Creating Maps

[Pollster]

I've figured out how to make full EV maps, but I've seen some posters on this site create statewide maps and even some county level maps as well. Is this a feature on the site or are they using some other kind of software? Thanks in advance.

[Virginiá]

It's only for state maps. If you mean things like this (taken from FC thread):




Then no, that is off-site and something else entirely. If you want to use a map you find offsite, if it is an image, you can right click on it, and if Firefox or Chrome, it should let you straight up copy the image (in ff, click "Copy Image"), then open up MS Paint, and then click paste (or ctrl+v). You can use the fill feature to fill in contiguous blocks with a specific color.

[Pollster]

Much thanks.

Is there a specific source that the users here use to get their blank maps from? Or anywhere anybody could recommend for some quality files?

[cinyc]

The more tech-sophisticated users use GIS mapping software, like MapWindow GIS or QGIS (free) or ArcGIS (not free) to make our maps.  No tedious painting necessary.  Assign a numerical code to the winner and use the software to paint it.  It's much quicker - but you have to know how to use those programs.

The base for those maps is usually Census Bureau shapefiles.

[Pollster]

That technology really overwhelms me, but thanks.

I'm a fan of wikipedia's election maps, anybody have any idea where they get their templates from?

[heatcharger]

That technology really overwhelms me, but thanks.

I'm a fan of wikipedia's election maps, anybody have any idea where they get their templates from?

Yeah, I've been wondering this too. Does anyone know?

[cinyc]

That technology really overwhelms me, but thanks.

I'm a fan of wikipedia's election maps, anybody have any idea where they get their templates from?

It's easier to learn than you think.  I basically taught myself how to do it.  Some others, like realisticidealist and jimrtex are much more expert at it than I am.

Yeah, I've been wondering this too. Does anyone know?

I don't know, but I can easily make a template of practically anything you want using mapping software and shapefiles - if they're publicly available.

[Crumpets]

If you go on Wiki Commons and search for "blank PNG map" of wherever you want to work on, there are usually some good shape files there that work in MS Paint.

[jate88]

I wanted to post a picture of the map I fill in with paint but it won't let me.