Is The Election Over Yet?

I have election fatigue. I realize the Iowa Caucuses only happened on Tuesday, but enough already. I’m still experiencing shellshock from the exit poll coverage during the last election. Now they’re doing entrance polls for the caucuses. While this is the Republican Caucus, I fully expected some prediction about whether President Obama had, or had not been projected to win the November election.

Maybe I’m just jealous. I live in Alaska; nobody cares about my vote. By the time we get to vote the national media has called it a day and headed for a beer with the camera technicians.  I’ve had beer with several national reporters, and frankly that’s when they’re at their best. Trust me, the best stories never make the news. But I digress.

Somehow this all seems contrary to the spirit of the secret ballot. Shouldn’t I be able to vote without knowing whom everyone who went to the polls before me voted for? Or, worse yet, who is projected to win? At least our school board elections still have an element of suspense.

Here’s a suggestion: How about if we let everyone vote, even those of us in Alaska and Hawaii, before anyone starts discussing entrance polls, exit polls, or actual results in national elections? I’d like to feel like my vote still counts and the election wasn’t decided when the polls closed in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Photo courtesy of taoty