Testing the Equivalence Principle using Atomic Vacuum Energy Shifts

We consider possible tests of the Einstein Equivalence Principle for quantum-mechanical vacuum energies by evaluating the Lamb shift transition in a class of non-metric theories of gravity described by the \tmu formalism. We compute to lowest order the associated red shift and time dilation parameters, and discuss how (high-precision) measurements of these quantities could provide new information on the validity of the equivalence principle.Comment: 4 pages, latex, epsf, 1 figur

Election Day Voter Registration in Nebraska

We have analyzed the likely impact on voter turnout should Nebraska adopt Election Day Registration (EDR). Under the system proposed in Nebraska, eligible voters who miss the 18-day deadline for registering by mail may be able to register to vote on Election Day. Availability of Election Day Registration (EDR) procedures should give voters who have not previously registered the opportunity to vote. Consistent with existing research on the impact of EDR in the other states that use this process, we find that EDR would likely lead to substantial increases in voter turnout. Thisreport presents the following estimates of increases in turnout for Nebraska, and for specific groups of Nebraska citizens under EDR. Overall turnout could go up by 5.4 percent. Turnout among those aged 18 to 25 could increase by 10.6 percent. Turnout for those who have moved in the last six months could increase by 9.5 percent. Turnout for Latinos could increase by 9.0 percent Turnout for African Americans could increase by 6.0 percent. Turnout among poor and middle-income citizens could increase by 8.1 and 6.4 percent, respectively, while turnout among the wealthiest citizens would likely increase by 3.7 percent

Same Day Voter Registration in North Carolina

R. Michael Alvarez of the California Institute of Technology and Jonathan Nagler of NYU analyze the likely impact of Election Day Registration on voter turnout in North Carolina

Election Day Voter Registration in Massachusetts

R. Michael Alvarez of the California Institute of Technology and Jonathan Nagler of NYU analyze the likely impact of Election Day Registration on voter turnout in Massachusetts

Election Day Voter Registration in Vermont

We have analyzed the likely impact on voter turnout should Vermont adopt Election Day Registration (EDR). Under the system proposed in Vermont, eligible voters who miss the current six-day deadline for registering by mail may be able to register to vote on Election Day. The availability of Election Day Registration procedures should give voters who have not previously registered the opportunity to vote. Consistent with existing research on the impact of EDR in the other states that use this process, we find that EDR would likely lead to substantial increases in voter turnout. We offer the following voter turnout estimates for Vermont under EDR: Overall turnout could go up by 4.8 percentTurnout among those aged 18 to 25 could increase by 10.2 percent.Turnout for those who have moved in the last six months could increase by 8.6 percent. Turnout among the poorest citizens could increase by 6.1 percent, while turnout among the wealthiest citizens would likely increase by only 3.3 percent