Watch the race - as it continues

Tonight the results of the Primaries in Alabama and Mississippi (and the caucuses in Hawaii and American Samoa) will be known. A joint Politico/C-SPAN broadcast will be streamed live here. There is also an interesting primary in AL06 (Alabama 6th District), where the Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, Spencer Bachus faces a major challenge. An article in Politico gives some background.

A copy of the sample ballot for the republican primary in Chilton County (part of AL06) can be viewed here.

The live simulcast begins at 7.00pm Eastern Time. British (and other European) viewers are reminded that Daylight Saving Time began in the US on Sunday, so until 25th March the time difference is one hour less. (11pm UK - midnight Western Europe). More from C-SPAN at -
http://www.c-span.org/Events/Polls-Project-a-Close-Race-in-Alabama-Mississippi-Primaries/10737428971/

How many members are there in the House of Representatives?

Public Law 62-5 passed in 1911 limits the membership of the House to 435. Yet more than that number participate in the activities (in committee and on the floor)of the House. There are a number of "delegates" from places like the District of Columbia; the US Virgin Islands; and American Somoa. Puerto Rico is represented by a "Resident Commissioner". These may not vote in the whole House, but can vote in their committees.

The long running campaign for DC to have a representative rather a delegate has hit another road block last week - when the legislation was pulled from the floor. Experts argue that even if such legislation passes both Houses and is signed by the President, the Supreme Court will strike it down as unconstitutional.

CRS has published a short paper on the rights of the "non-members" at

http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R40170_20090128.pdf