Hear ye, hear ye! Election Day is finally here. After months of candidate commercials, televised debates, lots of deranged tweets, and one global pandemic, the day has finally arrived for us to cast our votes and hope America gets renewed for another season. As if 2020 hasn’t been traumatizing enough, we now have the pleasure of dealing with election anxiety. Yes, voters are now experiencing heightened levels of stress and anxiety as a result of this sh*tshow we call an election. I mean, duh. But as we gear up to head to the polls, check our mail-in status, and anxiously await the results, it’s crucial that we also carve out time to take care of ourselves. A lot of things are out of our control right now, and that can feel overwhelming, but spiraling into a dark hole of doom and hopelessness isn’t going to do anyone any good. Perspective and mindfulness are key. It’s critical that we find ways to keep ourselves occupied and in check. To help reduce some of this election induced anxiety, I consulted with multiple experts on how to emotionally prepare yourself for election day.
What Is Election Anxiety?
First off, let me assure you that the glass case of emotions that you are in with respect to this election are completely valid. Election Stress Disorder, aka election anxiety, is a real thing that is taking a toll on a majority of voters leading up to the 2020 election, with 52% of Americans reporting in a survey done by the American Psychological Association that the election is “a very or somewhat significant” source of stress. So you’re not alone! I spoke with Natalie Ryan, LCAT, a psychotherapist in NYC, who says, “Nearly all of my patients have been speaking about election related stress and anxiety.” She adds, “A topic that’s come up a lot in sessions is processing people’s biggest fears of what might happen if their candidate does or doesn’t win.” This feeling of uncertainty and anticipation for Tuesday’s election results is only increasing our already heightened sense of anxiety from the dumpster fire that is 2020. I also spoke with the Regional Medical Director at One Medical, Natasha Bhuyan, MD, who has seen an influx of patients dealing with excess stress due to the upcoming election. Dr. Bhuyan says that, “Some patients are having trouble sleeping with racing thoughts about worst-case scenarios. Others are spending lots of time consuming the news and struggling to unplug.” I feel incredibly seen.
To elaborate more on how people, specifically younger generations, are feeling, I spoke with the Senior Director of Measurement & Insights at Fullscreen, Amelia Rance. Fullscreen’s insights division launched an election study that surveyed the political stances of 3,000 millenials and Gen Zers, ranging in ages from 18 to 37 years old. Rance says they found that, “We’ve always seen with a lot of the research that we do that this generation is thinking more about their future and are more aware of certain things, so they feel this stress and anxiety overall more than some of the other generations.” And they all said millennials were self-centered.
Rance continues, “When we asked specifically about the election, uneasy was the number one emotion that they were feeling, tied with hopeful.” This awkward balance of feelings can be a lot to handle. The best way to manage this upset of emotions is to find ways to support yourself and your mental health, especially during times of political uncertainty. Yes, I’m talking about self-care!
Have A Voting Plan
First and foremost, establish a voting plan. Dr. Bhuyan says, “Start by having a plan for Election Day. If you haven’t voted, where will you go to vote? Be sure to research the polling location and logistics like parking.” She also advises, “Do a sample ballot ahead of time (including the initiatives) so you don’t feel stressed about making those decisions on Election Day.” The more organized you are, the better your brain is going to feel. If you’re voting by mail, then double check you sent it in on time and its status. If you’re voting in person, make sure you have the right address for your polling location. Preparation is essential in reducing unnecessary stress.
Plan Your Day
Along with establishing a voting plan, it’s also wise to think about how you want to spend the day. Are you planning on watching the news all day, or are you blocking everything out and pretending like it’s not happening? Will you be with friends and family, or by yourself? There is no universal right answer. Ryan suggests, “Spend some time thinking about what will feel the most nourishing to you that day, and try your best to have things in place to help with self-soothing.” That could range from face masks, to ice cream, to a punching bag, or all the above, whatever will work best for you—no judgment.
Set Boundaries
As you think about what mental practices will best suit you, don’t be afraid to set boundaries with friends, family, and even with the news. You are not obligated to discuss politics if it’s going to be detrimental to your sanity. The same goes with the news and social media. Dr. Bhuyan says, “Many news and social media platforms are designed to have no natural stopping point––there are always more posts to read, videos to watch, and links to click on. As a result, people need to set intentional parameters about how much they consume.” Setting boundaries is a healthy way to preserve your mental well-being and to help prevent yourself from falling victim to political fatigue. Additionally, Ryan suggests, “Maybe you want to have a set time for when you check in with the results, rather than watching constantly for hours at a time. Spend some time thinking about what will feel the most nourishing to you that day.” It’s all about doing whatever feels right for you. Keep the news on all day or go totally off the grid—no option is better than the other.
