Politics & Government

Presidential Election Could End in Tie

Several official polls are predicting a 269-269 split, but Santa Cruz County does not reflect that at all.

It is hard to believe it has almost been four years since Barack Obama stood in Chicago's Grant Park and celebrated his victory in the 2008 Presidential Election. But here we are, just four months away from another political showdown on the grandest scale, and some polls are showing a deadlock. Literally. 

Both the Washington Post and the Huffington Post reported over the last few days that the possibility of a 269-269 split of Electoral College votes is a remote but real possibility in November.

Here's how it would work: If Romney takes all the states that John McCain claimed in 2008 plus swing states Indiana (11 electoral votes), Virginia (13), North Carolina (15), Florida (29), Ohio (18), and New Hampshire (4), he would reach 270, the number needed to claim the presidency. However, Obama could secure one electoral vote in Nebraska, as he did in 2008, which would bring both nominee's totals to 269. A tie in the Electoral College is passed to the newly-elected House of Representatives.

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The Washington Post's election map shows Obama with 196 solid electoral votes and 41 leaning his way. They allocate Romney with 170 and 36 leaning. That leaves 95 toss-up votes. The Huffington Post, however, has already given 263 votes to Obama and 191 to Romney with 84 undecided.

If the last two presidential elections are anything to go by, and certainly they are, Santa Cruz County far from reflects the heated race we're seeing across the country. In 2004, 72 percent of the county voted for John Kerry, and in 2008, 77.7 percent helped elect Obama. 

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Are you paying close attention to the presidential election already? Do you think Santa Cruz County will continue its left-leaning voting trend? Will it swing more Republican than it has in the past with Obama's approval rating sinking? Tell us in the comments!


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