# The official election day 2012 thread: 11/6/12 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 6, 2012, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045 "2012-11-06T04:11:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/121 "2012-11-06T21:22:20Z")
> [@Spiff](#): > > 1.It’s in Ohio > 2. It’s an electronic voting machine, most likely without a paper trail > 3. A computer hack could change the screen display, which would lead to switched votes (see explanation below) > > Re: #3: > > Suppose the ordering of candidates is _supposed_ to be invariable, and when the machines are sent out to polling places, the internal software counts someone tapping the top rectangle as a vote for Romney, a tap of the second rectangle from the top as a vote for Obama, etc. > > Then, what if someone hacked the screen _display_ to be different from what it was supposed to be, i.e., reordered the rectangles, either every time or every once and a while. > > Then someone tapping the rectangle displaying “Obama/Biden” may not be actually voting for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Those particular machines do, in fact, leave a paper trail. You can even see it in real time as you press each individual button. If you change it, you can see it change. Then it prints out a final when you hit the final vote button at the end. The receipt is under plexiglass and looks just like a grocery receipt. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/122 "2012-11-06T21:44:26Z")
> [@Drain\_Bead](#): > > Those particular machines do, in fact, leave a paper trail. You can even see it in real time as you press each individual button. If you change it, you can see it change. Then it prints out a final when you hit the final vote button at the end. The receipt is under plexiglass and looks just like a grocery receipt. Glad for the update. Thanks. I’ve heard that not all electronic machines in Ohio have the paper trail that you’ve described. Is that true, to your knowledge? ---
**Author:** ![CyclopticXander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@CyclopticXander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CyclopticXander)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/123 "2012-11-06T21:57:42Z")
> [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > If that’s really the case, then I may have finally lost faith in my fellow man ☹ > **[Alvin Greene | Questions about candidacy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Greene#Questions_about_candidacy)** > > After Greene was declared the winner and Rawl congratulated him on his win, Democratic officials began to voice opposition and to raise questions about Greene and his campaign. He did not attend the state Democratic party convention, did not file legally required forms with the Secretary of the Senate or Federal Election Commission, and attempted to pay his $10,440 filing fee with a personal check, rather than a check from a campaign account. > Though his primary victory baffled many, some explana... Just two years ago this guy won a major party nomination I believe almost entirely because his name was listed first. Of course in that race most voters were low information relative to a more high profile race like President, but we are still talking about US Senator here, not county dogcatcher. Would there be some way to just randomize the order for each individual ballot? That sounds like the perfect solution to me. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/124 "2012-11-06T22:24:55Z")
Well, the promised “enthusiasm gap” and lack of turnout by Democrats doesn’t seem to be occurring. > [@](#): > > CLEVELAND – Election officials estimate that at least half of the registered voters in crucial Cuyahoga County had cast ballots by 2:30 p.m., and Democratic Party officials were hoping to push that number significantly higher to get President Obama the edge he needs in Ohio… > > In 2008, Obama won Ohio base in part on his large margins in Cuyahoga, where 61 percent of registered voters cast ballots. With only a few hours before the polls close at 7:30 p.m., Democratic officials are hoping to hit at least that turnout percentage again. > “When this gets north of 60 [percent], I’ll breath a little easier,” said county Democratic Chairman Stuart Garson. “I’d like to see it cross 70” percent. > [@](#): > > Graham Moomaw ‏@dp\_citybeat > #Charlottesville turnout was 51.29 percent at this point in 2008. We’re at 48.46 percent now, but raw number is higher The second is from Charlottesville, VA, a college town and Obama stronghold. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/125 "2012-11-06T22:50:02Z")
Since the precedent for posting useless numbers has been set, here’s Drudge’s leaked early exit poll reading: EXIT POLLS: RACE TIGHT R: NC, FL O: OH, NH, PA, MI, NV TOSS UP: VA, CO, IA ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/126 "2012-11-06T22:51:29Z")
ETA: Beaten to the punch by Jas09. I should caution though, that Drudge’s reporting of this sort has been off-base in previous elections. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/127 "2012-11-06T23:06:53Z")
I’m so glad its finally here. It would be tough to take another week or month of this. I’m so sick of all the god damn politics ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/128 "2012-11-06T23:12:06Z")
This is killing me. Remember - the next presidential race starts November 7th! Make your predictions now for the upcoming presidential campaign announcements! ---
