Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 6:47 pm
Xose, I hear you loud and clear. I was just wondering what we might expect in voter turnout this election. I checked Wikipedia for historical data:
" Different countries have very different average voter turnouts. For example, in the United States, approximately 70% of the eligible population registers to vote, which may be an important contributing factor in the low average election turnout, which in recent decades just barely has topped 50% of voting age population in presidential elections. However, in 2004, election turnout was up to 64% of the voting age US citizens[1]. In Australia, which has compulsory voting, and Malta, participation reaches 95%. These differences are believed to be caused by a mix of cultural and institutional factors.
So here we have 2004 numbers (assuming they are pretty close to accurate). I didn't think the percentages were this high for participation.
It will be interesting to see how we fare in this election.
AND by the way, compulsory voting in Australia and Malta? What do you know about that! (Malta - now there was an unusual language! But that's another thread entirely.)
On the Republican side, what in the world do we think Mike Hukabee is about? If one does the math, he cannot compile sufficient delegates; and he admits it! He told Tim Russert on Meet the Press this past Sunday that he is in it until John McCain reaches the magic number. I guess I am missing something there.
And Mouguias, as to your suggestion, this election process is purportedly the USA way to "topple" the guys who led us into this situation. The problem becomes more interesting when the Congress attempts to initiate change. Today the current Republican President can veto legislation. All that will change when/if the Democrats succeed in their bids for Presidency. I read today if Mr. Obama succeeds, he will bring with him new seats numbering in the high 70s... THEN we will see a difference among all "those guys."
Should John McCain succeed, it is believed he is such a liberal Republican that we might not notice that he has an "R" after his name.
What a revolting development this is. (Does anyone else remember The LIfe of Riley?)
Betty
" Different countries have very different average voter turnouts. For example, in the United States, approximately 70% of the eligible population registers to vote, which may be an important contributing factor in the low average election turnout, which in recent decades just barely has topped 50% of voting age population in presidential elections. However, in 2004, election turnout was up to 64% of the voting age US citizens[1]. In Australia, which has compulsory voting, and Malta, participation reaches 95%. These differences are believed to be caused by a mix of cultural and institutional factors.
So here we have 2004 numbers (assuming they are pretty close to accurate). I didn't think the percentages were this high for participation.
It will be interesting to see how we fare in this election.
AND by the way, compulsory voting in Australia and Malta? What do you know about that! (Malta - now there was an unusual language! But that's another thread entirely.)
On the Republican side, what in the world do we think Mike Hukabee is about? If one does the math, he cannot compile sufficient delegates; and he admits it! He told Tim Russert on Meet the Press this past Sunday that he is in it until John McCain reaches the magic number. I guess I am missing something there.
And Mouguias, as to your suggestion, this election process is purportedly the USA way to "topple" the guys who led us into this situation. The problem becomes more interesting when the Congress attempts to initiate change. Today the current Republican President can veto legislation. All that will change when/if the Democrats succeed in their bids for Presidency. I read today if Mr. Obama succeeds, he will bring with him new seats numbering in the high 70s... THEN we will see a difference among all "those guys."
Should John McCain succeed, it is believed he is such a liberal Republican that we might not notice that he has an "R" after his name.
What a revolting development this is. (Does anyone else remember The LIfe of Riley?)
Betty
