Word from the West: let us vote! Pundits, don't call the election. Candidates, do not concede. Tens of millions of voters from Colorado to California deserve to have our voices heard. Don't end the election before we all have our say.
Nearly every Western voter has grown up with the dread that the early election night call will effectively shut us down. My husband and I were both teenagers walking precincts in California on election night 1980 and we remember hearing the same thing from voters staying home -- "it's over -- why bother?"
Why bother? Because we are a huge battleground. While the West is part of the Democrats' national strategy -- starting with our Congressional victories in 2006, our early Nevada caucuses, and the Colorado convention in 2008 that nominated Barack Obama and Joe Biden -- it is also the home of both Republican nominees John McCain and Sarah Palin. Beyond the presidency we have Senate, Governor, House, and local races as well as compelling ballot initiatives that deserve all of our votes. From Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, and Oregon Senate races to Montana and Washington Governor contests to California's energy, crime and equality proposition fights to over 12 competitive House races in Western states currently within the margin of error to McCain's surprisingly close battle in his home state of Arizona, the American West is a key battleground in this election. How the West votes may well decide the Congress if not the presidency.
We know it's been a long campaign and our sensationalist media outlets feel a pressure to be "first" in calling the presidential election. And I want Barack Obama to be president as urgently as anyone. But if the early returns signal a victory one way or the other -- resist. Don't perpetuate voter suppression by shutting down the West just when our people are getting off work and taking kids to the polls for this historic election. After this unprecedented 50-state campaign that has electrified the nation, all Americans deserve to participate. Do not call the election -- do not concede the election -- let all our votes count.
UPDATE: Election Day 2:45 pm ET: East coast media elites already broadcasting exit polls. You know, the media types who hype bitter clinging plumber stories to show who's in touch with working people are the first to cut off those very same working people come Election Day with their attempts to influence the vote.
Follow Christine Pelosi on Twitter: www.twitter.com/sfpelosi
To all of our fellow Americans in the west: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE VOTE, no matter what you hear or read, no matter what anyone says on TV or radio. YOU MOST DEFINITELY COUNT AND WE NEED YOU!
OBAMA/BIDEN LANDSLIDE '08! It's the only way! YES WE CAN AND WE MUST!
(Sorry for shouting...I got FIRED UP!) :)
Also, vote NO on Proposition 4. Protect the rights of all people.
Election coverage on the internet is blacked out until all polls are closed throughout the country.
Joel Horn
It works, and they do not need to invest in a box.
It is an excellent system. It works. And our voting rate has gotten as high as in the 70-80% range of registered voters.
Still....many do wait for various reasons for the final time. Our polls close at 8pm. In 2000, it was what we as the Greens for Gore Coalition used to swing Oregon to Gore at the last minute when early returns were going for Bush. We had all our Green Party friends wait until the last minute to vote, and if early returns across the country were going for Bush or even close, asked them to "hold their nose" if they had to and vote for Gore. It was the last minute votes--counted late at night on Election Night--that finally swung Oregon's vote into the Gore column decidedly. Unfortunately, we weren't as strong a presence in Florida.
My daughter, a University of Hawai'i student, told me it is that much worse in Hawaii. There is a 5 hour time difference between Hawai'i and the East Coast - their polls are just ramping up when the polls in the east are in their final hours. The citizens of Hawai'i feel their votes aren't needed - the rest of the country doesn't care.
LET EVERYONE VOTE! LET ALL VOICES BE HEARD!
Californians need to send a very Loud and Clear message to the NeoChristoFascoFringe
VOTE NO on 8!!!!!