What the hell happened in Michigan 99% of the population registered? Obama up +22?

[grantcart]

Looking at state polls there is a general trend of Obama increasing his lead in most states, but there is one exception, Michigan.

In Michigan Obama is crushing McCain

In Michigan, the new Big Ten survey showing Obama with a crushing 22 point lead is also the first new survey there in two weeks, That scenario gives the new survey great influence in the way the regression trend line plots, so it increases Obama's margin by an almost ridiculous 5.9 points in one day. Still, notice that our trend line is still cautious about the most recent polls, drawing the Obama line just below his recent results and the McCain line just above his.

Michigan registers 99% of the population.

Is that even possible?

Michigan adults are ready to roll come the Nov. 4 election.

http://www.freep.com/article/20081023/NEWS15/810230422/1215/NEWS15


Figures released Wednesday show the state has added 328,000 voters since January, reaching a new registration record just under 7.5 million Michiganders -- about 98% of those eligible.

The final registration numbers released by the Michigan Secretary of State show Michigan had 7,470,764 voters registered by the Oct. 6 deadline. That's up from 7,141,914 registered in January and reflects aggressive voter outreach across the state.

Counties with big universities -- Isabella (Central Michigan University), Washtenaw (University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University), Ingham (Michigan State University), Kalamazoo (Western Michigan University) and Wayne (Wayne State University) -- accounted for the top five spots with the most new voters.

Oakland County officials, with 915,537 registered voters, said if the county hasn't reached 100% of the eligible voting age population registered, it's darned close. The county has gained 38,000 registered voters since January.

"If you look at census data and the number of people under the age of 18, we're right at 100%," said county elections director Joe Rozell. "That's really exciting."

The Michigan campaign of Democratic Sen. Barack Obama set a goal of registering 150,000 new voters before the Oct. 6 deadline, and that mark was met, said Brent Colburn, spokesman for the campaign.

"This campaign always felt that bringing new people into the process was an important step, but now we have to make sure they show up and vote," Colburn said.

Only one county, Ontonagon along the Lake Superior shoreline in the western Upper Peninsula, lost voters, dropping from 6,314 voters in January to 6,234 on Oct. 6.

This may be the most successful voter registration in the history of the United States.

[babylonsister]

1. Isn't this remarkable? I'm thinking so. nt

[susanna]

3. Michigan has also been in a one-state recession for several years...

...long before the national economic picture went south. I call us the "canary in the coal mine" of what was going to happen nationally. I'm not happy I might have been right. With today's announcement of Chrysler getting ready to cut 25% of their workforce, I am not sure what will happen here. We are already suffering through mass foreclosures brought about by five years worth of job losses and outsourcing. I am terrified, and I am not the only one. Terrified people vote.

At least that's my take on it.

[Eric J in MN]

2. A more likely possibility...

...is that some people who moved are listed twice, and some people who died are still on the rolls.

[grantcart]

6. yes of course and also the fact that many of the students are also from out of state

would inflate the rolls.

That is why when you hear that a particular state has purged 10-15 percent of its polls it may just be doing some long needed housekeeping.


Still something remarkable has happened in Michigan which McCain was fighting in just a month ago.

[slampoet]

12. See my post below. ALSO students are a greater percent in nearly any NE state than in MI.

Students are NOT why it is at 98-99%


The reason is that people in Michigan have a system for getting governmental documents that WORKS.

[slampoet]

8. Absolutly NOT see my post below. Michigan is on the ball as far as their system.

PLEASE stop bad-mouthing what you don't know about.

[Ichingcarpenter]

4. Damn Acorn and Ayers!

There can be no other reason for this other than
the communist conspiracy

[slampoet]

5. Michigan has something that is UNIQUE as far as i can see. "Secretary of State" offices in all towns

The SECRETARY OF STATE offices are set up in Michigan usually at low rent strip malls.


These offices are a one stop shop for ALL your legal documents that you may require.


Need a house deed? Go to the Secretary of State offices
Need to take the driver's test? Go to the Secretary of State offices
Pay your taxes? Go to the Secretary of State offices
Dog License ? Go to the Secretary of State offices
Social Security card? Go to the Secretary of State offices

Register to vote? Go to the Secretary of State offices.



And the WONDERFUL thing about these offices is that they are in even towns with less than 25,000 people and they are always in some area with low rent in order to save the state money but this also makes them accessible to the poor.


EVERYONE is Michigan know where to deal with their governmental needs they just Go to the Secretary of State offices.



THIS IS GOVERNMENT FOR THE PEOPLE.

[susanna]

11. That is true. I didn't realize that was something unique to Michigan, though.

Thanks for that information! We're doing something right I guess. :-)

[slampoet]

13. It may not be unique, but I have yet to see any other state that does it......

....and i have lived in 15 states since i left Michigan and i have driven in 47 of the 50.



I would LOVE to see every state copy the Secretary of State offices in MI.


They really are the model to emulate.

[susanna]

15. Then I would defer to your knowledge...

I've traveled (driving) about 25 of the 50, but usually on business, and so was not looking at their Secretary of State setup. Good for us!

[grantcart]

17. good information thank you

[Schulzz]

7. That's why McCain pulled out there first. Probably too hard to steal. nt

[ailsagirl]

9. Heard it on Rachel's show-- that's mind-blowing!!

:wow:

[sufrommich]

10. With the mood in Michigan these days,it doesn't surprise me.

The whole state is lining up to symbolically slap those smirking pukes right in the kisser.If there is a God, my scumbag congressman McCotter goes bye-bye this time around,too.

[slampoet]

14. I hope they spank Rep. Hoekstra.

[sandyj999]

16. One Reason

We are mad as hell!

[grantcart]

21. and not going to take it anymore

[sandyj999]

22. Right! I forgot that part. n/t

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

18. I'm glad I used an absentee ballot

The lines at the polls could be long on Nov 4. Maybe I'll swing by for the free donuts and cider.

:hi:

[JPZenger]

19. Are some out-of-date registrations

Most states do not remove voters from their voting rolls even if they don't vote for years. Many states have large numbers of registered voters who are dead or moved out of state. I know that is true in Philadelphia.

[yardwork]

20. Terrible economy in Michigan. Just destroyed by reaganomics.