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Blue_In_AK

(46,436 posts)
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 11:34 PM Nov 2014

Alaska can be proud....

We had the third highest voter turnout of any state, 55%, and my district, District 21, had 60% turnout (and elected a Democrat, Matt Claman), third highest in the state. That's so much better than the 36% average nationwide. So even if the results aren't exactly what we wanted, at least we got out the vote.

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Alaska can be proud.... (Original Post) Blue_In_AK Nov 2014 OP
Well done, my dear Blue! CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2014 #1
I was grateful to see the turnout here in the Interior as well. raven mad Nov 2014 #2
I didn't pick up on much of that gay marriage fear down here. Blue_In_AK Nov 2014 #3
Being in the reddest part of a red state I saw some really outrageous stuff. raven mad Nov 2014 #4
I think elections here have been questionable since at least 2002, Blue_In_AK Nov 2014 #5
No, in fact, I haven't! raven mad Nov 2014 #6
I'm really sorry to hear that. Blue_In_AK Nov 2014 #7
Proud and beautiful~Alaska! Crewleader Nov 2014 #8

raven mad

(4,940 posts)
2. I was grateful to see the turnout here in the Interior as well.
Fri Nov 14, 2014, 12:31 AM
Nov 2014

Except that the voting machines "broke down" in Democratic stronghold districts, like mine. And the fears of "gay marriage" turned out the fundy vote in record numbers.

Blue_In_AK

(46,436 posts)
3. I didn't pick up on much of that gay marriage fear down here.
Fri Nov 14, 2014, 01:23 AM
Nov 2014

That's not to say it didn't exist, just people weren't talking about it out loud. I'm still not sure how the carpetbagger managed to beat Mark (apparently). I'm wondering if Mark will take on backstabbing Lisa next time around.

raven mad

(4,940 posts)
4. Being in the reddest part of a red state I saw some really outrageous stuff.
Fri Nov 14, 2014, 02:03 AM
Nov 2014

Including the West Fairbanks (University) districts with "voting machine breakdowns" (I was there; it was real, and I saw 2 of the elections folks put ballots in garbage cans instead of in the machine bottom.)

No one, and I mean to include my much more right-wing neighbors, voted for Sullivan or Parnell. Yet............

Blue_In_AK

(46,436 posts)
5. I think elections here have been questionable since at least 2002,
Fri Nov 14, 2014, 02:17 AM
Nov 2014

and especially since 2004. It always seemed inexplicable to me that in the same election where people voted overwhelmingly to do away with the idea of governors appointing senate replacements (after Frank gave Lisa her seat), she was nonetheless re-elected, especially since Tony Knowles had been leading in the polls before the election.

And have you ever met ANYONE who admits to voting for Don Young in the past 10 years or so?

raven mad

(4,940 posts)
6. No, in fact, I haven't!
Fri Nov 14, 2014, 02:30 AM
Nov 2014

My neighbor/landlord/friend is quite far more to the right than I am (of course, most Fairbanksans are) and if they voted for Young, Parnell or Sullivan, they're either too ashamed to admit it or are telling the truth and didn't. It was a MESS here and I can't believe the Begich campaign folks aren't all over it.

Blue_In_AK

(46,436 posts)
7. I'm really sorry to hear that.
Fri Nov 14, 2014, 02:53 AM
Nov 2014

I poll watched in Fairview and things seemed to go quite smoothly. Maybe the Begich campaign is aware of irregularities and is just waiting to see what the final tally is and if it would be worthwhile to contest anything.

I thought it was really unseemly for Sullivan to pressure Mark to concede when there were still 50,000 votes to be counted. I know the chances are slim, but it would thrill me to death if Mark ended up beating him by six or seven votes. That would be so sweet.

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