The price of Gas, and the upcoming election

With the upcoming election a couple of weeks away I thought I would share a little phenomenon I've noticed over the years, I'm fairly certain that many of you have noticed this phenomenon as well. So I thought I would start a thread to last for the next month or so to see if we as a community can document real life stats on the truth of this. Over the last couple of weeks we have seen a drop in gas prices and it is my opinion that we are going to see some more price drops in gas until right after the election, which is when gas prices will rise up to the higher prices they were at or even higher. So what I'm asking of the ATS community is to post your general metropolitan area and the current gas pricesand how much they have dropped in the last couple of weeks. Then stop by this thread about once a week and update your local gas prices. Simple challenge, right, I'll go first.

I live in Burbank Illinois, it is the first suburb outside of Chicago city limits, 2 weeks ago gas prices here were $3.53 cents a gallon, today the gas station across the street from me had gas for $3.28.

a reply to: DonVoigt

I hope you're not implying that politicians have anything to do with gas prices!

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2.84 Portland, Oregon.

I don't have a current price. I live in Silicon Valley, though. Everyone here is an engineer or software 'king' so I guarantee its higher here than most anywhere.

Hasn't price for gas always gone down towards winter and up again in the summer?

People do less driving in the winter months and more when its warm. Is that based on demand or 'gouging'?

a reply to: DonVoigt

I've seen this pattern for years.

About a month or so ago, gas was at $3.45 a gallon.

Yesterday in town it was down to $2.78. Been dropping quite a bit over the last 2 weeks.

Hate all the campaign commercials. LOVE to see the gas prices fall though.

Wish food prices would do the same!

a reply to: intrptr



I thought it went up, for heating oil etc.

a reply to: beezzer

I never said politicians had any control over gas prices, all I said was that this is a phenomenon I've noticed over the past couple of elections and I would like to try to either prove or disprove my theory by creating some statistics.

a reply to: DonVoigt

Around $3.20 or so in the suburbs just north of Atlanta. Has fallen from about $3.50 a few weeks ago.

originally posted by: beezzer
a reply to: intrptr
I thought it went up, for heating oil etc.

Theres your answer, the more demand the higher they raise price. Thats price gouging. Price should go down when the demand is high, not up?

But we live in a monopolized state so they can charge whatever they want.

a reply to: DonVoigt

There should be somewhere on the internet where you can find records like that (it's the internet.....you can find anything on it).

I'm betting that it will show what we've seen: Election time rolls around and gas prices seem to dip everytime.

a reply to: DonVoigt


Interesting you posted this thread, me and my girlfriend were just talking about this about an hour ago.
In my area in Michigan prices were about $3.40 about three weeks ago and down to about $3.10 now and slowly dropping.

We are watching this as well, props to you for keeping track.

a reply to: eriktheawful

I'm sure there is a place on the internet that might have these stats, but it's not as much fun as us here at the ATS community of doing our own stats.

a reply to: DonVoigt

Another political tool. Gas prices do seem to drop just before elections. They've been sky high for how long despite the fact that we've become the number one producer of oil and gas in the world. You'd think that as we become energy independent it might save us individuals a few bucks, but instead its made ginormous profits for Oil & Gas companies. Pathetic. This time it seems like an effort to help the democrats but nothing can save them now. Obama, his policies, agenda, ego, has been a complete and utter disaster for this country and the democratic party. Republicans will win big this election. But hey, look at the bright side. All that money not going into the hoarded billions of Exxon and the rest is money that will actually get spent back into a suffering economy! Just in time for Christmas shopping (if Ebola doesn't kill that sector).

Edit: I forgot to add my local prices. In northern Wisconsin prices are all over the place. A few weeks ago it was in the 3.50's but now it's down to 2.92 in Superior but just an hour south its 3.19. and then 13 miles further south in Rice Lake it's 3.09.

Around here, Central Illinois, the price has bounced around over the last few months, with a trend toward lower pricing.
Yesterday, it dropped to $2.94 from $3.08. Before that, the price was staying around $3.64 to $3.86.
Funny how as the election gets closer, the price goes lower. Making damn sure to take advantage of it though!!

a reply to: CitizenJack

Huh. I'm in a small town in MI, and ours is down to 2.92.

I paid $2.99 a gallon the other day in Baltimore, MD.

I don't about anyone else but lower gas prices aren't going to make me want to vote more. And vote for who anyway, Exxon?

Sorry OP, done about why prices go up or down.

In south central VA.-3.30 a month ago....2.51 as of yesterday. I have said the same thing about the gas prices.Will make sure my tank is filled on election day.a reply to: DonVoigt

originally posted by: intrptr
I don't about anyone else but lower gas prices aren't going to make me want to vote more. And vote for who anyway, Exxon?

Sorry OP, done about why prices go up or down.

The idea is that it will help the party in control, which would be democrats, by showing how they are helping the economy. Lower gas prices definitely helps the economy. Big Oil & Gas loves Obama, he hasn't done a damn thing to encourage lowered prices since he has been in office going on six years now. Prices have been high despite last year we bumped Saudi Arabia from the top spot of oil producer. We're number one for gas too and that should be no surprise with the hundreds of thousands of wells being drilled under Obama's watch. Everyone likes to think he is all about alternative energy but he's been in there for nearly six years and Oil & Gas has exploded under his watch!

I have often wondered why the price of gasoline, electricity, and stuff that you will always need on a continual basis isn't standardized by the government. These are basic necessities to society, basically we are held hostage, by "capitalists" who continually gouge us to no end.

Right before our President was elected in 2008, gas prices were down to $1.18/gallon in my area. By the end of his first term, gas prices were up to $3.85. They have been lurking around $3.49 in my area recently. Earlier this year it was as low as $2.99. I have always wondered why prices went THAT low in 2008. It could be something as simple as the oil companies lowering prices to try to get people to vote for the candidates that support big oil, but I have nothing to prove that.