[Technical Editor]

I've lived in the Western part of the U.S. all my life and have always thought they shouldn't call ANY state until the polls close in Calif, Seattle, etc. Maybe even Honolulu! It's only fair. Motivation to vote diminishes when it seems it's all over in the major national race. Your argument cannot stand up to the fact that there are 50 individual elections, not one election. What happens in the popular vote doesn't affect your state. Well, 51, actually. The 51st is when the Electors vote in January.

[BonnieJ]

Well I always voted. But many didn't when the race seemed over. And yes, it does affect the individiual state races. That has been a reality for years.

[newzjunkey]

That's ridiculous. Hawaii could well be a swing state this year. Last election we were brainwashed into the mantra that if Florida went Gore Bush needed Michigan and PA. At that rate the race was considered "over" by the press before the polls closed even on the West Coast. They're doing much the same this year saying the entire thing rests on Ohio.

Surely they could *WAIT* 24 hrs. It's not as if the President-elect takes over at next dawn after Election Day. Why the rush to judgment?