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Citizens from Every Country Can Now Vote in the US Election
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by kate | October 22, 2008 at 02:05 pm
825 views | 79 Recommendations | 35 comments
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I found this site today that allows people all over the world to cast their vote for the U.S. Presidential election. Votes are charted into a very nice flash driven map that colours the country blue for Obama, red for McCain. It is called The World For.
Personally I like this site because I follow the election with careful attention, only stopping to remind myself once and a while that as a Canadian, I don't actually have a voice in this race. So, now I do.
At the time of writing, there are some interesting perspectives:
Canada is 97% for Obama
Russia is 55% for McCain, 45% for Obama
Poland is tied evenly at 50/50%
Sweden is 99% for Obama, 1% for McCain.
In the span of 10 minutes, Greenland turned purple (from red) and is now also split 50-50.
Writing on nettime, Dan Sheetz wrote this about the project:
"One of the most important elections in United States history will take
place this November 4, 2008. While only US citizens may vote in this election, much of the world is watching the race very closely. Faced with a growing financial crisis, climate change and global energy challenges, we all know that an uncertain future will be greatly defined by the next US president. For better or worse, we are all interconnected."
TheWorldFor.com is a project that was developed "by a few concerned and hardworking Americans " as a "labour of love", and they are "not affiliated with any group, campaign, or government agency."
go and vote - you know you want to!
What is NowPublic?
NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.
Crowd Power
stvalentine
California, United States
BallyZACA
Palm Springs, California, United States
Public-Now
Ottawa, Canada
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (35)
at 14:26 on October 22nd, 2008
kate, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 14:27 on October 22nd, 2008
This is a great idea and I like the way it represents opinion graphically. We can't take it as read that it's an accurate representation of global opinion but it's interesting nonetheless.
at 15:03 on October 22nd, 2008
kate, I like this story. It's good stuff. Very cool. Obama is dominating. 97:3 in Canada. Thats amazing.
at 15:09 on October 22nd, 2008
kate, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 15:14 on October 22nd, 2008
Feeling 'disenfranchised'?
at 15:25 on October 22nd, 2008
Wow, if the world had a say, there wouldnt even really need to be a vote.
at 15:51 on October 22nd, 2008
I will look and see how France is voting then do the opposite. :)
at 16:17 on October 22nd, 2008
kate, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 16:27 on October 22nd, 2008
You DO know don't you that your votes on that site do NOT count. It just gives you an opinion vote.
I copied this from the website: theworldfor.com is dedicated to providing a voice for world opinion in one of the most important elections in United States history. While this election will ultimately be decided by US citizens at the ballot box, this site can inform those voters as to the world's interest in this election, in an era when we are all interconnected.
at 16:54 on October 22nd, 2008
There's another site floating around Facebook: www.iftheworldcouldvote.com. Same cool buzz generating idea. Only thing is there's nothing preventing people from voting their opinion twice, so accurate it is not. Well we all know the world says "GO Obama" anyway.
at 18:33 on October 22nd, 2008
That may not be correct all the site needs to do is set a routine to identify the ip address and not allow another.
at 18:36 on October 22nd, 2008
I did check one can try to vote twice and the site wants an email authentication because I had voted already. So they do identify the IP address
at 17:49 on October 22nd, 2008
kate, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 18:21 on October 22nd, 2008
Your headline is as misleading as McCain's ads. However, I like the idea even though as a previous writer said there is no validity. Vote early and vote often.
at 18:24 on October 22nd, 2008
kate, I like this story. It's good stuff. Very nice writing
at 18:37 on October 22nd, 2008
Next ACORN will be registering folks in Haiti and Cuba
at 18:41 on October 22nd, 2008
Not only interesting... most relevant!
at 19:38 on October 22nd, 2008
Great find, Kate! Very interesting.
at 20:19 on October 22nd, 2008
kate, I like this story. It's good stuff. I would guess most will vote for the communist who wants to steal my hard earned cash and "spread the wealth around"?
at 20:33 on October 22nd, 2008
kate, I like this story. It's good stuff. Amazing stuff
at 20:53 on October 22nd, 2008
Hi kate,
Very interesting.. but country wise numbers are not too great.. India with 1 billion population has 7 voters... but I think it will pick up...
at 00:25 on October 23rd, 2008
kate, I like this story. It's good stuff.
