We don't expect a `Florida,' but Senate race isn't done

By: JON M. HUNTER , Publisher 11/07/2002

The race for the U.S. Senate seat from South Dakota is not yet over.

The unofficial tally shows roughly 500 votes difference between incumbent Sen. Tim Johnson and challenger Rep. John Thune. That accounts for less than one vote per precinct throughout the state.

South Dakota law allows for recounts of extremely close elections, and we expect that process to begin soon.

There are some controversies that will play themselves out in the coming month. Voter registration disputes on or near the Indian reservations have been a point of contention for several weeks. A broken vote-counting machine in Davison County and a delayed count in Hamlin County may also play roles.

Even so, we don't expect South Dakota to be like Florida was two years ago, where the presidential race between George W. Bush and Al Gore was challenged and ended up dragging through courts all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

First, the partisan influence of the U.S. Senate is not at stake as Republicans took clear control through other races. Second, voting is conducted by pencil rather than punching machines as they were in Florida. The word "chad" went from nowhere to everyone's lips in a matter of days.

We believe the recount battle will be aggressive, but not unreasonable. The seat may still change, but the process certainly won't gain the national press that Florida did.

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2002

Answers

It would be nice to have another seat. salt in the wound, you know.

-- Anonymous, November 09, 2002

You ain't gloatin', are ya?

-- Anonymous, November 09, 2002

still waiting for Lousiana, too.

not gloating, just smirking.

okay, maybe a little gloating. And then I wonder if it's really a good thing, then back to gloating, then wondering.....and on and on...

-- Anonymous, November 09, 2002