Irrespective of who wins this election, there is some good news from the hustings for all of us: U.S. democracy seems to be working.
Although there have been some problems with equipment and a few unsubstantiated bomb threats against polling places, the voting process has been relatively smooth thus far. Poll workers have been able to do their job safely, long lines have been moving, and ballots are being processed. From early accounts, rates of participation are high, as was early voting. And thankfully, despite the toxic rhetoric stemming from former President Donald Trump, there have been no major incidents of violence reported.
Irrespective of who wins this election, there is some good news from the hustings for all of us: U.S. democracy seems to be working.
Although there have been some problems with equipment and a few unsubstantiated bomb threats against polling places, the voting process has been relatively smooth thus far. Poll workers have been able to do their job safely, long lines have been moving, and ballots are being processed. From early accounts, rates of participation are high, as was early voting. And thankfully, despite the toxic rhetoric stemming from former President Donald Trump, there have been no major incidents of violence reported.
It’s a good reminder that despite what happened after the 2020 election, the before and during of the process worked well. Even in a polarizing pandemic, election officials throughout the country put into place systems that allowed Americans to vote by mail and through drop boxes while figuring out how to move citizens through polling places safely on Election Day. Turnout rates were high—almost 160 million, a sizable boost of more than 20 million from the 2016 election. None of this was easy. Some even called it a “miracle.”
No matter who comes out on top, there will be bitter tensions in the electorate, and the postelection period will remain fraught with danger. Yet, assuming the current patterns hold, it is worth celebrating what state and local law enforcement, poll workers, election officials, and most importantly voters themselves have accomplished within a deeply divided map. Americans are exercising their hard-earned right to vote, and the infrastructure supporting this right has held firm.
This post is part of FP’s live coverage with global updates and analysis throughout the U.S. election. Follow along here.
The post The Democratic Process Is Working—So Far appeared first on Foreign Policy.
