Patience Will Be the Key for Election Night
This year’s Presidential Election is one of the most anticipated events of the year, but we must expect delays on election night due to the pandemic.
Throughout history, election night has become a night of gathering around the television with friends and family expecting results that evening or the next morning. However, due to COVID-19 promoting the mail-in ballot to reduce case increases, election night results might not be the same as those at the end of the count.
Every eligible voter should have their voice heard & their vote counted!
— TurboVote (@TurboVote) October 22, 2020
It's going to take longer to count the votes and verify a winner in this year’s election – and that’s okay.
We need to be patient so election officials can take the time to make sure we #CountEveryVote. pic.twitter.com/KvgU5iMNdB
Mail-in ballot counts tend to take longer than in-person voting, which will cause delays in results. This delay is because the mail-in ballots must go through opening, organization, and verification of the voter identity. Along with this, according to NPR with the help of the National Conference of Legislatures, more than 30 states start counting mail-in votes on election night. Director of election John Lapinski told Tampa Bay Times, “It could easily be ‘election week’ rather than election day.”
Experts are anticipating historic in-person & by mail turnout this year, which means we may not know the full results of voting on election night.
— Students Learn Students Vote Coalition (@SLSVCoalition) October 23, 2020
In order to ensure a full & fair count, we need to be patient while every vote is counted. #CountEveryVote pic.twitter.com/BWjkCrpoib
Despite the projected delays, voting experts want to reassure voters that every vote will count. Rachel Rodriguez, an election official at Dane County, Wisconsin, explained to NPR, “If we don’t have results at 9 or 10 P.M. on election night, that doesn’t mean there’s anything nefarious going on. It doesn’t mean that there’s any sort of conspiracy. It doesn’t even mean that there’s a problem. It just means that clerks are still trying to count ballots and they are trying to make sure that everybody’s votes are counted.”
For more information on mail-in ballot counting, watch the video below by NPR to clarify any questions.
As election night approaches, it is essential to understand that having a delay will not jeopardize the results. As the pandemic takes a toll, it is clear how hard voting officials are working to reassure this election. If you still plan to vote in person we encourage you to wear a mask and social distance.
