We’re going to have a new representative in Congress, the first Democrat here since 1995, my first one since 2009. It looks like the township and county folks will all be incumbents. It was shocking to see so many races, believed to be close, called so early. And then the night just kept on, as most election nights do. A lot was said, and we’ll spend weeks and months watching people try to understand what the voters intended. They, we, certainly spoke loudly. Political scientist Michael McDonald has been looking at the early numbers.
My preliminary 2026 turnout estimate for the 2026 general election is that 124.3 million people voted. This represents a turnout rate of 49.42% among those eligible to vote.
The 2026 turnout rate is slightly lower than the 50.05% turnout rate for the 2018 general election, which was the highest turnout rate for a midterm election since 1914. The 2026 midterm election would be the second highest midterm turnout rate since 1914.
And for the next week or more some of the later results will be tabulated. It is a government in progress, then, which is good.
Today was gorgeous, not the least of which because we could all go to sleep at an almost reasonable hour last night. It was a lovely day on its on merits, though. So we went for a ride, just because we could. Just down to the river, and back.
Here we are on the “and-back” portion. I was trying to get my lovely bride framed up with these flowers, which are still madly blooming into November. I couldn’t get the shot what I wanted, but you get the idea.
The neighborhood greater is still doing its thing.
This tree looks like it is exploding from within which … come to think of it … is how explosions happen. Anyway, look at this color pattern.
Shot this one over my shoulder. Figured it might be worth it. Sometimes your instincts prove correct.
Anyway, it was a short ride to spin out the legs, to say we did, in view of the idea that we could, because the weather was too beautiful not to enjoy.
As ever, it was the right choice.
In organizational communication tonight we talked about negotiation. I am trying to get them interested in doing something that we all have to do once in a while. Maybe they’ll remember these concepts when it comes time for them to ask for more money, or a lower bill, or whatever the case may be.
I showed them these clips from Draft Day, which makes me want to watch Draft Day again.
Also, now I also want pancakes.
