9 Lessons for the Inevitable Recount

First of all, if you don't have a lawyer ready ... it's too late
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 17, 2010 1:38 PM CDT
9 Lessons for the Inevitable Recount
Election judges sort Minneapolis ballots according to the candidate as recount process in the US Senate race between Sen. Norm Coleman and Al Franken begins Nov. 19, 2008 in Minneapolis.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

With at least six Senate races too close to call, and even more in the House, at least one recount is inevitable this Election Day. In the Washington Post, Jay Weiner offers up nine lessons from the high-profile recounts of 2000 (Bush-Gore) and 2008 (Franken-Coleman):

  • Lawyer up—yesterday: Al Franken had a lawyer working on recount plans a month before the election. His trial lawyer also started preparing for legal proceedings months before Coleman’s—and Franken won the trial.
  • Set money aside: Coleman and Franken likely spent a combined $20 million; for Bush and Gore, the total was $17 million. Know how you’re going to pay—in advance.

  • Prepare your new slogan: If you’re behind after election night, it’s “Let’s make every vote count.” If you’re ahead, it’s “It’s time to come together.”
  • Look for irregularities: Use Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or any other means at your disposal to ask supporters to report misdeeds by the other side.
  • Act like you’re still campaigning: “Don’t look pushy. Don’t act desperate. Let your campaign and lawyers do the dirty work.”
For the complete list, click here. For the latest on the midterm elections, click here. (More midterm elections stories.)

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