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?
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.
Well, the promised “enthusiasm gap” and lack of turnout by Democrats doesn’t seem to be occurring.
The second is from Charlottesville, VA, a college town and Obama stronghold.
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
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.
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
This is killing me.
Remember - the next presidential race starts November 7th! Make your predictions now for the upcoming presidential campaign announcements!
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?)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?’
You just have to admire the man’s chutzpah!
That’s our Bubba!
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.
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.
NBC: VA too close to call! IN and KY called for Romney. VT to Obama.
It’s now officially election night, motherfuckers!!