In every election, a variety of circumstances, reasons, rationale/ reasoning, personal considerations, prejudices, and, who, actually, takes the time and makes the effort, to vote, etc, often, determines the victor! As I am writing this article, today, America will have its final day, to cast its vote, and determine, the next President of the United States. Will the current occupant of the White House, Donald Trump, be reelected, or, will the former Vice President, Joe Biden, become the 46th President of this nation? We should have learned, four years ago, in 2016, when Mr. Trump, surprisingly to many, upset Hillary Clinton, for the office, despite what polls, indicated, that, the only one, which counts, is the official one, which ends on Election Day! However, many are still focusing on reported polls, perhaps, falsely, believing, they accurately, will predict the victor. Since, many believe, this may be, one of the most consequential elections, anyone remembers, because the two candidates, have such differing views, and perspectives, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, 5 factors, to pay attention to, in terms of who might become the eventual victor, etc.
1. Who votes?: Which Americans will decide to exercise their right, to vote, and which will not? In 2016, more potential voters, didn’t vote, than voted for either candidate! While it, seems, from early voting, we will witness a larger – than – usual, turnout, one of the determining factors, will probably, be, whose supporters, will turn – out, in larger proportions, and numbers? Common sense indicates, certain groups, are more likely to support, a particular candidate, so, this will make a significant difference, etc!
2. Various types of voter suppression: We often hear, the term, voter suppression, articulated, but, what it means, its impact, and why it matters, is important to understand. While, it appears, President Trump, seems to want to create doubt, about the integrity, of the voter process, because he believes, restricting his opponents’ turnout, might benefit him, many are alarmed, by the degree, we are witnessing. In the past four years, there has been, what appears to be, a concerted effort, by the Republicans, led by Senate Majority Leader, McConnell, to skew, the make – up, of the Federal Courts, especially, the Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court, to make it, far more conservative. Many feel, this has been done, to an extreme! We witnessed, in 2018, certain activities, which seemed to indicate this, especially, in Florida, Georgia, etc, where certain eligible voters, found it far more challenging, to exercise their rights! This year, we noticed, in areas, such as, in Texas, etc, where counties, with significant Democratic constituents, had their number of polling places, etc, reduced!
3. Good versus evil; love versus hate: Some believe, unlike some previous elections. where the choice, was, merely, the lesser of evils, this year, it may be a choice between good and evil, and/ or, love versus hate. When people are threatened, because of their political beliefs, and this President, often, appears to enable these haters, the soul, of America, now, and, into the future, may, be, at – stake!
4. Fears versus hopes: In recent years, political advertising seems to have gone, far, more – negative, and, many of the images, appear to hope to appeal to fears. prejudices, anxieties, etc, instead of discussing, potential, viable solutions, to challenges, and bringing, about, hope, etc!
5. Irregularities: How might Donald Trump, react, to undesirable results, and, how might this create tension, and division? His early statements, often, seem focused on trying to create doubt, about the legitimacy of the votes, and, many expect, more than the usual amount of irregularities, etc! Because of the pandemic, more people have voted, early, and/ or, by, absentee ballot, than, in the past! While, studies show, this is safe, etc, it seems Trump feels, these may not benefit him, and, therefore, is trying to create a polarizing atmosphere!
Wake up, America, and vote! Make no excuses, and vote, like your life, and nation, depend, on it, because the future of this nation, and the soul of our country, may be, at – risk!
