Political Maps » 2008 http://politicalmaps.org Political News as told by Maps Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:36:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 2008 House of Representatives Election Maps http://politicalmaps.org/2008-house-of-representatives-election-maps/ http://politicalmaps.org/2008-house-of-representatives-election-maps/#comments Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:01:06 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=1103 As expected, Democratic candidates would take several House of Representative spots previously held by Republicans. Currently, 20 seats have been gained and there are 7 races that are still too close to call.

New York Times

Washington Post

]]> http://politicalmaps.org/2008-house-of-representatives-election-maps/feed/ 1 2008 US Senate Election Maps http://politicalmaps.org/2008-us-senate-election-maps/ http://politicalmaps.org/2008-us-senate-election-maps/#comments Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:54:28 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=1104 Democrats picked up at least five Senate seats, but missed their goal of acquiring a filibuster proof majority (60).

Highlights for the Senate races (work in progress):

  • 3 races remain too close to call: Alaska, Georgia, and Minnessota
  • In Minnesota, incumbent Republican Senator Norm Coleman held off challenger Al Franken, however less than 800 votes separate the two candidates and Franken is demanding a recount. (star tribune maps)
  • In Alaska, votes are still being counted, but convicted felon and incumbent Republican Senator Ted Stevens may be keeping his will lose his Senate seat to Democratic challenger Mark Begich NY Times
  • In Georgia, there will be a run-off since neither candidate exceeded 50% of the vote. Incumbent Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss is favored. Official Results
  • In North Carolina, Democratic challenger Kay Hagan defeated incumbent Republican Senator Elizabeth Dole.
  • In New Hampshire, Democratic challenger Jeanne Shaheen defeated incumbent Republican John E. Sununu.
  • As expected, Democratic candidate Mark Warner wins the open seat in Virginia by a large margin.
  • Democrat Mark Udall wins in Colorado and his cousin, also a Democrat, wins in New Mexico

New York Times






]]> http://politicalmaps.org/2008-us-senate-election-maps/feed/ 0 Maps of the 2008 US Presidential Election http://politicalmaps.org/maps-of-the-2008-us-presidential-election/ http://politicalmaps.org/maps-of-the-2008-us-presidential-election/#comments Wed, 05 Nov 2008 04:11:38 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=1095 The voters have spoken and Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States.

Electoral College:
Obama: 365
McCain: 173

Popular Vote:
Obama: 66,617,824
McCain: 58,164,524
results still coming in…

New York Times:  Electoral Map and County Results Map

Change from 2004 map. Blue shows where Obama did better than Kerry in 2004. Red shows where McCain did better than Bush.
Change from 2004 map. Blue shows where Obama did better than Kerry in 2004. Red shows where McCain did better than Bush.

USA Today: 2008 election map with age and race demographic data

USA Today's 2008 election map includes age and race demographic data

Washington Post: Presidential Election: Winners by County



University of Michigan: Election Maps and Cartograms


also check out Kottke’s running list of electoral maps

]]> http://politicalmaps.org/maps-of-the-2008-us-presidential-election/feed/ 20 2008: Indiana Election Maps http://politicalmaps.org/2008-indiana-election-maps/ http://politicalmaps.org/2008-indiana-election-maps/#comments Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:29:18 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=1087  Indiana can give clues as to how the election will unfold, in particular Vigo and Hamilton county. View the 2004 county map below and then visit the current map. (via New York Times

2004 Election Map in Indiana
]]> http://politicalmaps.org/2008-indiana-election-maps/feed/ 0 Poll Closing Times Map for November 4th 2008 http://politicalmaps.org/poll-closing-times-map-for-november-4th-2008/ http://politicalmaps.org/poll-closing-times-map-for-november-4th-2008/#comments Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:57:27 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=1018 The polls start closing at 6pm eastern time in Indiana and Kentucky and by 7pm polls will be closed in Virginia, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Vermont. Ohio and West Virginia close at 7:30 and at 8pm polls close across the country from Texas to Maine. More than half the country will have completed voting by 8pm, including the swing states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Missouri. By 9pm most of the country will have voted and polls will be closed in all the major swing states (Colorado, New Mexico, Minnesota, and Wisconsin close at 9). By 10pm only states bordering the Pacific Ocean will remain open. At 11pm polls in California, Washington, Oregon and Hawaii close, leaving only Alaskan polls still open. At 1am (eastern time) Wednesday, November 5th, the last poll closes.

