Now that Election Day is finally here, I propose we start a new campaign — to pick the state that has the best system for accurately counting votes in the fastest time possible.
My nominee for that contest is Florida. Here’s why.
Florida’s now-exceptional record of very accurately counting votes in the fastest time possible was born out of abject humiliation.
Remember that 2000 election between Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush? Remember Florida’s punch-hole voting machines — which they had been warned about for years — coupled with five weeks of lawyers and campaign staff from the Gore and Bush campaigns looking at “hanging chads” and "pregnant chads" from every possible angle until they became cross-eyed?
The state became the laughingstock of the nation, as late-night comedians rightfully pounced on the ludicrous situation.
One person who was not amused by that situation was Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R). He was horrified by the embarrassing process and swore he would fix it. And he did.
Months later, the Florida state legislature enacted a massive overhaul of state election rules. What became known as “The Election Reform Act of 2001” banned the use of punch-card voting machines and required the Secretary of State (rather than county-level elections officials) to........