There are a lot of predictions about how the 2020 election will play out this November, but one thing is almost certain: we are not going to have results on election night. 

With the increase in mail-in ballots in every state this year due to COVID-19 risks, immediate results are not possible on November 3. This means we are going to go to bed on election night, not knowing the results of the presidential election or the dozens of down-ballot races in every state. It may take a week, or even four weeks for final election results in multiple races―especially when we consider possible court challenges. 

 More than 20 states count mail-in ballots that arrive after November 3, as long as they are postmarked on or before Election Day. In Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, counting mail-in ballots cannot legally begin until polls close on Election Day, despite how many people mail-in their ballot early. And in even more states, voters can return their ballots on Election Day―either by mail, ballot drop box, or in-person at a polling location. Due to the surge in absentee, early, and mail-in voting, it is likely that results in those states will take a while to certify. 

We are facing new challenges to our election system, but our democracy already has the solutions needed to persevere and succeed. If we take our time, we can still ensure election rights, access, and accuracy for all voters.  

After all, our democracy is worth the wait. (click here for full article)