]]> http://politicalmaps.org/poll-closing-times-map-for-november-4th-2008/feed/ 12 Guides to Watching the 2008 Election http://politicalmaps.org/guides-to-watching-the-2008-election/ http://politicalmaps.org/guides-to-watching-the-2008-election/#comments Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:55:53 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=1063 In addition to the presidential election, there are 435 congressional races, 35 senate races, and 11 gubernatorial contests to keep an eye on. Here is a round up of some of the best guides to watching the 2008 elections. (will be updated through out the day, so be sure to check back)  

What to watch for:

Where to watch the election results online:

Maps of the Results:

]]> http://politicalmaps.org/guides-to-watching-the-2008-election/feed/ 0 Political Geography: Guide to the Swing States from the Washington Post http://politicalmaps.org/political-geography-guide-to-the-swing-states-from-the-washington-post/ http://politicalmaps.org/political-geography-guide-to-the-swing-states-from-the-washington-post/#comments Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:26:45 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=1078 The Washington Post has another map out in their Political Geography series, this time examining the key swing states in the 2008 presidential election.

A state-by-state breakdown of how Barack Obama and John McCain are expected to perform on Tuesday.

click for interactive full-size map

]]> http://politicalmaps.org/political-geography-guide-to-the-swing-states-from-the-washington-post/feed/ 0 Map of Voting Problems on November 4th http://politicalmaps.org/map-of-voting-problems-on-november-4th/ http://politicalmaps.org/map-of-voting-problems-on-november-4th/#comments Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:42:29 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=1068 Our Vote Live.org is tracking voting problems being reported during the November 4th, 2008 election and has several maps showing where the problems are occurring, both at the state and county level. .  

The maps below are from 11:30 AM EST, but already show that there are a lot of voting issues accross the country. Click on a map to go to the most recent version on Our Vote Live.org

]]> http://politicalmaps.org/map-of-voting-problems-on-november-4th/feed/ 5 How Much Is Your Vote Worth? http://politicalmaps.org/how-much-is-your-vote-worth/ http://politicalmaps.org/how-much-is-your-vote-worth/#comments Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:13:19 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=1059 Today’s op-ed in the New York Times looks at how the electoral college used to determine the president of the United States disproportionately favors smaller states. For example, 1 electoral vote in Wyoming represents 134,783 voters, while 1 electoral vote in Pennsylvania represents 456,216 votes.

This map shows each state re-sized in proportion to the relative influence of the individual voters who live there. The numbers indicate the total delegates to the Electoral College from each state, and how many eligible voters a single delegate from each state represents.


click map to view full sized version at nytimes.com

]]> http://politicalmaps.org/how-much-is-your-vote-worth/feed/ 1 2008 Electoral Map Predictions: 11-3-2008 http://politicalmaps.org/2008-electoral-map-predictions-11-3-2008/ http://politicalmaps.org/2008-electoral-map-predictions-11-3-2008/#comments Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:27:55 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=1053 With one day before the 2008 Presidential election, Barack Obama appears headed for an electoral map changing victory over John McCain. McCain now finds himself defending traditional red states and hoping for a way to pull off an upset.


]]> http://politicalmaps.org/2008-electoral-map-predictions-11-3-2008/feed/ 2 Find Where to Vote Map http://politicalmaps.org/find-where-to-vote-map/ http://politicalmaps.org/find-where-to-vote-map/#comments Sun, 02 Nov 2008 05:58:24 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=1034 Visit maps.google.com/vote and enter your address to find information on where you vote on election day, Tuesday November 4th 2008.

Important: You must be registered in order to vote. Voting locations shown are for the November 4 election only (not for early voting), and it is only for voters registered at the home address entered. Please verify this voting location with your local election officials to ensure that it is correct.

]]> http://politicalmaps.org/find-where-to-vote-map/feed/ 0 America’s Most Political Cities 2008 http://politicalmaps.org/americas-most-political-cities-2008/ http://politicalmaps.org/americas-most-political-cities-2008/#comments Sat, 01 Nov 2008 16:15:31 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=1012 Men’s Health magazine ranks the political habits of America’s cities by registration, donations, spending, and participation in recent elections.

