Drew DeSilver

Both major U.S. political parties have a long history of splits, splinters and other schisms.

So far this year, Republican primaries are experiencing record turnouts, much as voting in Democratic primaries surged in 2008. But the longer-term trend in primary turnout has been down.

If Senate Republicans stick with their declared intention to not consider anyone President Obama might nominate to replace Antonin Scalia, his seat on the Supreme Court likely would remain vacant for a year or more. That would be the longest vacancy on the court for nearly five decades, but by no means the longest ever in U.S. history. In fact, for much of the 19th century it was not uncommon for Supreme Court seats to be unoccupied for months – or, in a few cases, years – at a time.

Such high levels of interest and engagement weren’t common in past Supreme Court nomination battles.

All but five states will hold at least one primary this year, cementing the primary's dominance over the older caucus system in the presidential nominating process. But compared to 2008, the last time both parties had open nomination contests, the voting started later this year and is a bit more spread out.

There hasn't been a seriously contested nominating convention in decades, and a look at history helps explain why: Candidates who needed multiple ballots to get nominated usually didn't go on to win the White House.

More than six years after the Great Recession ended, almost 10.2 million teens and young adults in the U.S. are neither working nor in school.

What the data show on bullying, drug and alcohol use, depression, violence and other common sources of parental concern.

On the occasion of President Obama's last State of the Union address, a look back at his first congressional address – his priorities, those of the public at the time and what's happened in the years since.

Congress passed 113 laws, 87 of them substantive, in 2015, making it the most productive first session since 2009.