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Census Reports fascinate me for some reason, so I found this site interesting. Considering what today is I thought it might interest some of you:

http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/002957.html

One thing I found out today that I didn't know before was that Maine splits the electoral votes. I think a couple other states do that as well, but I'm not sure which ones. Also, I'm wondering why it is different for some states. I'm guessing that it's decided by the state government, but since it affects things nationally, wouldn't the federal government make this consistent for all 50 states? Obviously, I don't have a head for politics, so if this is a big area of debate, nevermind the question and enjoy the link.

This is a touchy subject...politics that is. But I wouldn't mind seeing the an alternative to the electoral college like maybe states' votes being splitted somehow. It would help value the vote of voters in certain states that are heavily one way like Texas or New York.

It is determined by the state governments (I know quite a few politcal scientists), although the idea of splitting the electoral votes is a relatively recent one. Personally, I find the whole system to be a very strange approach.

Zedian wrote:This is a touchy subject...politics that is.

*laughs* Yeah, I hope the admins don't close it. ]It is determined by the state governments (I know quite a few politcal scientists), although the idea of splitting the electoral votes is a relatively recent one. Personally, I find the whole system to be a very strange approach.[/quote]
Thanks, Techno. I wasn't expecting an answer so fast!

I found it very strange (on the census report) that the highest age bracket of voters as opposed to non-voters was 65 - 74. I would have expected the youngest to second youngest bracket to be the highest.

Also, I've heard that the record for votes in the presidential elections (114 million) is expected to be broken this year. Yay!

Gypsy wrote: I found it very strange (on the census report) that the highest age bracket of voters as opposed to non-voters was 65 - 74. I would have expected the youngest to second youngest bracket to be the highest.

It's actually not that surprising, and is a situation mirrored up here as well. The reality (in my experience) is that very few candidates ever really address youth issues, and direct their campaigning to other age brackets often to the detriment of youth. The result in a lot people's minds is 'why bother?' if your concerns are only going to be ignored.

I wouldn't expect the electoral college to be abolished any time soon, since the states that benefit most from it would have to approve. It's the same reason why electoral reform is usually ignored here to: the ones in power benefit from the current system.

Some are predicting over 120 million to show up to the polls this year. Athough the problem with younger voters is they don't make it out for whatever reason...I guess lack of time, as opposed to retired individuals who got plenty of time on their plate to wait in line for two hours.

I think it would be great if more young people can show up to the polls, that would mean future candidates would have to divert some of their attention to a young crowd who are indeed serious about the political actions in this country.
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Technomancer wrote:It's actually not that surprising, and is a situation mirrored up here as well. The reality (in my experience) is that very few candidates ever really address youth issues, and direct their campaigning to other age brackets often to the detriment of youth. The result in a lot people's minds is 'why bother?' if your concerns are only going to be ignored.

I guess you're right - I never thought of it that way before. It seems to me that it wouldn't be too hard to cover even a couple of the youth issues to rack up some more votes. But again, I don't have a head for politics, so I'm sure there's an explination for it.

EDIT: Here's anr interesting article I came across while scanning info about Canadian government after Techno's comments.

Around here there's a pretty big turn out, from what a friend told me. Last prez. election there wasn't even a line to wait in, now there's a two hour wait. O_o

Yeah I really wish the candidates would talk more on youth issues. Unfortunately many young people just don't care about voting . Maybe that would be part of the reason behind not addressing the youth but still it is important to some of us. I wish I was old enough to vote I've been following the whole campaign and watching all the debates even me and my friends talk about it. (why couldn't they have waited a year ) I can understand how annoying it would be to stand in line to vote and all but I think its extremely important to do so. After all we are the ones that will "inherit" this country when we are older and the choices being made today is what's going to effect "our" tomorrow.

I know how you feel, WhiteBlaze. Last presidential election, I was too young by a couple months. I'm actually pretty excited, since this is the first one I'm voting in.

The first election I ever participated in was the recall in [REDACTED].

You know who I'm talking about.

Anyway, I'll be back.....

To answer your question about splitting electoral votes, Gyp, Maine and Nebraska are the only ones who do so...it's called Proportional Representation. All other states have a winner-take-all system, wherein if Bush wins Texas by 500 or 5,000, he still gets all 32 of our electoral votes (I think it's 32...I might be wrong). ANd yes, the way states split electoral votes is determined by state consitutions and protected by the "inherent rights" clause of the Constitution.

As for this thread...so far this has been nothing but purely informative facts. Keep it that way or we'll set a record on closing times.

Personally I will be glad when the election is over...I'm sick of the "rock", "swing", "nag" and "get" the vote campaigns everywhere I go, being bombarded with political ads everywhere from the sidewalk to the Christian radio station I listen to....all of which wouldn't be so bad, except I'm 30 days short of being 18 in time.

