In order to ensure that this thread continues to meet TL standards and follows the proper guidelines, we will be enforcing the rules in the OP more strictly. Be sure to give them a re-read to refresh your memory! The vast majority of you are contributing in a healthy way, keep it up!
NOTE: When providing a source, explain why you feel it is relevant and what purpose it adds to the discussion if it's not obvious. Also take note that unsubstantiated tweets/posts meant only to rekindle old arguments can result in a mod action.
It surpassed the 2012 voter turnout by 11:15am? Thats incredible.
Actually, I need to add a caveat - looks like total active registered voters declined quite a bit from 1.8m to 1.5m (no idea why). So the absolute number is 880k right now vs. a bit over 1m, so turnout as a % is higher but not as an absolute (though it's quite possible that the latter figure will grow by a decent bit).
the population of the USA is like 300M, are you telling me that 1 out of 300 people in the USA vote or am I missing something?
I think that's about Nevada only, not the whole of the US
Can someone enlighten me why the election is held on a regular workday? Why not make it a public holiday or just use a sunday? I mean, there must be some historic reason to date it as it is... so I would honestly like to know how it came to this.
On November 09 2016 05:53 mahrgell wrote: Can someone enlighten me why the election is held on a regular workday? Why not make it a public holiday or just use a sunday? I mean, there must be some historic reason to date it as it is... so I would honestly like to know how it came to this.
because in the olden days you had to use snailmail to get votes figured out I guess
On November 09 2016 05:53 mahrgell wrote: Can someone enlighten me why the election is held on a regular workday? Why not make it a public holiday or just use a sunday? I mean, there must be some historic reason to date it as it is... so I would honestly like to know how it came to this.
There is political will behind making Election Day a national holiday; however, there are people here in the US that think we should making access to voting harder, not easier. Add in our incredibly dysfunctional Congress and there ya go.
On November 09 2016 05:53 mahrgell wrote: Can someone enlighten me why the election is held on a regular workday? Why not make it a public holiday or just use a sunday? I mean, there must be some historic reason to date it as it is... so I would honestly like to know how it came to this.
According to the internet it's Tuesday because Sunday is church day and Monday is the travel day to get to the polls after church. They couldn't hold it on Saturday because you'd need a travel day to get back home in time for church on Sunday, Sunday was out obviously, Monday was the travel day after church on Sunday, that leaves Tuesday.
Some argue that those reasons no longer matter as much.
On November 09 2016 05:53 mahrgell wrote: Can someone enlighten me why the election is held on a regular workday? Why not make it a public holiday or just use a sunday? I mean, there must be some historic reason to date it as it is... so I would honestly like to know how it came to this.
In 1845, before Florida, California, and Texas were states or slavery had been abolished, Congress needed to pick a time for Americans to vote. We were an agrarian society. We traveled by horse and buggy. Farmers needed a day to get to the county seat, a day to vote, and a day to get back, without interfering with the three days of worship. So that left Tuesday and Wednesday, but Wednesday was market day. So, Tuesday it was. In 1875 Congress extended the Tuesday date for national House elections and in 1914 for federal Senate elections.
On November 09 2016 05:53 mahrgell wrote: Can someone enlighten me why the election is held on a regular workday? Why not make it a public holiday or just use a sunday? I mean, there must be some historic reason to date it as it is... so I would honestly like to know how it came to this.
Everyone's favorite political source, John Oliver. (Some sarcasm intended)
On November 09 2016 05:53 mahrgell wrote: Can someone enlighten me why the election is held on a regular workday? Why not make it a public holiday or just use a sunday? I mean, there must be some historic reason to date it as it is... so I would honestly like to know how it came to this.
In 1845, before Florida, California, and Texas were states or slavery had been abolished, Congress needed to pick a time for Americans to vote. We were an agrarian society. We traveled by horse and buggy. Farmers needed a day to get to the county seat, a day to vote, and a day to get back, without interfering with the three days of worship. So that left Tuesday and Wednesday, but Wednesday was market day. So, Tuesday it was. In 1875 Congress extended the Tuesday date for national House elections and in 1914 for federal Senate elections.