Manage Expectations
It’s also important to try and level your expectations. Dr. Bhuyan says, “Managing expectations is a skill that requires being honest with yourself. While people use polls, predictors, and statisticians, know that there is still a wide realm of possibilities in terms of outcomes.” And keep in mind that just because voting ends on Tuesday does not mean that we will have answers on Tuesday. Rance adds, “There’s a strong chance that we won’t know what the outcome is, and then there’s still going to be that uneasiness until we actually know the results. Suspect that the uneasiness will continue after Election Day, unfortunately.” Try not to set yourself up for failure by expecting all of your anxieties to be resolved within one day.
Do Your Part
Another way to reduce anxiety is to focus on what is in your control. Rance says, “It’s important that people feel that they have done all that they can do in terms of making change happen.” She continues, “If people really feel like they’ve done all they can do in terms of motivating their friends and family to vote, or reach out to states that are more undecided, and really can make an impact; I think that’s how they’ll most feel prepared for the outcome.” Do everything that you need to do, so you can feel at peace and like you’ve done your part—whether that’s phonebanking, talking to family members, posting on social media, volunteering, etc. Oh yeah, and VOTING.
Try Not To Spiral
In the same way that we should moderate our social intake, we should also be conscious of spiraling into a doomsday mentality. Ryan advises, “While it’s important to give ourselves space to process, it’s also incredibly important to recognize when we’re catastrophizing so we can rescale our fears.” She continues, “The first step to stop the catastrophizing and rumination cycle is to recognize when it’s happening. Once we have the awareness we have options to help us move away from it.” If you feel yourself start to spiral, just pause, take a breath, and then pivot to the Pinot, or whatever your self-soothing technique is—again, no judgment. Ryan says, “Distraction, clearing your mind with meditation or breathing exercises, talking to a friend, listening to music, or getting some exercise are some ways we can actively avoid dwelling on worst case scenarios” are all things you can try to calm the f*ck down.
Regardless of Tuesday’s results, it is important to remember that there will still be a Wednesday, a Thursday, a Friday, and an anticipated, hilarious Saturday Night Live. Time will go on, the Earth will keep rotating, and life will continue. I fully understand how pivotal this outcome is and how that can feel. It may seem like a do-or-die, make-or-break moment in time, but that is precisely what this is, a moment in time. As Rance says, “The privilege of voting is something that has been reborn, and people are going to continue to stay passionate, regardless of the outcome on election day.” Hope is not made or broken on November 3rd. The results are what they are. You may not be able to control the outcome, but you can control how you handle it.
Lastly, Dr. Bhuyan recommends, “Try to challenge yourself to see the silver lining in even the most difficult conditions.” Give it a shot. I’ll go first, my silver lining is that election day falls on taco Tuesday, so win or lose, we can still have a margarita, and I will cheers to that.
Images: vesperstocck / Shutterstock.com
In case you missed it, The West Wing cast and creators came together over the last few months to produce and release a staged adaptation for HBO Max of one of the series’ most beloved episodes: Hartsfield’s Landing (season 3, episode 14). Usually, this episode would be a must include on any list of comfort episodes of the series. Still, it should go without saying that this episode is both relaxing and good enough to lessen the total shit show that is our political reality.
I was a baby when The West Wing came out and didn’t watch it until I was a junior in high school, but as soon as I started it, I knew I wanted to major in political science and eventually become the White House Chief of Staff for the first female president. Bold, I know, but what can I say?
Well, obviously, that is no longer a journey that I will be taking, but the show is still one of my go-tos (tied with Parks and Rec, ofc) when I’m feeling completely hopeless about the state of American politics and government. The West Wing draws such an incredibly optimistic and idealistic picture of how politics should work, to the point that it left me with a pretty delusional picture of what a potential career in politics would look like.
So, in the spirit of The West Wing reunion, insane Supreme Court hearings, and less than three weeks until the election, here’s my (spoiler-filled) list of the most comforting West Wing episodes.
