{"id":88,"date":"2008-11-04T09:26:04","date_gmt":"2008-11-04T09:26:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/lynnvsekulow\/2008\/11\/let-the-prognosticators-do-the.html"},"modified":"2008-11-04T09:26:04","modified_gmt":"2008-11-04T09:26:04","slug":"let-the-prognosticators-do-the","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/2008\/11\/let-the-prognosticators-do-the.html","title":{"rendered":"Let the Prognosticators Do Their Thing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Barry, you’re right about the volume of election predictions.  Everyone has a prediction and while your pre-election analysis is interesting, the fact is that anything can happen in this election.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

There is one thing that you don’t need a crystal ball for in this election – that is the voter turnout that is expected. Unless everyone is wrong, which is possible, there will be a record number of voters going to the polls to elect a president as well as members of Congress.  And, yes, the constitutional amendments in play in many states will result in a surge of voters, too.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

There are reports<\/a> that the McCain-Obama presidential contest will spur the highest turnout in a century – nearly 65% of the eligible voters expected to participate – exceeding the percentage from 1908.  <\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> <\/p>\n

<\/span>I don’t make predictions about elections, but I do know that the projected record voter turnout is already underway – there are reports<\/a> from around the country of long lines at many polling places.  <\/span>The voter turnout projections are causing some to predict an ‘election meltdown.’  One news organization reported that “substantial fear remains that polling places won’t be able to stand up to millions of voters” that are expected to show up at the polls.  <\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> <\/font><\/p>\n

Here’s what I do know.  This election comes at a time when this country faces incredible challenges. Certainly there are economic problems that need to be solved, but there’s also a myriad of social concerns facing voters.  Barry, you cited the ballot initiatives in several states to codify marriage as an institution between one man, one woman.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

And, as we have both cited in previous postings, the next president likely will shape the federal judiciary – especially the Supreme Court – for years to come.  <\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

Yes, there’s a lot at stake in this election, and no matter where you stand on the issues – or the candidates – get to the polls and exercise your constitutional right to vote.  <\/span>And once you’ve done that, take a moment to participate in the Beliefnet Exit Poll<\/a>. <\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

You’ll have an opportunity to answer a few key questions like:  <\/span>Did you support John McCain or Barack Obama? What issues were more important? Did your faith help shape your vote?
 <\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Barry, you’re right about the volume of election predictions.  Everyone has a prediction and while your pre-election analysis is interesting, the fact is that anything can happen in this election.   There is one thing that you don’t need a crystal ball for in this election – that is the voter turnout that is expected.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":163,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-88","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-courts","category-election-08"],"yoast_head":"\nLet the Prognosticators Do Their Thing - Lynn v. Sekulow<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/2008\/11\/let-the-prognosticators-do-the.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Let the Prognosticators Do Their Thing - Lynn v. 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Jay Sekulow has also served as a faculty member for the Office of Legal Education at the United States Department of Justice.  As a member of the faculty he instructed Assistant United States Attorneys and investigators in the First Amendment issues associated with prosecution of obscenity. An accomplished and respected judicial advocate, Sekulow has presented oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court in numerous cases in defense of constitutional freedoms. Several landmark cases argued by Sekulow before the U.S. Supreme Court have become part of the legal landscape in the area of religious liberty litigation.  In the Mergens case, Sekulow cleared the way for public school students to form Bible clubs and religious organizations on their school campuses.  In the Lamb's Chapel case, Sekulow defended the free speech rights of religious groups, ensuring that they be treated equally with respect to the use of public facilities.  And, most recently, in McConnell v. FEC, Sekulow ensured that the constitutional rights of young people remain protected with a unanimous decision by the high court guaranteeing that minors can participate in political campaigns. A nationally recognized and respected defender of religious freedom, Sekulow has assembled one of the most prestigious law firms in the nation.  Founded in 1990, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses in constitutional law.  The ACLJ, under Sekulow's direction, is involved in public interest and public policy issues working to protect religious and constitutional liberties. In 2007, the Chicago Tribune concluded that the ACLJ has \"led the way\" in Christian legal advocacy.  In 2005, TIME Magazine named Sekulow one of the \"25 Most Influential Evangelicals\" in America and called the ACLJ \"a powerful counterweight\" to the ACLU.  Business Week said the ACLJ is \"the leading advocacy group for religious freedom.\"  Sekulow's work on the issue of judicial nominees - including possible vacancies at the Supreme Court - has received extensive news coverage including a front page story in The Wall Street Journal.  In addition, The National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the \"100 Most Influential Lawyers\" in the United States (1994, 1997).  He is also among a distinguished group of attorneys known as \"The Public Sector 45\" named by The American Lawyer (January\/February 1997).  The magazine said the designation represents \"45 young lawyers outside the private sector whose vision and commitment are changing lives.\" Sekulow brings insight and education to listeners daily with his national call-in radio program, Jay Sekulow Live!, which is broadcast throughout the country on nearly 850 radio stations.  Sekulow also hosts a weekly television program, ACLJ This Week, which tackles the tough issues of the day and is broadcast on a number of networks nationwide including the Trinity Broadcasting Network and FamilyNet.  Sekulow is also a popular guest on nationally televised news programs on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, CNBC, and PBS.  He frequently contributes articles and commentary to national publications and is often quoted in the nation's leading newspapers including USA Today, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and Washington Times. A graduate of Mercer University, Sekulow graduated cum laude receiving both a bachelor's degree and doctor of jurisprudence from Mercer University where he served on the Mercer Law Review as an editorial staff member.  Following graduation, Sekulow served as a tax trial attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service.  In that capacity, Sekulow prepared and brought to trial tax cases on behalf of the United States Department of Treasury in United States Tax Court. He also received a Ph.D. from Regent University, with a dissertation on American Legal History, and is the author of numerous publications and law articles. 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