Something interesting I saw re: 2002 GA Gov race

Cobb County:

93,228 Perdue 52.09%
79,551 Barnes 44.44%

Is this county becoming less Republican? I expected Perdue to win by at least 2-1.

perdue will be gone in 06-if we get rid of Cathy Cox and diebold. Recall Cathy Cox!!!

Is that why it was closer than expected?

When voting patterns change, can you always see it coming, is it usually incremental? Can opinion be changing, but not show up right away in election results? As in the Perdue/Barnes race if there appears to be some disaffection, can it be even deeper than it would appear since Perdue won?

I guess I could answer my own question with a look back at Bill Clinton's two wins. Maybe the real question is, do you think people are beginning to realize the emporer is wearing no clothes, but are, as yet, afraid to voice their thoughts out loud?

Now that was a real demonstration of a semi-coherent thinking process.

That's what the GOP had in 2002 to boost turnout. Ralph Reed et al brought out Republicans from rural Georgia who hadn't voted in years. That is why Barnes and Cleland lost, although some DUers still cling to the voting machine conspiracy theories.

Georgia’s New “Credit for Voting” Report: Demographic Composition of Electorate Changed Little Between ’98 and 2002 General Elections

Between 1998 and 2002, overall active voter registration fell by 142,682 citizens. This reduction in the voter roll, even as Georgia’s population showed strong growth during the period, is the result of list maintenance efforts established by NVRA (the federal “motor voter” law).

White males, white females and black males all showed reductions in voter registration between 1998 and 2002. Only black females and “other” voters showed increases.

While the size of the voter roll decreased, the number of Georgians who cast ballots increased -- by over 218,000. Hence, “turnout” (number of those against the base of those registered) grew by nearly eight percent.

Voter registration and participation by black males continues to lag far behind that of black females. Indeed, the lower overall voter participation by African-Americans compared to whites is attributable to this factor. Black females continue to register and vote at rates similar to white males and females.

In 2002 as in the past, voter participation increased significantly with age. The highest percentage turnout was among registrants 60 – 64, with nearly 71 % turnout. The turnout percentage of young adults 18 – 24 was nearly 50 points lower.

http://www.sos.state.ga.us/pressrel/022503.htm

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This has been posted numerous times in response to Carlos' DLC sponsored bullshit claim and he persists in trying to paint untrue information as fact.

At my first Dean MeetUp a few months ago, the organizers assured us we have a very healthy Dem population in Cobb. The "reputation" of it being so thoroughly Repug is overrated.

So what are you comparing it to? Got any earlier figures?

Eloriel

Bush 140,494 59.78%
Gore 86,676 36.88%

Above was 2000.

Dole 114,188 56.93%
Clin 73,750 36.77%

Above was 1996.

Bush 103,734 52.63%
Clin 63,960 32.45%

Above was 1992.

Bush 106,621 72.70%
Duk 39,297 26.79%

Above was 1988.

why not answer your own question and look at the Cobb County numbers for his 1998 election?

COBB County 152 precincts
Barnes (D) 68,997
Milner (R) 80,889
Cashin (L) 7,491