20 Hours In America Part 1 and 2
(Season 4, Episodes 1 and 2)
White House incompetence but make it cute and quirky. When Toby, Josh, and Donna get left behind in rural Indiana by the Presidential motorcade on a campaign stop, they struggle to get themselves home only to be completely f*cked over by daylight savings time. A lot of other stuff happens in the 2 part episode, including Charlie Young stepping up to be a Big Brother, Sam Seaborn being entirely baffled by what happens in the Oval Office, and a devastating pipe bomb explosion.
Highlights include: Josh and Toby totally losing their shit, a Sleepy Rob Lowe falling out of bed, dry rub ribs, and an incredible speech by President Bartlet that will make you totally forget our actual idiotic president (for like 5 minutes max.)
The Midterms
(Season 2, Episode 3)
In general, season 2 might be the best one, but I can’t just list every episode. The Midterms quickly takes the audience through several months following the traumatic events of the season one finale. This episode takes on white supremacy and features a really satisfying confrontation of evangelical hypocrisy, something that I think we all are wishing for right now if you know what I mean. Even with all of the heavy plotlines, it’s one of my main comfort episodes of The West Wing.
Highlights include: Bradley Whitford in giant PJs, C.J. Cregg confusing the words psychics and physicists multiple times (same, babe), and a few adorable Josh and Donna moments.
The Debate
(Season 7, Episode 7)
This episode takes place during the fictional presidential debate between the Republican candidate, Senator Arnold Vinnick (played by Alan Alda), and Democrat Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits). It was aired live twice, once on the East coast, and once on the West coast. While the candidates may interrupt each other several times, the fictional debate is way less frustrating to watch than the total dumpster fire we experienced in real life a few weeks ago.
Highlights: IDK? Neither candidate had to ask the other to shut up. The moderator actually moderates. The most exciting part was something different than a fly? Take your pick.
Let Bartlet Be Bartlet
(Season 1, Episode 19)
Hear me out, most of the plot of this episode sounds like it comes straight out of today’s news cycles, but it’s still a perfect escape. After an internal memo about all of the president’s flaws gets leaked, the press has an absolute field day, and the administration comes to a screeching halt. Instead of the president firing all of his staff members and losing his shit, like our real-life president would, the memo is a wake-up call to the administration and ends up motivating them to come up with a new agenda based on their values.
Highlights: honestly, overall, it’s just great motivation to watch people get their lives together, even if you’re lying in bed and on your second bag of popcorn for the night while doing it.
Celestial Navigation
(Season 1, Episode 15)
Without a doubt, this is my favorite episode of The West Wing. It balances really heavy plotlines about racism with some of the funniest moments of the series. While it’s obvi all fictional, it is a little cathartic to see cops forced to apologize for profiling a Hispanic Supreme Court nominee and Democratic officials straight-up calling Republicans racist. In the meantime, Sam and Toby get lost in Connecticut while trying to bail the administration’s nominee out of jail, and Josh tells Georgetown students way too many details about the week he had in the White House.
Highlights include: Alison Janey’s C.J. Cregg recovering from an emergency root canal, Dule Hill as Charlie trying to wake up the president, and Rob Lowe foreshadowing his role as Chris Traeger while talking about dental hygiene.
…. and, in no particular order, honorable mentions: In This White House (Season 2, Ep. 4), Two Cathedrals (Season 2, Ep. 22), The Cold (Season 7, Ep 13), and The Supremes (Season 5, Ep. 17).
Again, there’s no excuse for checking out of the real politics that are happening around us, but there’s nothing wrong with taking an hour or so to take care of yourself. Maybe Yeah, it’s a low bar, but watching a competent administration in the White House is one of the most relaxing things for me at this point.
(Images courtesy of Giphy, NBC)
By now you’ve probably heard vaguely about the QAnon conspiracy theory. Whether you’ve read a Facebook chain from a crazy uncle, seen an ominous “Q” sign bobbling from a sea of Trump supporters, or read about adherents getting arrested in one place and elected in another, it’s clear that QAnon has entered the mainstream. And we have to deal with it.
Read about QAnon’s beliefs, background, and danger to society below.
What Do QAnon Supporters Believe?
QAnon supporters believe that Democrats, celebrities, and billionaires are part of a secret group that controls the world while participating in pedophilia and human trafficking to harvest the blood of children to get a chemical that will make them live longer.
