American Presidential Elections..

[iwantthatone]

When exactly is the election day?

[bernardo]

Tuesday 2nd November. It's always on the first Tuesday after 1st November.

[bernardo]

P.S. As a pedant, I should point out that of course the election for President will not be on 2nd November, because that is merely when the people vote for the electoral college. The Electoral College votes on the Monday after the second Wednesday in December, i.e 13th December.

[bernardo]

P.P.S. As a pedantic pedant, I should point out that of course the President is not necessarily elected by the Electoral College. The EC only has one chance to vote, and in order for a candidate to be elected he/she needs to get at least 270 votes out of the 538. (In 2000, George Bush got 271 votes, Al Gore got 266 votes, and there was 1 abstention). If it is a tie (269-269) or if there are more than two candidates with fewer than 270 each, the election is done by the House of Representatives in January, with each state having a block vote.

[ezapf]

Bernardo seems like a Civics Teacher. Great answers! I think the bottom line is that after the Nov 2 elections, the world will know what candidate will be sworn in as President in January (barring any unforseen circumstances, of course).

[IndieSinger]

Oh God, not the chads again?

[zgma]

Yes, barring the possibility that BushCo will find some way to delay the elections, of which there has been some talk.

[zgma]

P.S. Bernardo, you are awesome.

[ianess]

It all depends on how long it takes to get manipulated [ie fiddled] results to be declared legally valid....just like when Al Gore won the last time.

[bernardo]

Oh! I never realised that I was an "awesome Civics teacher". Here was I thinking that I was merely a sad anorak with no life. In 1960-61 they continued arguing until mid-January about the electoral college votes from Hawaii, although on that occasion it was not close enopugh to make a difference to the overall result (and I don't remember the details of the arguments).

[bernardo]

I predict Bush 52% Kerry 46%. In the EC I predict something like Bush 310 Kerry 248.

[zgma]

I hope you're wrong about that Bernardo. I have reason to believe otherwise... my Republican-leaning parents and grandparents, all four voters in Florida - and none plan to vote for Bush this election.

[zgma]

*** excuse the grammar please - it's late *** That should have read "all four of whom are voters in Florida"