New York: #1 in Voter Apathy, With Lowest Turnout in U.S.!

We did it New York, and by "it" we mean "nothing"! Out of all the apathetic states in this slothful union, New York State ranks #1, boasting the lowest voter turnout in the midterm election earlier this month. The United States Election Project at George Mason University says only 32.1 percent of the 13.4 million eligible voters in New York actually bothered to show up at the polls. Utah and Texas tied for second place, with 32.2 percent turnout, but here in New York many of us simply had too much shit to do to that day—what's their excuse?

Political analysts speculate that New York's low turnout—the lowest in three decades—may have had something to do with uncompetitive elections for Governor and Senator. "New York Republicans nominated arguably the weakest ticket in the nation, especially with two Senate seats and the governorship at stake," Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, tells City Room. "None of the top three G.O.P. candidates was taken seriously. The amazing thing is that the G.O.P. captured at least five House seats — but, then, the party was at an historic low in Congress and had nowhere to go but up." Heh, we may not be able to beat the Republicans, but at least we can make little underminey comments to minimize their victory.

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By John Del Signore in News on November 16, 2010 4:20 PM

Comments [rss]

Ed

"Political analysts speculate that New York's low turnout—the lowest in three decades—may have had something to do with uncompetitive elections for Governor and Senator."

Ummm...no sh--?

If you lived in New York City and didn't like the Democratic candidates, your best option was probably to cast a protest vote for a fringe candidate. Because the Republicans nominated the sort of people who would normally be found on the fringe party lines down the ballot.

Except for the Staten Island based 13th District, the Congressional gains for the Republicans came upstate where they have competitive elections. But with the Republicans going into the election with only 2 of the 29 seats, with a bad economy, it would have been hard not for them to make gains.

matty

It's because New York is over run with Brits and Canadians and they can't vote anyway.

Dogsbody

"Over run with Brits and Canadians"? Of all the nationalities present in NYC, those are the two you think we're over run with???

matty

Sorry, I also meant trinidadians.

Boogie Down

It's really amazing when people shamelessly declare their dislike of other cultures (while usually knowing nil about said cultures). Though I suspect matty is half joking, the embracing of xenophobia is truly fascinating. Why don't we all hate on gay and black people too? I mean, what's the difference?

matty

Last I checked, gays and blacks can vote.

Boogie Down

Which has what to do with my comment? So, you only dislike people who can't vote? Does that extend to children as well?

matty

Who said I didn't like anyone. What are you talking about!?!?! It's obvious you are a racist and a homophobe.

Boogie Down

Yep, totally obvious. Whatever you say.

Usually when you say that any place is overrun with a certain type of people, dislike of said people is implied. However, as I said previously, it seemed as though you were saying this in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way, so, no, I don't really think you're made of hate. I'm also pretty sure that neither of us is psychotic.

matty

and now you bring the children into your psychotic rants. have you no shame at all?

ktinnyc

Brits and Canadians are now eligible voters? Do tell.

tmz is evil

Brits and Canadians are now eligible voters? Do tell.

Are you mentally challenged? The point of his joke was that New York is overrun with foreigners who aren't eligible to vote, which contributed to "low voter turnout." How you *got* that this means that Brits and Canadians are eligible voters is beyond me.

ktinnyc

Yeah, it would be a hilarious joke if the article didn't say, "The United States Election Project at George Mason University says only 32.1 percent of the 13.4 million eligible voters in New York actually bothered to show up at the polls". So if only eligle voters are counted then Brits and Canadians don't fall into the equation. I don't know if you're metally challenged but I do know you have a reading comprehension problem.

snuglife

"only 32.1 percent of the 13.4 million eligible voters in New York actually bothered to show up at the polls. "

The poll was only taking into account eligible voters. therefore, weather we have Brits and Canadians or not shouldnt factor into anything...

idiots.

tom9d

I don't care if my candidate has no shot of winning. I still vote so that I'm justified in bitching about the person who does win.

dept54321

Pathetic.

EastRiver

Why vote when most of the races are so lopsided? Districts are drawn to be super-safe for one party or another. And it doesn't matter in NYC. The Democrat always wins. If you want to impact democracy vote in the primary.

verbal

Precisely the 'only' reason to remain a registered democrat; the only impact a ny voter will ever have is in the democratic primary. We will never have open primaries, and the machine is so entrenched that it just doesn't matter. NY & CA deserve the shitty state of their affairs, and it's shameful.