Who won in Washington State?

[Clint]

In Washington State the Republican candidate for Governer won by less than 50 votes after the second electronic recount. The Democrats are now forcing a hand recount. It seems to me that if the Democrat wins with a hand recount the accusations of fraud will be rampant and there is no way she can have a legitimate win. Shouldn’t they have saved all the trouble and accepted the defeat?

[Paula]

who cares, it is the way it is...end of subject, bye, bye...

[A Karenina]

From what I have heard so far, the Secretary of State allowed the third (and final) hand recount after the Democratic party requested it.

With a difference of 42 votes, it's a pretty amazing election.

Anyway, the claims seem to revolve around why votes in one county were discounted (in both electronic recounts) but the same type of vote in another county was counted. It's the discrepancies between county guidelines that is the bottom line issue at this point.

Surely that's worth examining. (shrug)

[Clint]

Originally Posted by Paula

who cares, it is the way it is...end of subject, bye, bye...

I care, or I wouldn't have asked the question. All you had to do was read and keep on going. Why the rude reply?

[Paula]

then how is the decision changed? and do you believe in Santa Claus? why fret over something that is over and done? i don't understand at all? it's over..

[A Karenina]

Originally Posted by Paula

then how is the decision changed? and do you believe in Santa Claus? why fret over something that is over and done? i don't understand at all? it's over..

?? I'll repeat my post - they are trying to determine the legality of having different rules in different counties. There is an assumption that all votes are handled the same way everywhere across the country, and that simply isn't true. This issue is being addressed in Washington State at the moment. It could have an impact on a federal level at some point.

Clint, what are your thoughts on the elction? I am not familar enough with either of the candidates to have a strong opinion. The Washingtonians that I work with don't seem to be very emotional about it - which is a good thing.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by A Karenina

?? I'll repeat my post - they are trying to determine the legality of having different rules in different counties. There is an assumption that all votes are handled the same way everywhere across the country, and that simply isn't true. This issue is being addressed in Washington State at the moment. It could have an impact on a federal level at some point.

Clint, what are your thoughts on the elction? I am not familar enough with either of the candidates to have a strong opinion. The Washingtonians that I work with don't seem to be very emotional about it - which is a good thing.

I’ve experienced the same thing. Not much emotion. I would like to see the obvious winner win but I don’t even feel much passion about it. I do think it is an important issue though.

The way close races are handled says a lot about the intensity of the battle between the two parties. It also has an impact on the ability of the “winner” to govern. If a race that appears to be won by one candidate ends up being won by the other after three recounts it guarantees a tough four years. We need to find a way to be confident in the outcome of these elections, even if they are close, for the good of the country. Things are tough enough without constantly questioning the legitimacy of our leaders.

Thank you for repeating your post.

[Clint]

Here we are five months later and Washington State has a governor who is unable to do much more than shake hands and smile. The issue is heating up. John Kerry has now entered the fray. There is going to be a high profile court battle that could result in a second election. More people voted in King County (the states most populated) than were registered. The credibility of the entire country’s election process could be shaken. If we no longer trust our elections, what is next?