Official U.S. Election Thread

[Dincrest]

I'm voting for Barack so I can say I voted for the first black president.
Really didn't expect to see it in my lifetime.

Second black president.  Bill Clinton was the first black president... or at least he said he was:P

As for who I'm voting for in both the presidential and state elections?  No comment. 

[Daggerstrike]

If you live in a state where the electoral college doesn't need to follow the popular vote your vote for president doesn't matter. Sorry, but it doesn't.

[John]

Barr/Root!  Whoo!

[D-Rider]

Barr/Root!  Whoo!

Hey, that's who I'm voting for!  I think, anyway.  I'm not 100% sure he's on the ballot here.

I wish it were so clear cut on my state's Senate race.  The political machine is spending way more money on this race than I ever remember, but all it's led me to think is that both candidates are giant fucking douchebags. :P

[Ryos]

I want to vote, but im not good waiting in line in large crowds.  I get anxiety attacks and stuff, and this is my first year voting so im not sure if its like that or not, ill just have to see.

I wouldn't sweat it, those lines of people are full of rednecks and idiots who make me glad the election process isn't truly democratic.  Or maybe that's just Georgia.

It's too bad I couldn't vote in my old state since my vote sort of counts there, whereas here it's just another vote since the conclusion is already decided here, but at least once the crap hits the fan and the ideal crumbles before reality, I can say that I supported the guy  I think should have won (if McCain had defeated Bush, I don't think we'd have gotten into nearly the crazy, half-baked schemes Bush came up with the last eight years).  I guess my fear is that ultimately this election is just going to set up some horrible Republican nominee for president in 2012 who will win with ease (the mere thought of a Palin presidency is absolutely terrifying).

I think some people take voting too seriously though, my entire family voted for the other candidate and is mad at me now.  Lol.

[Akanbe-]

I want to vote, but im not good waiting in line in large crowds.  I get anxiety attacks and stuff, and this is my first year voting so im not sure if its like that or not, ill just have to see.

I guess my fear is that ultimately this election is just going to set up ... president in 2012 ... (the mere thought of a Palin presidency is absolutely terrifying).

They're already talking about her running.  Whether it'll happen or not in 2012, who knows.

[Dice]

I like how, as a Canadian, our election is the equivalent to the "Thanks for Coming Out" Award when compared to the States. x)
Rightfully so, though. 

[Losfer]

I like how, as a Canadian, our election is the equivalent to the "Thanks for Coming Out" Award when compared to the States. x)
Rightfully so, though. 

I remember getting to work one afternoon and checking cbc.ca.  ...I didn't even know the election had come and gone.  There was just a sad picture of Stephane Dion and a chart showing how the Tories crushed him two to one.

I then went to digg.com and read /fifteen articles/ on Sarah Palin.

[MeshGearFox]

every vote helps in eliminating our two party syster

No it doesn't. More than two major parties existing viably in our government isn't likely just given how the government is set up, UNLESS you somehow end up with a very left, very right, and strictly moderate party.

Simplified explanation why: The US electoral system is a zero-sum game. One person wins it all, one person wins nothing. In in a parliamentary system, on the other hand, any party that gets a minimum vote percentage wins seats.

Additionally, in the United States, the country is roughly half liberal, half conservative, with most people leaning moderate. Political parties all tend to be left leaning or right leaning. So, consider this scenario. You have three parties -- one right, and two left. If you divide the votes up roughly by how people align themselves, the right-leaning party will get fifty percent of the votes, and the left leaning parties will get fifty percent of the votes. And the right leaning party will win every time, as the left-leaning side will always be divided between the two parties, so you'll get a 50-30-20 breakdown by default, every time. And then the two left leaning parties merge and you have a two party system again.

Now, saying this, it LOOKS like Obama's going to win, so if he does, I'll say his methods are effective (and even if he loses, they've still been really effective. Just not as effective). If you consider the methods he used, they're the sort of methods that an independant candidate could probably use to get elected -- be competitive in every state, have a strong fundraising organization to STAY competitive, keep up a large ground-game, and most importantly *form an emotional connection with the people you're trying to organize to vote for you.*

Ron Paul couldn't really do the last one because of his pedosmile.

[dalucifer0]

Yeah, if it wasn't for a third party taking away a huge chunk of Republican votes, Clinton never would have been president.

[Roger S. Huxley]

Didn't feel like making a topic, but Palin made a fool out of herself after being prank called by French Canada radio hosts : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADKXGWaTmTw

I uploaded that personally XD

[Dincrest]

Eh, I don't think Ralph Nader will be stealing any votes this cycle, despite being on the ticket again.  We got the hint.  I don't think he does, though.  :P

[Marshmallow]

Definitely voting on Tuesday between classes. I'm really glad I changed my polling place this year so I don't have to drive back home like I did last time I voted (This will be my first Presidential election though--I missed the last one by a few months).

[Alisha]

im not sure i like all the attention my state is getting >_> (ohio)

[dalucifer0]

Yeah, I live in Ohio too. Well, whoever gets Ohio and/or Florida always wins the election.