Presidential Election Stats

[Fireproof]

Oh man. This is getting close! *Begins to hyperventilate, then faints*

[Mr. SmartyPants]

*faints as well*

[bakura_fan]

ACK! Me too! TOO CLOSE! x_x

[Kawaiikneko]

yes, very close x_x

I went to sleep late enough last night. I'm just gonna sleep now and find out in the morning though I doubt they'll have reached a verdict by then.

On a sidenote, I feel especially special lately since I live in Ohio. Now if only I was old enough to vote. *pouts*

[Kireihana]

Lol. I was watching the news until just now, but got tired of hearing only of the Senatorial races. I know they're very important, but just really want to know who the President's gonna be. ^^

Man, they don't teach us enough about this in school! I had no idea until today that the election was based on electoral votes, and not a popular vote (lol, you can laugh at me, but I blame it on my schooling! XD) I've been bombarding my dad with all these questions about votes and rules and stuff. I imagine many of my peers who will all be 18 in time for the next election (I'll make it! Yeah!) will only have a vague idea of how the whole thing works...

[Nate]

I'm just wondering who's going to be the "problem child," Ohio or Florida.

[Mithrandir]

Well, there's something else at work here. If it WASN'T for the EC, or if all states split the votes, we'd have another problem here. The MAIN problem is that every 4 years, after the election, the senate goes about re-dividing up the territories in their own states to ensure that the people who are not in office will stay in office. THAT's the part that should really be making people nervous.

I'll just stop here. If I don't, I'll start going off on the wretchedness of the US School system, and then clive will get mad that I spelt his name wrong...

[Azier the Swordsman]

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.

Does this mean we're not allowed to cheer our favorite candidates on CAA?

[Fsiphskilm]

[quote="Azier the Sw

[Ashley]

Heavens NO! A cheer like that could start a seriously violent riot between freindly Forum Members living hundreds of miles away... or not?

Besides if other members found out who you voted for, they might PM you a bomb.

Believe it or not, there is a reason CAA has the policies it does about what is or is not allowed on these forums, and each rule has been made because of some event in the past. Members have left for far pettier reasons. Scoff all you like, they are there for a reason and I have heard far too many times how nice it is that we don't allow things like that when other boards do.

[agasfas]

Does this mean we're not allowed to cheer our favorite candidates on CAA?

I don't believe it's that. It just when people start stating who they want to win or who should win arguments are bound to come. I mean everyday in Socialology we some how end up on politics and the discussion always goes into everyone stating their opinions and scuffles always happen. It's just easier not to post political views. Because not everyone will agree w/ different political views. This way, everything remains peaceful.

[Stephen]

Sarcasm is like a butt...everyone has some...and some need to be kicked. *gives Volt a look* Please everyone stick to Gypsys orginal topic...don't use this as your CNN or Fox news update counter....thank you, this message has been approved by Shatterheart.

[Yahshua]

Math 101 in the Electoral College


Daily and L.A. Times news services


Not many Americans understand the Electoral College system.
First of all, the Electoral College is not a "college." There is no campus. There are no students. There is no football team vying for a bowl championship game. The phrase "Electoral College" simply refers to the total number of electoral votes from all of the states.

Each state has a certain number of electoral votes, which is equal to the number of people that state sends to Congress, which is based on total population.

Currently there are 538 electoral votes spread out among the states, including three votes for Washington D.C. The state of Washington has 11.

In 48 of the 50 states and in Washington D.C., the candidate who wins the popular vote gets all of the state's electoral votes. In Nebraska and Maine, two electoral votes go to the state-wide winner while the rest go to the winner in each congressional district.

The electoral votes are cast by politically active individuals who are usually selected by the political parties in each state. In December, these electors will send their official votes to Washington D.C. to be counted by the U.S. Senate prior to inauguration day. This means that the popular vote announced immediately following Election Day could produce different results than the Electoral College's.

To be elected president, a candidate needs to win a majority of the electoral votes, which is at least 270.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

almost there!

[Fireproof]

Crazy old Ohio. The entire election depends on them, and it could take days to count all of the votes.

[termyt]

Ohio is Bush's. Take it from an Ohioan.

Anyway, back to the point at hand, I'm actually a pretty big fan of the Electoral College. Because of that system, states like Alaska, Hawaii, and Wyoming have a voice in our presidential race. If we went purely by popular vote, the election could easily be bought by promising the large population centers entitlements - government handouts. The Electoral College helps prevent that kind of fraud and ensures that the people in sparsely populated areas have a voice in the process.

[uc pseudonym]

On the other hand, it's theoretically possible to win the Electoral College with only 30% of the popular vote (with a theoretical opponent gaining the entire rest of the 70%). I think we'll just have to accept that no political system is safe from corruption, and that the world will always be imperfect.

I really wanted to post "The election is over... can I get a 'Hallelujah!'?" But now it isn't, and due to Ohio's laws the provisional ballots can't be considered for some time. Ah well.

Well, there's something else at work here. If it WASN'T for the EC, or if all states split the votes, we'd have another problem here. The MAIN problem is that every 4 years, after the election, the senate goes about re-dividing up the territories in their own states to ensure that the people who are not in office will stay in office. THAT's the part that should really be making people nervous.

Gerrymandering can get really wierd...

I'll just stop here. If I don't, I'll start going off on the wretchedness of the US School system, and then clive will get mad that I spelt his name wrong...

Heh. Isn't it UPC by this point?

[Azier the Swordsman]

Is it just me or does this feel like a repeat of last year. I mean, I can understand recounting as a precaution to make sure every thing was absolutely fair, but last year it got absolutely rediculous. I'd rather not see a repeat. -_-

[Mithrandir]

Currently there are 538 electoral votes spread out among the states... To be elected president, a candidate needs to win a majority of the electoral votes, which is at least 270.

I just love how math works here. Pop quiz time:

What happens when BOTH parties get 269 votes?

[Technomancer]

I just love how math works here. Pop quiz time:

What happens when BOTH parties get 269 votes?

From what I recall, it goes to the Senate (or maybe Congress) for a vote.

[termyt]

You are close. In the case of an electoral tie, the House of Representatives votes with each state getting one single vote. (In this case, it would be a Bush landslide with 30 states likely voting for him).

On a stranger note, the Senate picks the vice president. So a Bush-Edwards win would be possible, but Cheney is still the more likely candidate with what appears to be a solid Republican majority there.

[ShiroiHikari]

Kerry has conceded the election.

[Retten]

YAY I'm so happy
The math just didnt work out he had to concede the election *goes back to watch the news*

[livxamlis]

what...who won the election???

[Retten]

Bush did Kerry conceded

[Nikki_fallingup]

That would be Bush I do recall.

[Retten]

Had Kerry not conceded Bush would just have won right now do to him getting Nevada giving him 274 electoral votes and the popular vote as well.

[livxamlis]

oic, o well

[true_noir_chloe]

Congratulations to Bush and to Kerry for being honorable enough to concede. ^___^

[PrincessZelda]

Yes!