Funny stuff ... the creators are on to something big :)
at 22:09 on October 22nd, 2008
kate, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 22:13 on October 22nd, 2008
Hey, Kate, how would you like the rest of world deciding your elections? Or trying to unduly influence your voters?
at 01:13 on October 23rd, 2008
My goodness the whole world is in the act. I only wish that people from their respective countries would pay more attention to what is playing out in their own backyard. But it is easier to slam the US then look into the mirror at their own faults and short comings.
I also noted that Terrorism isn't high on many of the mono-culture countries particularly in the northern lands of Europe. Just maybe it's because of the payout in blackmail money to many of the groups in question in the form of aid and other blood money?
and they are worried about McCain Hmmmm.
at 06:15 on October 23rd, 2008
kate, I like this story. It's good stuff.
I have been saying this for a long time....that all people should have a right to vote in other peoples countries when it obviously affects them. The US is not about freedom afterall...only Americans can vote there.
Rev. Jermano
at 08:40 on October 23rd, 2008
Mr. Jeranamo,
Very CUTE. REAL-ITY by god himself. Geranamo the reverend. You live in one of the most suppressed and oppressed countries and you are bitching about the US. Man have you lost your way.
at 17:29 on October 24th, 2008
I have only found more clearly than ever that this is the world not a league of Nationalism. My presense is all the more needed to promote the end to Nationalism, and promote equality and equal human rights to all the people. The lord did not fancy himself to the presence of the do gooders...but he was amongst those who were in need of him....In fact here in China they are much less oppressive than in Israel. It is because of the Nationalistic ideals that you garner hate in the world. Think about it Tikun.....Why should I stay in America fanning the hate toward China, fanning the hate toward Palestine, or Israel......fanning the hate of Saddam or binLadin. It goes No WHERE... man...I don't support sanctions and the murder of innocent people and kids......I have found my way Tikun......it is you and all the people who claim to be Christians or Jews who have lost your way..... You relic in the acquisition of arms and guns and bullets......You have forgotten to turn the other cheek to do good to your enemies. I have found that since I have no fear of China I only have friends and more and more friends who agree we are a people of the New World.....not the New American World Order or the tenants of Israel and its Jewishness because they claim they won the World War.....
No it is a much more subtle reality and that is freedom is something all people have the right to not just Americans or Israel.....You constantly badger me Tikun....yet I don't badger you......giving the sound reasons why reaching out is better than isolationist views you people advocate. God willing you will see your way... My name is Rev. Jermano.....open your eyes and see how to spell my name.....God Bless you and China...When I bless all my enemies to include the United States.....I find I have no enemies....I have only hope and reassurance that where I am going is to the place where God lives with us all.
Rev. Jermano
at 19:09 on October 23rd, 2008
panzerlawyer : regarding Obama as a "communist" who wants to steal "your hard earned cash" and "spread the wealth around", you may want to note the true numbers. Someone earning over $250,000 a year would see a tax increase of $1200. Everyone else would see a tax decrease. Sorry, is it really too much to ask? I think you can afford $1200.
Rene: I think that in an age of globalization, the political balances of the world affect each other. I would very much like to see what the rest of the world would want for Canada in an election. I don't see this site as unduly influencing the election because it is simply asking a question, much like a poll. Anyway the people who made this site are American.
tikun: no one is slamming the US. This is a poll. Regarding blood money etc.: ok whatever.
at 23:51 on October 25th, 2008
Hi Kate,
My point is that countries have a sovereignty that I respect. It is true that what happens in the US election will affect the rest of the world. But what happens in almost any part of the world today will have an impact on the global situation. I do not look forward to a universal, "one world country". I think that tends to kill diversity and individual responsibility. Just look at the EU as an example. More government and more desire to rule the world. I think that all countries are now coming to an understanding that economic policy has a global impact and through this realization cooperation is unfolding. Enlightened self-interest.
I appreciate the different cultures and peoples that inhabit the globe. People that advocate for the elimination of diversity in guise of one world government are contributing to the oppression of those that want to enjoy their uniqueness and celebrate it with the rest of the world through global connections. We have much to learn from each other and it would be a shame if this was discouraged. The way to global unity is through self-examination and understanding/experiencing our common thread that we all share. Many great teachers of insight always make the point that there are no shortcuts to this experience. It takes personal responsibility and determination.
Be Well,
Steve