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Counting all the ballots takes time, and for good reason

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Illinois

For what it’s worth, I lived on a military base in Germany when my parents worked for the Department of Defense. I don’t know what the military mail service is like today, but back then the APO service we used was glacial.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 12, 18 @ 1:10 pm

Comments

It does not matter how long it takes. Each vote needs to be counted. They can not let any voter be disenfranchised because of a time table. When the votes are all counted, then declare a winner.

Comment by Retired Educator Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 9:20 am
Rich, it’s better than it was in the 80s. Most mail from Europe is delivered within a week. Mail from forward locations may take a couple of weeks… Over the last decade, I’ve found the Cook County Clerk and Chicago Board of Elections offices especially helpful in this regard (though I can’t speak personally about other election authorities).

Comment by Abu Iskandr Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 9:30 am
Are we going to hear anything more from Lake County before the official canvass?

Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 9:34 am
Back in November of 78, a man in my squadron on the Kennedy received a Christmas package that had been postmarked 2 days before, and normally would have come sometime in January. Miracles happen.

Comment by Whatever Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 9:54 am
U.S. Navy ships at sea may have very slow mail service. Unless the ship is in a task force with an aircraft carrier, the mail may have to wait until the ship pulls into port. Those military personnel stationed in Antarctica probably see slow mail service as well.

Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 9:55 am
The WaPo has a story on overseas voting that is relevant, too. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2018/11/13/what-lost-florida-ballot-says-about-how-difficult-it-is-us-citizens-abroad-vote/

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 10:01 am
Agree that AP and rest of media should change the “100% of precincts reporting” classification. It’s simply not accurate.

And as we’ve seen, scurrilous demagogues will use it for their own selfish purposes to undermine the legal democratic process.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 11:02 am