Gypsy wrote:I know how you feel, WhiteBlaze. Last presidential election, I was too young by a couple months. I'm actually pretty excited, since this is the first one I'm voting in.

Hehehe yeah I wish I was just a little older oh well next time then!
Well have fun voting you can say you toook part in changing America! I would bring a book though lol who knows how long the lines are going to be.

Ashley wrote:Personally I will be glad when the election is over...I'm sick of the "rock", "swing", "nag" and "get" the vote campaigns everywhere I go, being bombarded with political ads everywhere from the sidewalk to the Christian radio station I listen to....all of which wouldn't be so bad, except I'm 30 days short of being 18 in time.

Wow I was just thinking the exact same thing, it's very annoying isnt it

Ashely wrote:Maine and Nebraska are the only ones who do so...it's called Proportional Representation.

That would be correct. Also like someone said, it's actually up to each individual state legislature to determine whether their state uses the "winner take all" system or proportional rep. Although funny thing is that each elector doesn't have to cast a vote for the winner, I believe the constitution refers to the electors as "free agents." So for example, if Bush wins Texas, the 34 electors that where chosen by the Republicans are sent to cast their votes. But if one of the "electors" really wanted to, they can cast their vote for kerry or anyone else on the Texas ballot (write-in canidates don't count). So it's possible for Bush to win like 33votes and Kerry 1 from texas. ALthough not likely, it has happend in elections in the past (though it has never had an impacted the final result/win)
Also, like many others, I've just participated in my first national election. Though I'm one of the few who actually vote in the county elections.

I also agree w/ ashely, I can't wait for this to be over. Too many political arguments... err...

And Texas actually has 34 electoral votes (32 house + 2 in senate). We gained two due to the recent cenus

yeah, ill be gald when its over too, im tired of gettiung those spamming phone calls about voteing, especilly when they come at like 9 at night.

Yeah I'll be glad when this is over. And I'm glad so many people are going out and voting.

ashley i know how you feel i turn 18 and march and im really really itching to vote ><

Yep. This is big. Stressful though. I mean, Master Chief of the Trojan party hasn't gotten a single electoral vote yet! What's up with that? And don't even get me started about the lack of write-ins for Mario of the Plumbers party.

as of now, bush has 156 of the electoral botes, while senator kerry has 112. Go bush!

im worried about ohio (im pro bush but im not going to delve into it) they say whoever wins ohio is probably going to win ~_~ man i really want to know who won it. the suspense is killing me

The suspense is killing me...I'm going to have to call my counter self, the Canadian logger, for help.

Me:(picks up phone, calls his Canadian Logger persona)
Logger: Heloo there? What would you be calling me fer, eh?
Me: I'm so tense about the Presidential election!
Logger: You Americans and your elections. Here we just 'ave a dicterership, ya know?
Me: I thought the Canadian Goverment was Parlimentry?
Logger:Thats just what we want you Yanks to think, Ya.
Me: ...
Logger: Whats the silence aboot?
Me: (Head grows large, grows sharp pointy teeth, eyes go red) "I AM NOT A YANKEE! I AM A SOUTHENER! EH!"
Logger: You and yer Large Screaming Head Sequences, eh? You should calm down, smell the maple syrup, ya know?
Me: Your..your right...I'll just collapse here in the Artic Tundra, eh.....(Collapses)


My small contribution....eh?

haha not so true desperado - ohio has the majority of votes according to msnbc.com

171 - 112 bush winning! go go go!

thats what i heard the big ones are michigan ohio and california. i predict kerry will win ohio but if ohio and michigan follow the trend in the midwest (cept for illinois) they will go bush but thats just my bet on it (goes to play ffxi and take out his anticipation on monstorous battering rams)

cali will def go to california

I see that my humor has failed...therefore, I will sit and worry.

Bush 181 Kerry 164

Californias vote has been counted, and 55 went to kerry, but BUSH IS STILL IN THE LEAD!

edit: wrong stat

Mr. Smarty-Pants, one more pro-Bush outburst from you (or any pro-candidate outburst from ANYONE) and this thread will be locked instantly and strikes issued. We have discussed time and time again--this thread was meant to be informative about the electoral college, NOT a political rallying point so we could divide ourselves up into bush-fans and kerry-supporters. That being said, I hope this thread returns to its academic purpose.

sorry

bush: 195

kerry: 112

The title of this thread wasn't meant to post all the up-to-the-minute electoral counts, so why don't we leave that to CNN? Besides, not all of the votes are in yet.

I surely hope this doesn't go that direction. I would advice not to post counts, all it will do is start arguments.... just my 2cents.