Instant results

Regarding “Expect more late election results from Harris County, continuing years-long trend,” (Oct. 21): Maybe I’m the only one, but once I hit the hay after the late news on Election Day, I really don’t care if the Harris County results aren’t posted until after midnight. Or until 3 a.m. Or until the next day. Whatever it takes to “git ’er done.” Besides, I will have already done my job. I ignored party affiliations. I looked at candidates’ qualifications and records. I went to the polls with my little list. (Who can remember all the candidate names in the judicial races?) And I voted. Usually for as many D’s as R’s. Done right, it takes me a few hours to do my part. And I’m just one guy. If it takes several hours, or even a day, for all the votes cast in a county with a population of registered voters greater than half the states in the country to be counted, and counted correctly, so be it. I can live with that. My knowing which elected officials are going to be making decisions every day for the next two, four or six years can wait until I catch the news in a day or two. My knowing before I get some shut-eye on election night is not that darned important. But that’s just me.

Gene Fisseler, Houston

Could someone explain to me what the obsession with getting “instant” election results is? Frankly I don’t care if it takes a few days, so long as they do it right. I can think of no legitimate reason why results need to be ready the same day, or even the next day for that matter. It seems to me that it is just an excuse for certain politicians to dump on Harris County who they have saddled with requirements that are nearly impossible to meet.

Alan Jackson, Houston