Maps!

[ClydeR]

Three cool maps.

First, a map from the NYT (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/opinion/02cowan.html) showing the relative value of a presidential vote in each state. On the resized map, Wyoming dwarfs California. It is theoretically possible under our electoral system that a candidate can become president while winning only 22% of the popular vote.


http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo166/rmi08a/elmap.jpg (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/opinion/02cowan.html)

Second, an interactive map using Google's map technology (http://maps.google.com/help/maps/elections/#historical_results) showing historical results for each year from 1980 through 2004. Click on a state for demographic information about the state, or select a single state and view historical county-by-county voting results. You can even click on a county for demographic information about that county.


http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo166/rmi08a/gmap.jpg (http://maps.google.com/help/maps/elections/#historical_results)

The national almanac map available at the same site is good too.

Third, an interactive world map showing Gallup results (http://www.foreignpolicy.com/gallup/) for 70 foreign countries. Most of them want Obama to win. In many countries, however, a majority of the poll participants had no opinion. Canadians seems to be especially well informed about our election, and Mexicans are surprisingly uninformed.


http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo166/rmi08a/imap.jpg (http://www.foreignpolicy.com/gallup/)

[Atlanteax]

Ironic that Florida is so small when it was a decisive state in the last two elections..

[Paradii]

So, the first map is just the relation of land area versus its electoral votes?
or is it population?

[ClydeR]

So, the first map is just the relation of land area versus its electoral votes?
or is it population?

Population.

[Valthissa]

In the NYT article the author makes a bold assertion:

In the Electoral College, the combined effect of these two distortions is a mockery of the principle of “one person, one vote.”

Part of the evidence offered is:

"And many residents — children, noncitizens and, in many states, prisoners and felons — do not have the right to vote."

I found the article less than persuasive.

C/Valth