“While much disinformation comes from inside the U.S., Americans must also note an ever-present strategy for impacting elections adopted by both interveners, and that is dividing the population and undermining faith in our election systems. Distrust in our democracy generally, is not only damaging in election time, but damaging to the cohesion of the nation broadly.”
Read More“Social media platforms have revolutionized much of the 21st century — and the world of politics is not exempt. While the only direct line of communication between candidates and constituents used to be TV appearances or newspapers, social media apps like Twitter and Instagram have created a direct channel of communication between citizens and the politics.”
Read More“North Carolina has a long history as a swing state, awarding electoral votes to Obama, Romney, and Trump only through slim victories in the last three elections. Its distinction as a “purple state” held true throughout another presidential election, with Democrats and Republicans winning many important races statewide. The final results of the 2020 presidential and senatorial races in North Carolina have not yet been announced, though President Donald Trump and incumbent Senator Thom Tillis (R) are ahead. According to the NC State Board of Elections, Trump leads Biden by 75,371 votes and Tillis leads Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham by 95,739 votes at the time of writing. The state Board of Elections has reported that provisional ballots are still being researched to determine if they meet the voter eligibility requirements, which is the reason why these races have not yet been called.”
Read More“Since the 2016 election, “polarized” has been the adjective of choice used to describe the US’s political climate. After this tense 2020 election, our polarized country may turn into one rife with political violence. With polls reporting widespread fears of post-election violence and risk groups warning citizens, here is what we know about election violence so far.”
Read More“The idea of a Democrat-controlled Senate may have taken a hit - but it isn’t gone yet. Two seats in historically conservative Georgia are projected to head to runoffs on January 5th.”
Read More“If you’ve tuned into any of the major news networks in the past three days, you know it’s been a whirlwind of hypothetical after hypothetical trying to piece together who will win the presidency. Finally, over 72 hours after Election Night, Joe Biden has been declared the projected winner.”
Read More“One hundred years ago the 19th Constitutional Amendment was passed, giving women the right to vote. With the 2020 election still underway, women are a major demographic for candidates to reach. Of course, these numbers are ever changing but as of Wednesday, November 4, 6:00 pm EST, here is a breakdown of how women have been using their right to vote in this tumultuous election and how it could potentially affect who wins the Presidency in January.”
Read More“With racial issues coming to the forefront in this 2020 election, both the Democratic and Republican parties have been criticized for their usage of race issues as a convenient political platform. As both sides have been scrutinized for their use of gender or race “tokens” the parties are continually challenged by constituents to actually tackle issues surrounding race and enact policy that will actually speak to, and make changes for marginalized communities in the United States.”
Read More“Looking forward, Trump’s reckless strategy is certain to prolong this endless election cycle. A political battle will quickly turn into a legal one — as an avalanche of lawsuits and countersuits concerning the legitimacy of mail-in ballots likely stands in between either candidate and an official victory. It didn’t have to be this way, but with Trump throwing all democratic norms to the wind, only the final counting of votes and perhaps the courts can tell us who the President of the United States will be come January 2021.”
Read More“Between the two, a Biden victory is more probable. Biden flipped the second district in Nevada; meaning that if he wins Wisconsin, Nevada, and either Michigan or Georgia, he will win the election regardless of North Carolina or Pennsylvania.”
Read More“Traditionally, the Lone Star State has been a given for Republican candidates. Now, polls show President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden going neck and neck. And with 38 Electoral College votes, the state could be a game changer if Biden manages to flip it.”
Read More“Bush v. Gore was a famously questionable Supreme Court decision which decided the 2000 Presidential Election. It could decide the 2020 Presidential Election, too .”
Read More“While many Americans are voting for the candidates they wish to see in office, the procedures for how their votes are casted and counted are being litigated in almost every level of the courts. The outcome of these cases could affect who can vote and how many votes are counted. Therefore, they could affect the outcome of the election as a whole.”
Read More“n the first presidential debate, Trump refused to say whether he would accept the results of the election if he were to lose come November. He plainly stated that he “can’t go along” with a result from mail-in ballots. Additionally, Trump said he will be counting on the Supreme Court to look at the ballots. He went on to insinuate that he may not “need” the Court to settle the election. These turns of phrase only serve to confirm his expectation that the Court will help him remain in power if he loses, but that he won’t take it to the Court if he wins.”
Read More“If it feels like some sick game to get over 270 electoral votes by cobbling together a map of states, that’s because it is. The defining issues of our time, like the COVID-19 response, racial equity, and health care ought to be decided by one person, one vote. Unfortunately, those aren’t the rules by which we play. To restore decency to our country, it is imperative that we find our way to 270 electoral votes. A victory right here in North Carolina can ensure it if the Blue Wall falters once more.”
Read More“Four years ago, the 2016 Presidential Election was nearing an end and Hillary Clinton was expanding her lead in the polls. Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s chances of victory were looking pretty slim. As we know, though, he did win. Now, as we near yet another close Presidential Election, the question on many Americans’ minds is: can Trump do it again?”
Read More“The 2020 election has raised questions about the security of US voting methods. President Trump has often pleaded for the American people to take caution when voting by mail due to the “incredible fraud” that occurs. In the past few weeks, doubt about election security was bolstered due to multiple controversies over ballot boxes in California.”
Read More“Regardless of the outcome, North Carolina will play a substantial role in the process. Whether North Carolina will lean to the right or to the left remains to be seen, however, this election will likely be a window into future elections and show how influential North Carolina is.”
Read More“The 2020 elections in new North Carolina districts could have a significant impact on both North Carolina and national politics while also providing a window to examine gerrymandering and its problems.”
Read More“The issue of climate change was given a brief nod during the two 2020 presidential debates, though anyone looking for substantive answers or detailed plans was surely disappointed. Both Trump and Biden dodged direct questions dealing with fracking, fossil fuels, and the role of climate science. The differences between the two candidates on these issues are profound and have been the focus of many political jabs. Joe Biden has repeatedly stated that he will be a president who “believes in science” and that he will actually listen to what scientists tell him, unlike President Trump. At his MAGA rallies, the President has repeatedly assured his supporters that Biden supports the “radical, job-killing, Green New Deal.” Is this really the case?”
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