A couple of our readers wrote letters to the editor expressing how glad they were the election is over. They wrote about how drawn out they felt it was, and how they didn’t see the need for presidential campaigns to last for the better part of two years.

We agree with those letters, although we are in favor of a longer than normal election if it means needing to recount votes in a close race.

The Austin mayoral contest is a good example, especially because it was decided by less than 40 votes.

A recount just makes sure the count is done correctly and when it’s that close, it’s in the best interest of both the candidates and the residents.

In rare cases, both candidates decline a recount.

In the tiny northwestern Minnesota town of Goodridge, the mayor’s race was split 22 votes apiece by incumbent Bob Homme and former Mayor Dave Brown. Both agreed to decide the race by a coin flip. Brown won.

Whatever it takes to decide a winner in a race, so long as it’s legal and the candidates’ agree, is fine by us.

But is it really necessary to begin campaigning two years out?

We don’t think so.