2024 US Presidential Election

[Wales-Bales]

And they're off!

[jon1959]

Re: 2024 US Presidential Election

And they're off!

They were off weeks ago.

I saw an estimate yesterday that over 80 million had voted early by post. There were less than 160 million total votes cast in 2020.

[Wales-Bales]

Re: 2024 US Presidential Election

They were off weeks ago.

True, but today is the official polling day for in person voting, and a winner may or may not be declared after the polls have closed.

[JamesWales]

Re: 2024 US Presidential Election

They were off weeks ago.

I saw an estimate yesterday that over 80 million had voted early by post. There were less than 160 million total votes cast in 2020.

Not all by post apparently. Many by person from what I've read.

Which begs the question as to why the election date is given as today and not listed as lasting over several days as some countries do?

[goats]

Re: 2024 US Presidential Election

All eyes on Pennsylvania

[jon1959]

Re: 2024 US Presidential Election

Not all by post apparently. Many by person from what I've read.

Which begs the question as to why the election date is given as today and not listed as lasting over several days as some countries do?

You are right - I meant to say 'including by post'.

We were in the north east of the USA in late September through to mid October, and most small towns had posters up advertising early voting. I think in some states there has to be a special reason (mobility problems etc) but in others anyone can do it (although I think they have to register first).

The number has surprised me, though. If the report I saw a few days ago is right over half of the Americans who will vote have voted early.

This time around the republicans have been encouraging their supporters to vote early, unlike in 2020 when early (especially postal) voting was a clear sign of electoral corruption and the malign impact of the Venezualans!

[JamesWales]

Re: 2024 US Presidential Election

You are right - I meant to say 'including by post'.

We were in the north east of the USA in late September through to mid October, and most small towns had posters up advertising early voting. I think in some states there has to be a special reason (mobility problems etc) but in others anyone can do it (although I think they have to register first).

The number has surprised me, though. If the report I saw a few days ago is right over half of the Americans who will vote have voted early.

This time around the republicans have been encouraging their supporters to vote early, unlike in 2020 when early (especially postal) voting was a clear sign of electoral corruption and the malign impact of the Venezualans!

Yeah the election geek in me doesn't like it!

I also think it leaves the system open to questions about who is looking after those ballots etc, giving rise to conspiracy theories and the like. On the other hand I guess it gives people longer to vote and perhaps boosts turnout.

There are a few quirky examples like that. Pennsylvania not starting to count immediately, and I remember at the last election (Georgia I think) they stopped counting at midnight or whatever. Also the way they 'call' states can lead to problems.

I know states have a lot of autonomy in this so hard to standardise I guess but still

[the other bob wilson]

Re: 2024 US Presidential Election

The American voting system is ridiculous. You’ve got different procedures in different states, Maine has got two “constituencies “, Nebraska three and the results are called by TV channels. Also, if the party winning the popular vote loses the Presidential election for what I think will be a third time in the Twenty First century, serious thought should be given to changing the Electoral College system.

[JamesWales]

Re: 2024 US Presidential Election

The American voting system is ridiculous. You’ve got different procedures in different states, Maine has got two “constituencies “, Nebraska three and the results are called by TV channels. Also, if the party winning the popular vote loses the Presidential election for what I think will be a third time in the Twenty First century, serious thought should be given to changing the Electoral College system.

Yeah I agree. It is different for elections to the Houses of course, where they have far more districts.

It is bizarre though. I guess at a pusy I can see an argument for not having a direct vote but it's very hard to justify, especially when the correlation between electoral college votes and population is far from exact.

One of the overriding themes in US politics Vs is states rights and I suppose it is tied to that and trying to prevent one or two larger states overwhelming others

Nonetheless, it is bizarre and hard to justify

[JamesWales]

Re: 2024 US Presidential Election

Quite a good guide to when states will stop voting and call results etc here:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14026379/2024-election-polls-close-results-donald-trump-kamala-harris.html

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: 2024 US Presidential Election

If they vote in that idiot trump may they enter Dantes Inferno

[JamesWales]

Re: 2024 US Presidential Election

I'm changing my mind for the second time today. I think Trump will win

[Wales-Bales]

Re: 2024 US Presidential Election

I'm changing my mind for the second time today. I think Trump will win

He could be ahead on the day, but a week is a long time in vote counting.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: 2024 US Presidential Election

https://youtu.be/h2LG7JXK5mQ?si=-ePiYKHo4wQ8M82r

Just like the pied piper led rats through the streets

We dance like marionettes, swaying to the symphony of destruction

[Wales-Bales]

Re: 2024 US Presidential Election

Current state of play:

003 HARRIS

023 TRUMP