MSNBC continually airs graphic featuring inaccurate poll closing times for multiple states
SUMMARY: MSNBC continually aired graphics that purported to show "POLL CLOSING[]" times for each state. But in states that cross over time zones, the times listed in the graphics reflected the western-most time zone in the state, in which polls close an hour later than the rest of the state. Thus, people watching MSNBC in the eastern portion of some states could be left with the impression that local polls would be open for an hour after they actually close.
During MSNBC Live's Election Day coverage, MSNBC continually aired graphics that purported to show "POLL CLOSING[]" times for each state. But in states that cross over time zones, the times listed in the graphics reflected the western-most time zone in the state, in which polls close an hour later than the rest of the state. Thus, people watching MSNBC in the eastern portion of some states could be left with the impression that local polls would be open for an hour after they actually close.
For example, according to the Florida Department of State's "2008 Voter Registration and Voting Guide," "Polls will be open on election day from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. local time." Since Florida is split between the Eastern and Central time zones, polls close at 7 p.m. ET in some parts of the state and at 8 p.m. ET in other parts, not at 8 p.m. ET throughout the state, as the MSNBC graphic indicated. Likewise, according to the Michigan Secretary of State, polls in the state are "open from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m," but since the state is in two time zones, the majority of the state polls close at 8 p.m. ET, and the remainder close at 9 p.m. ET. But the MSNBC graphic suggested that all polls in the state close at 9 p.m. ET.
Moreover, MSNBC aired the graphic even after NBC News political director Chuck Todd acknowledged the differences in poll closing times in Florida. During the noon ET hour of MSNBC Live, Todd said, "And a reminder, when you see that we have polls closing at 8 o'clock in Florida, that doesn't mean polls are open until 8 o'clock in the Eastern time zone of Florida. So if you're in South Florida or Central Florida, your polls close at 7. It's in the panhandle that they close in 8 Eastern." Later in the hour, Todd said:
TODD: And a little guide to viewers. You see this ticker below talking about poll closing time. The time that you see is the last time that polls close in a state. There are a lot of states with split time zone, like Florida. We'll say that the polls close at 8 o'clock. Well, they close at 7 local. Eight o'clock in the Central time with Pensacola, but 7 p.m. Eastern in most of the rest of the state. That's the same with Indiana. It's 6 to 6, local. We encourage you, if you're confused about when your polls close, to go and check with your local polling officials, check your local polling places. They will obviously have the exact information you need. We want to tell our viewers when we'll start seeing vote counts, and that's why we have those final times up on our screen. So, if you need to know when your polls close, check with your local election official.
Despite Todd's acknowledgment that the graphics were inaccurate and misleading, MSNBC continued to air them unaltered.
Other states in multiple time zones include Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Texas.
According to MSNBC's graphic, "POLL CLOSINGS" at 7:00 p.m. ET include Indiana and Kentucky.
According to MSNBC's graphic, "POLL CLOSINGS" at 8:00 p.m. ET include Florida.
According to MSNBC's graphic, "POLL CLOSINGS" at 9:00 p.m. ET include Kansas, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas.
According to MSNBC's graphic, "POLL CLOSINGS" at 11:00 p.m. ET include Oregon and Idaho
From the November 4 broadcast of MSNBC Live:
TODD: And a reminder, when you see that we have polls closing at 8 o'clock in Florida, that doesn't mean polls are open until 8 o'clock in the Eastern time zone of Florida. So, if you're in South Florida or Central Florida, your polls close at 7. It's in the panhandle that they close at 8 Eastern.
[...]
TODD: And a little guide to viewers. You see this ticker below talking about poll closing time. The time that you see is the last time that polls close in a state. There are a lot of states with split time zone, like Florida. We'll say that the polls close at 8 o'clock. Well, they close at 7 local. Eight o'clock in the Central time with Pensacola, but 7 p.m. Eastern in most of the rest of the state. That's the same with Indiana. It's 6 to 6, local. We encourage you, if you're confused about when your polls close, to go and check with your local polling officials, check your local polling places. They will obviously have the exact information you need. We want to tell our viewers when we'll start seeing vote counts, and that's why we have those final times up on our screen. So, if you need to know when your polls close, check with your local election official.
