We in the election law world get a bit more than 15 minutes of fame. We now get fame every time there is an expected close election and potential uncertainty about the rules for voting: Florida 2000, the California recall, and now 2004. One national media person just e-mailed me in response to my Law.com commentary wondering whether anyone will pay attention to the big problems facing us before 2008, when the media will be back beating a path to our doors. And likely they will be wondering why nothing was done to fix the problems. (Did anyone else notice the incredulity of the CNN anchors that there might be delays in counting absentee ballots in Florida?)
My hope is that at least some of the national media will keep on this story. Only the glare of the spotlight will cajole Congress and state elections officials to make the changes that are desperately necessary.