By
The Wildcat Opinions Board
Last night, George W. Bush came out ahead in the Florida recount by an unbearably slim margin of 229 votes. Of course, Florida officials are still waiting for the overseas absentee ballots before certification, but the requests for those ballots were overwhelmingly Republican. It appears as though George W. Bush is the president-elect of the United States of America. Let us congratulate the winner, even though we endorsed his chief opponent.
Congratulations America! Not on your potentially new president, but on your new voter registration and turnout levels. Sure, the percentage of voters at the polling places remained pretty close to the number for the 1996 elections - 50 percent, more or less - but the figure is somewhat deceptive. More voters were registered this election season, and more turned out at the polls, but the proportion of actual voters was unchanged. In concrete numbers, more citizens participated in our wonderfully arcane, biased but generally entertaining electoral process.
Special kudos are in order for Pima County residents and UA students. Though polling booth lines extended out the doors, and waits were often over an hour across the country, voter turnout was down in Arizona. Pima County, however, was the exception, with well over 50 percent voter turnout.
Reportedly, people were drawn to the polls by the closeness of the election, believing that their votes may actually make a difference. Arizona historically goes Republican, so nationally, Arizona's vote was about as important as Oregon's is now. Nonetheless, there were plenty of hot ballot propositions and statewide races to generate voter interest.
Of course, Proposition 301 was about the only thing UA voters really had a hand in passing. Unless they voted for Bush. Still, new voters, don't let that discourage you!
Neither should you let the prolonged election outcome frighten you from our electoral process. Our system does work. Admittedly, it works a little slowly this time around, and it might not work as best it could, but it still works. There is no military coup in the works - especially not with these two candidates. There are no riots in the streets of America. We have just delayed the vote, which wouldn't be official until mid-December anyway. We have to wait for Oregon anyhow.
Besides, if any of you voters are really livid about this electoral college affair, you will have the chance to do something about it. Calls to abolish it are becoming louder and more heated as you read these words. But, since the electoral college is enshrined in the Constitution, the amendment will likely be sent to the states for a vote. Now you have practice and should be able to read a ballot next time around.
Regardless of who comes out on top after all the recounts and legal wrangling, regardless of what becomes of the electoral college, we are all winners. At least, all of us who voted.
