Statistically? Yes.

Practically? Not so much.

This isn't about statistics. Yes, your vote matters. Go vote.
That article is a pathetic attempt to get people to not vote.

Yes, it does.

This article is moronic.

Lest anyone forget..

(Dec 2000) 5 weeks of history
Key events in the five-week overtime period of the 2000 presidential election:

Nov. 7: Election Day. TV networks initially give Florida to Al Gore, even before all the polls in the state close, then say it's too close to call.

Nov. 8: In the early morning hours, TV networks project George W. Bush will win Florida's 25 electoral votes, giving him the presidency. About 3 a.m. ET, Gore phones Bush to concede, but calls again an hour later to retract it because Bush's margin is close enough to trigger an automatic recount.

Nov. 9: Bush's lead in Florida is 327 votes. Gore requests hand recounts in key Democratic counties.

Nov. 11: A statewide machine recount gives Bush a 288-vote lead. He asks a federal court to block hand recounts.

Nov. 13: A federal judge in Miami rejects Bush's request . Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris says all 67 counties must report final results by a statutory deadline of 5 p.m. the next day .

Nov. 14: Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis rules that counties must meet the deadline and Harris doesn't have to consider later changes if it's a "proper exercise of discretion." Harris says all counties reported and Bush leads by 300 votes. Palm Beach County decides to hand count all ballots. Miami-Dade County decides not to after reviewing three heavily Democratic precincts. Volusia County's hand counts give Gore 98 more votes.

Nov. 15: Gore proposes a hand count of all 6 million Florida ballots, but Bush says machine counts are more accurate and have already counted the ballots twice. Harris says counties failed to show good reason to include hand counts in vote totals.

Nov. 16: Florida Supreme Court allows hand counts.

Nov. 17 : Florida Supreme Court bars Harris from certifying results. 11th U.S. Circuit Court rejects Bush's request to stop hand counts.

Nov. 18: Overseas ballots push Bush's lead to 930.

Nov. 20: Florida Supreme Court holds a hearing on whether Harris must include hand recounts . Palm Beach Circuit Judge Jorge Labarga rules he does not have the authority to order a new countywide election, as sought by people who say they were confused by the "butterfly ballot."

Nov. 21: Florida Supreme Court says hand counts can continue and be substituted for machine counts if sent by 5 p.m. Nov. 26.

Nov. 22: Bush appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court . Bush running mate Dick Cheney has a minor heart attack.

Nov. 23: A Palm Beach County judge rules that counters must consider "dimpled" chads, where the ballot is indented but not perforated.

Nov. 26: Harris certifies results that would give the state's 25 electoral votes to Bush. His margin of victory: 537 votes. Bush goes on national TV to claim victory.

Nov. 27: Gore says that if all votes are counted, "there are easily more than enough votes to change the outcome." The General Services Administration rejects Bush's request for transition money and office space, saying there is no "apparent" winner.

Nov. 28: Circuit Judge N. Sanders Sauls in Tallahassee rejects Gore's request for an immediate hand count of 14,000 disputed ballots in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. Florida's Republican-controlled Legislature begins hearings into the possibility of appointing its own slate of electors if the dispute is not settled by Dec. 12, a federal deadline.

Nov. 29: Gore says he believes he won the election but has only a 50-50 chance of winning the dispute.

Nov. 30: Gore asks the Florida Supreme Court for an immediate hand count of disputed ballots in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.

.....etc.

Um that would be a no since it will be rejected.
/overseas and bitter
//would cost me $2k+ to vote

It counts towards me not punching your face in if you don't vote.

My vote matters. Your vote matters. Yo Mama's vote matters.

Even Seth Borenstein's vote matters... and he wrote this stupid article.

DON.MAC: Um that would be a no since it will be rejected.
/overseas and bitter
//would cost me $2k+ to vote

It costs you $2K to send a letter from Australia to the U.S.? Gimme a break.

I don't live in a swing state. My vote doesn't matter.

Two Dogs Farking: DON.MAC: Um that would be a no since it will be rejected.
/overseas and bitter
//would cost me $2k+ to vote

It costs you $2K to send a letter from Australia to the U.S.? Gimme a break.

no. They say I have to show up an that is not cheap.

I'm not sure what his intent was, but Party Boy's post also proves that people's votes don't matter under our current system.

the eidolon: I don't live in a swing state. My vote doesn't matter.

Yes it does.

Everyone's vote matters. Even spoiling your ballot is better than simply not participating.

Why do statisticians hate America?

