“Google Maps and the Best Election Resource of 2010 - Atlantic Online (blog)” plus 2 more |
- Google Maps and the Best Election Resource of 2010 - Atlantic Online (blog)
- Your guide to Election Day - Omaha World-Herald
- A quick guide to voting for Ashland residents - Abington Mariner
| Google Maps and the Best Election Resource of 2010 - Atlantic Online (blog) Posted: 27 Oct 2010 06:08 AM PDT "I've used the Google to bring up maps," George W. Bush shared in 2006. "I kinda like to look at the ranch." Four years later, Google Maps is still the best resource for ranch-gazing from Washington, but now the site has a fantastic new feature that will be far more valuable to those in politics trying to dial in to more consequential matters across the country. The Google Maps team is up with a 2010 election mashup that shades every House, Senate, and governor's race according to ratings from Cook, CQ, Rothenberg, RCP, and Sabato. When a user visits the site (maps.google.com/2010elections), it randomly uses one of the ratings firms, and then users can click on a race and toggle through each of the predictions. So, for example, W can click on his Crawford-area district and see that Democrat Chet Edwards' reelection prospects are rated "lean GOP" by four of the five agencies. It's the only place where he would be able explore the contours of the electoral map, learn the ratings for a race, and research the candidates, all in one stop. The mashup is the latest example of Google's increasing importance in politics, although it was the brainchild of the Maps division in New York, not the policy offices in Washington. The idea was hatched by Google Maps marketer Jesse Friedman, who created the project in the "20 percent time" that Google affords employees to pursue creative projects. A self-described map geek and armchair political junkie, Freidman calls the mashup of Google Maps and elections a "no-brainer" and says he hopes it will encourage voting. "Google devotes a lot of resources to doing what we can to help voters be better educated and make participation easier," he said in an interview at Google's offices in New York on Monday. To this end, they've also developed a tool at the Google Election Center "where you can plug in your home address and get the address of and directions to your polling place, and in some cases see the full ballot that you will be voting," according to Friedman. They also offer a feature where users can create their own maps with Census demographic data through Google Fusion Tables. But I'm most excited about their work on 2012 redistricting, which Friedman notes will be the first time new lines are cut in the era of Google Maps. If their product is anything like the 2010 midterm map, it'll be the go-to resource for that election cycle. After you comment, click Post. If you're not already logged in you will be asked to log in or register. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Your guide to Election Day - Omaha World-Herald Posted: 02 Nov 2010 01:21 AM PDT JAMES R. BURNETT/THE WORLD-HERALD Whether they partied for tea or rallied for comedians, Midlands voters make their choices official today. Barring any late legal squabbles or vote-counting errors, the nation learns tonight whether a different party will control one or both houses of Congress, whether Nebraska will have a new congressman, whether Iowa will have a new governor, and the extent of an expected Republican wave. From Scottsbluff, Neb., to Iowa's Mississippi River towns, with Omaha in between, these elections come down to the simplest of choices: Should I vote? Regardless of where you stand along the political spectrum, if you want your voice heard, the answer should be yes. WHEN TO VOTE Nebraska — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. MDT Iowa — 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CDT statewide FIND YOUR POLLING PLACE &bull Iowa statewide WHAT'S AT STAKE Most experts predict a GOP takeover of the U.S. House of Representatives and a major pickup in the Senate that falls just short of a majority. Some key races to watch: Washington, Alaska, Florida, West Virginia and Nevada, where Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid could lose to tea party favorite Sharron Angle. Barack Obama would follow a long line of presidents to lose a number of seats to his opposing party in a midterm election. GET OUT THE VOTE Republicans and Democrats are both in the final stages of efforts to get their voters to the polls — as if voters could forget Election Day, between the ringing doorbells and direct mail. TURNOUT Election commissioners in Nebraska's most