Robot Dreams

Today has been a busy day for me. But perhaps not as busy as Daniel Biss who had four parades to attend. First I went to the Democratic Party of Evanston (DPoE) picnic. Then right afterwards, went to my first Evanston 4th parade. I was helping hold a big banner, with the rest of the DPoE Board members:

I must say being in the parade, as opposed to watching it from the sidewalks, is much fun! Certainly something everyone should try once. Being whom I am, I took pictures along the way. And at night went to the lake beach, yes on the sand next to the water, to watch the fireworks.

Now that the primaries are "over" and we are all watching the general election I thought I'd point people to some of the online polling maps that show results in terms of the electoral vote totals.

Wikipedia has a lengthy page with a variety of individual poll results plus overall electoral counts. The maps at the bottom are the most digestible piece of information on the page. Unfortunately it's not clear what the counts are based on other than "using latest polling when available".

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statewide_opinion_polling_for_the_United_States_presidential_election%2C_2008

FiveThirtyEight has lengthy and detailed number and very clear maps and charts of both overall electoral counts and per state counts. They make it clear where the counts from and try to correct bias and instability in the polls the sample from. Of special note is the "Swing State Analysis" chart.

• http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/

Last on my list is the "easiest to read at a glance" page, from "Electoral Vote". The algorithm (a.k.a. method for those not mathematically inclined) used is explained. And the person running the site is nice enough to provide raw poll data for download.

• http://www.electoral-vote.com/

As can be expected from any polling they all arrive at different counts. But the also all put Barack Obama ahead.