Top 10 Most Political Cities

  1. Raleigh NC
  2. Montgomery AL
  3. Little Rock AR
  4. Cleveland OH
  5. Kansas City MO
  6. Greensboro NC
  7. Des Moines IA
  8. Milwaukee WI
  9. Portland OR
  10. Pittsburgh PA

Least Political City:  Modesto California

Highest Percent of Income Donated:  Corpus Christi Texas

Highest Percentage of Active Registered Voters:  Anchorage Alaska

Highest Percentage of Ballots Counted:  Cheyenne Wyoming

]]> http://politicalmaps.org/americas-most-political-cities-2008/feed/ 1 2008 Voter Registration Deadlines Map http://politicalmaps.org/2008-voter-registration-deadlines-map/ http://politicalmaps.org/2008-voter-registration-deadlines-map/#comments Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:35:04 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=1005 Voter registration deadlines have past in many key states, including Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio. This map from the Pew Center On the States shows each states deadline.


2008 Voter Registration Deadlines Map

]]> http://politicalmaps.org/2008-voter-registration-deadlines-map/feed/ 1 2008 Early and Absentee Voting Map http://politicalmaps.org/2008-early-and-absentee-voting-map/ http://politicalmaps.org/2008-early-and-absentee-voting-map/#comments Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:03:40 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=1003 The Pew Center on the States has another great map on the 2008 election, this one focusing on early and absentee voting across the country. All states now have some form of early voting via no-excuse absentee voting and many more have in-person early voting.

]]> http://politicalmaps.org/2008-early-and-absentee-voting-map/feed/ 0 2008 Electoral Map Predictions: 10-28-2008 http://politicalmaps.org/2008-electoral-map-predictions-10-28-2008/ http://politicalmaps.org/2008-electoral-map-predictions-10-28-2008/#comments Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:47:53 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=990 With less than a week remaining, Barack Obama appears headed for an electoral map changing victory over John McCain. McCain now finds himself defending traditional red states and hoping for a way to change the momentum of the race in the final days.


]]> http://politicalmaps.org/2008-electoral-map-predictions-10-28-2008/feed/ 3 2008 Senate Election Predictions as of 10-27-2008 http://politicalmaps.org/2008-senate-election-predictions-as-of-10-27-2008/ http://politicalmaps.org/2008-senate-election-predictions-as-of-10-27-2008/#comments Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:56:54 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=985 Polling continues to predict Democratic gains in the senate with a filibuster-proof majority of 60 possible.

Latest Senate Polls:

  • New York Times:  53 Democrats, 41 Republicans, 2 Independents, 4 seats are a toss up
  • Pollster: 55 Democrats, 38 Republicans, 2 Independents, 5 seats are a toss up
  • FiveThirtyEight.com:  57 Democrats, 41 Republicans, 2 Independents
  • CQ Politics: 54 Democrats, 40 Republicans, 2 Independents, 4 seats are a toss up
  • Electoral-Vote.com:  57 Dems  41 Reps  2 Ind.


  • Current Senate: 49 Democrats 49 Republicans 2 Independents (aligned with democrats)
  • Senate Seats up for Election:  35
  • Senators NOT Up for Re-election: 37 Democrats 26 Republicans 2 Independents (aligned with democrats)

2008 Senate Match-ups:

  • AL: Sessions vs Figures
  • AK: Stevens vs Begich
  • CO: Schaffer vs Udall
  • DE: O’Donnell vs Biden
  • GA: Chambliss vs Martin
  • ID: Risch vs LaRocco
  • IL: Sauerberg vs Durbin
  • IA: Reed vs Harkin
  • KS: Roberts vs Slattery
  • KY: McConnell vs Lunsford
  • LA: Kennedy vs Landrieu
  • ME: Collins vs Allen
  • MA: Beatty vs Kerry
  • MI: Hoogendyk vs Levin
  • MN: Coleman vs Franken
  • MS: Cochran vs Fleming
  • MS: Wicker vs Musgrove
  • MT: Kelleher vs Baucus
  • NE: Johanns vs Kleeb
  • NH: Sununu vs Shaheen
  • NJ: Zimmer vs Lautenberg
  • NM: Pearce vs Udall
  • NC: Dole vs Hagan
  • OK: Inhofe vs Rice
  • OR: Smith vs Merkley
  • RI: Tingle vs Reed
  • SC: Graham vs Conley
  • SD: Dykstra vs Johnson
  • TN: Alexander vs Tuke
  • TX: Cornyn vs Noriega
  • VA: Gilmore vs Warner
  • WV: Wolfe vs Rockefeller
  • WY: Enzi vs Rothfuss
  • WY: Barasso vs Carter

