Voting Percentage

[Fitswimmer]

Has anyone heard what percentage of registered voters actually showed up yesterday? I have a few friends that have dropped out of the political process because they are so disillusioned. It makes me sad because of how hard people fought for all of us to have the vote at all, but I can certainly understand their feelings about the choices we are offered.

 

[Chuck S]

I heard it was a much higher percentage of turn out than normal for this type of election, and in many states, higher than predicted/expected.

 

[golfgal]

I looked on a local online paper and on CNN and didn't see anything yet.

 

[Towncrier]

My wife worked at our polling place and told me that 60% of the voters in our precinct voted yesterday.

 

[golfgal]

I read today that across the nation it was 40%, Minnesota had 60% which is down from the last midterm election (63%).

 

[Scutapipig]

I believe our Secretary of State projected 45% turnout prior to the election and I think we actually came in around 53%. I can't find anything to back it up with though.

 

[Fitswimmer]

ABC was reporting 40% nationwide this morning. To me, this is a sad statistic. Where were the other 60%? Dancing with the Stars probably gets a better percentage of voters to viewers.

Is it the day? Should Election Day be moved to the weekend or put on a Monday and made a holiday?

Is it the candidates? I know that I've gone to the booth the last few elections voting for the lesser of two evils. If the candidates were more inspiring would people come out?

Is it politics in general? Are people just burnt out and cynical about the government and their relationship to it?

Is it the controversy over the process? Should the new Democratic Congress work on a nationalized system of identification for registered voters and proper accountability of votes?

These are questions that really should be asked and answered before 2008. It would be great to see at least 70% of the registered voters casting ballots.

 

[golfgal]

Making it a holiday would probably reduce turnout because people would make it a 3 day weekend and go out of town. You can't force people to vote and those that choose not to vote won't no matter what you do for them. 40% nationwide for a non-presidential election is actually pretty good. I think with the close calls the past few elections it has gotten more people to understand that each vote really does count!

 

[salmoneous]

Is it politics in general? Are people just burnt out and cynical about the government and their relationship to it?

It's possible - and we are all just guessing here - that you have this exactly wrong. Perhaps people stay home, not because they are upset with government, but because they are generally happy. If you life is pretty good, and you don't think either candidate will make a big difference in your life, maybe you don't feel the need to vote. The oppressed, and the angry folks are the ones who really *need* to vote. But most of the country is doing just fine.

For the record, I "voted" on Tuesday, but won't be showing up in any official returns. I knew I was going to be in Vegas on election day, but instead of casing an absentee ballot, I invited a buddy along who almost always votes the opposite of me. We were canceling each others vote sipping free drinks at a blackjack table.

 

[poohandwendy]

I think some people just do not think their vote counts amongst the millions and don't bother. "What difference does it make?" At least that is what I have heard people say when it is mentioned and they say they didn't vote. I know many people who are registered but NEVER vote. I don't understand that. They have no problem complaining about taxes and issues and how the government runs things, but they can't be bothered exercising their right to vote.

The way I see it, I can't really moan and complain if I dont even take the time to cast a vote. LOL, I vote primarily republican in a blue state, but I still feel an obligation to at least put my vote in.

 

[mickeyfan2]

What percentage of those eligible to vote are actually registered to vote?

 

[Chuck S]

Do you think if all states had early voting the percentages would increase? I haven't actually voted on "Election Day" for several years. We have early voting here in TX so I just go to the elections administrators office and vote early (it is closer and more convientent than our polling place) Larger counties have early voting set up in popular stores and malls.

 

[golfgal]

Do you think if all states had early voting the percentages would increase? I haven't actually voted on "Election Day" for several years. We have early voting here in TX so I just go to the elections administrators office and vote early (it is closer and more convientent than our polling place) Larger counties have early voting set up in popular stores and malls.

You can always fill out an absentee ballot, they mail them to your house, you mail them back, simple. I think having registration at the polls is one way to increase voter turn-out. Many states cut off registration a month or more before election day. Most people do things like that last minute and by they time they are really thinking about it, it is too late. If they can register at the polls, like they do in MN, voter turnout would increase dramatically.