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What to do with stress and despair during the 2024 elections

Umito November 5, 2024

A recent survey by the American Psychological Association found that 69% of Americans are very stressed about the upcoming presidential election. I would like to know: who are the remaining 31% and how can I participate?

This race will be close. Americans are fiercely divided over who should win. At the same time, many of us experience the same anxieties. About 72% of Americans fear the election results could lead to violence, and more than half (56%) believe the election could mean the end of democracy in the United States.

And whatever the outcome, cavernous divisions remain. We agree for the most part — 81% of Democrats, 82% of Republicans and 79% of independents — that we have lost the ability to have civil disagreement.

I recently spoke with experts for advice on how to get through the stressful week(s) ahead. Not for predictions about who will win, mind you. But to find out how we can all keep our heads together.

Voting generally goes smoothly, but help is available

Not half of Texas voters participated in early voting (according to the most recent figures obtained Thursday) and across the country, tens of millions of Americans have already voted without difficulty or long waits – which is reassuring .

“We haven’t heard about a lot of issues,” David Becker, director of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation and Research, told me and other reporters on a call by the nonprofit Free Press. “What voters in this country are experiencing is that voting for the vast majority of people will be convenient, easy, safe and secure. »

For those heading to the polls on Tuesday, many election offices will post wait time estimates online (votetravis.gov in Travis County; wilcotx.gov and select “Elections” in Williamson) so you can choose a voting site with shorter lines.

And if you’re having trouble voting, call or text 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). The hotline is administered by voting advocates from the nonpartisan Election Protection Coalition who can explain the law and your options.

Accurate results take time. Be patient.

“Election Day is the day where everyone wants a lot of news, but there really is no news,” said Damon Hewitt, president of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

The one thing we all want to know: who won? — might not be clear for days, given the volume of ballots, narrow margins and dozens of other races to count. In some key battlegrounds, like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, officials can’t even begin counting mail-in ballots until Election Day, adding to the wait.

Take comfort in knowing that 98% of American voters use paper ballotsand the compilation machines have been tested and certified to meet federal safety standards, notes the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice. The results will be reliable and verifiable.

Be skeptical of the elements in your social media feed

“You’re going to see misinformation,” Becker warned. “The disinformation is going to be very targeted. This may be information aimed at you, designed to make you angry. Be especially skeptical of videos, audios, or any misinformation that appears to reinforce your pre-existing beliefs. Take a break. Press the pause button.

Our adversaries in Russia, Iran and China are trying to stoke conflict and division, Becker said – not only among those who support Donald Trump, but also among those who support Kamala Harris. Don’t think you’re safe from this type of attack.

Your best defense: be a smart media consumer. Turn to reliable sources of information, including election officials and reputable media outlets, who fact-check the issues raised.

Wait for the facts and trust the system

Some observers fear that Trump will once again declare victory prematurely, as he did in 2020, so that he can claim the election was “stolen” if the final tally doesn’t go his way. In reality, this race will be close. Key states will be too close to make a call until most, if not all, of the ballots are counted.

Remember to be patient.

If a candidate makes vague or unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud, Becker said, “that tells you something, because the candidate who thinks he’s going to win has a vested interest in legitimizing the process that’s going to bring him victory.” Only candidates who think they are losing spread these kinds of lies before we can see them.”

The coming weeks are sure to be stressful, as campaigns take disputes to court and election officials face enormous pressure and potential threats. Authorities must prepare for the possibility of political violence: armed guards, aerial drones and snipers on rooftops are present. among the security measures this will be in place around the ballot tabulation center in Maricopa County, Arizona, for example.

But I was heartened to hear from election experts who believe the guardrails are solid and the will of the people will be respected. They note that dozens of courts have rejected unsubstantiated claims of election shenanigans in 2020 and in Congress in 2022. adopted the law on the reform of the electoral count to better ensure that each state’s results are accepted.

“That doesn’t mean election officials won’t face abuse, harassment and threats,” Becker said. But efforts to undermine local certification of election results “will fail.” I can say this with absolute certainty.

That said, expect more ugliness

Prepare for a tumultuous post-election period. Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, said online discussions about political violence are currently fairly muted in the darker corners of the Internet. But “we expect this to explode after Election Day,” as it did in 2020, Beirich told me and other reporters on a call last week.

She noted that voter denialism has become a more prominent feature of white supremacy and anti-government movements.

“They grew up,” Beirich said. “They are better funded. They are more extremist and their activities could be extremely disruptive after Election Day, whether it be frivolous court cases, narrative construction (or) disinformation campaigns.”

Hewitt, of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, worries that a Trump victory would provide a bigger platform for hate speech, while a Harris victory could spark an ugly misogyny backlash and racism. And in both cases, the supporters of the losing candidate will suffer the defeat hard.

“So I think we have to prepare for more ugliness, whatever happens,” he said.

This seems worrying and intimidating, a much bigger problem than any of us can solve. But I hope we can all try to do our part: follow the facts, show concern for our neighbors, and recognize when it’s time to take a break. We will move on to the other side of the question.

And when we do, no matter how you voted or whether your candidate won, there will still be work to do.

Grumet is the Statesman’s Metro columnist. His column, ATX in Context, contains his opinions. Share yours by email at [email protected] or on X at @bgrumet. Find his previous work at statesman.com/opinion/columns.