US People - do you have a media blackout before the actual voting day?

[Kazadoodle]

In Australia, we have a three day media blackout/embargo on the candidates and the election in general, before the actual day of voting. Some of the candidates and parties, of course, try to by-pass this, but it doesn't do them any good, as nobody likes a cheater (or a cheater that gets caught anyway, LOL).

If you don't have the blackout/embargo, do you think you'd like to see one?

If you do have it, do you find if effective or it is mostly a blackout/embargo in name only?

I don't know how the rest of the Aussies feel, but those three days are just bliss. It gives you time to think, breathe and relax.

Anyway, I'd be interested to read your views.

[cassie-in-texas]

Oh heck no! The ads keep running all day, even election day! The news doesn't start to report results until the polls close (at least on the mainland.) The news will report exit polls (interviews with people leaving the voting site) but since they can only cover a very small percentage of voting places, the numbers can be very misleading. But, unless I'm mistaken, by the time polls close in Hawaii, they pretty much know which way the wind was blowing! (or blew)

[Chreamps]

Yes, what Cassie said - nonstop coverage! Blackout would be a good idea, except for those people who wait to the last minute to make up their minds and don't have access to the internet or other news sources.

[Kazadoodle]

There's always leaflets for those who haven't made up their minds :) I know we get them when we are at the polling station.

I think our news coverage about the election starts again after all the polling stations are closed, but I'm not sure. Then we get into the vote counting, some people invite friends over and turn the whole event into a BBQ/Party.

[[michele]]

A blackout would be nice!

And I while I don't *think* most Americans would be comfortable with Canada's what? one month pre-election period, I do wish ours was a bit shorter.

:) Michele

[txmusicmom]

Oh that would be lovely--- I'd also like no PHONE CALLS.............EVERYONE calls us from the president, governor, senators, etc.......( of course they are computer generated) lol-the first 2 or 3 are funny- after that -NOT.

Of course the TV wouldn't like all that lost revenue.

[kjbstevens]

Seriously HA was my first reaction to seeing the headline. They'd run them until inauguration if they good I bet.

[tsaria]

If you don't have the blackout/embargo, do you think you'd like to see one?
I think that might be nice, but it's not happening here. I feel lucky to not own a TV sometimes =)

[Microferk ~ Miki Ferkul]

No blackout and I'd find one offensive- as if I can't rely on myself to know when to shut off the TV!

[Kazadoodle]

Oh that would be lovely--- I'd also like no PHONE CALLS.............EVERYONE calls us from the president, governor, senators, etc.......( of course they are computer generated) lol-the first 2 or 3 are funny- after that -NOT.

Of course the TV wouldn't like all that lost revenue.

Phone calls? Oh boy, I don't think I've ever had any, but then, half the time I don't answer the phone during the day as I know it's just some bogus call anyhow.

[Kazadoodle]

No blackout and I'd find one offensive- as if I can't rely on myself to know when to shut off the TV!

Really? That's interesting.

I don't think it was put into place to protect the public, I think it was put into place to help the candidates. Not sure though.

[rmcabana]

LOL! I would like that. Maybe I'd get a day off since I work for a newspaper! :)

[tammy1999]

I know in Missouri, unless its changed lately, but all the liquor stores and bars are closed on the day of the election and open back up after the polls closed. I always thought that was kind of funny, cause you could just go the day before and purchase your spirits. hehehe

Does any other states have any voting day traditions?

[Microferk ~ Miki Ferkul]

Really? That's interesting.

I don't think it was put into place to protect the public, I think it was put into place to help the candidates. Not sure though.

LOL[ and I hadn't thought of it from that angle either!

[dgreenshield]

Wow, that would be wonderful. As Cassie said, they are running commercials all day and the volunteers are at the polls with their flyers and comments (even though they have to stay far enough back so that you are not hounded). I always laugh at the people who come to my door to solicit votes for a presidential candidate as if I will listen to their rhetoric.

[Rita (Blue Flower Art)]

Really? That's interesting.

I don't think it was put into place to protect the public, I think it was put into place to help the candidates. Not sure though.

I think it was too, but not sure.

We don't seem to have the mudslinging here either. Or at least, it is veiled and tame.

