Reply #194: It really is a fascinating phenomenon at least

[jmknapp]

...that the high-growth exurbs went so overwhelmingly for Bush. Realize that it's not just registration drives, but population shifts behind these localized increases in registered voters. IMO, if there is fraud to be found, it's in them thar exurban hills. If no fraud, then we are left to contemplate how either through self-selection or the local water supply (Kool-Aid?) that settlers in these areas become Bush-bots.

The same thing happened around Columbus. In Franklin County, the exurb of Dublin had over 100% increase in voters in one precinct, and went very heavy for Bush, and also strongly in favor of the gay marriage ban. As Republicans, these voters differ from the old-money GOP in suburbs like Upper Arlington and Worthington, who tended to vote against the gay marriage ban. Fascinating dichotomy I think. When Issue 1 is plotted against Kerry support, this split becomes graphic:



For Butler, a similar pattern is seen: