TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

The General US Politics Thread

Go To

Nov 2023 Mod notice:


There may be other, more specific, threads about some aspects of US politics, but this one tends to act as a hub for all sorts of related news and information, so it's usually one of the busiest OTC threads.

If you're new to OTC, it's worth reading the Introduction to On-Topic Conversations and the On-Topic Conversations debate guidelines before posting here.

Rumor-based, fear-mongering and/or inflammatory statements that damage the quality of the thread will be thumped. Off-topic posts will also be thumped. Repeat offenders may be suspended.

If time spent moderating this thread remains a distraction from moderation of the wiki itself, the thread will need to be locked. We want to avoid that, so please follow the forum rules when posting here.


In line with the general forum rules, 'gravedancing' is prohibited here. If you're celebrating someone's death or hoping that they die, your post will get thumped. This rule applies regardless of what the person you're discussing has said or done.

Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

wisewillow She/her Since: May, 2011
She/her
#259876: Nov 5th 2018 at 4:59:16 AM

Yup; that’d do a lot of good.

Relevant article on voting in Texas.

Edited by wisewillow on Nov 5th 2018 at 8:02:24 AM

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#259877: Nov 5th 2018 at 5:58:56 AM

In Georgia, polls are open from 7AM to 7PM.

Though any voter waiting in line at 7PM will be allowed to vote, so it's more of a soft ending.

Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Nov 5th 2018 at 8:59:26 AM

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#259878: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:04:38 AM

Speaking of Georgia, I dearly hope that this Kemp ... thing doesn't win. Most blatant attempt to rig an election that I've ever seen tecently.

That, and more power to black women!

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#259879: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:11:10 AM

You're preaching to the choir tongue

He's a disgusting reprobate and Abrams winning would not just mean his defeat but also clearly show that the path forward for taking the South is running black candidates, which is about damn time. Beyond better addressing the interests of black people as a group it would be a delightful irony if the Southern Democrats were born again as a bloc led by Black People.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#259880: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:11:56 AM

When exactly is the voting day? Tomorrow or the day after?

kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
3of4 Just a harmless giant from a foreign land. from Five Seconds in the Future. Since: Jan, 2010 Relationship Status: GAR for Archer
Just a harmless giant from a foreign land.
#259882: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:13:35 AM

First Tuesday in November, always.

"You can reply to this Message!"
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#259883: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:17:18 AM

Polls are open in California from 7 AM to 8 PM. We have early voting and mail-in options too. I've had my ballot since mid-October but I like to vote on Election Day so I can wear the "I Voted" sticker on the day of. Because that is truly what matters.

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#259884: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:21:52 AM

I live in Massachusetts, but since I go to school in Pensylvania, I mailed an absentee ballot.

My mom helped me fill it out over the phone, since it’s the first time I’ve been old enough to vote.

I actually kind of like the absentee ballot. It’s much less stressful than going to the polls, and you can take time to look up Canidates if you aren’t familiar with them.

Edited by megaeliz on Nov 5th 2018 at 9:32:11 AM

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#259885: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:30:05 AM

The only downside to the absentee mail ballots is that there's always a chance that the ballot gets lost in transit or something. But at least in my state there's a system in place online to check to make sure the ballot was received.

Disgusted, but not surprised
Robrecht Your friendly neighbourhood Regent from The Netherlands Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: They can't hide forever. We've got satellites.
Your friendly neighbourhood Regent
#259886: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:31:48 AM

Wait, wait, wait... This is new informations to me...

Are you genuinely telling me that not only is voting day in the US on a weekday that's not a federal holiday, nor is there any other kind of official provision to ensure that working class people can take the time to vote during work hours without risking getting fired...

But the polling stations also close so early that there are legitimately a lot of people who have choose between full attendance at their job or voting, because they cannot do both?

Good grief what an absolutely antisocial system.

Angry gets shit done.
nightwyrm_zero Since: Apr, 2010
#259887: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:34:15 AM

[up]Yes. Sometimes it seems the US system is deliberately designed to disenfranchise a large portion of its population.

