Motivated Voters

[Copper]

The precinct where I first voted had 152% turnout.

Patriots!

https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/file/2024/11/Unofficial-Ward-and-Precinct-Results-State-Election-November-5-2024.pdf

[Horace]

I think it’s safe to say that nobody knows the explanation, but it’s definitely tin foil hat territory to try to find out.

[Jolly]

[Mik]

I'd love to see that analysis done nationally. Even for the ones less than 100% the turnout is unbelievably large.

[Horace]

On a related note, CA is still not finished counting votes.

[Jolly]

That one, I think we can fix. Set a deadline for all vote totals in a federal election.

[jon-nyc]

What I got from ChatGPT.

The observation of voter turnout percentages exceeding 100% in some Boston precincts is due to the method used to calculate these figures. Boston’s Election Department bases turnout percentages on the number of ballot cards scanned, with each voter potentially submitting multiple cards. This approach can result in turnout percentages that appear to exceed 100%, as noted in the city’s election results disclaimer:

“Note: Percentages are based on a two-card per voter scan, therefore the percentage is not accurate if divided in half. It’s just an estimated turnout.” 

This calculation method can lead to turnout figures that surpass 100%, especially in precincts with high voter participation. It’s important to recognize that these percentages are estimates and may not precisely reflect the actual number of individual voters.

[jon-nyc]

I couldn’t get a real sample ballot for these Boston wards, despite going to a state website that promised to do just that based on address.

When I figured out an address that was in the ward and precinct with the highest turnout (18/1, which had 263%) and clicked on ‘show ballot’, the website returned this:

https://www.sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA/ShowBallot/ViewMyBallot/BallotOut/ST/35/18/1

Yeah I can see that being in multiple pages (cards).

[Jolly]

Why use multiple cards, unless you want to cheat?

[jon-nyc]

If this is correct, it’s basically a multi-page ballot. Not repeats of a ballot.

[Mik]

Still fucked up. Avoid all appearance.

[Horace]

It's a bug in whatever code calculated the % turnout. Debug that code and problem solved.

[Mik]

Offshoring coders no doubt.

[Copper]

@jon-nyc said in Motivated Voters:

When I figured out an address that was in the ward and precinct

That ballot tells the story.

I recognize 2 of the names I assume they are the next generation of politicians I knew there 50 years ago, Iannella and Hennigan. One lives just a few houses down from my grandparents (former) house, the other just a couple blocks away.

And notice that almost every office has an unopposed democrat running.

I tell people that where I grew up I didn't even see a republican in real life until I was a teenager.

There is no need to cheat, the dem will win.

[Mik]

My county is the exact opposite.

[jon-nyc]

Here there’s opposition except sometimes very local (town) races will be dem only. But not always.