New York Times Election Map Re-Creation and Discussion

New York Times Original Map

Kelly Easterday's Re-Creation


Discussion

The 2008 election results maps available through the New York Times website seem to be nearly perfect in their execution, design and functionality; but they lack certain characteristics and information that is potentially valuable to a political analyst and concerned voter. First, it might be helpful to present a map of Gallop Poll results during the campaign prior to the stock market crash. This may help display the role that the economy played in voter’s decisions at the polls in November. Second, it is graphically bothersome that Alaska and Hawaii are geographically misplaced. It might be more graphically pleasing if Alaska and Hawaii were to be placed in locations that at least suggest their true geographic positions. Lastly, the maps do not display any data comparing male and female voting behavior.

The 2008 election was significant because it featured an African-American male as a Presidential candidate and a female as a Vice-Presidential candidate. If the maps were to show females voting behavior in comparison with males from the same states it might help display the “Palin Effect” or the effect (positive or negative) of having a female vice presidential candidate. In sum, the maps seem to be quite complete and user friendly, but they lack certain said characteristics that may improve their performance.