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A Few Election Rules

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Charles L. Freeman, a screenwriter, lives in Los Angeles

In order to avoid confusion in future presidential elections, I propose the following:

* When it’s a presidential election, make election day a national holiday.

* Polls open at 10 a.m. EST and 7 a.m. PST; close 12 hours later at 10 p.m. EST and 7 p.m. PST.

* Standard (non-butterfly) ballots are to be used nationwide. Also, all absentee ballots must be received by the time the polls close on election day to be counted in presidential race.

* In order to cut down on the media speculation and miscalculations, the results of the presidential election are to be announced on the Friday following the election at noon EST.

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Since there is a 10-week “transition” period between the election and inauguration, I don’t see why we must rush to announce such an important result the same day. This way, we can avoid situations in the future such as the one caused by this year’s election.

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