Further, there is an illuminati-like “deep state” group made up of people like Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, The Pope, and Oprah Winfrey. According to Q, these people and all of their friends are fighting a war against Donald Trump, who was handpicked by the military to save humanity from these progressive cannibals and regularly sends coded messages to his supporters about his efforts.
This central theory has a number of offshoots, such as the theory that JFK Jr. didn’t die in 1999 and that 9/11 was not a terrorist attack. QAnon boils down to a combination of baseless conspiracies inspired by “Q’s” signals (keep reading) layered atop the 2016 theory that Hillary Clinton’s former campaign manager was using a pizza restaurant as a code for a child trafficking ring in his stolen emails (Pizzagate) as part of a much larger, more sinister plot to take over the world.
QAnon also pushes an explicitly antisemitic conspiracy theory that the Rothschild family controls all of the banks in the United States. The concept that a secret group of powerful people is ruling the world comes from a book called The Protocols of the Elders of Zion that was initially published in 1903 in Russia. The book contains a fake plan that Jewish leaders purportedly had for “world domination.” Its claims were frequently used to justify antisemitism, especially during World War II.
To achieve their aims, QAnon disseminates inflammatory and false information a range of issues, including social justice protests and the coronavirus, to undermine their perceived opposition.
This year, QAnon successfully pushed the theory that Wayfair was trafficking children as part of a larger criminal conspiracy into the mainstream. It disseminated a video featuring false and inflammatory claims about the pandemic that was viewed 8 million times.
QAnon has also infiltrated and promoted vague “Save The Children” efforts across the country, attaching their baseless claims to the real issue of child trafficking.
Tell Me More About This “Save The Children” Thing
Maybe recently you’ve seen an influencer or girl from your high school share vague child sex trafficking statistics with the hashtag #SaveTheChildren. These awareness-raising efforts were started in earnest long ago to fundraise for Save The Children — an international nonprofit working on a range of child issues, from hunger to education. But QAnon saw rising concern on social media for child sex trafficking — born largely of the Jeffrey Epstein case — as an opportunity to push their theory that a “deep state” is responsible.
QAnon’s strategy? Flood the internet with inflammatory misinformation connected to the #SaveTheChildren hashtag, invite concerned social media users to pro-QAnon groups, and then attempt to convince them of their broader, baseless conspiracy that people like Tom Hanks are eating children.
Where Did QAnon Come From?
Like most insane theories, QAnon originated on 4chan, an internet message board, with an anonymous user. User “Q” claims to be a high-ranking military advisor, and his posts started in late 2017 and have continued since then. Q’s posts are pretty much either different questions that lead his followers to the “truth,” or are full of predictions that rarely end up being accurate.
Now, QAnon is spread through Youtube videos, some social media platforms, and fringe message boards like 8Kun.
Why Is This Dangerous?
Because people actually believe this stuff. Possibly quite a lot of people: an internal investigation by Facebook estimates that millions of users have joined pro-QAnon groups. Earlier this year, the FBI labeled QAnon adherents and other “conspiracy theory-driven domestic extremists” as possible domestic terrorism threats, likely to justify violence if they sincerely believe the world is run by murderous pedophiles.
These aren’t just warnings: At the height of the “Pizzagate” conspiracy, an armed man fired into a Washington D.C. restaurant he believed was the center of a sex trafficking ring run by Democrats, endangering staff and patrons. A QAnon supporter was arrested in April for threatening to kill Joe Biden.
QAnon continues to gather legs as right-wing domestic terrorism is a growing threat. Yet most Americans don’t believe or even know what QAnon is. According to a poll done in March of this year by Pew Research, 76% of Americans have never heard of the conspiracy theory.
Facebook and Twitter have taken action against the QAnon, either banning accounts and groups that supported the theory, limiting the features that these users can access, and removing content from recommended groups and pages.
What Do Politicians Say?
Though you might think that political leaders from both parties have vocally opposed this dangerous conspiracy, certain far-right politicians have embraced or expressed support for its adherents. After all, it is 2020 and rationality is about as nonexistent as my social life.
There are still several candidates running for Congress this year who have supported and even advocated for the theory. The most well-known is Georgia’s Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Republican candidate for the House of Representatives who will surely win her seat. House candidate Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Senate candidate Jo Rae Perkins of Oregon have also been supportive QAnon.
