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Electoral votes

youngsteryoungster Boston Posts: 6,576
edited November 2008 in A Moving Train
Someone told me this at work today and I couldn't believe it. Actually, I don't really believe it but wanted to throw it out there in the hopes someone who is knowledgeable in govt/politics can answer this. He said that votes don't determine the outcome of a presidential election. Only electoral votes. Those that go to the polls early determine what party the state has a majority of votes. For instance, if MA is primarily a Blue state and most voters vote Democratic, the democratic candidate gets that number of electoral votes. Everyone else who votes after the state has been declared, doesn't matter. Like in 2000 when Gore won the popular vote but Bush won the presidency cause of the electoral votes. Doesn't seem fair if this is the way it works. Anyone know more on this topic. i'd love to know before the election tomorrow. Still gonna vote no matter what, but might determine what time of day I do it.
He who forgets will be destined to remember.

9/29/04 Boston, 6/28/08 Mansfield, 8/23/09 Chicago, 5/15/10 Hartford
5/17/10 Boston, 10/15/13 Worcester, 10/16/13 Worcester, 10/25/13 Hartford
8/5/16 Fenway, 8/7/16 Fenway
EV Solo: 6/16/11 Boston, 6/18/11 Hartford,
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • digsterdigster Posts: 1,293
    Here's the deal, as far as I understand it.

    People vote throughout the day tomorrow, along with all the early voting. Now (in theory), all these votes are counted up soon afterwards and the winner of the popular vote in that state takes all the electoral votes of that state. You are right in saying that the popular vote is relatively meaningless, since it is electoral votes that decide the election, not the most votes period. That led to the situation we had in 2000 in Florida. But states don't declare the winner until the popular vote is tallied, so as long as you vote before the polls close tomorrow you're contributing to a possible Democratic, Republican or other win in your state.
  • jimed14jimed14 Posts: 9,488
    Not exactly sure of what you're asking but ... the state is not offically "declared" for one candidate or the other until ALL the votes are counted.

    and, no network can project a winner of a state until AFTER the polls have closed!

    Your vote counts the same if you vote at 9 am or 5 pm.

    Essentially ... Go Vote!!! And the rest will take care of itself.

    read up on the electoral college ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_College_(United_States)
    "You're one of the few Red Sox fans I don't mind." - Newch91

    "I don't believe in damn curses. Wake up the damn Bambino and have me face him. Maybe I'll drill him in the ass." --- Pedro Martinez
  • youngsteryoungster Boston Posts: 6,576
    digster wrote:
    Here's the deal, as far as I understand it.

    People vote throughout the day tomorrow, along with all the early voting. Now (in theory), all these votes are counted up soon afterwards and the winner of the popular vote in that state takes all the electoral votes of that state. You are right in saying that the popular vote is relatively meaningless, since it is electoral votes that decide the election, not the most votes period. That led to the situation we had in 2000 in Florida. But states don't declare the winner until the popular vote is tallied, so as long as you vote before the polls close tomorrow you're contributing to a possible Democratic, Republican or other win in your state.

    Thanks for clearing that up. It sounds like the guy I know was saying they tally the electoral votes BEFORE all the votes count. I didn't think it was the other way around.
    He who forgets will be destined to remember.

    9/29/04 Boston, 6/28/08 Mansfield, 8/23/09 Chicago, 5/15/10 Hartford
    5/17/10 Boston, 10/15/13 Worcester, 10/16/13 Worcester, 10/25/13 Hartford
    8/5/16 Fenway, 8/7/16 Fenway
    EV Solo: 6/16/11 Boston, 6/18/11 Hartford,
  • AusticmanAusticman Posts: 1,327
    I saw somewhere last night that the winner of the electoral in each state takes all the electoral votes in that state. They said two states that didn't do that way but didn't elaborate.
    I can't go the library anymore, everyone STINKS!!
  • jimed14jimed14 Posts: 9,488
    Austicman wrote:
    I saw somewhere last night that the winner of the electoral in each state takes all the electoral votes in that state. They said two states that didn't do that way but didn't elaborate.

    Maine and Nebraska actually split their electoral votes by congressional district.

    Maine has 2 districts, if a candidate wins a district they get one electoral vote, and then 2 electoral votes go to the candidate who wins the popular vote for the entire state (1+1+2=4 Maine electoral votes)

    Nebraska has 5 electoral votes and three congressional districts, I think they do the exact same thing. (1+1+1+2=5)
    "You're one of the few Red Sox fans I don't mind." - Newch91

    "I don't believe in damn curses. Wake up the damn Bambino and have me face him. Maybe I'll drill him in the ass." --- Pedro Martinez
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