Vote 2004

Well, today’s the day, November 2nd, that is. I hope everyone plans to go to the polls today, if you have not already voted by absentee ballot or by early voting. Voting in this year’s hotly contested Presidential election should be easier than ever after the fiasco in 2000. But with all the changes to how we vote, problems are sure to arise. For one, many will be voting electronically for the first time without a paper trail because of the mad rush to go electronic sans real thought about the consequences of a purely electronic system (save Nevada, who got it right).

Regardless of your choice for President (is there really any choice?), the President-elect will be inheriting quite a mess: Iraq, deficit, foreign relations, middle east, terrorism, and last but definitely not least, a deeply divided electorate. I will be watching the situation closely after Inauguration in January for sure. For now, though, I plan to watch the election coverage tonight while grading papers and catching up in general. Although the coverage is a bit monotonous, generally I like how much exposure other locales and their politicians receive nationally. I do not often hear about senate races in Georgia or North Carolina, and knowing what is going on elsewhere is crucial to remaining informed. Should be fun!

I’ll keep you updated on the nuances of this year’s election as it unfolds this evening as viewed from this corner of the US in my home state of Nevada.