populous counties are expecting the lowest turnout in decades. Turnout in Iowa is expected to be better. RACES TO WATCH In the Omaha area, the most competitive race at the federal level comes in the 2nd Congressional District, where six-term Republican U.S. Rep. Lee Terry takes on Democrat Tom White, a state senator. Several seats in the Nebraska Legislature also are up for grabs, including contentious races involving challengers to Sens. Kent Rogert of Tekamah and Amanda McGill of Lincoln. And, as always, there are local and statewide ballot issues of note. Unincorporated Sarpy County votes on a possible sales tax increase, and Nebraska voters choose whether the winner of tonight's race for state treasurer will be the last to hold the job. The statewide race of the night is across the Missouri River. Iowa has a governor's race that pits sitting Democratic Gov. Chet Culver against the state's longest-serving governor of either party, Republican Terry Branstad. WEATHER: NO EXCUSE Across Nebraska and Iowa, forecasters expect an Election Day with sunny skies and high temperatures around 60 degrees. BEFORE YOU VOTE For those who need a refresher, Omaha.com offers a voters guide with stories about the various candidates and offices, as well as a sample ballot. ONLINE AND IN PRINT Plan to spend Tuesday with Omaha.com, which offers continuous coverage, locally and nationally. Among the offerings: breaking news, live results, photo galleries, live chats and an interactive map of the congressional balance of power. For comprehensive results and analysis, pick up Wednesday's World-Herald. YOU REPORT Send us your thoughts, photos and polling place updates. You can connect with us from our Facebook page (facebook.com/worldherald), Twitter account (twitter.com/owhnews), iPhone app or directly through Omaha.com. We'll sort through the submissions and share the best photos and updates on Omaha.com. Compiled by Aaron Sanderford and Nancy Gaarder, World-Herald staff writers Copyright ©2010 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| A quick guide to voting for Ashland residents - Abington Mariner Posted: 01 Nov 2010 01:11 PM PDT Tuesday, Nov. 2, is the state election. Do you know where and when to vote, and what races to expect on the ballot?
The polls The polls are at Ashland Middle School at 87 West Union St. for Precincts 1 and 2, and at Ashland High School at 65 East Union St. for Precincts 3 and 4. Not sure which precinct you live in? Visit ashlandmass.com, click on "Department Offices," and check out the town clerk's page. Click on "Voting information" and take a look at the map of precincts. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ashland Town Clerk Tara Ward asks voters to bring ID.
The ballot If you're just getting caught up on politics, here's what to expect on the race-heavy ballot. The race at the top is for governor. Incumbent Deval Patrick is vying against Republican Charlie Baker, independent Tim Cahill and the Green-Rainbow Party's Jill Stein. Next on the list is attorney general, where incumbent Martha Coakley is seeking reelection. GOP challenger James McKenna is hoping to oust her. Secretary of State William Galvin faces challenges from Republican William C. Campbell and independent James Henderson. On the treasurer line, Democrat Steven Grossman and Republican Karyn Polito are battling for the position. In the race for auditor, Democrat Suzanne M. Bump faces Republican Mary Z. Connaughton. Also in the race is Green-Rainbow candidate Nathanael Alexander Fortune. U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-3rd, also faces two opponents on the "Representative in Congress" line on the ballot: Republican Martin Lamb and independent Patrick Barron. Governor's Council incumbent Kelly A. Timilty faces challenges from the GOP's Steven M. Glovsky and independent Richard Mitchell. State Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, is seeking reelection, with a bid from Republican Edward McGrath to oust her. State Rep. Tom Sannicandro, D-Ashland, also faces competition from Republican David Mercer. Last but not least, there's a race between Middlesex County Sheriff James DiPaola, a Democrat, and Republican Michael Tranchita Sr.
Ballot questions Voters also will be asked to vote on three ballot questions: one to eliminate a state sales tax on alcohol, the second to repeal the state's Chapter 40B affordable housing law, and the third to cut the state's sales tax from 6.25 percent to 3 percent. For more on the ballot, visit wheredoivotema.com. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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