Post by @jwildeboer@social.wildeboer.net

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@jwildeboer@social.wildeboer.net 2 days ago

Alaska vote counting taking so long is an embarrassment. #JustSayin

#justsayin

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Mobility Matters Bham

@mmb@subdued.social 2 days ago

@jwildeboer Election officials* acknowledge legislative changes that would help the process.

**At the same time** there are significant logistical conditions that election offices cannot solve that would satisfy a need for speed. Like the right of all people—esp Indigenous people who are in the far reaches—to cast their vote & have it counted. The effort to make that happen is a good thing. I’m gonna support their right over speed. (1/2)

Screenshot from linked article with highlighted sentences:

“The biggest reason for Alaska’s slow counting – and the reason for its generous mail-in deadlines to begin with – is the lack of sufficient infrastructure to enable the timely delivery of completed ballots to a central location. Dozens of Alaska’s rural villages lack roads and daily flight service.
…
In rural villages and towns, many voters choose to cast their vote in person. Voting by mail is not always feasible. They might not have a regular address at which to receive a ballot, or they might need assistance in a Native language.”

https://www.jonaa.org/content/presidential-votes-by-dogsleds — Screenshot from linked article with highlighted sentences: “The biggest reason for Alaska’s slow counting – and the reason for its generous mail-in deadlines to begin with – is the lack of sufficient infrastructure to enable the timely delivery of completed ballots to a central location. Dozens of Alaska’s rural villages lack roads and daily flight service. … In rural villages and towns, many voters choose to cast their vote in person. Voting by mail is not always feasible. They might not have a regular address at which to receive a ballot, or they might need assistance in a Native language.” https://www.jonaa.org/content/presidential-votes-by-dogsleds

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Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@jwildeboer@social.wildeboer.net 2 days ago

@simo5 Sure. But if the slow counting is limited to two states, it is also a disadvantage for the voters there, as they have to wait longer and thus have less time to deal with possible problems until January. And in the case of Alaska it could be weeks, not just a few days ... @davew

Dave Winer on Mastodon

@davew@mastodon.social 2 days ago

@jwildeboer --

1. It's close.

2. The ballot arrival deadline isn't over yet.

3. Also they use ranked choice, which means they might need to know people's second and third choices.

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@jwildeboer@social.wildeboer.net 2 days ago

@davew Yep, I know and understand the reasons. It's still an embarrassment, in my opinion. They had so many years to find solutions to speed up the process but instead it seems to get slower every time :)

Krist van Besien

@krist@wehavecookies.social 1 hr. ago

@jwildeboer @davew one solution would be to do like the Swiss: Only ballots that arrive on the Saturday before the election are counted. And it is your responsibility to send in your ballot on time. That way when counting starts (in Switzeland that is on Sunday at around noon) all ballots are there.
However, if you were to propose that in Alaska you would get a lot of pushback. Not the least from the Democrats.

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@jwildeboer@social.wildeboer.net 1 hr. ago

@krist Yep. But being forced to wait for (up to) weeks for a final result is also an obstacle to the political process. Especially in elections with consequences on the national level. @davew

Dave Winer on Mastodon

@davew@mastodon.social 2 days ago

@jwildeboer -- it's good that you have pride in alaska, not going to argue with that.

Daniel

@sunscheinwerfer@mastodon.world 2 days ago

@jwildeboer Same in Mississippi, or are they done now?

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@jwildeboer@social.wildeboer.net 2 days ago

@sunscheinwerfer Mississippi is now at >95% counted, and as it is a close call AND Mississippi doesn't allow for a recount, it is kinda acceptable. Alaska is still below 75% of votes counted.