Post-Election Responses and Continuing Civil Engagement

"Americans are deeply engaged in the 2020 election. A recent national survey from the Pew Research Center finds high voter engagement with the presidential campaign — and a record share of Americans say it “really matters” who wins in November. Yet the coronavirus outbreak continues to cast a large shadow over the 2020 election. Half of all voters expect to have difficulties casting a ballot, and elections officials face unprecedented challenges as they
prepare for pandemic-era elections. Americans are looking to their (trusted sources) for
guidance, support and direction during this unprecedented election season. The community can help combat misinformation and encourage patience and stability by making sure their employees and consumers know what to expect on Election Day and beyond."

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-  Civic Alliance Election Day and Post Election Guide             

This election requires the contextualization of the longstanding electoral process

Our most treasured institution to our democracy and national tradition is the civic right to vote. Standing the test of time, 58 presidential elections have transpired since 1789 with 39 of our 45 presidents attaining office through this process.¹ Elections have always seemed different than previous; our nation has faced foreign and domestic conflict, marginalized groups have been excluded from the democratic process, media has influence political views and trends, and crises have continued to present themselves.  Because of the enduring element of our electoral process our democratic institutions are well entrenched, voting will remain as powerful as the voter turnout, and safeguards have been used to prevent voter fraud and election manipulation. 

¹O'Neill, Aaron, "U.S. Presidential Elections-statistics & facts," Statista, August 11, 2020  https://www.statista.com/topics/6273/us-presidential-elections-1789-2016/

Understanding what is different about the 2020 election

Despite the long tenure of our electoral process this 2020 election has a much different outlook than the rest. Factors making this election unique include a pandemic that impacts our daily livelihood, a fight for racial justice, climate change, rapid and near infinite media landscape to remind us of all of these issues. Although it is important to understand that this election is unique it is equally as important to be reassured that voting is the single most powerful and continuous tool an individual should have in our democracy. Recognizing and reiterating important realities of this particular election is the surest way to encourage unity through civil discourse and faith in our electoral process. 

The Student's Learn Students Vote (SLSV) consortium has designed some graphics to fit this year's election backdrop into the robust and established right to vote.