[scribler]

There's always leaflets for those who haven't made up their minds :) I know we get them when we are at the polling station.

That would not be permitted here. No propaganda allowed in the polling place. In fact, at least in every state I've lived, they have to remain a certain distance from the polling place. Thank goodness. All I need is candidates trying to hit me up for a vote as I walk in.

Actually this was an issue here a couple of years ago when Tom Foley resigned. He resigned too late to get his name off the ballot and they weren't sure how to make sure everyone knew for whom they were actually voting.

[Miss Chris]

Seriously HA was my first reaction to seeing the headline. They'd run them until inauguration if they good I bet.


I hear ya!!

[Kazadoodle]

That would not be permitted here. No propaganda allowed in the polling place. In fact, at least in every state I've lived, they have to remain a certain distance from the polling place. Thank goodness. All I need is candidates trying to hit me up for a vote as I walk in.



Well, not at the actual station, but outside the gates if it's at a school.

[lsl_scrapper]

I know in Missouri, unless its changed lately, but all the liquor stores and bars are closed on the day of the election and open back up after the polls closed. I always thought that was kind of funny, cause you could just go the day before and purchase your spirits. hehehe

Does any other states have any voting day traditions?

Really? I'd never heard of that and I've lived in MO since the late '70's. Guess I need to pay more attention. Or maybe it just means I don't frequent a lot of bars and liquor stores. But I'm SURE the restaurants are open, and a lot have bars. I'm going to keep an eye out and see this year....maybe they've just been closing the bar area. (I HAVE to go out to breakfast, lunch and dinner today, sweetie...I'm doing research!)

[suzy]

That would not be permitted here. No propaganda allowed in the polling place. In fact, at least in every state I've lived, they have to remain a certain distance from the polling place. Thank goodness. All I need is candidates trying to hit me up for a vote as I walk in.

Actually this was an issue here a couple of years ago when Tom Foley resigned. He resigned too late to get his name off the ballot and they weren't sure how to make sure everyone knew for whom they were actually voting.

It is not allowed IN the polling place here either, the candidates are able to distribute "how to vote" leaflets but they must be at least 100 meters from the polling booth. We always ignore them and walk straight past as we already know which way we are going to vote before we go to vote.

[Microferk ~ Miki Ferkul]

Funny- the candidates/campaign volunteers, are all lined up outside the walkway that leads to the entrance of the school in which our voting poll is setup. They aren't allowed inside, nor is ANYONE permitted to where any campaign propaganda inside.
However, I have always loved "walking the gauntlet" and often stop to have some lively discussions, talk to our local politicians, etc.

[cassie-in-texas]

A few years ago we had a hotly-contested race for mayor (in a town of 6000 people, lol) and one of the candidates had a tailgate party set up in the parking lot outside the polling place. (The appropriate distance from the polls) They had hot dogs/ hamburgers/ drinks. He lost anyway, but it was a pretty good marketing idea!

[Gina.Maria]

I always wished they'd have to stay whatever the proscribed distance is away from the lines, as well. In the 1996 election, the polling place we were sent to was the central location for way too many voters and the lines were atrocious (it was in a retirement center in Arizona, so you can imagine the turnout of residents alone was enormous). Because the lines snaked through walkways that were outside the distance limit, we had to suffer the propaganda as we stood waiting.

As for a blackout, I haven't had to deal with it for three years but I remember how heated it gets in the days leading up to the election and I'd have to say that a 3-day moratorium would certainly be a welcome respite if it included calls from political organizations, pollsters and campaigns.

[cassie-in-texas]

I always laugh at the people who come to my door to solicit votes for a presidential candidate as if I will listen to their rhetoric.

Well, I figure they have a better shot at converting me that the people who come to my door to let me know I'm going straight to hell because I follow the "wrong" religion!

[lsl_scrapper]

No moratorium and I'm pretty sure it would never happen. They can tell them to remain a certain distance from the polls, because that is 'electioneering'. But they'd have more trouble preventing the media from talking.....that would probably be a violation of the first amendment, and would take another amendment. And I'm sure THAT is something no politician would support. They even exempted campaign calls from the 'no call' list.