ABC says Thune wins by 188 votes

ABC.com | ABC vote unit

[MindBender26]

Thune (REP) 166747 50% Johnson (DEM)* 166559 49% Evans (LIB) 3061 1% Precincts 100%

[Letitring]

Did you hear him on CNN this morning? That is what drove me back to FR. LOL. I was lying there screaming at the tv. :( He is SUCH a weasel.

[ladtx]

The great thing about this country is that people are free to vote for whomever they want.

You are right about that, however, at some point pragmatism must prevail. In the case of South Dakota, everyone knew it would be a very close race. At that juncture you must decide which party most closely aligns with your goals and ideals and vote one way or the other. To have 3000+ votes sitting out in never-never land does no one any good. If that's how you are going to vote, then why vote? you're not having any affect.

[KriegerGeist]

"We use Paper ballots and fill in the circles- no hanging chads. (Possibly a Stray mark or two?)"

Do you all use the "Make-sense" optical scan machines like they use in Texas and most of the Republican districts of Florida (now) that you mark like a bingo card and then insert the ballot marked ballot into an optical reader machine to be counted or "tabulated"?
In my humble opinion, those machines should be used universally...no possibility of chads and a hard-copy ballot that cannot be lost in "eeether-space" like those paperless electronic machines.

I hope and pray that Thune wins. He is a good man that will do good for S.D.

[anniegetyourgun]

Like I said....it's not that big a deal...just making a note.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Bump for Thune. I just LOVE this election...Dasshole must be balling his little twirpy eyes out.

[Future Useless Eater]

What are repub's so giddy here about?

Johnson will be AHEAD about 500 after the last 3 precincts are added!!!

Thats based on the election fraud that has already been counted in other precincts in those two counties, Mainly Shannon County!!!

SEE!!!! now with 2 precincts left, JOHNSON is ahead by 200!

[sauropod]

Welcome to FR.

We have a 12 step recovery program for former 'RATS. Do you need testimonials/references ;-).

HRP

[handy]

Thune now DOWN 200 votes with 2 precincts left

[Letitring]

No way, not until you get your head out of it. :) Seems to me the Democrat party has taken a severe turn for the worst, about 10 years ago.

[hobbes1]

Not quiet enough. The (L) dropped out of that race, and endorsed Thune, it is my understanding, but 3k of his idiotically PRINCIPLED supporters attempted to elevate Johnson ala Maria Cantwell.

[ksen]

Your note is noted. ;^)

[anniegetyourgun]

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Does this mean their candidate wasn't principled, but the 3K voters are? Don't answer that.....I just couldn't resist....

[rightwing2]

Yeah baby, yeah! In your face Tom Daschle. Three seat GOP pickup in the Senate! Let the lawsuits begin.

[SevenDaysInMay]

Vote fraud should be aggressively prosecuted under felony penalties. As Republicans win power, efficient and effective verification of voter IDs should be written into states' constitutions, before that becomes impossible with permanent balance shifting voter fraud. Drive by registration is a Democrat Politburo sham designed to steal elections; voter registration by wetbacks should be prima facia cause for immediate deportation.

[hobbes1]

See 70. Miss Annie ; )

[dennisw]

I like our system. You have a paper ballot with the names of the candidates and their party. You mark an X alongside the one you want. ;)

Make that stiff paper that can be run through, tallied by an optical scanner. This is the way to go, cheap and practical. In my Florida county we voted on these new touch screen machines with 14' LCD touch screens. What a waste of money. They must cost at least $400/unit with more money for maintenance. And are always open to more fraud (give the RATS some time to hire hackers)

There was no paper generated that I could see. For voting there must always be a paper trail or you will draw fraud and corruption.

[Letitring]

What is going on in your County anyway? Hummm? What about those 17,000 new people. Sudden influx of jobs or what?

[Kilborn]

Thanks for the offer and the welcome, but I'm in so many 12-step programs right now I should get a stairmaster! I'm in the minority now, but happy nonetheless that I even get a privilege to vote.

As for the Shannon County count, Davison County, who has the 3 precincts left, is strongly Democrat and middle of the FDR chain of Democrats here - that's the reason for the swing. All in all, it looks like we are going to lose our seat as well as a place on the Appropriations Committee.

No one's fault but our own....

[Charles Henrickson]

Johnson has overtaken Thune! Leads by 200 votes exactly! 2 precincts left!