This isn't conservative misinformation, or liberal misinformation. This is just sloppy, lazy reporting.
Tommy, it is sloppy and they need to correct the stupid mistake, God Forbid someone took what they were reporting and believed it and missed out on voting,
Not to excuse MSNBC, or any media outlet for this inaccuracy; but I would imagine that those living in the far southwestern region of North Dakota are already aware they have to do this time adjustment thing all the time. If someone from the media says polls close at 7pm for North Dakota, then they know for them it's really 6pm.
They are doing this as a courtesy for people such as Ann Coulter who vote in several different time zones.
How could supposedly compassionate liberals be so callous so as to attempt to disenfranchise Ann Coulter?
They are doing this as a courtesy for people such as Ann Coulter who vote in several different time zones.
And on several different planets.....
gee, and I thought it was so it would give the busses ACORN rented enough time to truck their multiple registrants to another set of polls to vote. LOL
Once again Miss DeeMinus LOLs her way through another bout of supreme ignorance. In her case, LOL must stand for Lifetime Of Losing.
give the busses...
That would be buses. You said that ACORN is renting kisses.
I give up. You're an idiot. Pure and simple.
This isn't conservative misinformation, or liberal misinformation. This is just sloppy, lazy reporting.
Agreed. And since there was confusing about poll closing times in Florida in 2000, it's inexcusable.
Since less voter turnout always favors the right, this misinformation - if it were to have any effect - would be more likely to favor McCain, so it aint a leap to call it conservative misinformation either.
It doesn't always favor the right, if McCain's supporters miss out on voting because of this gaffe by MSNBC, who would benefit then?
When voter turnout lessens, conservatives' chances of winning improves. It's pretty well-documented.
Good point. And a good question: If Todd has noticed it, why haven't they changed it?
But hey, an even better way to suppress the vote would be to just call the election early before the polls close everwhere, thereby gutting voter enthusiasm in the West and possibly influencing close votes.
But they'd never do that, would they? Noooooo....
Absolutely Victor...
I vote absentee. If Obama wins, I hope he makes Election Reform a top issue.
Wall Street Journal / NBC poll on 2004 election eve:
Bush 48%
Kerry 47%
Final Tally: Raisin Brain wins by 3 million votes
Wall Street Journal / NBC poll 2008 election eve:
Obama 51%
McCain 43%
?????????????????????
If Obama loses, how did it happen?...Just ask your friendly neighborhood electronic voting machine.
Fox News is reporting that Democrats are not allowed to vote in Virginia past 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
The scum gets very desperate in its final throes...
Seriously? If this is true, that would be election tampering.
It is totally right on for MM to correct this misinformation.
In the words of the Temptations, "I second that emotion."
Did they correct themselves and acknowledge it on air?
They're quoting the latest closing time in each state because that's when they can start reporting returns. It's unfortunate that they may be confusing some people, but seriously, how many voters unsure of the poll closing time are watching MSNBC to find out? We have much bigger fish to fry.
They may not be watching it for that reason, but they could see it and say, 'hey, oh yea, I got another hour.'
Or a friend or relative could notice it and say, 'don't worry, they close at X, not Y.'
How can we take action TODAY?
*
Are you kidding me? Everyone complained that the networks dared to "suppress" the GOP vote in West Florida in 2000 by announcing results before the polls were closed at 7PM their time! There is a certain minimal amount of paying attention that should be required by the electorate. Take a look at a voter's guide, check a local source for details, or call a local election official. MSNBC is a national news outlet; it's not their job to give detailed local info. Enough with the conspiracy theories... just vote (for Obama, hopefully) and let's start acting like grown-ups.