Donald Trump has refused to denounce QAnon, instead suggesting he is grateful for its support.
“I don’t know much about the movement other than I understand they like me very much, which I appreciate,” he said on August 19.
The president also regularly retweets QAnon-invented misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic.
Share With Caution
In the case of the Wayfair selling children story and the vague “Save the Children” “campaign,” you might not know when something you’re retweeting or sending to your friends is part of a QAnon theory. That’s what makes this group so toxic and why it is so important to be aware of what you’re sharing on the Internet. Next time you click “add to story” on a mommy blogger’s plea to help victims of child sex trafficking, make sure you verify the details and vet the source.
A previous version of this article stated that the pizza shop targeted in Pizzagate was in North Carolina. Comet Ping Pong pizzaria is in Washington, D.C. A man from North Carolina attacked the shop.
Amid a global pandemic that will see unprecedented levels of mail-in voting, it’s more important than ever that you plan your vote now. Below, you will find direct links to your state’s Board of Elections to register to vote (39 states will let you do so online right now) and/or request your absentee ballot.
The deadlines listed below are deadlines to register to vote. Some states continue to extend deadlines for requesting or returning your absentee ballot, so make sure to check that regularly. In any event, you can absolutely still vote in person on election day or earlier in many states. If you plan to vote by mail, we cannot stress this enough: request your ballot ASAP. Fill it out ASAP. Return it ASAP. You can return your absentee ballot in the mail or drop it off at a safe location in your area. And if you never receive your absentee ballot or forget to fill it out, you can still vote on election day in person.
Alabama
General Election Deadline: October 19, 2020
Register online now or request your absentee ballot.
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Alaska
General Election Deadline: October 4, 2020
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Arizona
General Election Deadline: October 5, 2020
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Arkansas
General Election Deadline: October 5, 2020
Register now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
California
General Election Deadline: October 19; also offers same-day registration
Every registered voter in California will receive a ballot in the mail — make sure your address is updated.
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Colorado
General Election Deadline: October 26, 2020 but also offers same-day registration for those who want to vote in person on election day.
Every registered voter in Colorado will be sent a mail ballot — make sure your address is updated.
Register online now and check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Connecticut
General Election Deadline: October 27, 2020 or same-day registration.
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Delaware
General Election Deadline: October 10, 2020
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Florida
General Election Deadline: October 5, 2020.
Register online now or request your absentee ballot.
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Georgia
General Election Deadline: October 5, 2020
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Hawaii
General Election Deadline: October 5, 2020, also offers same-day registration.
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Idaho
General Election Deadline: October 9, 2020
*Can register to vote in person on election day
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Illinois
General Election Deadline:
By Mail: October 6, 2020
Online: October 18, 2020
Also offers same-day registration to vote in person.
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Indiana
General Election Deadline: October 5, 2020
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Iowa
General Election Deadline: October 24, 2020, also offers same-day registration for in-person voting
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Kansas
General Election Deadline: October 13, 2020
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Kentucky
General Election Deadline: October 5, 2020
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Louisiana
General Election Deadline:
In person/by mail: October 5, 2020
Online: October 13, 2020
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Maine
General Election Deadline: October 13, 2020, also offers same-day registration for in-person voting.
Register now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Maryland
General Election Deadline: October 13, 2020, also offers same-day registration for in-person voting.
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Massachusetts
General Election Deadline: October 24, 2020
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Michigan
General Election Deadline: October 19, 2020, but also offers same-day registration for in-person voting on election day.
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Minnesota
General Election Deadline: October 13, 2020, also offers same-day registration for in-person voting on election day.
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Mississippi
General Election Deadline: October 5, 2020
Register now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Missouri
General Election Deadline: October 7, 2020
Register now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Montana
General Election Deadline: October 5, 2020, offers same-day registration to vote in-person on election day.
Register now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Nebraska
General Election Deadline:
By mail or online: October 16, 2020
In person: October 23, 2020
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Nevada
General Election Deadline: October 6, 2020 to vote by mail, also offers same-day registration for in-person voting on election day.
Every registered voter in Nevada will be sent a mail ballot — make sure your address is updated.
Register online now and check your absentee ballot deadlines.
New Hampshire
General Election Deadline: October 21, 2020, also offers same-day registration for in-person voting on election day.
