BMGf's 2006 Mid-term Election Coverage Thread

[The Big Al]

Hello. Today's election day and I expect all those of you able to get out and vote. And once you're done sit back and watch this thread as it keeps you updated on the results.

Until the results come in this is a place to discuss the elections, happenings at polling places, and other political stuff.

Some links
www.electoral-vote.com (has the last polls before the election)
radio coverage
www.airamerica.com
www.npr.org

I'll keep updating this post with results once they start coming in.

Senate Races
Arizona
California
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Hawaii
Indiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachutsetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri [pickup]
Montana [pickup]
Nebraska
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Dakota
Ohio [pickup]
Pennsylvania [pickup]
Rhode Island [pickup]
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia [pickup]
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Note: As results come in. I will place the state's name in bold and color it blue if the
Democrat is declared the winner and red if the Republican is declared the winner. Note, if Lieberman and Sanders win their races their states will go down as blue as both will caucus with the Democrats.

I'll also place a "[pickup]" next to races that switch parties (except for Connecticut for the reasons mentioned above).

House Races
Democratic Seats: 229
Republican Seats: 196

 

[Mozz]

I always go to AirAmerica for my radio needs.

 

[The Big Al]

Of course you do.

Air America is going have a huge event for the elections this evening. So while I watch either CNN or ABC on the television, I'll have them on my computer.

 

[Fig]

I hear some voting machines are already being annoyingly dumb.

 

[Girafarig_Magcargo]

I know the House will be a lot harder to organize, but will we have lists of major house races that go either way?

 

[Zeta]

I hear some voting machines are already being annoyingly dumb.

Why am I not surprised? "The October Surprise" is fixed voting machines is seeming like a not-too-unlikely guess.

 

[Mozz]

For a stupid guy, Bush sure organizes a lot of really well-thought out evil plans.

 

[Zeta]

It's not Bush, it's problably Rove and Cheney. Bush is just Vader. Cheney is the Emperor.

 

[Girafarig_Magcargo]

Why am I not surprised? "The October Surprise" is fixed voting machines is seeming like a not-too-unlikely guess.

Next we'll be hearing about how Emperor Bush used his secret Mind Control Device to force people to not want to vote Democratic. Oh, and the rain that occured over a lot of the US today was caused by Emperor Bush's Secret Global Warming Machine to deter Democrats from voting.

Like I said somewhere else, if the Democrats don't get the ridiculous results that they expect, then all they'll do is cry "VOTER FRAUD VOTER FRAUD!!!1111oneoneone." They've built themselves up too high and if they don't get the massive gains they project, the Democrats will be crushed.

 

[Trip]

I voted today! First time. As a Virginia resident, I got to vote on five things.

Senate - Allen (R), Webb (D)
House (5th District) - Goode (R), Weed (D), Oddo (I)
Amendment - Gay marriage ban (poorly written IMO)
Amendment - Removes an unconstitutional part of the state Constitution or something
Amendment - Something about tax breaks for revitalizing run down areas

As a Democrat, guess how I voted. =P (At least on the first three)

I didn't even know about the last two amendments to the state Constitution, so I didn't quite know what to put for them.

But if I may, I'd like to make predictions on the ten Senate races that are in contention:

Arizona - Jon Kyl (R)
Maryland - Forgot his name (D)
Missouri - Too close
Montana - Too close
New Jersey - Menendez (D)
Ohio - Brown (D)
Pennsylvania - Casey (D)
Rhode Island - Chafee (R)
Tennessee - Corker (R)
Virginia - Too close, but I want to say Webb (D)

I am thinking the Democrats do NOT take the Senate, but most likely take the House. If my predictions are correct above AND the Democrats win all three that are too close, they tie and Dick Cheney becomes the deciding vote, essentially leaving Republicans in control.

I have to go out for a bit in a few minutes, but when I get back I'm going to be watching election returns likely 'til 11PM EST. Don't want to screw up my sleep too badly.

- Trip

 

[Habunake]

Good job my fellow Viriginian!

 

[The Big Al]

Okay, I'm back for the duration.

Actually, I've heard some districts have abandoned voting machines for paper ballots do to problems ranging from misunderstanding the equipment to power failures.

There have also been court appearances for extensions many by mostly Democrats.

We should get news from Indiana shortly after the top of the hour when the polls close.

EDIT: Ow, exit polling shows Congress has a 60+% disapproval rating.

EDIT2: Due to delays, Indiana will not be releasing results for a while longer.

EDIT 3: More exit polling continues and they don't look good for the Republicans. People voting on the economy voted for Democrats by a margin of 20%. I looked at how the voters are stacking up in the issue. The economy, the war, and sticking it to Bush are the top issues.

Even in the war on terror the Republicans are barely leading and it's effectively split on illegal immegration. But I'll wait as the polls begin to close.

 

[___]

I voted! Yeah... despite my age. *shifts eyes, then runs away*

I sure hope Webb wins in Virginia (my home state), not Allen the rascist.

 

[Habunake]

Ah, another fellow Virginia.

I voted! Yeah... despite my age. *shifts eyes, then runs away*

Seriously?

 

[The Big Al]

If your checking into this thread you may notice that Indiana and Vermont have been bolded and colored and the numbers next to the house races aren't 0 anymore. I'm bringing you information as it happens.

 

[Fig]

Indiana - R
Vermont - I (Closet D)
Virginia - Processing

BREAKING : CNN projects the VA constitutional amendment on marriage will pass.

 

[___]

Seriously?

Yep, I voted for my mom. She didn't mind because we agreed on the same issues except for the marriage amendment. (She made me change it from No to Yes...)

BREAKING : CNN projects the VA constitutional amendment on marriage will pass.

D'oh!

Anyway, it's surprising how Virginia's already processing the votes. Did the polls close at 7?

 

[Fig]

CNN Calls :
West Virginia (Sen) - D.
Ohio (Gov) - D

NOT Called yet :
Virginia (Sen) - R Ahead, but too narrow.

 

[The Big Al]

Exit polls show that 30% of those voting for the gay marraige vote voted for Webb.

 

[Girafarig_Magcargo]

Okay, I'm back for the duration.

Actually, I've heard some districts have abandoned voting machines for paper ballots do to problems ranging from misunderstanding the equipment to power failures.

There have also been court appearances for extensions many by mostly Democrats.

We should get news from Indiana shortly after the top of the hour when the polls close.

EDIT: Ow, exit polling shows Congress has a 60+% disapproval rating.

EDIT2: Due to delays, Indiana will not be releasing results for a while longer.

EDIT 3: More exit polling continues and they don't look good for the Republicans. People voting on the economy voted for Democrats by a margin of 20%. I looked at how the voters are stacking up in the issue. The economy, the war, and sticking it to Bush are the top issues.

Even in the war on terror the Republicans are barely leading and it's effectively split on illegal immegration. But I'll wait as the polls begin to close.

Exit polls are notoriously inaccurate.

So far, it's been pretty slow. The first polls that have come out are either ones that were obviously decided or having less than 10% of the precincts.