# Can the Democrats win the Alabama senate special election in December? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 13, 2017, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504 "2017-08-13T00:49:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 54
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1061 "2017-12-12T17:08:10Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Have there been stories about Moore being anti Semitic? His wife’s bragging on having a Jewish attorney is the first I’d heard of the subject. Last week, Moore was complaining about George Soros and [said this](http://www.businessinsider.com/roy-moore-anti-semitism-george-soros-jews-hell-2017-12): > [@](#): > > He’s still going to the same place that people who don’t recognize God and morality and accept his salvation are going. And that’s not a good place. Many people took that as veiled comment on Soros’s Jewish background. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1062 "2017-12-12T17:08:40Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Have there been stories about Moore being anti Semitic? His wife’s bragging on having a Jewish attorney is the first I’d heard of the subject. I haven’t seen any. But man, it was quite the self-own. “One of our attorneys [pause] is a Jew.” But not one of their bankers, because of that international conspiracy of Jewish bankers, you know. They wouldn’t want to be associated with _that_. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1063 "2017-12-12T17:09:09Z")
Wrong. It wasn’t veiled at all. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1064 "2017-12-12T17:33:03Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Well, I voted (for Jones and to renew the School tax levies). Only one precinct, but it was busy (but not overcrowded, just a steady stream of people). Each precinct (AFAICT) has around 2,700 voters, and by 10:00am about 850 had voted there, which given another nine hours of voting, indicates that it’ll be heavier than normal for a special election, But who is coming out–voters disgusted with Moore, or voters against any Democrat? > > Time will tell. I went to a briefing this morning on the 2018 landscape and the news there was that before the Moore news came out, African-American engagement in Alabama was very low. After the news came out, it went up a lot and was extremely high last week. It seemed to go down some this weekend (though this may be expected because apparently that’s not an uncommon polling finding on weekends for black churchgoers). ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1065 "2017-12-12T17:42:28Z")
Perhaps the Moore’s are just covering all their bases now, with preemptive defenses. “We love Mexicans. Always tip 'em five bucks whenever we stay at a hotel. It’s the right thing to do.” “And don’t listen to what the liberal media says about us and the blacks. We have a real fondness for the blacks. Such great athletes. Roll Tide!” “Samoans, people say we hate them, but we have eaten their cookies on many occasions.” ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1066 "2017-12-12T17:47:13Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Isn’t the curse that all retirees are required to go work the polls every Election Day? If only. There are so few registered voters in my district, they don’t even bother to set up polls. We are required to vote by mail. For the same reason I don’t make deposits at an ATM, but instead insist on handing my money to a real person, I don’t feel like my vote gets counted when I mail it in. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1067 "2017-12-12T18:41:26Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > If only. There are so few registered voters in my district, they don’t even bother to set up polls. We are required to vote by mail. For the same reason I don’t make deposits at an ATM, but instead insist on handing my money to a real person, I don’t feel like my vote gets counted when I mail it in. There is one way to ensure that your vote does not get counted. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1068 "2017-12-12T19:00:51Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > There is one way to ensure that your vote does not get counted. And that is? ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1069 "2017-12-12T19:04:37Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > And that is? I’m assuming not vote at all ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1070 "2017-12-12T19:06:25Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > I’m assuming not vote at all Why would I do that? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1071 "2017-12-12T19:08:42Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > And that is? Well…, not to vote. > [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Why would I do that? Sorry, I took your comment to mean that because you don’t think it counts, you don’t bother. Just saying, it’s hard to tell what goes on, and whether your voice is heard. But the way to be sure your voice isn’t heard is to stay silent. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1072 "2017-12-12T20:10:38Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > If only. There are so few registered voters in my district, they don’t even bother to set up polls. We are required to vote by mail. For the same reason I don’t make deposits at an ATM, but instead insist on handing my money to a real person, I don’t feel like my vote gets counted when I mail it in. Slightly off topic I live in a Vote By Mail state and I love it. (You get your ballot weeks in advance. You can sit down with your beverage and snack of choice, read through the voter pamphlet, newspapers, websites, and even phone a friend for help if you can’t remember what a Drainage Commissioner does or which of the six candidates you hate.) but I can understand that it isn’t for everyone. Still - my county (and some of the surrounding ones) have a website that lets you know that your ballot arrived and your vote will be counted. Do they not have that in your jurisdiction? ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1073 "2017-12-12T20:19:54Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1074 "2017-12-12T20:46:47Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > Slightly off topic > I live in a Vote By Mail state and I love it. (You get your ballot weeks in advance. You can sit down with your beverage and snack of choice, read through the voter pamphlet, newspapers, websites, and even phone a friend for help if you can’t remember what a Drainage Commissioner does or which of the six candidates you hate.) but I can understand that it isn’t for everyone. > Still - my county (and some of the surrounding ones) have a website that lets you know that your ballot arrived and your vote will be counted. Do they not have that in your jurisdiction? The most recent Presidential election did that for the first time. ---
**Author:** ![Driver8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1075 "2017-12-12T20:58:59Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > I live in a Vote By Mail state and I love it. (You get your ballot weeks in advance. You can sit down with your beverage and snack of choice, read through the voter pamphlet, newspapers, websites, and even phone a friend for help if you can’t remember what a Drainage Commissioner does or which of the six candidates you hate.) but I can understand that it isn’t for everyone. I really like this too. I’ve actually never used the “mail” part of the “vote by mail”. King County has quite a lot of drop boxes, so mailing a ballot isn’t even necessary. It’s like having a couple of weeks of Election Day. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1076 "2017-12-12T21:16:41Z")
PredictIt is not being particularly kind to Doug Jones. He’s at $0.31. [https://www.predictit.org/Market/3299/Who-will-win-the-2017-US-Senate-special-election-in-Alabama](https://www.predictit.org/Market/3299/Who-will-win-the-2017-US-Senate-special-election-in-Alabama) ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1077 "2017-12-12T21:19:35Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > PredictIt is not being particularly kind to Doug Jones. He’s at $0.31. > > [PredictIt](https://www.predictit.org/Market/3299/Who-will-win-the-2017-US-Senate-special-election-in-Alabama) So, like a 31% chance of winning? Nate Silver gave Trump a 30% chance of winning. When is the last time a Democrat had that chance of winning in Alabama? Honestly, though, if Moore wins, and Republicans get to spend the next year talking about him, I’m not gonna cry too hard. ---
**Author:** ![squidfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1078 "2017-12-12T21:20:06Z")
> [@Driver8](#): > > I really like this too. I’ve actually never used the “mail” part of the “vote by mail”. King County has quite a lot of drop boxes, so mailing a ballot isn’t even necessary. It’s like having a couple of weeks of Election Day. And the drop boxes have a poll worker or two and hand out the I Voted stickers so you get that nice community civic experience anyway. It was quite a little rotating party when I went last time - since envelopes are already sealed and no one is having to puzzle out their votes in a nearby booth, it didn’t have that same privacy hush that in-person voting does. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1079 "2017-12-12T21:24:49Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > Slightly off topic > I live in a Vote By Mail state and I love it. (You get your ballot weeks in advance. You can sit down with your beverage and snack of choice, read through the voter pamphlet, newspapers, websites, and even phone a friend for help if you can’t remember what a Drainage Commissioner does or which of the six candidates you hate.) but I can understand that it isn’t for everyone. > Still - my county (and some of the surrounding ones) have a website that lets you know that your ballot arrived and your vote will be counted. Do they not have that in your jurisdiction? I’ve been voting exclusively by mail in CA for at least 25 years. It’s the only way to fly! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1080 "2017-12-12T21:25:30Z")
> [@Driver8](#): > > I really like this too. I’ve actually never used the “mail” part of the “vote by mail”. King County has quite a lot of drop boxes, so mailing a ballot isn’t even necessary. It’s like having a couple of weeks of Election Day. Me too. Drop box in walking distance. Very nice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504.md?page=53) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504.md?page=55)