Analysis-Polling Resources

The South secedes from the GOP

The Institute for Southern Studies by Editor

 

An analysis released this week by the Gallup Poll finds that only Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and Alaska can now be classified as "solid Republican" states, with Alabama categorized as "leans Republican." South Carolina, Mississippi and Texas -- states traditionally thought of as firmly in the GOP camp -- are now classed as "competitive." (Click on map above for a larger version.)read more >>

NVEN Announces Release of America Goes to the Polls 2008

Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network
NVEN is pleased to announce the newest release of America Goes to the Polls, a report on the 2008 Election based on the final and certified election results from all 50 states and the benchmark exit poll of the national media pool.
The report profiles the,
  • Third consecutive rise in voter turnout in the presidential election.
  • The turnout impact of battleground states and Election Day registration.
read more >>

Statistics, Graphs at Heart of Election Analysis

Washington Times by Carrie Sheffield
The best part of NBC White House correspondent Chuck Todd's new book is its first few pages. He and his co-author, Sheldon Gawiser, NBC's elections director, describe hard-fought primary battles, campaign intrigue and fascinating behind-the-scenes tidbits of the 2008 presidential race.
read more >>

The 2008 Early Vote

Democracy Corps.

With nearly a third of ballots cast prior to November 4, Democracy Corps analyzes who voted early and why during the 2008 presidential election. The report cites numerous factors that affected early voting including state laws, age, voter engagement and enthusiasm, more focus from the campaigns on early voting and the potential convenience of voting early as opposed to voting on Election Day. Some specific findings about the 2008 election include:read more >>

  • Early voting was concentrated in the West and the South;

The Return of the Voter: Voter Turnout in the 2008 Presidential Election

The Berkeley Electronic Press by Michael P. McDonald

The presidential turnout rate for those eligible to vote was 61.6% in 2008, which marks the third consecutive increase in presidential turnout rates since the modern low point of 51.7% in 1996. Turnout is no longer declining – if it ever was – and has reverted to the 'high' levels experienced during the 1950s and 1960s. This challenges many theories posited to explain turnout declines. I explore election trends among the states in hopes to provide clues as to why civic engagement has been restored.

Recommended Citationread more >>

Voters Had Positive Experience in 2008 Election, and Intend to Remain Active in Communities, Post-Election Survey Finds

Public Agenda

Concerns about balloting problems persist, but aren't driven by personal experience
Despite problems at the polls in 2000 and 2004, and fears that they would reoccur in the last election, the vast majority of Americans said they had a positive voting experience in 2008. Even more strikingly, citizens expressed strong enthusiasm about being engaged in their communities, according to a Public Agenda survey of voters conducted immediately following the presidential election.read more >>

African-Americans, Anger, Fear and Youth Propel Turnout to Highest Level Since 1964

AU News by Curtis Gans

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 17, 2008)—A major surge in African-American voting, polling data showing 90 percent of citizens seeing the nation on the wrong track, fear of a deep recession with personal implications, and the organizing efforts of college-educated youth, all conspired to produce both a 2008 Obama victory and the highest general election voter turnout since 1960.

For complete report, click here.

John Nichols: Dysfunctional Election Process Needs to be Repaired

Capital Times by John Nichols

Appearing on the HBO talk show "Real Time With Bill Maher" a few weeks before last week's election, actor Tim Robbins urged voters to stand their ground when it came to demanding their right to cast ballots: "Refuse provisional ballots. They're throwing those out. They can throw those out. If that's your last resort, take it, but fight in the polling place to vote. It's your right as an American. You have every right to vote if you're registered. And if you're not on the rolls and something went wrong, document it.read more >>

Los Angeles Asian American and Pacific Islander Vote

Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California

LOS ANGELES, November 6, 2008 – Asian American voters in Los Angeles County supported Barack Obama on Election Day, according to exit poll data released today by the Asian Pacific American Legal Center.

For link to complete report, click here.read more >>

A First Look at Money in the House and Senate Elections

Campaign Finance Institute

House Winners Raised $1.1 million (median) through October 15; Senate Winners Raised $5.6 million

House and Senate Democratic Party Committees Had Huge Advantages: House Party Spent $1 million or more in 38 Races Won 25 (Three still undecided)

Money and Competition Went Hand in Hand
The Campaign Finance Institute today released its first post-election tables on money in the 2008 House and Senate elections. The released material, which omits data on 4 Senate and 5 House races not yet “called”, includes: read more >>

Election Day in America is Record-Breaking and Mostly Smooth

Electiononline.org

Election Day in America is record-breaking and mostly smooth
Scattered problems reported throughout the country don’t tarnish presidential outcome

Prior to Tuesday, electionline.org posed the question: What happens if you have an election and everyone comes? Well, everyone didn’t show up on Election Day and in the early voting period, but more Americans cast a ballot in this election cycle than ever before and while there were issues with machines and ballots and lines, the process went relatively smoothly for most voters.read more >>

Latinos Flex Political Muscle

America's Voice by Paco Fabián

Mobilized by Immigration Issue, Latinos Break Turnout Records, Tip Elections and Trend Democratic in 2008

Washington, DC – The power of the Latino vote is one of the key storylines to emerge from the 2008 elections. Latino and immigrant voters played a decisive role yesterday by delivering four key battleground states to Senator Barack Obama, lifting many members of the House and Senate to victory, and defeating anti-immigrant legislators.read more >>

Chicago Asian Americans Vote Overwhelmingly for President-Elect Barack Obama

The Asian American Institute by Tuyet Le

Chicago, IL - On November 4, 2008, the Asian American Institute (AAI) partnered with the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC) and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) to conduct exit polling at 7 voting sites in Chinatown and Bridgeport, as well as in 14 other neighborhoods in metropolitan Chicago. read more >>

Members are encouraged to sign in to view member-only content. 

credits | terms of use | give us feedback | © 2008 Funders' Committee for Civic Participation | 221 NW Second Avenue, Suite 207 Portland, OR 97209 | P: 503-505-5703