When will results be available, sir?
Are you calling any of the close races right now based on your data?
Are you calling any of the close races right now based on your data?
Although most experts predict heavy voter turnout in today's midterm elections, some of the most hotly contested races in Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and New Jersey could be affected by bad weather. And some experts say that, based on history, Republicans should pray for rain.
Brad Gomez, an assistant professor at the University of Georgia, examined weather data and its impact on elections in a study titled "The Effect of Bad Weather on Voter Turnout and Partisan Vote Share in U.S. Presidential Elections, 1948-2000."
Gomez concluded that when it rains, it pours at the polls for Democrats. Gomez found that "rain significantly reduces voter participation at the polls by a rate just under 1 percent per inch," and that every inch of rain cuts the Democratic vote by 2.5 percentage points.
Here's a rundown of the weather forecast for some of today's most-heated races:
In Montana, where Democratic candidate Jon Tester is locked in a tight race with incumbent Republican Sen. Conrad Burns, heavy rain is expected throughout most of the state.
In Ohio, the bellwether of recent elections, rain is expected in Cincinnati, Toledo and Cleveland, with more severe showers in the more rural southeastern part of the state.
In Pennsylvania, where Democrat Bob Casey is trying to unseat Republican incumbent Sen. Rick Santorum, showers are expected throughout the state this afternoon.
And in New Jersey, where Democratic incumbent Sen. Robert Menendez is battling with Republican state Sen. Thomas H. Kean Jr., showers are predicted throughout the state this afternoon.
dclary said:Why does rain hate democracy?
Back on Capitol Hill, Democrats need a net gain of 15 seats to take the House, and a net gain of six seats to take the Senate. But even with the wind at their backs -- especially in the House -- one senior Democratic aide warned, "Don't underestimate our ability to blow it."
Bravo said:did they already announce TN somewhere?
eldragon said:Thank God. I might renew my faith in humanity.
Or, I might not.