As a society in the electronic age, we are constantly bombarded by sound, a large part of it commercial jingles. And every organization has a theme song to sort of audibly identify it. All, that is, except our political parties. With no theme song that the voters can hum during speeches and at the polls, politics can become some pretty dry stuff (except when they get mean). Potential voters can get turned off.
So, I propose that we put forth a few titles for consideration.
Democrats: “Let Me Count The Ways”
Republicans: “One Toke Over The Line”
I’m not doing anything for the Reforms or the Greens (although “Louie Louie” might be made to work for Nadar), but that doesn’t mean nobody can.
The vote in my district was the largest in 25 years.
And it split 50/50 for president.
I think everyone just likes to think their vote will count.
Close races make for high turnouts.
I’m not convinced that accurate records are kept of the eligible voters anyhwere. For example:
Do county clerks routinely check death certificates, obits etc and remove deceased voters? what if the death occurs elsewhere?
Does everyone really notify the old clerk "gee, I moved and won’t be needing to be registered here?
I think in my state (MI) some cross referencing goes on, but we require that you register at least 30 days in advance of an election. Not sure if that’s enough time to cross ya out of the old place, if indeed they get notified.
Saw a piece a few weeks back (in the Washington Post, I think) that says turnout rate has actually been holding steady; problem is, it’s been computed wrong.
How they traditionally figure turnout rate is: take number of voters, and divide by the number of people over 18 living here.
What they don’t account for is the % that are either (a) not US citizens, or (b) convicted felons who aren’t allowed to vote. Take those out of the denominator, and the numbers look a lot steadier.
