Google Trends Electionland • Hacker News Board

Re: Google Trends Electionland

#21

Post by girzel » Tue, Nov 08, 2016, 4:15 PM UTC

jplahn wrote: post #9

A 100% increase in searches for "voter intimidation" in my city (Seattle) is interesting. I'd love additional context on who is searching for that (i.e. is it the intimidators or the fearful?) Nonetheless, this seems like the beginning of an interesting tool. What would it take to do some sort of fuzzy matching on related searches, like broken voting machines for voting machine problems? I suppose you could wait for…

Given that Washington State is all mail-in, I doubt we're seeing a lot of actual voter intimidation! I'm also in Seattle, and dropped my ballot off at one of three drop-off points. There were some nice people in smocks there who thanked me for voting.

Re: Google Trends Electionland

#22

Post by ryanSrich » Tue, Nov 08, 2016, 4:15 PM UTC

On days like this I'm glad I live in Oregon. Honestly it's the only sane and responsible way to vote.

Re: Google Trends Electionland

#23

Post by highCs » Tue, Nov 08, 2016, 4:15 PM UTC

How is measured intimidation?

Re: Google Trends Electionland

#24

Post by protomyth » Tue, Nov 08, 2016, 4:16 PM UTC

ma2rten wrote: post #19

protomyth wrote: post #8

I'm a bit peeved polls didn't open until 9AM in New Rockford ND when the state (and a fair number of farmers) said they would open at 7AM. Wonder what that would be on Google's chart.

"Long Wait Times"?

I suppose two hours could be considered that. Its still harvest for a lot of these folks so this is a not good thing. Lot of farmers were getting a full mad on as I went back to my car. I'm not very fond of being late to work, but I would not have made it back in time tonight.

Re: Google Trends Electionland

#25

Post by tangue » Tue, Nov 08, 2016, 4:16 PM UTC

Google did something similar for the flu without any significant result[0]. Did things improved ?

[0] https://www.wired.com/2015/10/can-learn-epic-failure-google-...

Re: Google Trends Electionland

#26

Post by Munksgaard » Tue, Nov 08, 2016, 4:18 PM UTC

ryanSrich wrote: post #22

On days like this I'm glad I live in Oregon. Honestly it's the only sane and responsible way to vote.

Forgive my ignorance, but how do you vote in Oregon?

Re: Google Trends Electionland

#27

Post by idm » Tue, Nov 08, 2016, 4:18 PM UTC

Sortof OT: I was also interested in election trends. While Google is focusing on real-time search trends regarding voting, I looked at meme trends leading up to the election. There are interesting trends in the amount of attention different candidate memes received over time. It will be interesting to see whether the attention received by candidates is translated into votes, today.

Here's the working paper: http://iandennismiller.github.io/election-memes

EDIT: quick link to viz: http://imgur.com/S6nHNLT

Re: Google Trends Electionland

#28

Post by dominotw » Tue, Nov 08, 2016, 4:21 PM UTC

jplahn wrote: post #9

A 100% increase in searches for "voter intimidation" in my city (Seattle) is interesting. I'd love additional context on who is searching for that (i.e. is it the intimidators or the fearful?) Nonetheless, this seems like the beginning of an interesting tool. What would it take to do some sort of fuzzy matching on related searches, like broken voting machines for voting machine problems? I suppose you could wait for…

>is it the intimidators or the fearful?

Just regular people scared by media propaganda. That would be my guess. Exactly like the other items in the list. 'Long lines' doesn't mean people forming long lines are searching for it.

Re: Google Trends Electionland

#29

Post by wiredfool » Tue, Nov 08, 2016, 4:22 PM UTC

jplahn wrote: post #9

A 100% increase in searches for "voter intimidation" in my city (Seattle) is interesting. I'd love additional context on who is searching for that (i.e. is it the intimidators or the fearful?) Nonetheless, this seems like the beginning of an interesting tool. What would it take to do some sort of fuzzy matching on related searches, like broken voting machines for voting machine problems? I suppose you could wait for…

Yeah, I was noticing that too. 150% spike in voting machine problems at 8:30 EST in Seattle.

Re: Google Trends Electionland

#30

Post by ryanSrich » Tue, Nov 08, 2016, 4:22 PM UTC

Munksgaard wrote: post #26

ryanSrich wrote: post #22

On days like this I'm glad I live in Oregon. Honestly it's the only sane and responsible way to vote.

Forgive my ignorance, but how do you vote in Oregon?

You don't get the option to vote in person. We don't even have voter booths.

Instead, the state mails you a voter guide and a ballot that you fill out in the convenience of your own home. This allows you to review the candidates and new proposed bills line by line.

Once filled out you simply drop it off at one of the hundreds of drop-off locations and you're done (or mail it in if you have time). This can all be done weeks ahead of November 8th.