That depends largely on how you define "matter". If you define it as "determines the winner of the contest" then practically speaking, it doesn't matter. For me, I define it as voicing my opinion that I do not care for the choices I have been presented with, and I will have my opinion recorded. For someone else, they may define it as being part of a majority and having their opinion recorded that way. For others, it is to point at the TV and laugh at being one of the three people who voted for some psycho.

the eidolon: Party Boy's post also proves that people's votes don't matter

I have 500 acquaintances.

No one ever will be able to tell me "my vote doesn't count" after 2000.
If your post is about stealing an election. Please provide incontrovertible evidence to support your claims. thanks.

I'm really mad that Obama has seemingly made Georgia a swing state. I was going to be perfectly happy looking at the lines of 1000+ people and going on with my merry way because it was going red no matter what.

But no.

Now I've gotta stand in line on Tuesday cause his dumbass might carry Georgia.

I mean, I like him. But damn, I was gonna go golfing.

Watching Georgia go blue vs Golfing

I am unsure as to what I would like more.

bulldg4life: I mean, I like him. But damn, I was gonna go golfing.

Why don't you go through the line and find an offsetting vote, then ask that person to join you in a round of golf?

EatHam: That depends largely on how you define "matter". If you define it as "determines the winner of the contest" then practically speaking, it doesn't matter.

I don't even agree with this. This is like saying the brick at the top of the building is more important than the brick at the bottom, because the bottom brick doesn't make the building tall. It's illogical thinking which puts superficial importance on random placement.

bulldg4life: I'm really mad that Obama has seemingly made Georgia a swing state. I was going to be perfectly happy looking at the lines of 1000+ people and going on with my merry way because it was going red no matter what.

But no.

Now I've gotta stand in line on Tuesday cause his dumbass might carry Georgia.

I really don't understand this - I've never waited more than 10 minutes to vote, and I've always lived in dense urban areas with lots of people. What the hell makes people wait so long? Voting doesn't take long.

DamnYankees: I don't even agree with this.

For a lot of us, it's inarguable. I live in NY, the chances of Obama not winning NY are roughly the same as Satan installing an ice skating rink in hell.

I don't care if it does or not, I'm going to strut in and vote with so much brash confidence, that if you didn't know me you'd think I was THE FONZ. I may even click my heels afterwards.

EatHam: DamnYankees: I don't even agree with this.

For a lot of us, it's inarguable. I live in NY, the chances of Obama not winning NY are roughly the same as Satan installing an ice skating rink in hell.

I also live in NY, and argue it. NY is only solid blue because of a collection of single votes. Every vote matters.

DON.MAC: //would cost me $2k+ to vote

That's bullshiat, or taxis must be very expensive down under. Seems to me that if you're a registered voter, all you have to do is (unfortunately, three or four weeks ago) go to any American embassy or consulate and ask for an absentee ballot. They would take care of the rest. You should have gotten it a week ago.

Sorry 'bout that. Maybe for the next election.

For president? Not really. California is going blue. I would still take the time to vote even if this were the only race. I live 2 blocks from the polling station, and 7-8 blocks from SF City Hall. It's pretty easy.

For state elections? Absolutely. We have some big ones on the ballot this year. We have a lot of San Francisco props on the ballot too.

Party Boy: If your post is about stealing an election. Please provide incontrovertible evidence to support your claims. thanks.

My post was about Gore winning the popular vote and Bush winning the electoral vote.

brap: I don't care if it does or not, I'm going to strut in and vote with so much brash confidence, that if you didn't know me you'd think I was THE FONZ. I may even click my heels afterwards.

Whatever you do...don't hit the side of the voting machine hoping to get a cool pop song playing

DamnYankees: I really don't understand this - I've never waited more than 10 minutes to vote, and I've always lived in dense urban areas with lots of people. What the hell makes people wait so long? Voting doesn't take long.

Oh, I never waited more than 10 minutes in 2004 and 2006. However, there were lines of more than a thousand people at the early voting place every day for the past 2 weeks for pretty much the entire day.

I'm waiting for Tuesday in hopes that more precincts will spread the people out.

On topic, I'll guarantee Massachusetts is one of those states where your vote has about zero chance of being the deciding vote. We'd elect a Democrat even if he was caught farking a goat on Boston Common at high noon.

the eidolon: My post was about Gore winning the popular vote and Bush winning the electoral vote.

In the united states, election victories are on electoral votes.
I live in Florida. I voted in 2000. No one can ever tell me my vote doesnt count. A whole election was turned on just hundreds of votes.

bulldg4life: I'm waiting for Tuesday in hopes that more precincts will spread the people out.

