ELECTION DAY is nearly over. At 7 p.m., the polls will close and the long — very long — campaign season will be over. No more infuriating ads on television, at least until the presidential candidates begin their races in a year or so, just blessed peace.
The summer and fall of 2006 have been bruising and divisive. From the attorney general race to the county questions, people have taken hard positions and campaigned relentlessly. When the votes are counted tonight, one side will win and one side will lose in every race and on every question. That is a powerful load of disappointment to fall on any community in one day, and it will take awhile for the rancor and recriminations to ebb.
Democracy, by its nature, creates resentment in every election, especially in close elections. That resentment can fester and affect a community or a state for years. If the past is a reliable indication, the bruises and sores of 2006 could take a long time to heal. There are people in for whom Lyon County courthouse vote still rankles.
Is there a better way to handle the losses inevitable in free elections?
Why not try this: Make this Wednesday an official Sour Grapes Day in Emporia and Lyon County. Supporters of losing candidates and advocates of the losing side on the county questions will have the freedom to complain as long and loudly as they wish, in coffee clubs, offices and other places, and receive a respectful hearing.
The community will take one day to purge its residual passion and anger. One day.
When the sun comes up on Thursday, everybody begins working together to see that the candidates chosen and the decisions made today are successful — for the good of all.