There are a lot of graphics running around this time, I thought it would be handy to sort the good from the bad. From interactive and cartographical maps, to print-out and colour-in maps there’s one for everyone it seems!
’2012 Map Done Right: States Sized By Votes, Not Geographic Size’
It drives me crazy to see news outlets with US maps showing the states estimated to be either going for Barack Obama or Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election based on the geographic size of those states, rather than the number of Electoral College votes they carry. There are better maps they could and should use. Below, a guide to some you should check out.
I’m not a fan of the Electoral College system, where a US presidential candidate can potentially win (and some have) even though a majority of people vote for the loser. That just seems wrong. I also dislike that despite living in a populous state, because California’s typically seen as safe for Democrats, we’re largely written off — as are most other states deemed in one camp or the other. Only the few “swing” states get attention.
Still, that’s the current system. If we have to have that system, let’s at least have our TV news channels and publications show maps that represent correctly. A map of votes based on geography sure isn’t doing the job.
Election Map (Interactive)
The presidential race will be decided in a few key states. Race, income and unemployment could have an impact on the outcome. Explore the swing states, the solid strongholds — and everything in between.
According to Twitter
In Twitter we trust. … Comparing #obama2012 and #romneyryan2012 tweets by state.
Colour-me-in Electoral Map (pdf via IrregularTimes)
Might I suggest a game of bingo for the big night? Every state’s electors are equal to the size of their House of Representatives (plus 2), meaning a total of 538. 27o votes are needed to make a majority.
