Election Day weather: Will it affect the 2008 election in South Carolina?
Most political experts, which I am not, agree that the weather affects voter turnout, and this year's weather could cause the Pee Dee and Grand Strand to have a bigger than usual impact on the outcome of the SC election.First off, let me reiterate that I am a meteorologist, not a political analyst. However, this year's weather setup around the state may have a regional impact on voter turnout.
Why?
The reason is an area of low pressure that is expected to deliver a decent amount of rain to the Pee Dee and especially the Grand Strand. Most of the time, our storm systems move across the state from west to east and if it rains in the Upstate, the rest of the state gets a little bit of rain as well. Or, if Columbia gets rain, the Pee Dee and Grand Strand will too. However, the storm system responsible for the rain we expect Tuesday is a lingering area of low pressure off the Carolina coast. This area of low pressure is positioned and moving such that the Grand Strand and potentially the Pee Dee could get a good bit of rain Tuesday while the other 2/3 of the state has mainly dry weather.
What would that effect be in terms of voter turnout? I have no idea to be honest. I understand weather much better than I do politics or better yet, psychology. I do know that it usually means some folks who normally vote such as the handicapped or the elderly, can't get out and about when it's raining, are unable to vote. Others are just too lazy or are just not willing to brave the elements and don't vote. Whatever the case, the facts are that voters don't turnout in as large of numbers when it rains on Election Day.
Since it will probably rain tomorrow in Eastern Carolina, but not the rest of the state, it stands to reason that the weather could affect voter turnout in the Pee Dee and Grand Strand, but not the rest of the state. Again, I'm no political analyst, but there are a lot of people that live in Eastern Carolina, and it makes since to me that a soggy Election Day in our neck of the woods could keep some folks at home and affect elections around the state.
I'm no expert, but maybe you are or maybe you're just intrigued by it all like I am. Tell us what YOU think!
Posted by
on 11/03 at 08:25 AM
I am not a political expert either Chris, but know one thing. Rain, sleet, snow or dark of night will not keep me from voting tomorrow. The only things that can prevent me from voting are death, unconsciousness, or something equally as debilitating. I hope that also applies to everyone that has a brain and knows how important the outcome of these elections is.