Florida slow?

[IanKennedy]

What is it with Florida and presidential elections. They're still to return an answer. Equally they where days late when Bush first got into power. Is it all run by the OAPs that flood into that area?

[Tyyr]

It's slow because of the debacle in 2000. We take extra time making sure they're not going to get into the same thing again especially since we have traditionally close races. That said, this election is pretty much over. I don't think anyone's going to be challenging anything at this point.

That and the ballot was three full pages this year.

[IanKennedy]

It's slow because of the debacle in 2000. We take extra time making sure they're not going to get into the same thing again especially since we have traditionally close races. That said, this election is pretty much over. I don't think anyone's going to be challenging anything at this point.

That and the ballot was three full pages this year.

Why was it any longer in Florida than anywhere else?

[Deepcrush]

Maryland had a nine page ballot, Florida has always been slow on actions or responses.

[Mikey]

The fact of Tea Party "encouragement squads" - i.e., the threat of minority voter intimidation - didn't help matters.

[Deepcrush]

Did they have any of that trouble in FL?

[Mikey]

Did they have any of that trouble in FL?

I know there were Tea Party-based private "ballot committees" forming to "watch" polling places, but I don't think I heard of any actual problems coming from it.

[Deepcrush]

Well if they want to show up and show everyone just how afraid they are then by all means.

[Jim]

The entire voting system is antiquated and needs overhauled.

[Graham Kennedy]

It's slow because of the debacle in 2000. We take extra time making sure they're not going to get into the same thing again especially since we have traditionally close races. That said, this election is pretty much over. I don't think anyone's going to be challenging anything at this point.

That and the ballot was three full pages this year.

Why was it any longer in Florida than anywhere else?

In our general elections you only vote for your local MP and nothing else. In US elections you are often voting for all sorts of things - a voter in this election may have voted for politicians like the President, their Congresscritter and their Senator, but there are also a shedload of other stuff that is on the ballot. For example, there are a bunch of different State Boards of Education to vote for. Then there are Judges and District Attorneys, the local Sheriff... even small things like the "Roads Commissioner"... and the list goes on and on. And then on top of that there are referendum questions on a lot of ballots - proposals that "Prevents penalties for not purchasing health care coverage in order to comply with federal health care reforms", or "Allows for property tax discounts for disabled veterans", or "Amends commercial and non-homestead property taxes".

They put a hell of a lot of stuff on there to vote for, but exactly what goes on varies greatly from state to state.

[Tyyr]

Pretty much what Graham said. I voted for:

President
Senator
Congressman
Sheriff
3 Florida Supreme Court Justices
6 State Constitutional Amendments
4 County Bylaw Changes
3 Local Judges
Tax Collector
Several other minor local officals

And again, given our status as a "battleground" state with 29 electoral votes and a bad history with the counts they take their time, double check, and run down allegations of wrong doing BEFORE we certify the results.

[Captain Seafort]

Sheriff
3 Florida Supreme Court Justices
3 Local Judges
Tax Collector
Several other minor local officals

This is one thing I've never understood about the US. Why on Earth do you vote for posts whose incumbents should be selected on the basis of their professional competence rather than by a popularity contest?

[Tyyr]

I find it rather stupid myself. I mean fucking tax collector... what the hell? Still, it's on the ballot. Half the time you're doing good to have any idea who the person is or why they're running or what their qualifications are. Like tax collector, the guy doesn't go out to each house and personally rifle through their shit like this is ancient Rome. He's a manager in charge of an office. Why the hell is he elected?

[Tinadrin Chelnor]

Sheriff
3 Florida Supreme Court Justices
3 Local Judges
Tax Collector
Several other minor local officals

This is one thing I've never understood about the US. Why on Earth do you vote for posts whose incumbents should be selected on the basis of their professional competence rather than by a popularity contest?

England is introducing elections for Police and Crime Commisioners. I have my election on the 15th.

[Mikey]

There are counties in more rural areas in which county coroner is an elected position. No, really.