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Could it be that George w. Bush working with his Brother Jeb the Governor of Florida, to rig the voting machines?
Who really won the majority of Florida votes, is George W. Bush the legitimate President or should Al Gore be President.
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Yeah, it's a conspiracy.  The "voting machines" aka "people who can't read directions and poke out a chad" were all in it together.

You have to be kidding about this.

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I believe Bush won in Florida, but the system was flawed. The chad system was a total disaster. And we know that every vote is not counted because some people either voted twice or some votes were not tabulated correctly. And since the US is the only country to eschew the popular vote for the more convenient electorial vote, an always fair election is just about impossible, IMHO. Unfortunately, secret paper ballots and lock boxes with security guards are the only real solution. That just takes too much of the voters' time.
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Conservatives would never let anyone ditch the electoral college.  The electoral vote is the best way for them to continue to get into the White House over and over again.  Democrats could conceivably get the popular vote again and again from the densely populated areas of the country that are more cosmopolitan like California, New York, east coast, west coast,...and yet again lose to the electoral vote.  

Republicans have a lock on Texas, the deep south, and all the farmland hick states like Nebraska and Kansas.  The only times those states vote liberal is when a truly hated President like Bush Sr. or a complete joke like Bob Dole runs. Those state's and their electoral votes are all they need, because that's enough to get them into the White House repeatedly.  If Bush Jr. manages to somehow get California through the campaigning of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, then the election is over.  Another 4 years of Dubya.

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Democrats could conceivably get the popular vote again and again from the densely populated areas of the country that are more cosmopolitan like California, New York, east coast, west coast,...and yet again lose to the electoral vote.  
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Actually, I think you just proved why the Electoral College exists in the first place.

After all, if I lived in a small state with a small population hence small amount of voters, why would I even bother voting if I always knew the election would automatically be determined by New York and California anyway?  

What would be the motivation to vote if you knew that even if your entire small state voted for the same candidate, all those votes would all be trumped by California and New York?

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Even if you know that your state is pretty much 99.9% locked up for a certain candidate, it would still be appalling to not vote and go about telling yourself there is no point or motivation to vote because your guy is going to lose.  

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Yes I agree...however, I was basically referring to voters' attitudes in general.  I too vote in every election, both local and national.

But what I was referring to was basically this:  Currently with the Electoral College, where every state is represented, the typical voter turnout is what, around the 50% range or less, if that?  That's pathetic.

I tend to think if people have it in their minds that the election is going to be determined by a few large states whether they vote or not, then it would make even less people be interested in voting.

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Personally, I think we should switch to instant run-off voting or "ranking" the candidates rather then just pick the lesser of two evils. You have candidate A, B, and C. That way you can vote. Example:C-1, A-2, B-3. If your first choice candidate doesn't get at least 50% of the votes, they are dropped and your second choice candidate will get your vote. That way there will be no spoilers. My state is trying to adopt this. I think it is a fair way to run an election.



Cat
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hmm..thats an interesting way of election....I must give thought to that system.....hmmm

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Lets also not forget that the media incorrectly called Florida for Gore early so lots of people didn't bother voting.
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True.  Lets outlaw the media coverage until the next day.  I think that this happens more often than not.

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True.  Lets outlaw the media coverage until the next day.  I think that this happens more often than not.
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I would just like to see the media not mention any predictions or exit-poll results until after the voting booths have all closed, both locally and nationally.  

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I would just like to see the media not mention any predictions or exit-poll results until after the voting booths have all closed, both locally and nationally.  


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I agree!

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I would just like to see the media not mention any predictions or exit-poll results until after the voting booths have all closed, both locally and nationally.  


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The main reason I said the next day is that someone in Utah or another state with a small amount of votes might see Florida called and not vote because of the amount of electoral votes Florida has.

I will go with they can't report until booths are closed in Hawaii. (translation, what you said ;))

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I would just like to see the media not mention any predictions or exit-poll results until after the voting booths have all closed, both locally and nationally.  


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Surprise, 80s, I actually agree with you.  ;)


Cat