Aaaaack – what's going to happen?!?
We’re excruciatingly cautious about 2020 election prognostication after the searing experience of starting November 8, 2016 with a predicted 80%+ chance of Hillary winning, only to fall into bed after midnight grappling with the news that Trump captured 304 electoral votes. That was a painfully brutal wake-up call, that’s for sure.
This year it’s absolutely critical that we all understand we might not know the winner for days, even weeks – especially since Trump himself has repeatedly declared that he might not accept the election results and could oppose a peaceful transfer of power. There are a number of strategies he and his minions seem prepared to use to thwart a legitimate Joe Biden win – voter suppression, polling place intimidation, halting mail-in ballot counts, accusations of voting fraud and other delays that could lead to undermining states’ popular vote by handing over the certification of electors to GOP governors or state legislatures – but we cannot let any of that happen.
While this is scary stuff, we must shift our anxiety into a laser-like focus on what we can do to protect our votes and our democracy. You've probably voted already, but if you haven't, fill out your ballot and get it into your county election office ASAP. Next, prepare for action, depending on what happens. This could include:
Calling on public officials for full investigations and remedies for voter suppression, fraud or other irregularities.
Convincing your friends and family via in-person appeals, social media outreach and letters to the editor to step up with you – this is no time to freeze!
Connecting with Protect the Results to participate in nonviolent actions, like rallies, vigils and civil disobedience
As the Marian Wright Edelman once said, “Democracy is not a spectator sport” – so prepare yourself to jump in to defend our values and the integrity of our election.