American American Government and Government and
OrganizationOrganizationPS1301PS1301
Thursday, 4 NovemberThursday, 4 November
The OutcomeThe Outcome Bush 51% 274 EV; Kerry 48% 252 EV Bush 51% 274 EV; Kerry 48% 252 EV
(NM and Iowa are too close to call)(NM and Iowa are too close to call) In the end, the outcome hinged on Ohio In the end, the outcome hinged on Ohio
with its 20 electoral votes.with its 20 electoral votes. Bush received about 140,000 more votes Bush received about 140,000 more votes
than Kerry in Ohio. Had Kerry won the than Kerry in Ohio. Had Kerry won the state, he would have been elected even state, he would have been elected even though Bush would have won a though Bush would have won a MAJORITY of the popular vote (and over MAJORITY of the popular vote (and over 3 million more votes than Kerry)3 million more votes than Kerry)
Turnout of Young PeopleTurnout of Young People Four years ago, just 42.3 percent of young people Four years ago, just 42.3 percent of young people
voted. This year more than 51.6 percent did. voted. This year more than 51.6 percent did. Young people were especially active in battleground Young people were especially active in battleground
states, with turnout at 64.4 percent of eligible voters. states, with turnout at 64.4 percent of eligible voters. Surveys of college students around the country, done Surveys of college students around the country, done in the weeks before the election, found 42 percent of in the weeks before the election, found 42 percent of students planning to vote absentee. Exit polls students planning to vote absentee. Exit polls completely miss these young voters who numbered, completely miss these young voters who numbered, this year, close to 3 million. this year, close to 3 million.
John Kerry won the under-30 set with 54 percent of John Kerry won the under-30 set with 54 percent of the vote to President Bush's 44 percent. The the vote to President Bush's 44 percent. The Democrats lost every other age group. Without young Democrats lost every other age group. Without young Democrat voters, President Bush would have rolled to Democrat voters, President Bush would have rolled to victory in Wisconsin and New Hampshire; Iowa and victory in Wisconsin and New Hampshire; Iowa and Nevada, too, would have been much bigger wins for Nevada, too, would have been much bigger wins for the president. the president.
Determinants of the VoteDeterminants of the Vote
Gender, age, race, education…Gender, age, race, education… Most important issueMost important issue
Moral issues 22%!Moral issues 22%! Terrorism 19%Terrorism 19% Economy 20%Economy 20% Iraq 15%Iraq 15%
See See Exit PollsExit Polls for more detail for more detail
Senate RacesSenate Races Republicans gained 4 seatsRepublicans gained 4 seats Total seats: R 55; D 44; I 1Total seats: R 55; D 44; I 1 Daschle (minority leader) defeated by Daschle (minority leader) defeated by
Thune in South DakotaThune in South Dakota Salazar (D) defeats Coors in ColoradoSalazar (D) defeats Coors in Colorado Martinez (R) defeats Castor in Florida by Martinez (R) defeats Castor in Florida by
less than 1 percent less than 1 percent Obama (D) defeats Keys in IlliniosObama (D) defeats Keys in Illinios Party changes in North Carolina, Georgia, Party changes in North Carolina, Georgia,
Illinois, Louisiana, South CarolinaIllinois, Louisiana, South Carolina
House RacesHouse Races
Republicans gain 4 seatsRepublicans gain 4 seats R 231; D 200; I 1; 3 undecidedR 231; D 200; I 1; 3 undecided See See CNNCNN for details for details
Ballot MeasuresBallot Measures
Ban Same Sex Marriage passes Ban Same Sex Marriage passes everywhere it appears on the balloteverywhere it appears on the ballot
See See CNN CNN for detailsfor details
