Friday, 28 September 2007

Tuesday Morning

Quoth Megan McArdle:

John Quiggin asks why Americans vote on a Tuesday.

Louisianans apparently vote on Saturdays, at least in state elections. Indeed, the only elections in Louisiana that are held on a weekday are federal general elections, which are on Tuesdays pursuant to federal law. (Yes, this means working at the polls this fall means I will miss seeing two football games, alas.)

So, all Americans don’t vote on Tuesdays—indeed, the modal American doesn’t vote at all in most elections. Or maybe Louisianans aren’t real Americans.

9 comments:

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I thought voting on Saturdays was weird coming from Mississippi. In some ways I see how it may be better, no work, but more than likely if you had no reason to leave the house on a Saturday would it do to vote for a local election? They do have motor voter which was nice; tag, license, and voter registration all in the same building. Alas, good riddance, we’re in Texas now.

 

“Or maybe Louisianans aren’t real Americans.”

…..so…..many….possibilities…..

 
[Permalink] 3. Alfie Sumrall wrote @ Fri, 28 Sep 2007, 6:38 pm CDT:

Then you also have so many states that have early voting… Kind of defeats the purpose of even having an election day.

Any studies been done comparing LA voter turnout to the nation as a whole?

 

Off-hand I can’t think of any, but that’s not to say it hasn’t been done.

Early and postal voting seems to get more of the attention; in fact, I just got a working paper in my email from a colleague who’s doing some research on that.

Early voting here is more of a pain than it is in Tennessee… I’ll have to trek downtown one day to do it, since there’s no guarantee I can get away on election day.

 
[Permalink] 5. Alfie Sumrall wrote @ Fri, 28 Sep 2007, 10:27 pm CDT:

Yeah, there are a ton of “voting stores” that do early voting here. I’m waiting till Election Day for the mayor’s election just to make sure Chumney is as close to Herenton as I think she is. I think she’s an idiot and really want to vote for Morris, but I’d hate to be the voter that keeps Herenton in office…knowing that there are a few thousand idiots who will vote for Willingham.

 

Yeah, I can’t say I was ever that big of a Chumney fan either. But Herenton’s needed to go since 1999 or so, and there’s nobody else in the field that’s even borderline competent.

 
[Permalink] 7. Alfie Sumrall wrote @ Sat, 29 Sep 2007, 8:02 am CDT:

I think Morris would do a decent job, at the minimum be a good transition mayor until Wharton runs in 4 years. Chumney alienated most of the city council while she was on it and, while most of the faces on the council will be new, I’m sure she’d do the same. At least Herenton did a lot for businesses and the downtown area. Chumney couldn’t be counted on to do that. I’ve heard Herenton is gold when meeting with out of town business execs about relocating here or putting their distribution center here. I’ve seen how well he schmoozes with my own eyes at the bar in the lobby of the Westin. I don’t think Chumney taking them to the Tasty Buffet at Poplar Plaza would have the same effect.

 

Early voting in SC is mail only, but in NC, they have mail AND a central location for “actual” early voting (i.e. not your regular voting precinct) where you can go vote early….usually a week or so…I’d have to check NC law.

 
[Permalink] 9. Alfie Sumrall wrote @ Sun, 30 Sep 2007, 8:28 am CDT:

FYI, Chris, this morning’s CA has the poll that many were waiting for in lieu of doing early voting:

Herenton: 24%
Chumney: 19%
Morris: 19%

If my hunch is correct and that a large percentage of voters were waiting until this poll, instead of doing early voting, to see if Morris was within striking distance, then I think Morris is the next mayor. He now officially has 2 votes in this house. I’m thinking there are a lot of other households, especially in this part of the city that will now vote for Morris, seeing he has a chance. Plus, you know, he’s my MySpace friend and all…

 
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