Election Day Approaches: What to Expect in a Tight Race and a Lengthy Process Ahead
As the countdown to Election Day intensifies, the atmosphere is thick with tension and uncertainty. With a fiercely contested presidential race looming, experts and election officials are sounding the alarm: the end of voting is just the beginning of a complex, drawn-out process that could stretch well into January.
The 2024 election is shaping up to be a nail-biter, with tight margins expected in key swing states. Unlike previous elections, where results were often clear by the end of the night, this year’s outcome may take days—or even weeks—to determine. The new guardrails established by Congress in 2022, aimed at safeguarding the presidential transition after the chaos of January 6, 2021, mean that the counting and certifying of votes will be more structured, but also more time-consuming.
The Waiting Game Begins
Once the polls close and mail-in voting wraps up, the real work begins. In states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, election laws prevent the counting of mail-in ballots from starting until Election Day itself. This means that millions of votes will be tallied only after the polls close, potentially delaying results. Trey Grayson, a former Republican secretary of state in Kentucky, highlights the patchwork nature of election laws across the country, noting that “we have 50 states, plus D.C., that pretty much all do it differently.”
In a close election, this could mean that we won’t know who the next president is on election night—or even the next day. Grayson reassures the public that while the wait may be frustrating, the process is designed to ensure accuracy. “We should feel confident over the next couple of days, as we work through that, that we’re going to get there,” he said.
Legal Challenges and Misinformation
Adding to the uncertainty are the numerous pre-election lawsuits, primarily filed by Republicans, which challenge various aspects of the voting process. These lawsuits range from claims of election integrity to accusations of noncitizen voting—an issue that is largely unfounded and illegal. Virginia Kase Solomón, president of the democracy watchdog group Common Cause, emphasizes the need to prepare the public for the possibility of no clear winner on Election Night. “There is the potential that somebody could claim the win before all of the votes have been counted,” she warns.
The specter of misinformation looms large, especially given the events of 2020, when former President Donald Trump falsely declared victory before all votes were counted. Experts fear that similar tactics could emerge this year, leading to confusion and unrest.
Security Measures in Place
In response to the heightened tensions surrounding this election, state officials have ramped up security measures at polling places. Training for poll workers now includes protocols for handling potential violence, a precaution that reflects the lessons learned from the 2020 election. Celestine Jeffreys, the city clerk in Green Bay, Wisconsin, shared that they’ve even removed shrubs from around City Hall to eliminate hiding spots for potential aggressors.
New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver echoed these sentiments, stating that ensuring the safety of election officials is a top priority, not just on Election Day but throughout the certification process in December.
The Road to Certification
Once the votes are counted, the process doesn’t end there. Each state’s electors will meet on December 17 to cast their votes for president and vice president, followed by Congress’s certification of those results on January 6. This year, the certification process has been designated a National Special Security Event, a designation typically reserved for Inauguration Day.
The Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transitional Improvement Act of 2022 aims to prevent another incident like January 6 by clarifying the roles of officials in the electoral process and raising the threshold for objections to electors. This means that any attempts to disrupt the certification of results will face stricter legal hurdles.
Looking Ahead
As we gear up for Election Day, it’s crucial to remember that the journey to determining the next president is complex and fraught with challenges. With a multitude of lawsuits, potential recounts, and the ever-present threat of misinformation, patience and vigilance will be key.
Experts are urging the public to stay informed and to be prepared for a longer-than-usual wait for results. The stakes are high, and as we’ve seen in previous elections, the aftermath can be just as significant as the election itself. So, as we approach this pivotal moment in American democracy, let’s keep the conversation going and ensure that every voice is heard—one vote at a time.