This is the first time I've voted. I live in Kentucky. I did have to have an ID and sign my name on a sheet they had with the names of all registered voters (don't know if that is normal everywhere). What I was most upset about though was that I got no "I voted" sticker!!! My county banned them because people were sticking them all over the polling places and such (somewhat amusingly I went out for lunch after voting and saw an 'I voted' sticker stuck on the counter at the restaurant).
On November 09 2016 05:15 Nyxisto wrote: How is the legal situation in the US concerning polling during elections? Here in Germany all polling is outlawed until the polling stations close.
On November 09 2016 06:02 Kickstart wrote: This is the first time I've voted. I live in Kentucky. I did have to have an ID and sign my name on a sheet they had with the names of all registered voters (don't know if that is normal everywhere). What I was most upset about though was that I got no "I voted" sticker!!! My county banned them because people were sticking them all over the polling places and such (somewhat amusingly I went out for lunch after voting and saw an 'I voted' sticker stuck on the counter at the restaurant).
They stated on ctv news here that places aren't giving then out to save money (rough interpretation).
On November 09 2016 05:15 Nyxisto wrote: How is the legal situation in the US concerning polling during elections? Here in Germany all polling is outlawed until the polling stations close.
On November 09 2016 06:02 Kickstart wrote: This is the first time I've voted. I live in Kentucky. I did have to have an ID and sign my name on a sheet they had with the names of all registered voters (don't know if that is normal everywhere). What I was most upset about though was that I got no "I voted" sticker!!! My county banned them because people were sticking them all over the polling places and such (somewhat amusingly I went out for lunch after voting and saw an 'I voted' sticker stuck on the counter at the restaurant).
Mine had them (I'm also in KY) but you had to grab them off the table as you walked out. I got asked for my ID while most others didn't. Wasn't sure if it was because I'm considerably darker than average or it was my first time at that polling station.
On November 09 2016 06:02 Kickstart wrote: This is the first time I've voted. I live in Kentucky. I did have to have an ID and sign my name on a sheet they had with the names of all registered voters (don't know if that is normal everywhere). What I was most upset about though was that I got no "I voted" sticker!!! My county banned them because people were sticking them all over the polling places and such (somewhat amusingly I went out for lunch after voting and saw an 'I voted' sticker stuck on the counter at the restaurant).
Mine had them (I'm also in KY) but you had to grab them off the table as you walked out. I got asked for my ID while most others didn't. Wasn't sure if it was because I'm considerably darker than average or it was my first time at that polling station.
For what it's worth, Drudge is saying that Hillary is up in Pennsylvania, and that Trump is up in Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Iowa, and Ohio, with "showdowns" in Colorado, Florida, Michigan, and Nevada.
I don't understand this US thinggy about ID and voting. In any other developped country, you just can't vote without an ID, but I've heard in the US there are many people that just don't have any kind of ID ? I kinda like the idea in a sense, altho I don't entirely understands it.
On November 09 2016 05:15 Nyxisto wrote: How is the legal situation in the US concerning polling during elections? Here in Germany all polling is outlawed until the polling stations close.
MSNBC said they were releasing their first exit polling at 5pm est. First polls close at 7pm. Feels like they are going to ignore that this year.
They stated first polls close at 6pm est (ctv news)
Maybe it's some obscure ones that close then, all the countdown timers had 7pm et. Regardless, same problem. Though I don't know if it's actually a rule/law or just an agreement.
They will avoid "crossing the line" by sticking to reporting demographic info most likely, at least at first.
Our ID is basically our driver's licence. I believe the main issues are that there are many people who don't drive and thus don't have one (or do drive and don't have one!!!), and that it actually costs money to have it (I had to pay $20 to renew mine last time, which isn't much but for some people it can be). I'm assuming you could bring other forms of ID but im not sure~.