NBC and CBS started their coverage at 7:00 PM EST. That was a half hour before the polls closed in Ohio. Ohio is one of the early states to close. There were only a handful of states that had closed by the time they started anouncing results. Why do these networks always have to be the first to tell us stuff? Why could the results not have waited a while? The networks use their exit poll data to see who won before noon and they announced at that time in 1996. As soon as a state begins to slightly resemble the polling data then they award that state. Califonia closed and they gave it to Al Gore. They didn't even wait for any of the results to come back. That's how Florida was awarded to Gore in the first place. They waited until the exit poll data looked a little the actual results then they gave it away.

We need to do something about exit polling. I don't think that it is right. We vote by secret ballot for a reason. It is not the business of the poll takers to know. They will find out when the rest of the country does and the votes are counted. I'll say it again, we need to get rid of exit polls! In this world of instant communication we could also use a uniform closing time. Unfortunately, there is about a six hour difference between Maine and Alaska. Alaska and Hawaii would probably have to close a little later. They only account for seven electoral votes combined anyway. Even if each time zone had a uniform closing time it would improve some of these problems.

On to the problems in Florida. THERE WILL NOT BE A REVOTE! The only way that there could be a revote would be if the pollsters conspired to prevent the people from voting. That did not happen. If you are too stupid to figure out a ballot then you deserve to have your candidate lose. The ballots that were thrown out because of two holes being punched were actually recast anyway. That's right. Those ballots were thrown out while the people were still at the voting booth. They were then issued a second ballot. There was no fraud. Anyway when you go to the voting booth take your time. The campaign is called a race, but you don't have to race when you get into the booth. Make sure you know what you are voting for before you get there. That makes things easier. Also, know your rights. In the state of Florida as well Ohio you can ask for help from the people running the polls. You can also ask for another ballot if you screw yours up. Check with your state and see what they have to say.

The next president has been chosen. We just don't know who it will be. We also have a president. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. His name is Bill Clinton. He will be the president until January 20, 2001. The results will be back in about a week. Just be patient. We will figure it all out.

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