Final answer:
Since the 1960 presidential election marked the rise of television's influence in politics, it has been over 60 years, seeing a shift in television from a spectator sport to an interactive medium affecting political strategies and viewer engagement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'How much time has passed since the television vote?' relates to the history and evolution of television in American politics. Given that television's influence in politics began to rise significantly during the 1960 presidential election, we can use this as a starting reference point. The transition from TV being a spectator activity to an interactive one significantly impacted political engagement and the dissemination of information, as seen with the regulation of exit poll results since 1985, and the ongoing influence of television in political advertising from Eisenhower's commercials in 1952 to the present.
It's essential to also note how television's role in politics and media coverage has been adapting, with major networks reducing their coverage due to the advent of cable TV news and the internet, changing the way political content is consumed and disseminated. Technological advancements have redefined political strategies, making online campaigning crucial, as demonstrated by Barack Obama's campaign. Hence, discussing 'how much time has passed since the television vote?' involves assessing the changes over decades in political media strategies and public engagement.