Elections: Slow counting is tried and true formula

President Trump is afraid that with vote by mail we won’t know the winner for weeks and weeks. He must have forgotten his civics lessons.

While the United States votes on Nov. 3, that’s not the day the election is decided. Even though NBC or FOX NEWS may declare a winner, there are multiple steps until a winner is officially decided.

First, the counties certify election results 21 days after the election. In Washington state ballots must be postmarked Nov. 3 but don’t have to be received that day, This allows for “slow mail” and for overseas troops’ ballots to be counted.

On Dec. 14 the Electoral College meets in state capitals to formally vote on a president. On Jan. 6 the Electoral votes are counted, an official announcement is made and a winner declared.

When Florida had to decide about hanging chads during the recount of 2000, no one fretted about not having a winner. Everyone knew there was time to carefully count the votes before it became official.

This is how it’s always been even if some people don’t understand the election procedure.

This story was originally published August 27, 2020 at 12:24 PM with the headline "Elections: Slow counting is tried and true formula."