Where I live, an election is an event with clear
boundaries. Because platform is important, more
than personalities, no one is allowed to make
pronouncements once voting has begun; and Canada
crosses six timezones. There is also care given to annnouncements
about results, so that no feedback loops are created. Voting
in France is equally scrupulous in this respect.
Having these warm slippers of correctness on my feet, I can
only look in disbelief at this American election.
Mail-in voting started in September, two months before the
so-called Election Day. What is this?? Two-thirds of voting
occured through this and anticipatory voting. In effect, September
is when the election occured and it just dragged on till closure
on the evening of November 3.
Then there is the postmark issue. Postmarks have long had
a legel sense; for instance, in Canada, postmark will register
whether an individual has sent in their tax return on time.
This is still true, although many now filw electronically. But
the election seems to be working with ballots received, in some
areas till November 10. Odd!!
Finally, there is concern about valid and invalid entries. On the envelope
level, this will affect more than one race because a voter is electing
someone to both the Presidency and perhaps the House and/or Senate;
and those House votes are where funding and approval happen. One
is tempted to be thankful the Electors can still change their minds!!
What all this brings home to me is how historically grounded the American
system is. Folks from different States pronouncing in the horse and buggy era.
But also forcing today those concerned about issues to be political all the
time. Maybe all that anti-Trump sentiment in media and on social platform
was just folks trying to vote in more complex times. And that's sorta concerning...
* * *
I hesitate to say it🤨, but congratulations to President-elect Biden
and his team. That was a grueling campaign...
* * *
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