Register now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
New Jersey
General Election Deadline: October 13, 2020
Every registered voter in New Jersey will be sent a mail ballot this year.
Register now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
New Mexico
General Election Deadline:
By Mail: October 6, 2020
In person: October 31, 2020
Register now and check your absentee ballot deadlines.
New York
General Election Deadline: October 9, 2020
Register now (online if you have an ID) or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
North Carolina
General Election Deadline:
By Mail: October 9, 2020
In Person: October 31, 2020
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
North Dakota
To vote in North Dakota, you just need to bring a valid proof of ID and residency to the polls.
Find your polling location or request an absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Ohio
General Election Deadline: October 5, 2020
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Oklahoma
General Election Deadline: October 9, 2020
Register now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Oregon
General Election Deadline: October 13, 2020
Every registered voter in Oregon will be sent a ballot in the mail.
Register now and check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Pennsylvania
General Election Deadline: October 19, 2020
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Rhode Island
General Election Deadline: October 4, 2020, also offers same-day registration for in-person voting, but for the presidential election only.
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
South Carolina
General Election Deadline:
In Person: October 2, 2020
Online: October 4, 2020
By Mail: October 5, 2020
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
South Dakota
General Election Deadline: October 19, 2020
Register now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Tennessee
General Election Deadline: October 5, 2020
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Texas
General Election Deadline: October 5, 2020
Register now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Utah
General Election Deadline: October 23, 2020, also offers same-day registration to vote in-person on election day.
Every registered voter in Utah will be sent a mail ballot — make sure your address is updated or register online now
Vermont
General Election Deadline: November 3, 2020, also offers same-day registration to vote in-person on election day.
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Virginia
General Election Deadline: October 13, 2020
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Washington
General Election Deadline: October 26, 2020
Every registered voter in Washington will be sent a mail ballot. Register online now and make sure your address is updated.
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Washington, D.C.
General Election Deadline: October 13, 2020, also offers same-day registration for in-person voting.
This year, every registered voter in Washington, D.C. will be sent a mail ballot. Check the deadline to return by mail, or drop off at a dropbox location.
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
West Virginia
General Election Deadline: October 13, 2020
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Wisconsin
General Election Deadline:
By Mail or online: October 14, 2020
In Person: October 30
also offers same-day registration for in-person voting on election day.
Register online now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
Wyoming
General Election Deadline: October 19, 2020 by mail, also offers same-day registration for in-person voting on election day.
Register now or request your absentee ballot
Check your absentee ballot deadlines.
U.S. Territories
Voter registration and absentee ballot deadlines here.
On Tuesday, August 11, Sen. Kamala Harris became the first Black woman to be nominated as a running mate on a major party ticket and the first person of Indian descent to be nominated as a running mate on a major party ticket.
It’s a fitting accomplishment for a woman who has been a trailblazer in almost every aspect of her career.
A child of immigrants from India and Jamaica, Harris was the first Black female Attorney General for the state of California and is currently the second Black woman and first South-Asian American to hold a seat in the United States Senate. She would also be the first woman Vice President.
Born and raised in California, she started kindergarten during the second year of Berkeley’s desegregation bussing programs. Harris went to Howard University for her undergraduate degree before attending University of California, Hastings College of The Law. After graduating law school, Harris devoted her law career to public service.
Harris’ younger sister, Maya Harris, is an established lawyer and public policy advocate who served as a senior policy advisor for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign. Her niece, Meena, is a Harvard-educated lawyer who founded Phenomenal and Phenomenal Media, a platform elevating and celebrating women of color. All of this is just to say: the level of Harris women brainpower about to descend on the Eisenhower building in D.C. is truly more than we deserve.
Kamala Harris has a strong background in criminal justice issues. As San Francisco’s District Attorney, she was a vocal opponent of the death penalty and started a program called “Back on Track.” This initiative, launched in 2005, allowed first-time drug offenders to opt to get a high school diploma and job instead of prison time.
After serving as DA, Harris was elected in 2011 to be California’s Attorney General. In this position, she expanded her “Back on Track” program, mandated training to address racial bias, and, under her, the California Department of Justice became the first statewide agency to require body cameras. Additionally, she launched a program called OpenJustice, a data bank that highlights criminal justice initiatives and gave the public the ability to track police killings.
