Election Pre-Prediction

I’m going to post the official Resonance election predictions tonight so that I can plug all the 11th hour polling data into my sophisticated election models. In reality polls are of limited value at this point; turnout and the supposed non-committeds will determine the election.
One thing I’m grappling with is if this election will follows historical patterns or not. History says that incumbents don’t win close re-elections–voters usually break one way or the other. And, if the incumbent is below 50%, he’s vulnerable because a majority of the non-committeds go with the challenger.
If these two trends hold true, Kerry could win rather comfortably. But we won’t know until tomorrow.
I will offer one prediction now: I think we will know the outcome late Thursday night or early Friday morning. A number of pundits have fretted about a replay of 2000. I doubt it. While there may be a number of close states, I don’t think the electoral margin will be narrow enough for there to be contested states. 2000 Florida was a freakish thing; the odds against it happening twice in a row are slim.

NBC Peeve

I’ll be glad when this election is over, if for no other reason because maybe then NBC News will shut up about Rockefeller Center Democracy Plaza. Enough already.

Ohio Judge Rules Against Voter Challengers

Things have already heated up on the electoral litigation front:

A federal judge issued an order about 1:30 a.m. today barring political party challengers from polling places throughout Ohio during Tuesday’s election.
U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott found that the application of Ohio’s statute allowing challengers at polling places is unconstitutional. She said the presence of challengers inexperienced in the electoral process questioning voters about their eligibility would impede voting.

Republicans say they are appealing to the 6th Circuit. If the ruling holds, it will be a big setback in the GOP’s vote suppression plans.