Experts are divided on just how big this week's voter turnout will be, but they seem to be in agreement that it will be highest in decades. Some say it will be the largest since 1968, others believe it will blow 1960's records out of the water, or maybe, just maybe, be the largest in a century.
Early voting levels point to a big turnout, but that could just be the same voters casting ballots earlier instead of more voters planning on visiting the polls. Weather could turn out to be a factor, but realistically we won't know until Tuesday.
According to the AP, the McCain campaign released a strategy memo this week saying, "turnout is going to go through the roof" and predicted that more than 130 million people would vote. Obama's camp said, "we think turnout is going to be higher than that" but didn't provide a specific number.
In 2004, 122.3 million people voted for president. Do you think more people will hit the polls this year?
La Redoute
Fabi
Prada
duh
1I certainly hope so - voting turnout has been pretty pathetic in the past, so I hope EVERYONE will vote!
2I've voted in three elections and have never seen either side so excited. I think that excitement will translate into votes.
3Slow news day.
4Well did they consider the ACORN people stuffing the ballot boxes?
5My county broke records for registration and early voting. Pretty cool.
6Yes Blue, the turn up of Disney characters is sure to be up this year. They must take that into account.
7I don't know anyone who can vote who isn't voting. It's the hip thing to do this time, for real.
8I hope this is true, but it seems like I hear this before every election. Ditto for the elusive "youth vote" that everyone says is so important, yet statistically they don't actually vote so much.
Too bad the US is not like Australia, who I've heard requires their citizens to vote.
9I am sure we will beat 2004, Kerry definitely did not have the magnetism or energy starting power Obama seems to have. If people don't vote its pretty dumb of them, but requiring citizens to vote seems a little un-freedom like, imo.
10thats great news!
11Yes attendance on voting day is compulsory in Australia, what you do in the booth is then your own business.
12The onus is on the govt to ensure that everyone can vote, this means the most remote regions of the the country have polling booths set up.
Without this th disenfranchised and isolated members of our community would not be heard. Especially our Indigenous population.
I'm glad we don't have compulsory voting in this country.
Most people eligible to vote can't answer basic questions about the either their state constitution or the federal constitution.
13I think voter turnout will be EXTREMELY high this year. At least I'm hoping it is, everyone I know is going to vote...
I agree with organic. People shouldn't be forced to vote if they don't want to or if they don't understand the issues. And what if someone is in the hopsital or has to unexpectedly go out of state/country on Election Day? Do they get penalized?
14I was just reading up on the mandatory Australian vote which theorizes that it wouldn't work in the us because the citizens view voting as more of a right than a responsibility.
Australia made it mandatory in 1924, but people can do write-ins if they really don't like candidates. A lot of people who don't show up have excuses from drs, or other valid reasons, or they pay the $15 fine. Only a handful were said to have done some time over it, but they were conscientious objectors, so they expected to anyway. They are also all given holiday time to vote.
I wouldn't mind seeing the citizens of the US be more compelled to participate in democracy.
15We THINK and HOPE that the new voters will in fact vote, but we will not know for a few more days.
16What's with these huge huge lines for early voting in some states?
17Ginger, a very small number of people don't ever register for the electoral roll so are never fined for non attendance.
18Our voting system is very different from yours, we have preferential voting. I think you'd find that fascinating to read up on.
I'll look for more info on ceej.
As for the non-registrants, there's always a handful of people who try to stay out of any governments system. I used to work with someone who never registered to vote, had a bank account, credit cards, and tried to stay out of the govt logs as much as possible. Although I imagine that's a lot tougher to do now, when so much is electronic.
19I can't wait till Tuesday. Long lines be damned!!
20I did early voting today in VA - 4 hours! Plan to bring water, snacks, a book and a good attitude!
21This is the first time I will be voting in a Presidential General Election!!!!!!!!!!! Sooooo exciting! Oh and it wasn't because I didn't want to vote but it was because of my age.