In the Senate, Kamala Harris serves on the Judiciary Committee, where she has famously roasted all manner of mediocre white men, from Attorney General Bill Barr to Justice Brett Kavanaugh. She’s a member of. the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues. She sponsored the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act, which passed the Senate but remains in the House.
In the wake of ongoing anti-racist protests around the country, Harris’ history of criminal justice policy is especially important to the ticket. Though Harris’ prosecutorial record raises alarms for those who want to reform the criminal justice system she helped oversee, Biden choosing Harris as a running mate hopefully is a sign of his understanding of the importance of Black and female voices in his administration. She also has a strong prosecutorial background which was made evident in several confirmation hearings during her term – including Brett Kavanaugh’s.
I, for one, literally cannot wait to cast my vote for Biden and Harris. In the meantime, I’ll be tuning in to watch her take on Pence in the Vice Presidential Debate on October 7.
When we talk about elections, we often put most of our focus on the top of the ticket. Obviously, who the president is is very important, but putting a Democrat in the oval office won’t mean much if Mitch McConnell still gets to keep control over the Senate. Meanwhile, the progressive change Dems have already brought to the House won’t mean as much if legislation doesn’t pass in the Senate.
Of the 35 seats up for reelection, Republicans are defending 23, and Democrats are defending 12. For the Senate to flip, Democrats need to gain a net of four seats on November 3. They only need three if Biden wins the presidency, as the Vice President serves as the Senate’s tiebreaker.
There are a few really good signs that Democrats have a chance at taking the senate. Almost all Democratic challengers have raised a ton of money – which makes sense since everyone is pretty pissed at people like Susan Collins, Mitch McConnell, and Martha McSally — all three of whom rank as some of the country’s least popular senators. Trump’s lethally botched response to the coronavirus pandemic has led to his record unpopularity — just as Senate Republicans have spent years hitching their futures to his wagon.
As a result, polls suggest Democrats could take Senate seats never expected to go blue in states like Georgia and Alabama. Let’s take a look at some of the most competitive races, and where each candidate stands:
Who’s running? The incumbent is Democratic Senator Doug Jones. His opponent is former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville who recently beat former Attorney General and current supervillain Jeff Sessions in the Republican primary.
Why is this state competitive? The Democrats barely won the seat in 2017, and only because Jones faced off against accused child molester Roy Moore — which might be the only way a Democrat can win in Alabama. Alabama is a solidly red state and typically favors Republicans — with strong loyalty to Donald Trump. Jones also prosecuted the KKK members responsible for the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing
So, what’s the deal? As of August, Tuberville is leading over Jones by about 10 points, and Trump has a massive lead over Biden in the state. Nothing is a done deal until November 3.
Who’s running? Former chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party Jaime Harrison is challenging Senator Lindsey Graham, and as of mid-August — the two were TIED.
Why is this state competitive? Trump’s waning popularity with even Republican voters puts his most loyal allies at risk in November. Graham, who famously called candidate Trump a “xenophobic, race-baiting bigot” before supporting him unequivocally as president.
So what’s the deal? A large percent of South Carolina voters polled said Graham is too supportive of Trump — but Trump won the state by nearly 15 points in 2016.
Who’s running? The incumbent is Republican Senator Martha McSally, and she is being challenged by Democrat Mark Kelly.
Why is this state competitive? Senator McSally was not elected but appointed to fill John McCain’s seat after losing to moderate Democrat Kyrsten Sinema in 2018. This is a special election because McCain was not supposed to be up for election this year. Kelly is a former astronaut married to former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was nearly killed by a gunman in 2011 while representing Arizona in the House of Representatives. Kelly has a huge fundraising war chest and Trump-allied McSally is pretty unpopular in the state, so Kelly has a slight lead over her, emphasis on ‘slight.’
So, what’s the deal? Both Kelly and Biden have slight leads over their Republican opponents, but as we know, the polls don’t really mean anything. Experts predict that Arizona’s recovery from COVID will play a significant role in the election. McSally has recently scored points throughout the state by expressing her commitment to expanding the CARES act, which is the coronavirus relief bill. But shifting demographics in the state look good for Kelly.
Who’s running? The incumbent is Republican Senator Cory Gardner, who is facing the end of his first term. He is being challenged by former Governor and Democratic presidential candidate John Hickenlooper.
