Congratulations USA!

[jnjross]

it didn't. they take the number of reg voter in an area, then the first to one half is declaired the winner,

not all vote count the same, each state as a set number of electorial votes and if you win the state you get all it's votes! some states are worth 3 (mo) some 27 (fl) , someones vote in one state may not count as much as one in another

 

[silkiechicken]

President is elected based on the electoral college, which does not always match with the "popular vote". Our individual votes being the popular vote. So they don't have to count every ballot to call a winner, our representatives decide in the end.

 

[Chicabee19]

Next time I'm going to mail in my vote the day I receive the ballot. That way I'll be in the portion of votes that are actually opened and counted.

 

[silkiechicken]

In the end, they are all opened and counted. I think in seattle, they are opening 100 thousand a day till it is done.

 

[momofdrew]

I only want to say good job everyone we showed the world how dignified and polite the looser can be... He promised his support to the winner... The winner thanked the looser for a serving his country so well...THAT is how DEMOCRACY WORKS...Agree to disagree...POLITELY

 

[JennsPeeps]

I don't think that they can call a victory until it's statistically impossible for the loser to pull ahead.

<-- not a statistician but...

Imagine there are 100 people who can vote. 60 of the votes are counted before the polls close and 51 of those votes are for the politician A. Even if both of the remaining (as yet uncounted) votes were for the politician B, it would impossible for B to win because A has the majority.

I mailed in my absentee ballot about 10 days prior to the election. As happy as I was to see Obama win, as a west-coaster I am always irked when national races are called before WA, OR, CA, AK, and HI votes are finalized.

I'm also irked b/c at 8p local time, I went to make dinner after having watched election results for nearly 2 hours and I MISSED THE ANNOUNCEMENT!!

 

[BlueMoon]

In NY, I don't believe votes done as absentee or emergency ballots are counted UNLESS their is a chance any one position can be altered by the outcome. For example, maybe there is a close race between state representatives and then all provisional (emergency) and absentee ballots are counted and opened.

SilkieChicken, I believe there still are many unopened ballots in Florida from the 2000 election.

 

[Kesta]

Quote:
i agree one hundred percent. if i was old enough to vote i would have voted McCain as well.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

If you go to http://www.change.gov (the transition website), President-elect Obama has a place where you can type in your own ideas to improve the country. I sent him some of my ideas for improving education. Anyone can write in what they think should be done about any issue that is important to them. I just thought I'd mention it.

 

[JessicaGrant]

Quote:
A bit off topic, but I just have to say that I find your signature really offensive.

Unlike the majority of the posters in this thread who I think have done a lovely job of keeping this discussion civil.