Edited by nightwyrm_zero on Nov 5th 2018 at 9:34:26 AM

LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#259888: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:34:28 AM

Exactly as it's intended to be.

Oh really when?
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#259889: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:36:35 AM

It's one of those things that is badly in need of updating.

Much like the electronic polling machines, which at least in Texas are from the turn of the century. Which was nearly 19 years ago.

It's entirely possible there are first-time voters who are younger than said machines (the ones from 2000 at any rate).

One perk to being registered in California is that voting is incredibly convenient. Online registration, vote-by-mail...we can even request ballots by email (though we can't send them via email obviously).

Edited by M84 on Nov 5th 2018 at 10:37:43 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#259890: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:39:39 AM

[up]x4 It’s an artifact from when America was a primarily rural, agrarian society, and it gave time for people to travel to the polls, without interfering with Sunday Church, as well as a couple other reasons.

Edited by megaeliz on Nov 5th 2018 at 11:46:56 AM

speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#259891: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:41:33 AM

Latest John Oliver is about family separation. I know I sound like a broken record, but he nailed it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygVX1z6tDGI

Edited by speedyboris on Nov 5th 2018 at 8:41:44 AM

Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#259892: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:52:37 AM

Just observing the voting process, I have a whole list of things the US has to change…

1. Get rid of the electronic voting machines. They are way too easy to manipulate, especially those where there is no physical proof of what was originally voted.

2. Ensure that there is some law that there have to be voting stations close to where people are living.

3. Move the voting to the weekend and leave the polling station long enough open that everyone has the chance to vote.

4. Ensure that the voting itself is overseen by an independent body and allow the population to witness the ballot count in their area if they wish to.

5. Cap the amount parties are allowed to spend on their campaigns. Campaigns shouldn't be decided by who has the most money.

6. Introduce stricter rules for the advertising itself - meaning, that if a party spreads blatant lies, it has to be fined six way to Sunday for it.

And naturally ID cards for everyone - affordable ones - would be useful.

Btw, those are rules most democratic countries already have!

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#259893: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:54:25 AM

I would add that all persons must be given time off to vote regardless of what job they have. If this is not feasible for safety or security reasons, then they must be provided access to absentee ballots by their employer.

Edited by Fighteer on Nov 5th 2018 at 9:54:52 AM

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#259894: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:55:19 AM

[up] Paid time off would be best, if we could manage it, just for the sake of lower income households.

Edited by megaeliz on Nov 5th 2018 at 9:58:42 AM

PushoverMediaCritic I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out. from the Italy of America Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out.
#259895: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:58:18 AM

I voted a couple weeks ago through mail-in ballot, which I think should absolutely be an option in all states.

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#259896: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:59:28 AM

What’s the difference between an absentee ballot and a mail in ballot? Is there one?

Edited by megaeliz on Nov 5th 2018 at 10:00:36 AM

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#259897: Nov 5th 2018 at 6:59:37 AM

I find it weird that all states don't have early voting as well as mail-in and absentee ballots.

[up] My understanding is that an absentee ballot requires a justification for why you can't show up at the polls in person, such as being out of the area, sick, etc. A mail-in ballot has no preconditions.

Edited by Fighteer on Nov 5th 2018 at 10:00:18 AM

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#259898: Nov 5th 2018 at 7:01:22 AM

[up]I don’t remember having to to do that for mine, I think.

Edited by megaeliz on Nov 5th 2018 at 10:02:21 AM

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#259899: Nov 5th 2018 at 7:02:18 AM

I think on mine I had to point out that I'm overseas.

Disgusted, but not surprised
Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#259900: Nov 5th 2018 at 7:05:29 AM

Yeah, I keep forgetting that the US doesn't honour the Sunday to the same degree we do. Also, it didn't even occur to me that not all US states have mail in ballots. I mean...really?

Edited by Swanpride on Nov 5th 2018 at 7:06:17 AM


Total posts: 417,856
Top