In a world that now lives for instant results, why do election results take longer than ever?
First, a 50-50 nation makes more races competitive. Wisconsin will produce close results in both the presidential and U.S. Senate elections.
Second, in a polarized nation, outcomes matter. Both parties will do everything to help their candidates win and their opponents lose. Experts predict almost 200 lawsuits alleging misconduct in key battle ground states.
Third, early voting avoids long lines on Election Day and maximizes turnout. But these are the ballots most contested. In some states such as Wisconsin, these early ballots can’t be counted until Election Day. People distrust a process where their candidate leads on Election Night, only to lose once all ballots are counted.
If any common ground on American elections still exists, it is the premise that every legal ballot should be counted. We need to enter this election with some basic understanding of the process. Be patient. Everything points to a process that seeks to determine who legally wins. But this will take time.
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Honor and trust the election officials in your state. These are professionals — more trained than ever before.
Despite everything, democracy won in 2020. And it will win again in 2024. We just need to be patient and allow the process to work.
So get a good night’s sleep. You won’t miss a thing.
Steve Gunderson, former Republican U.S. congressman from Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District.
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