Election Day

So we have finally made it to election day.  As crowded as some of the races are, it has been a remarkably quiet election. It really has, at least in relation to where I thought it would be.

It has been interesting in many ways.  This certainly has been the most high tech local election we have seen.  Many of the elements used have been used in the past, however, not to the degree and not by the number of candidates in this single election.

Robo calls, facebook, video, websites, organized PACs.  

By 8:00 P.M. all the work will be over.  there will be a brief wait (although if you are running it will seem anything but brief) and the returns will start rolling in. The returns first precinct reporting, usually precinct 1, are normally reported within 5 minutes.  By as soon as 8:20, it should be all over.  

I had to laugh the other day because I was all ready hearing the conspiracy theories about election results that had not yet even been announced.  Thankfully we don't use ballots with hanging chads!

Here is a heads up.  When you put your ballot into the machine, the change in the counter is not instantaneous. Apparently a whole bunch of people thought their votes were not counted last election because they didn't see the number change.  

I expect some close races.  I will be surprised if there aren't any.  Surprised, not shocked however. 

The bottom line, the people who go out and vote will be making the decisions.  Whether the candidates I prefer get elected, or the ones you may prefer, becomes irrelevant the minute the voting is over in the sense that the person elected then becomes our elected official. 

At that point we all will need to accept that reality.  That does not mean debate ceases, that does not mean opposition to positions cease.  What it means is hopefully this election does in fact work toward a needed change in attitude among all.   

The new officials have some big challenges to face.   What will be the most difficult is dealing with their opposition.  

I would like to think there will be a willingness to work together.  I would like to think that.  I even feel no matter who wins, there are a fair amount of people on both sides of many issues who are willing to do so.  The bigger question is whether there are enough of them.

It will be enlightening to see the post election buzz on the results from some of the sources.  There have been a lot of holes dug by a lot of people over the course of this election season.  Hopefully none too deep that people can't climb out of them.  

A sincere good luck to all.  Anyone willing to make the effort to run is deserving of our gratitude.