Election Day Thread

[lovespink88]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I just learned something. How have I missed knowing this about y'all?

I'm technically only half--other half Polish.

ETA: I do feel stronger ties to my Puerto Rican heritage than Polish, however. I have been to the island roughly 15 times (we have family there) and have been generally surrounded to more Puerto Rican customs and such, throughout my life.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by lovespink88

I'm technically only half--other half Polish.

I feel a little better now.

After GeorgiaGreek's post, I did a little more digging. It seems there was some controversy surrounding the referendum, with some people and groups (including the new governor) recommending that people not vote on the second question as a protest of the form of the referendum. If the total number of voters is considered, 45% voted for statehood, while 26% (the second largest group) didn't answer the question.

Congressional leaders are saying that, for that reason, they'll ignore the referendum.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I feel a little better now.

After GeorgiaGreek's post, I did a little more digging. It seems there was some controversy surrounding the referendum, with some people and groups (including the new governor) recommending that people not vote on the second question as a protest of the form of the referendum. If the total number of voters is considered, 45% voted for statehood, while 26% (the second largest group) didn't answer the question.

Congressional leaders are saying that, for that reason, they'll ignore the referendum.

That's nice. A plurality voted in favor of statehood, but we'll just ignore the whole issue.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

That's nice. A plurality voted in favor of statehood, but we'll just ignore the whole issue.

Yeah, but I can see the point in that a majority did not vote for statehood. Seems to me that if statehood is the goal, there's going to need to be a showing that a solid majority support it.

Not US elections, but this has me hoping that the Scottish Parliament does a better job of framing the question(s) for the 2014 referendum on independence.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

That's nice. A plurality voted in favor of statehood, but we'll just ignore the whole issue.

Which is Congress' right to do. There is nothing that states that Congress has to allow states to join.

And what is this about Scotland voting for independence? I did not hear about that at all MC.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

And what is this about Scotland voting for independence? I did not hear about that at all MC.

The SNP (Scottish National Party), which has always campaigned for Scottish independence and pledged to hold a referendum on the matter, won a majority in the Scottish Parliament in the last election. (Prior to that, since 2007, it was a minority government.) Last month, British PM David Cameron and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond signed an agreement (the "Edinburgh Agreement") providing a legal framework under which the referendum will be held. I forgot with my earlier post that it provides that a single question, the exact wording of which will be decided by the Scottish Parliament, will be put to the electorate. The idea of the single question, as opposed to multiple questions as were used in PR, is to provide a clear answer -- "a fair test and decisive expression of the views of people in Scotland and a result that everyone will respect."

The SNP says it is in favor of retaining the monarchy (I wonder whether Elizabeth II would suddenly become Elizabeth I north of the border, though) and of Scotland joining the Commonwealth.

The referendum is scheduled to be held in the Fall of 2014.

Polls have tended to show that more Scots oppose independence than support it. But Sean Connery will, no doubt, vote for independence.