American Presidential Election

[archbishop]

Because of the time zones in The USA is the election over there as intense as it is over here (UK)? A General Election here is very intense with results being declared every minute. This question is directed more at our American cousins, but Brits and others are more than welcome to join in.

[zgma]

Well, I imagine it's different when you only have one time zone, as you don't have to wait as long for the results.  Here (in the US) it depends on how close the election is (very close in this case), but sometimes the results aren't in until 2am for east-coasters. 

 

I for one find the presidential elections to be really tense and intense.  This one is likely to be especially so, because of fears of fraud, etc. 

 

In 2000, some of the news stations were calling the vote based on exit polls, and they influenced the voters on the west coast by calling the Florida vote too early for Bush.  So they will most likely be very careful not to do that this time, and it may be late before we find out the results (heck, it may be weeks, if as expected there are lawsuits in swing states).

 

I expect to be sitting by the computer refreshing the screen every few minutes to get an update (don't have a TV, so the internet will have to do!).

[archbishop]

An American without a TV. You must be unique.

[zgma]

GAB archbishop!  Yes, I am, even in funky Berkeley.  But I'm happy that way!

[bernardo]

I'm not sure what you're asking, but the times when the voting finishes vary - it's not even the same time for every polling station within the same time zone or within the same state.  Each county has its own times for voting.  And there are all sorts of different rules about when they are allowed to receive postal / absentee votes - in some cases they can wait for weeks after election day and are still valid.

[archbishop]

"GAB" Bernardo. I should just have e-mailed you direct, it would have been easier.

[zgma]

Sorry to disagree bernardo, but I don't think that's right.  As far as I'm aware, polling places are open until 8pm at all polling places, in the various time zones, and absentee ballots must be received today by 8pm as well.  I am not sure about overseas ballots - maybe they have special rules for them. 

 

I know that they do have new provisional ballots, in case someone's voter registration is messed up, so that people can vote and then have their right to vote checked later - and those may not be counted for a few weeks. 

[zgma]

Uh oh, I was wrong - now I have to correct myself before bernardo has the chance.  The polls close at all different times. 

 

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/misc/poll.close.html

 

*zgma slinks away embarrassed*

 

 

[bernardo]

There is even one polling station in a stupid bumpkin village where they traditionally open at midnight and then close about an hour later, just because they want to be the first to count and declare the result.