The Final Stages of the 2020 Election are Heating Up...by Thomas Schottland

 

                 It is without a doubt that Election season in the United States is quite a controversial time throughout the country. Let alone the fact it is taking place during a major pandemic, racial unrest, and pure political divisiveness. Such examples of this have already played out in front of our eyes very recently. The First (Unpresidential) Presidential Debate was a disaster, and unfortunately, another piece of evidence for other nations that the U.S. is truly the laughing stock of the world. With the incumbent, President Trump, seeking reelection this November yet trailing in polls by quite a bit, he is apparently adopting a full-on aggressive campaign against his opponent, Democratic nominee, and former Vice- President Joe Biden. But in a post-2016 election world, one's trust in the polls are the lowest ever, and they should be. However, Biden's lead is significant, and if the polls swing just like they did in 2016, he would win, and in fact, by a LARGER margin. The Presidential race isn't the only thing the GOP is slipping in. They are in serious danger of losing their majority in the Senate, where they currently hold control at 53 to 47 seats. Democrats are projected as of now to net at least 3-4 seats, which with a Kamala Harris Vice-Presidency, would mean a majority. And to wrap an election trifecta, the currently Democrat-held House of Representatives has only a 0.3 percent chance of flipping, with Dems projected to EARN more seats, further solidifying their advantage. However, this election is going to be complicated. Due to mass mail-in voting, we are most likely not going to know who wins on election night or in the early hours of the next morning. To count all the votes will take possibly 2 weeks! Many analysts have provided the theory that there may be a Red Mirage Scenario, where there might be an apparent President Trump landslide on Election Night because a majority of the mail-in votes have not been counted. Statistically, Democrats are projected to have 70 percent of the Mail-in vote. That is A LOT of votes. This could lead to Trump declaring a pre-mature victory, and go into a Supreme Court Battle to cancel the mail-in ballots as he consistently declares they are fraudulent, even though mail-in voting has been around for many years and has been very secure. And with a potential conservative majority on the court (6-3 pending Amy Coney Barret's confirmation to replace the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg), could possibly win the case. This would be a horrible outcome for the 2020 election and would cause massive protests, riots, and god-forbid, a civil-war. This is why it's important to vote early or in person or make sure your ballot is properly sent and counted. This election will be determined by a handful of swing states: Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, North Carolina, Florida, Texas (Yes, Texas), Iowa, Ohio, Georgia, and a few congressional districts, NE-2 and ME-2. The reason why Trump is going all-in is that believe it or not, he is trailing in every single one of these states. Pennsylvania by 7.5 points, Michigan by 9, Wisconsin by 8, Arizona by 4.5, North Carolina by 2.5 points, Florida by 3.5 points, Texas by 0.5 points, Iowa by 1 point, Ohio by 1 point, and in Georgia by 2 points. These are solid margins and averages, let alone Biden's 12 point lead Nationally. Biden has a 99.7 percent of winning the popular vote, and an 88.1 percent chance to win the electoral college, (the only thing that matters in reality), so he definitely has the high ground with very few days until the election. In fact, early voting has already started, and almost 25 million people have already voted. Turnout has been off the charts, and we can truly see democracy in action. It may sound cliche, but this election is truly the most consequential of our lifetimes. So make a plan to vote: How, where, and when, and voice your opinion in the decision that will truly decide the future of this country. Don't get complacent! VOTE!