Schmeltz
10-14-2004, 10:51 PM
In 2000, one of the most (if not the most) closely contested election years in American history, only some 51.2% of the eligible electorate turned out to vote. I was really shocked to hear that, given how close the count was. And it seems to me that this year's election is even more polarized and partisan than the last, with emotions riding even higher - whether it's love for one candidate or hate for both of them. It also seems to me that more and more people than ever before have been urged to register, with drives taking place across the country. Maybe this happened four years ago as well, but I don't remember hearing nearly as much about it.
I would like to ask my American friends how they feel voter turnout will look this year. Will we see a higher percentage of eligible voters making their way to the polls as an expression of determination to restore or depose the incumbent? Will we see a dip as a result of disaffection with the system or indecision as to who deserves a vote? What do you think is going to happen?
I personally think that we'll see a whole lot more people turning out to express themselves. Living right next door to the USA, it really seems astonishing to me how divided Americans are over their choices for this election. George Bush comes across as the most loathed President in the history of the country - except among his supporters, who seem more devoted to him than ever before. Love him or hate him, his administration has certainly provoked a torrent of divisive rhetoric from the public; he has siezed the political imagination of Americans like no other candidate I can think of. Hence, I would think that more people would be getting out to make their mark.
But I'm just a lowly Canadian, after all. What do you Yanks think is going to happen?
P.S. - Whoever your candidate is, go out and vote for somebody.
I would like to ask my American friends how they feel voter turnout will look this year. Will we see a higher percentage of eligible voters making their way to the polls as an expression of determination to restore or depose the incumbent? Will we see a dip as a result of disaffection with the system or indecision as to who deserves a vote? What do you think is going to happen?
I personally think that we'll see a whole lot more people turning out to express themselves. Living right next door to the USA, it really seems astonishing to me how divided Americans are over their choices for this election. George Bush comes across as the most loathed President in the history of the country - except among his supporters, who seem more devoted to him than ever before. Love him or hate him, his administration has certainly provoked a torrent of divisive rhetoric from the public; he has siezed the political imagination of Americans like no other candidate I can think of. Hence, I would think that more people would be getting out to make their mark.
But I'm just a lowly Canadian, after all. What do you Yanks think is going to happen?
P.S. - Whoever your candidate is, go out and vote for somebody.