Campus hosts election events

In the brief time remaining before the Nov. 2 general election, the University of California, Berkeley, will host a series of informational events about the Golden State’s congressional races, the emergence and impact of the Tea Party, and last-minute polling results in California.

The events are being sponsored by the Institute of Governmental Studies’ (IGS), the Graduate School of Journalism, and the Center for the Comparative Study of Right-Wing Movements.

Wednesday, Oct. 13

Political journalist and author Dante Chinni will visit UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism’s North Gate Hall Library today from 6-7 p.m. to talk about his new book, “Our Patchwork Nation: The Surprising Truth About The ‘Real’ America.” The book looks at how distinctions in the ways that Americans vote, invest, shop and communicate reflect their local experiences. The event is free and open to the public.

Thursday, Oct. 21

UC Berkeley political science professors Eric Schickler and Robert Van Houweling will join Los Angeles Times political correspondent Mark Barabak in an assessment of “The Contest for Congress,” from 4-5:30 p.m. at the IGS Library, 109 Moses Hall. They will examine the battle to rule the nation from Washington, D.C., in terms of history as well as how the country’s mood and the Tea Party factor into that competition. They also will address what is likely to happen on Election Day with California’s U.S. Senate and congressional races.

Friday, Oct. 22

“Fractures, Alliances and Mobilizations in the Age of Obama: Emerging Analyses of the Tea Party Movement,” is the focus of a conference featuring research presentations by some of the nation’s leading scholars on politics, history and social movements. It will run from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Toll Room at Alumni House.

The forum is being sponsored by UC Berkeley’s Center for the Study of Right-Wing Movements. A list of panelists is online. Seating is limited. To R.S.V.P., send your full name, title, institution name, e-mail address, phone number and street address to .

Monday, Nov. 1

“The Polls: An Election-Eve Update” will be held from 4-5 p.m. at the IGS Library, 109 Moses Hall and feature updates on the latest election polling numbers by Mark DiCamillo, director of the Field Poll.