# Explain the significance of France's election

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-significance-of-frances-election/402776>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [May 4, 2007, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-significance-of-frances-election/402776 "2007-05-04T18:00:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2007, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-significance-of-frances-election/402776/21 "2007-05-07T22:46:53Z")

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[QUOTE=John Mace]  
I doubt that this is significant. Oregon has vote-by-mail only, and it still comes in lower than some states that use the traditional method. In 2004 the highest turnout was in MN, at 77%, compared to 71% in OR. You can also look at a state like Ca where anyone can vote by mail if he or she likes (I have been doing so for over a decade): 2004 voter turnout was about 60%, right at the national average (actually about .5% lower).  
[/QUOTE]  
But Minnesota allows you to register at the polls on election day, whereas it’s a bit more problematic for some people in other states.

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**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2007, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-significance-of-frances-election/402776/22 "2007-05-07T22:50:26Z")

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When the MSM is discussing French issues it’s very common to show footage of France’s president. With the election of Royal we could’ve had a little bit more sexiness injected into our news coverage instead of some old man. An opportunity missed, I suppose…

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**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:** [May 7, 2007, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-significance-of-frances-election/402776/23 "2007-05-07T22:59:16Z")

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[QUOTE=DMC]  
But Minnesota allows you to register at the polls on election day, whereas it’s a bit more problematic for some people in other states.  
[/QUOTE]

Well, North Dakota doesn’t even require voter registration at all (just show a valid ID), and they had 65% turnout in 2004. Better than the national average, but not by much.

I’m not saying you can’t do things to increase voter turnout, just that I doubt “long lines” on election day is the main problem.

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