Charting Chaos: How Elections, Data, and Missteps Tell the Story
What happens when campaigns ignore the data? Chaos. The 2024 election proved that numbers don’t lie—even if the candidates wish they did. Let’s break it down.
Hey there, it’s Pennewell—your favorite narrator, data hype man, and chart enthusiast. Today, we’re diving into something wild: the 2024 presidential election, where predictions crumbled, graphs told a story some ignored and some listened closely to and for those who chose to ignore the numbers, well, it led to some seriously bad decisions.
Think campaigns, chaos, and data so juicy it could headline a soap opera. Let’s break it all down—one chart at a time.
Standards Time! Let’s Decode Some Data
Alright, friends, it’s time to level up. Today’s big goal is this:
“Interpret bar graphs, line graphs, and pie charts to make conclusions.”
Translation? By the end of this article, you’ll be the Sherlock Holmes of data—spotting trends, solving mysteries, and maybe even saving someone’s election campaign (because, spoiler: ignoring your data is not the move).
Why does this matter? Simple. Data tells stories. From bar graphs showing who’s got the rizz (or who doesn’t) to pie charts revealing which snacks are disappearing the fastest, numbers are everywhere. Learn to read them, and you’ll unlock the power to make decisions, predict outcomes, and look way smarter than the average politician ignoring their own numbers.
Now grab your magnifying glass—it’s time to crack the case of campaign chaos!

Oh, and before we move on, quick challenge: Look around the room. How many people are wearing black shirts? Got it? Cool. If you’re wearing a black shirt, smile—because you’re totally sigma, and everyone’s counting on you. (Or, at the very least, looking at you. No pressure.)
Here’s the thing: That’s data. Yep, just by counting black shirts, you’re working with numbers to find patterns and trends. And that’s what we’re about to do—except on a much bigger scale.
The Nostradamus of Elections: Allan Lichtman and His 13 Keys
Meet Allan Lichtman, aka the “Election Whisperer.” This guy has been predicting presidential elections since before you were born (probably). (Also, I hope so, or you’re the oldest elementary student ever. OK, Grandma Pearl, put your hand down—you’ve been in this class for over 40 years and still haven’t gotten the answer right.) His system, the 13 Keys to the Presidency, is like a checklist: If enough keys turn “yes,” the party in power wins. If not, they’re out.
For decades, Lichtman’s predictions were solid. He got 9 out of 10 elections right before 2024. But then, the 2024 election happened, and let’s just say it didn’t go as planned.

What Happened in 2024?
Here’s the short version:
Joe Biden: His debate performance was shaky—literally. Viewers thought he looked too old and unsteady. It wasn’t just bad—it was cringe.

Kamala Harris: She became the Democratic nominee but struggled to connect with voters. Instead of building her own identity, she tied herself to Biden’s unpopular policies. (Imagine someone shouting, “The sky is green!” and Harris showing up in a green hat the next day. People were giving her the side-eye like, “What the sigma?” That wasn’t the move.)

Donald Trump: Love him or hate him, his campaign read the data and understood voter frustration. His team played their cards right and came out on top.The result? Lichtman’s prediction for a Harris win fell apart, and Trump returned to the White House.

Bar Graphs: Comparing the Candidates
Bar graphs are like a side-by-side showdown. They’re great for comparing things, like approval ratings for Biden, Harris, and Trump. Spoiler: Biden’s bar was short. Harris’s bar was slightly taller. Trump’s bar? It had just the right amount of rizz.
How to Read It:
X-axis (horizontal line): What you’re comparing. Here, it’s the candidates.
Y-axis (vertical line): The numbers, like percentages or votes.
Bar heights: Taller bars mean better results.
What It Means:
Bar graphs give you an instant visual. Harris’s campaign ignored their tiny bar and said, “Eh, close enough.” The voters, meanwhile, said, “Not even.”
Quick Test:
If Harris’s bar is shorter than Trump’s, who did voters favor more?

Line Graphs: Tracking Trends
Line graphs show change over time. Imagine a graph tracking Harris’s popularity from the primaries to Election Day. The line started okay but dropped faster than your Wi-Fi when too many people are streaming.
How to Read It:
X-axis (horizontal line): Time—days, months, or years.
Y-axis (vertical line): Poll numbers or percentages.T
he line: Tracks changes. Up = good. Down = bad. Flat = mid.
What It Means:
If your line graph looks like a rollercoaster drop, something’s wrong. Harris’s team? They looked at their steep dive and said, “Eh, we’ll be fine.” Spoiler: They weren’t.
Quick Test:
If the line drops sharply, what does that mean about voter approval?

Pie Charts: Slicing Up the Voters
Pie charts show parts of a whole. Imagine a pie chart of voter trust:
Trump’s slice was big.
Harris’s slice was smaller.
“None of the Above” was bussin’—the biggest slice of all.
How to Read It:
Each slice shows a portion of the total. Bigger slices mean more agreement.
What It Means:
If your pie chart looks more like “Crusts R Us” for the candidates and “Pie Heaven” for “None of the Above,” you’ve got a problem.
Quick Test:
If “None of the Above” has the biggest slice, what does that say about the candidates?

Mean, Median, and Mode: Breaking Down the Numbers
Math time! Let’s use smaller numbers for this one:
Mean: The average. Add the numbers and divide by how many there are.
Example: Poll results are 10%, 15%, and 50%. Mean = 25%.
Median: The middle number when arranged in order.
Example: Poll results are 10%, 30%, and 50%. Median = 30%.
Mode: The number that appears the most.
Example: Poll results are 20%, 20%, and 30%. Mode = 20%.
Why It Matters:
These calculations help create graphs and make decisions. If your data keeps saying “meh” (midline numbers), maybe it’s time to switch up your strategy. Harris’s team didn’t. The rest is history.
Why This Matters
Science and math aren’t just about numbers—they’re about understanding the world around us. Graphs and data tell stories, revealing what’s working, what’s failing, and what needs to change. Ignoring them? That’s like trying to win a game without knowing the rules. Spoiler: It never ends well.
Even Lichtman’s 13 Keys couldn’t save a campaign that refused to listen to its own data. The numbers were right there, clear as day—but when you don’t pay attention, the story they’re telling becomes a missed opportunity.
Final Takeaway
Data isn’t just for elections—it’s everywhere. It’s in the sports you watch, the games you play, and even the snacks you eat. Whether it’s a bar graph, line graph, or pie chart, every number tells a story. So next time you see a chart, don’t just glance at it. Ask yourself: What’s it trying to say?
Go off and be great.
– Pennewell