Experts Fear Messy , Disorderly Election

[BayStateBoy]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Long lines, malfunctioning machines and dueling lawyers could turn next week's U.S. presidential election and its aftermath into a disorderly and even chaotic experience, political analysts said on Tuesday.

Problems could emerge both during voting and especially after the votes are counted if the election is as close as the polls suggest.

"In any state that's close, the parties will scrutinize every precinct and every vote and the system simply can't hold up under that kind of scrutiny," said American University political scientist Allan Lichtman.

"There's going to be some voter fraud, some voter intimidation and lots of tension and snarling and mutual accusations," he said.

Problems may begin on Election Day next Tuesday with an anticipated huge turnout. Curtis Gans of the Committee for the Study of the American Electorate is predicting turnout of between 118 million and 121 million, or 58 percent to 60 percent, compared to only 106 million, or 54 percent, in 2000...


http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=6614795

[aden_nak]

1. Shit. I guess that makes us experts.