oldest political group, can survive.The European elections may not be fully representative, because of the low turnout of just 43%.
A strong Democratic turnout for Mr. Gore in West Virginia, where Representative Bob Wise, a nine-term Democrat, is challenging Gov. Cecil H. Underwood, could help Mr. Wise in one of the six races for governor rated a tossup by The Cook Political Report.
The huge turnout was catalyzed by a bill, sponsored by Representative James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-Wisc).
