The 2020 election is just around the corner, during a time when the United States is facing unprecedented challenges

2020 has been a difficult year. With a global pandemic, the movement for racial justice, and a worsening economy, the United States grappled with many challenges. One of its biggest, however, is just beginning to peak over the horizon. With only over a month till the 2020 Presidential Election, the race is becoming heated, and candidates Donald J. Trump and Joe Biden are doubling down. 

The race is sure to be tight, and because of the danger in-person voting poses to many Americans, many will be voting entirely by mail. This means that for the first time in recent American history, the outcome of the election may not be apparent on Nov. 3. It may take weeks to count all the ballots, so this election could drag on quite a bit after election day. 

There have also been concerns raised about the validity of mail-in ballots. Many prominent Republicans voiced concerns over potentially fraudulent ballots or other interference by a foreign entity. The incumbent, President Trump, joined those politicians, elevating his own concerns about an election by mail. 

In a tweet on May 26 of this year, President Trump said, “There is NO WAY (ZERO!) that Mail-In Ballots will be anything less than substantially fraudulent. Mail boxes will be robbed, ballots will be forged & even illegally printed out & fraudulently signed…This will be a Rigged Election.No way!”

For his part, Biden used Trump’s stance on mail-in voting to not only voice his opinion on the matter, but to take a swipe at the President. “Voting by mail is safe and secure. And don’t take my word for it: Take it from the President, who just requested his mail-in ballot for the Florida primary on Tuesday,” he said in a tweet on Aug 14. 

This election comes at a time when the United States is so polarized, it seems like it could reach a tipping point on election day. According to the Public Religion Research Institute, 74% of Americans believe that the country is very divided. For both parties, Republican and Democrat, this election is seen as even more crucial than in years past. 

For democrats, many are worried that President Trump will refuse to concede the election if he loses. When press secretary Kayleigh McEnany was asked in a White House briefing whether President Trump would accept the results if he did not win the election, McEnany said, “The President has always said he’ll see what happens and make a determination in the aftermath.”

Many Republicans view the election as integral to the preservation of their conservative ideals. After the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last Friday, keeping President Trump in office is seen as vital, as the nomination of a new Supreme Court Justice is decided by the president. 

Both sides of the political spectrum view this election as critical, so whatever the outcome, it is sure to be an important one. So for those who can, however you may choose to do it, exercise your right to vote!