After a few weeks, Seattle can finally put a face to a Mayor. It may take a bit longer before we embrace the new mail voting system. Being unable to monitor voter counts over the day to gage the pulse of the election is frustrating. And the value of uncertified electronic tally's from precincts at the end of the evening that can identify successful candidates is no longer available. Live action on election day has become usurped by snail mail! Evening news accounts only offered tiny fractions of voter counts, with the results trickling in over the course the following week. An anti-climatic end. It was odd to see campaigns hustling for votes after the traditional 8PM voting cut off(and after seeing early returns), because the airport post office took mail till midnight. The day's end tally from closing precincts is a much better system, especially since the new format shows no signs of improving voter turnout. Knowing the winners of these elections sooner easily trumps mail balloting.
I don't remember whom I voted for mayor in the primary. I do remember voting against Mr. Nickels. And admit, as it turned out, with Nickles completely out of the field the remaining newbe's were not of my liking. As the election proceeded, the candidates differentiated them selves both in style and content not much different than what we might expect with career politicians like Nickels. And, when have we in the recent past elected lessor known civic stewards? I made choices, I'll admit to being 0 and 2. Maybe this experiment only lasts 4 years, thats o.k. too. This was a chance to realize government is not a professional vocation.
As a community we showed we are willing to seek solutions outside the box for governing our constituency. I hope the new mayor's tenure works out great without it becoming a career. And sooner than later, someone else who I may know little about or not, steps up to the table. Personality is more important in government than face. Best wishes, Mayor McGinn!