Determination

Something is happening.  And it's determination.

Americans are voting early—by mail or drop box, or in person--in record numbers. It is estimated that nearly 70 million ballots have been received, with probably another five million on the way. It could eventually mean that 100 million votes come in before the traditional Election Day, less than a week away.

 The numbers so far are astounding. They’ve blown past the early voting totals of 2016, and already add up to more than half of all the votes cast in the 2016 election. In Texas it’s 90%. In Georgia 71%. 

The mail-in vote as predicted is heavily Democratic. In some places the in-person early voting shows more Democrats, in others more Republicans, but also plenty of declared Independents and undeclared voters. The youth vote is way up. Black voters in Georgia are nearly triple the numbers there were in 2016.

 Something is happening right now. Because of this Washington regime’s subversion of the Postal Service, and thanks to decisions by the Supreme Republican Court, election officials and non-profits are strongly advising voters who have received absentee ballots not to mail them, because they might not arrive by Election Day. They are advised to deliver them to drop boxes or election clerk’s offices. There are many people working hard to identify and help these voters.

 If the 2016 election showed how stupid American voters can be, this election so far indicates how smart they can be. Many heard and read about the Postal Service slowdown, the Republican legislatures and Trump Court of Appeals judges changing rules several times about which votes will count and when votes can be counted. So they mailed in their ballots very early, or they took them to drop boxes, or they voted in person. They’ve completely changed the contours of this election.

 

Voters in Texas and Georgia in particular saw the blatant efforts at vote suppression, so they lined up the first day of early voting and they haven’t stopped.

 Early in-person voting makes it very visible that something is happening. Voters are lining up for hours, surrounded by a life-threatening pandemic virus.  They shouldn't have to, especially the seniors, but they are.  And they stay in line until they vote.  They are determined that their votes are counted.  They need leadership out of this pandemic. They need leadership that sees them and their mortal problems. They need hope.

 They are lining despite forest fires and hurricanes. They are lining up in the rain, the heat, the cold. They defy suppression and intimidation. They are risking their health and their lives. They are at least as heroic as any soldier, for what they are doing for their country and each other.

 And because this is America, they are entertained in line by dancers and musicians. Nonprofits pass out bottled water and coffee. There are hot dog vendors.

 When early voting is over, others will take their place on November 3, Election Day. Again there will be long lines, the pandemic, maybe bad weather. There will be intimidation and probably violence in some places. But they will not be deterred. They will vote. Perhaps you will be one of them.

 

If something continues to happen, the number of Americans who vote—and the percentage of eligible voters who vote-- by the end of the day on November 3 will be greater than in any election anyone now alive has experienced. About 137 million voted in 2016. When early voting started booming, the boldest 2020 forecast was a total of 150 million. That would be the highest percentage turnout since 1908. Now analysts are talking about 160 million, or 165.

 Something is happening—and it is that millions of people are determined to vote, even at a cost. Because they know their votes will to a meaningful extent determine the future.