Is our election process too long?

[Old Rabbit]

Now that the vote for president here in the USA is over very soon. I thought I
would ask what people think about how long elections should last.  Personally
I think they are way too long.

In the past it did take quite a while to move arounnd the country to campain
in all 48- 50 states. Now canidates jet around the country, on television, radio
the internet. They could visit all the states in a month if they wished.  I would
give them 3 months from saying I am running for president till election day. Not
1 1/2 years.

I know some might complain they need more time for name recognition, but if
they are really planning to run they could be doing good works to make them selves
known.

So what do you think?

[Chipper Blu-wolf]

I don't think its too long.  They can talk all they want; those that really want to read up more can do so really fast through the net in minutes.  So much information can be found on a candidate there is no real reason why you cannot make an informed opinion of an individual if you really looked into it.  The bigger question worth debating is the question of whether our election process needs an overhaul and whether the electoral college is really necessary.   (feel free to put that in a new topic)

[Old Rabbit]

People chosen for offices like congress, senators, Govenors, State and
federal. Used to be chosen by the party leaders, Even the president.

They have moved to using primaries, and in some cases they don't choose
the one who got the most votes. After all it's party business. Not voter
business.

If we are going to vote for the party why take so long to do it?  Independents
are more interested in the people running than the party. So I would imagine
they have a pretty good idea who they like in a short amount of time.

I think many independants wait till election day to decide in case
something new pops up about a candidate.. One could wait for years in
that case. So why not just get it over with.

I am sure there are good reasons to spend more time choosing people,
but it seems to be getting longer and longer over time.

Elections have become huge business for the media, so I am sure those
making money from it want it to take longer and longer. I am sure they
would  lobby to keep it that way.