22
Hip!
23You go, HipFlowers! May your line be short and your vote be counted.
24I just read that Starbucks are giving away a large cup of coffee on Nov 4 for everyone who comes in and says they voted.
25More incentive!
Ben and Jerry's and Krispy Kreme have similar promotions ceej.
26Geez, we only get a fine if we don't turn up not free donuts and icecream!
27That's so cool, HipFlowers, made me smile to see a new and excited voter!
And I have wondered the same - will all the hype translate into actual votes or is it just talk? Time will tell!
28Im right next to ya Hip! congrats! I didnt vote 4 years ago..
I was still in that "my vote doesnt count so who cares" state of mind! On top of that I was debating with toooo many Bush supporters (lived in Miami) that it kinda pissed me off...felt like no matter what Bush would win florida over.
so i cant wait for tuesday im sooo freakin excited!!!
29I have a friend who voted early here in Ca. he said he just started crying as he was walking out. "I can't believe I just voted for a black man" luckily there was a compassionate security guard near by to give him a hug and comfort him, lol. I think we're going to be seeing a lot of break downs on the 11:00 news.
30"Well did they consider the ACORN people stuffing the ballot boxes?"
Uh, ACORN has to do with voter REGISTRATION not VOTING. Big difference. So unless Mickey Mouse shows up with a valid driver's license, guess what, he's not voting.
GO OBAMA!
31Oh yeah, and I voted yesterday :cheers: and waited 3 hours, so yeah, plan to be in line awhile, but please don't let long lines discourage anyone! This might be the most important election you will ever get a chance to participate in. One of the ladies standing in line behind me told me her twins turn 18 on Nov. 14, and they were really upset they couldn't vote. I thought this was fantastic, as I didn't care much for politics when I just turned 18. So yes, voting will be at an all time high this year, no doubt.
32I went to the Madonna concert last night and during one number Sen. Obama's was the last photo to flash on the screens and everyone went wild. It was quite an experience.
33I am volunteering at the poles here in Maryland and am very excited!
34I wonder if all of these Obama people will be as exicited after the election....
35Me too!
36I guess it depends on who wins (I am very paranoid). If Obama wins the excitement will definitely settle down, unless he truly has the effect of MLK on the people. Odd thing is, if McCain wins, I think the excitement will settle down too. Most Obama supporters will accept the outcome and move on with their lives. They might start praying for McCain's good health thought
...
37"I wonder if all of these Obama people will be as excited after the election...."
If he wins of course the excitement will be there..but obviously it would soon settle down...people are excited about him and excited to see what he will do once he's in there. I wish him the best of luck!
38I think more people are casting absentee votes and with early voting the turnout she be the greatest in history.
39I do think voter turnout will be awesome for this election.
That said, every election is important. We have complacent leaders in all levels of government and we need to elect more people who truly feel accountable to the voters (because there is corruption everywhere, regardless of political party).
40I'm not convinced this will be a record turnout. The left is relying on two groups that notoriousily don't turn out. If they don't, this election won't be the blowout that pundits are predicting, and may not have the same outcome.
41Yes, I think it will break records. The early voting has already broken records. The surge in campaign involvement is huge and unseen. What I don't understand is the apathy towards having all citizens vote. This is what democracy is all about - shouldn't we be excited?
42Yes and no, lol. Look at some of the morons you know or have heard. There are some people voting who don't even know who the vice presidential candidates are. Yes, it is great that people want to be involved, but not great that they don't even take the time to educate themselves on the issues or even whoes running!
43lol, I said whoes. I meant who's!
44I'm going tomorrow morning as soon as it opens at 7am. I'm hoping to beat the crowds. I better warn my boss though incase I'm there for hours. I'm so excited. My grandma called me the other day to tell me that my little cousin (who turned 18 last Feb.) who's voting for the first time called her to ask for her opinions on thing and help understanding the measures. I thought that was so cool and I was so excited that she was voting.
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