]]> http://politicalmaps.org/2008-senate-election-predictions-as-of-10-27-2008/feed/ 0 2008 Election Equipment Map http://politicalmaps.org/2008-election-equipment-map/ http://politicalmaps.org/2008-election-equipment-map/#comments Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:35:00 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=979 VerifiedVoting.org compiled information on what types of election equipment is used across the nation. Paper ballots, punch cards, mechanical levers, and electronic ballots (both with and without a paper trail) are among the many ways that America’s voters cast their votes.


]]> http://politicalmaps.org/2008-election-equipment-map/feed/ 0 2008 Newspaper Endorsements Map http://politicalmaps.org/2008-newspaper-endorsements-map/ http://politicalmaps.org/2008-newspaper-endorsements-map/#comments Sat, 25 Oct 2008 17:34:54 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=974 Info Chimps created a map showing the Geography of Newspaper Endorsements in the 2008 US Presidential Election, including newspaper circulation, current polling predictions and 2004 endorsement history.


2008 Newspaper Endorsements Map

]]> http://politicalmaps.org/2008-newspaper-endorsements-map/feed/ 0 Spending on Television Advertising by the 2008 Presidential Campaigns http://politicalmaps.org/spending-on-television-advertising-by-the-2008-presidential-campaigns/ http://politicalmaps.org/spending-on-television-advertising-by-the-2008-presidential-campaigns/#comments Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:36:14 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=958 If you live in a swing state this year, you have likely seen a few ads from John McCain and Barack Obama. The New York Times and CNN take a closer look at where the candidates are running ads and spending money.

CNN‘s map covers the entire campaign for president going back to January 2007, more than a year before the first primary. The ad spending map shows that Barack Obama has out spent McCain in nearly every state. Minnesota and West Virginia are the only places McCain has advertised on television more than Obama.

Combined Obama and McCain have spent nearly $300 million on TV advertising, the top states are Pennsylvania $47 million, Ohio $32MM, Florida $27MM, Viginia $22MM, and Michigan $22MM

Map of Spending on Television Advertising by the 2008 Presidential Campaigns from CNN

The New York Times provides data on spending by non-campaign parties. The RNC is significantly out spending the DNC and Obama edges out McCain overall, while McCain spends more on National ads (most spending is target to swing states).


class="alignnone size-full wp-image-962" />

]]> http://politicalmaps.org/spending-on-television-advertising-by-the-2008-presidential-campaigns/feed/ 6 2008 Electoral Map Predictions: 10-14-2008 http://politicalmaps.org/2008-electoral-map-predictions-10-14-2008/ http://politicalmaps.org/2008-electoral-map-predictions-10-14-2008/#comments Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:54:39 +0000 admin http://politicalmaps.org/?p=935 As the campaign for president enters the final three weeks, Barack Obama seems to have an insurmountable lead over John McCain. The electoral map looks so favorable to Obama that Indiana, North Carolina and even North Dakota have listed as toss ups.

There are still a few factors that can change the course of the race in John McCain’s favor:

  • Final Debate: There is one remaining debate, which offers McCain a final opportunity to change the course of the race. The debate will be focused on the economy, which has not been a strong point for McCain.
  • An “October Surprise”: Anything that takes the focus off of the economy would likely benefit McCain, particularly anything that puts the focus on national security where McCain is still viewed as the stronger leader. past “October Surprises”: wikipedia
  • The “Bradley Effect”: The “Bradley Effect” is a theory used to explain the discrepancy between pre-election polls and the final vote in elections where a black candidate in the leads in polls, but ultimately loses to a white candidate. Nate Silver argues it is no longer relevant, but Sean Oxendine disagrees. more info: Wikipedia | CNN
  • Voter Turn Out: Elections are won with votes not polls. Some of Obama’s strongest support comes from younger voters and it is uncertain that they will turn out to vote any more than in prior elections. Will Obama’s supporters actually show up?

Pollster.com

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