Democracy is Alive and Well

We voted.

This year people exercised their rights in record numbers. So much so, ballots in many states are still being counted two days after Election Night. While some would say the election is over, we must remember that every vote counts. In several states, where it is too close to call it is more important than ever to be patient as it can take time to open and read absentee ballots.

Never before had Mail-In voting mattered so much. Fears of crowded lines, or the worry of an unexpected quarantine caused more people than ever before to request an absentee ballot. I worked at one of my town's Early Voting polling sites, and we saw the most early votes cast in the state. And perhaps the largest turnout ever.

And of course, many people chose to wait until November 3rd and cast their votes on Election Day.

So now we wait, for what appears to be a Joe Biden win due to the states remaining and the way the votes are leaning. Despite the president claiming a victory, neither candidate has accumulated the necessary electoral college votes to be declared the winner.

What did we learn?

We learned that voting is safe and easy in most states. That those who wished to cast a ballot were able to do so. And finally that fears of voter fraud and voter intimidation did not materialize. But we also have to remember that every vote counts. Whether you voted by mail, or in advance of election day, or on the day of, everyone who cast a ballot deserves to have their vote counted towards an eventual winner.

Just because the election day has passed does not somehow disqualify the votes that were sent in early. You cannot declare a winner until you know that every legally cast ballot has in fact been counted. And in almost all elections that can take several days. In an election this close, that is even more important.

So settle in and wait. And know that Democracy works.

Because we are one nation, however divided, and democracy will prevail.