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US election results slow but system still works

The uncertain outcome of the US presidential election has Americans demanding that a result be announced as quickly as possible. Demonstrators pose for the international cameras carrying signs saying: "America held hostage -- day 4."

Comedians joke that when they are asked who is the leader of the country, they just shrug. Much of the country seems to be engrossed in the process as the media spoon-feeds them breaking news sound-bites. People, we are told, do not want a rush to judgment, but at the same time they want an immediate resolution of the race so they can know who won.

Of course everyone wants to know who the next president of the US will be, but it is unfortunate to see that the public has lost its ability to be patient. Bush supporters say that no hand counts should take place, even though this redress is lawful in the state of Florida. The Bush camp says that leaving the country in suspense is not in the national interest.

How?

Would people really rather take the time to get it right, or should Americans ignore the rights of any party to use whatever legal means are available to challenge the validity of the initial count?

Florida law calls for a recount if the difference between candidates is less than half of one percent. Florida law also states that ballots must contain the names of the candidates on the left of the area where the voter's preference is to be marked. In Palm Beach County this was not done. Whether or not the use of so-called "butterfly ballots" is confusing is immaterial. What is important is the fact that Florida law states that butterfly ballots are not valid. There should be no debate on this issue. However, since another aspect of the US legal system is the right of appeal, this avenue could also be taken.

People inside and outside the US are saying that this process of recounting, hand counting and legal challenges is proving that the US system is somehow not working; that this unusual situation has shown that there is too much legal regulation and too much room to maneuver in and around an issue that should be cut and dried -- who won?

Unfortunately, much of the modern world has been lulled into a 500 TV-channel lethargy with an attention span no greater than that of an infant. People do not seem to want to spend the time to debate the issue or even gather the facts surrounding the matter to give it the kind of consideration it deserves. It's really quite bizarre when you think about it. The US citizenry demands to know who is the next president right now because the presidency is such an important position, yet, for the very same reason, people are not willing to go slowly and let the issue work its way through the system to a fair and logical conclusion. The office of the president of the US is a very important job. Doesn't it make sense to allow enough time to understand clearly what is the exact nature of the situation in Florida, or for that matter, any other state that comes under scrutiny?

Instead of questioning the legitimacy of the right to make legal challenges as some in the US and elsewhere are doing, these people should think about the mechanism that is now at work. There is nothing broken about the US system; the events subsequent to the presidential election are proof that there is a well-tuned mechanism in place. Yes, the process takes time, but that is a consequence of providing each and every player in the drama with a fair chance to be heard.

It is now clear that the "final" vote count in Florida made immediately after the polls closed was inaccurate. By using the checks and balances of the US legal system, ultimately a true count of the vote will be made public, and no one will be able to say that there is any question about who won or who lost.

Mark Wolfe is a journalist based in Taipei.
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