I think that's what happens. Hopefully. Though of course in certain places in 2004, like Ohio, there was massive lines. I don't get it.

pandabear: On topic, I'll guarantee Massachusetts is one of those states where your vote has about zero chance of being the deciding vote. We'd elect a Democrat even if he was caught farking a goat on Boston Common at high noon.

"Being the deciding vote" is not the same thing a "matters", though.

Party Boy: In the united states, election victories are on electoral votes.

Yeah, that's my whole point there chief.

the eidolon: Yeah, that's my whole point there chief.

Really? It looks like you said peoples votes don't matter.

the eidolon: Party Boy's post also proves that people's votes don't matter under our current system.

Just hundreds of votes. In Florida.

DamnYankees: I also live in NY, and argue it. NY is only solid blue because of a collection of single votes. Every vote matters.

I understand what you mean, and agree, but my point is a bit different. Mine is that practically speaking, Obama will win NY regardless of how I vote. Certainly, if every person who votes thought that way, it *would* matter, but practically speaking, they don't.

DamnYankees: "Being the deciding vote" is not the same thing a "matters", though.

Of course your vote matters. Last time, my ward actually had 7 people who voted third party! Six besides me! One in my precinct. And several hundred for Bush. And a few thousand for Kerry.

I live in New Jersey. I know Obama will win here but I am so excited to vote for him anyway. This is an amazing and historical election and I want to be part of it.

Unless you can vote in the Electoral College , I don't think your vote matters.

Electoral College (new window)

Party Boy, I didn't realize you were a Supreme Court Justice. Your vote matters very much then.

Why take the chance? It takes all of 10 minutes to vote.

Iowa is going blue this year, but I'm still gonna vote.

the eidolon: I didn't realize you were a Supreme Court Justice. Your vote matters very much then.

Party Boy: If your post is about stealing an election. Please provide incontrovertible evidence to support your claims. thanks.

Please be sure to cover all sides to this hotly contested issue. Thanks.

Yes. Always.

Of course your vote matters, we live in a democratic republic!^*


*Your vote only applies to the selection of the individual who will be(if not already) purchased by the interests of the corporate world. That individual in no way represents you or any issue you may be concerned about. Indeed, this individual only cares about you during the election cycle and could care less if you live or die the rest of the time. Your vote counts. You, however, are an insignificant entity existing only to work for your corporate masters and pay your taxes.

/Yay Capitalism!
//Always been this way
///Always will be

origami_girl: I live in New Jersey. I know Obama will win here but I am so excited to vote for him anyway. This is an amazing and historical election and I want to be part of it.

Same with me.

Jersey's solid blue and will mostly go to Obama. It has 15 electoral votes on the line, but then again, it IS the most densely populated state in the country....and has the most pissed off drivers.

TheHappTroll: I don't think your vote matters.

The electoral votes depend on the popular vote in the state. Although there is no legal reason for the electors to follow the popular vote, they almost always do. There is a movement to get rid of the electoral college, but it requires an amendment to the constitution. Several states have passed laws that kick in when enough states join in to effectively negate the electoral college.

Sure it matters, now who will be counting it ?

pandabear: DON.MAC: //would cost me $2k+ to vote

That's bullshiat, or taxis must be very expensive down under. Seems to me that if you're a registered voter, all you have to do is (unfortunately, three or four weeks ago) go to any American embassy or consulate and ask for an absentee ballot. They would take care of the rest. You should have gotten it a week ago.

Sorry 'bout that. Maybe for the next election.

They said wait till the paperwork is in order....
Worked on this months ago...

DON.MAC: They said wait till the paperwork is in order....
Worked on this months ago...

There's a website called votefromabroad.org you might want to check it out. I think the guy who runs electoral-vote.com runs it.

NeverDrunk23: origami_girl: I live in New Jersey. I know Obama will win here but I am so excited to vote for him anyway. This is an amazing and historical election and I want to be part of it.

Same with me.

Jersey's solid blue and will mostly go to Obama. It has 15 electoral votes on the line, but then again, it IS the most densely populated state in the country....and has the most pissed off drivers.

I will probably walk to my polling place...to avoid the pissed off drivers!

Nope!

I'm a Democrat smack dab in the middle of the red sea that is Central PA (woo). The way I see it, I'll be doing more good here than I would be if I were still in NY if PA ends up being as close as they predict.

I'm not brave enough to put an Obama sign on my front lawn, though. :)