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Before the polls even opened today for the Presidential Election 2012, news organizations were filled with stories raising the possibility that the final election results may not be released tonight. Or tomorrow. Or even this week or this month.
Issues are understandable in the northeast where Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc on several states. If numbers fall below 25 percent in New York, they can petition to hold a second day of voting, and in New Jersey, voters can vote by fax or email, with questions about verification already becoming an issue.
Other states, including Florida and Ohio, are reporting issues as well.
In Ohio, a pivotal state for both Pres. Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, counting and certifying the provisional ballots may take days or weeks. There has already been controversy over how the ballots are being filled out, so this may be a key issue if a recount is necessary.
In Florida, the Democratic party has sued the state, saying that the decision to cut the number of early voting days has led to long waits and long lines at polling places, disenfranchising voters by limiting their voting opportunities. Other states are dealing with voting machine issues, with the Republican party requesting that all machines be recalibrated and several states are refusing to do.
While the parties’ pushback may be pre-emptive strikes to ensure a legal standing in the event of a contested election, the reality is that all the issues may delay results.
America may or may not know who will occupy the White House for the next four years by the morning, but let’s hope that the post-election period doesn’t become as much of a battleground as the pre-election period has been.
What We Think
Will we know who the president is tomorrow?
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THUMBS UP: To all South Georgia graduates. Congratulations on your success in completing school and best wishes on your continued success in the future.
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New era at the Boys and Girls Club
Next week on June 1, it will be the official end of an era at the Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta when Robert Soper hands over responsibility for the organization to the new Chief Professional Officer Jim Wink.
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Thank you, EMS
We always pull over for them, but we rarely seem to thank them.
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Tornado: An aftermath of help
Seeing the massive path of destruction left in the wake of tornadoes in Oklahoma Monday was a sobering reminder of the power of spring storms.
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Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
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On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
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Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
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Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
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