don't have any illusions, DUers--Sandy WILL suppress voter turnout

[librechik]

how much and where is still in question. But we must be prepared for a dip in attendance in the areas hardest hit, and some of those areas, ahem, lean Democratic.

I wish I could see some other scenario, but you tell me.

http://www.bradblog.com/?p=9670

I'm closing my eyes, holding my breath, and crossing my fingers, because I really don't know what's going to happen next. One of my friends asked me to talk her down off the ledge, and I really couldn't. I have no idea, this is unprecedented. There was bad weather in 04 which suppressed votes. This is beyond bad weather.

Sandy makes it even more important for Dem voters in areas not hit to step up GOTV efforts. Bring a gang of neighbors to the polls if you can. There aren't a lot of other options.

Remember, chaos and disaster are the Republicans best friends. Don't let them profit from them again.

[vilify]

1. It will in nyc and parts of nj

Am I missing anywhere else?

[hogwyld]

10. I also expect turnout to be down

In Philly and its suburbs. That could really kill the margins in PA. Another thing to consider, is if people can't vote in NYC, that could hurt NY state.

[ksoze]

2. This is not bad weather. That was earlier this week.

bad weather is the day of voting when it rains like hell - don't see that projected. Voting options are being set up in the hardest hit area like NJ, but any downturn in voting will be access parties. the fact this happened a week before election means options will be available - not so when weather hits the day of voting.

[librechik]

3. power problems and road closures among other obstacles--read the article in the OP

6 states affected

[Grateful for Hope]

4. By then, many of the problems will be resolved except for hardest hit

Like the Jersey Shore. Also, those that evacuated will be given voting information as many are in central locations. I think the article is a bit pessimistic.

[lpbk2713]

7. Very true

If rethuglican powers that be have anything to do with it they will impede any recovery efforts to restore power and open roadways in lower income neighborhoods in order to make it difficult for the voters to get to the polls. As usual the assumption will be that the lower income voters would be most likely to vote Dem.

[hrmjustin]

5. I live in NYC and can tell you ...

... that the board of elections(God help us) has made contingency plans. Staten Island has been hard hit and is a gop area. Breezy point and the Rockaways are gop as well. Coney Island and Brighton beach are democratic areas. In NJ Hoboken is a democratic city. Most of the Atlantic coast is gop except Atlantic city. In CT Bridgeport which is democratic took some damage. On LI on the whole leans democratic but has many gop areas. Power in LI is out. I do not know how jersey votes but NYS uses paper ballots that get put in a machine to get counted. They are talking about using tents outside of polling places that had problems(not a good idea), and they are talking about consolidating polling places. Obama will not win NY or NJ by the margins he won last time simply because some people will not be able to vote, but he will still win these states.

[closeupready]

6. In solidly blue places, yes.

Any vote not cast due to weather is regrettable. If there is a silver lining, it's that it likely will not tilt the election in the GOP's favor.

[quinnox]

8. well, the bright side is we have one more excuse if, heaven forbid, we lose

We can blame it on the hurricane and low turnout. And that is in addition to blaming it on a voting machines cheating conspiracy.

[theglammistress]

9. I'm very worried about votes because of Sandy

I am trying to be positive and not think about it too much... but I'm honestly worried about the Dem vote in Sandy-impacted areas. And ConEdison just said power won't be back up until Nov 10 or Nov 11.

Then I worry I'm being callous because people are in dire straits and probably don't care about voting... but a Romney presidency could REALLY screw these storm victims...