**Author:** ![jshore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@jshore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jshore)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/129 "2012-11-06T23:12:10Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Which is why states rotate by precinct, to at least diffuse the effect somewhat. I’d be very wary of a state that put one candidate or another at the top statewide, but Ohio at least doesn’t seem to be doing that. In NY State, I think the ordering is based on how the party did in the previous election. I am not sure about the details though, such as: (1) At what level it’s decided…although I think it is at the county level. (2) How they determine how each party did in the previous election. (Top of the ticket?) (3) What happens to new parties. (Go on the bottom?) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/130 "2012-11-06T23:16:29Z")
I voted about an hour ago, and was worried that the lines might be too long for me to get in. I needn’t have worried: There were no lines at all. That’s probably mostly attributable to good preparation, though, since the polling place seemed pretty busy. My ballot had Obama near the bottom of the presidential listing; I didn’t check exactly where. I was a bit surprised by how many candidates there were, though: I guess it’s relatively easy to get on the ballot here. The whole ballot was bilingual English and Spanish. I’ve no objection to that, but I’m sure it gave conniptions to many right-wingers. And there was a guy outside with a pamphlet listing the party affiliations of all of the purportedly-nonpartisan judges. So I voted on those, too, rather than leaving them blank like I usually do. ---
**Author:** ![jshore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@jshore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jshore)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/131 "2012-11-06T23:16:58Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Since the precedent for posting useless numbers has been set, here’s Drudge’s leaked early exit poll reading: > > EXIT POLLS: RACE TIGHT > R: NC, FL > O: OH, NH, PA, MI, NV > TOSS UP: VA, CO, IA I just went to Drudge and they had OH in the toss up category (at least now). I like your report better…but that’s what I’m seeing. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/132 "2012-11-06T23:21:29Z")
He updated it later. I would not put any stock in this. The early numbers are raw numbers which tell very little. To make sense, you need a lot of analysis, and Drudge is certainly not doing it himself. Question is whether he has been leaked some of it. In addition, Drudge has been cheerleading for Romney thoughout the campaign, so to the extent that there is uncertainty, he would tilt it that way. ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Jocko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uncle_jocko/32/2932_2.png) [@Uncle\_Jocko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Jocko)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/133 "2012-11-06T23:24:36Z")
> [@jshore](#): > > I just went to Drudge and they had OH in the toss up category (at least now). I like your report better…but that’s what I’m seeing. Breathe easier. It’s Drudge, for goodness sake. Like **F-P** says above me, don’t put any stock into numbers _he’s_ throwing out there. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/134 "2012-11-06T23:27:12Z")
As I recall, according to the exit polls, President John Kerry won easily in 2004. I wouldn’t put a lot of stock into exit polls. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/135 "2012-11-06T23:40:55Z")
Funniest quote of the day so far: Clinton asks Philadelphia crowd: ‘Who wants a president who will knowingly, repeatedly tell you something he knows isn’t true?’ [http://dailycaller.com/2012/11/06/clinton-asks-philadelphia-crowd-who-wants-a-president-who-will-knowingly-repeatedly-tell-you-something-he-knows-isnt-true-video/](http://dailycaller.com/2012/11/06/clinton-asks-philadelphia-crowd-who-wants-a-president-who-will-knowingly-repeatedly-tell-you-something-he-knows-isnt-true-video/) You just have to admire the man’s _chutzpah_! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/136 "2012-11-06T23:45:17Z")
That’s our Bubba! ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/137 "2012-11-06T23:52:59Z")
Anyone able to recommend a US radio stream to listen to results? My internet is currently fucked and I can’t sustain video. NPR? If so, which station? Thanks. I’m in Scotland, if that matters. ---
**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:** [November 7, 2012, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/138 "2012-11-07T00:00:36Z")
VA polls close in 1 minute. Now that doesn’t mean voting stops at 7, but anyone who wants to vote better be in line by then. Wonder how long til it gets called for someone. That’ll be a biggie. ---
**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:** [November 7, 2012, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/139 "2012-11-07T00:01:48Z")
NBC: VA too close to call! IN and KY called for Romney. VT to Obama. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045/140 "2012-11-07T00:04:38Z")
It’s now officially election night, motherfuckers!! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-election-day-2012-thread-11-6-12/640045.md?page=8)