Why is this state competitive? Since Gardner won his seat in the 2014 Republican wave, the state has become increasingly blue. Clinton beat Trump by about five points in 2016, and the state legislature and governor are democrats). Colorado has a large immigrant population and strong ties to gun control, both are policy issues that are huge strengths for the Democratic party. Plus, Hickenlooper was a popular governor with name recognition in the state where protests against police brutality have emerged in every major city.
So, what’s the deal? Nothing is guaranteed until people vote, but Colorado seems like the most likely state for Democrats to take from Republicans in November.
Who’s running? Everyone’s least favorite person, Republican Senator Susan Collins, is being challenged by Maine’s Speaker of the House, Democrat Sara Gideon
Why is this state competitive? Senator Collins has served in congress for almost 30 years and is currently ranked the least popular senator in office, inching ahead of Mitch McConnell. She has gained national attention over constant “disappointment” with the Trump presidency but failure to withhold any support from the administration whatsoever. Between her voting for Kavanaugh and constant expressions of concern for the president’s actions with no follow-through, it’s pretty safe to say that people are sick of Collins’ sh*t.
So, what’s the deal? Even though Collins is the literal WOAT, she’s kind of the Senate’s cockroach and survives under the most treacherous conditions. On the one hand, Biden is leading Trump in the state by close to 10 points, which may affect down-ballot elections. On the other, Collins managed to hold onto her seat in 2008 despite Obama winning Maine by more than 17 points.
Who’s running? The incumbent is Republican Senator Thom Tillis. His challenger is veteran and Democrat Cal Cunningham.
Why is this state competitive? North Carolina is a swing state that consistently has super thin margins, especially for Senate elections. Senator Tillis has a history of cutting unemployment benefits and opposing Medicaid expansion. These two issues are extremely important to North Carolina residents, especially considering rises in unemployment that are related to COVID-19. North Carolina turned blue for Obama in 2008 but broke for Trump in 2016, which some attribute to Democrats’ failure to offer voters of color motivation to turn out for Hillary Clinton.
So, what’s the deal? While Tillis’ weaknesses may make it seem like a done deal, the GOP is holding on pretty tightly to the state. Both Biden and Cunningham have small leads over their Republican opponents, but there is not enough distance that would totally give the state to the Democrats.
Who’s running? The incumbent is obviously the evil lizard man himself, Mitch McConnell, and his opponent is Amy McGrath.
Why is this state competitive? As Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell is like, enemy number one. While Kentucky usually wouldn’t be in play, the Democrats have run a long campaign to fundraise for his opponent. However, after a competitive primary between Amy McGrath and Charles Booker, it has become abundantly clear that Democratic turnout is up in the state and that Mich McConnell’s seat might be in pretty hot water.
So, what’s the deal? While Kentucky is definitely a red state, the growth of the Democratic party within the state and national attention around the race might mean good news.
Iowa
Who’s running? Real estate developer and urban planner Theresa Greenfield is challenging Republican Senator Joni Ernst
Why is this state competitive? Ernst’s job approval has slipped while her loyalty to Trump has risen as Iowans see her as increasingly disconnected from their needs. Greenfield was a 24-year-old mother of two when her husband died suddenly in a work-related accident, and she relied partially on government benefits that are a lifeline to so many communities, but the GOP is not known for supporting.
So, what’s the deal? Greenfield has polled ahead of Ernst, and her message of protecting things like Social Security benefits that Republicans like Ernst look to privatize could appeal to older suburban voters.
Michigan
Who’s running? The incumbent is Democratic Senator Gary Peters, his opponent is Republican and Veteran John James.
Why is this state competitive? Michigan is huge in the presidential election, especially this year. Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer has drawn attention on both sides of the aisle for her COVID response, which caused lots of praise from the left and resentment on the right (remember: protests about haircuts). Michigan also voted for Trump in the last election, but only by about 10,000 votes. Increased pressure on the state for the presidential election on both sides will probably trickle down to Senate races.
So, what’s the deal? In general, Michigan leans Democratic, and both the incumbent and Biden are leading in the polls. If Republicans want to flip the state, they will have to work harder than I did to learn the ‘Savage’ TikTok dance.
What Does This All Mean?
Even if you don’t live in these states, voting all the way down the ballot is crucial to make sure you are doing your part in 2020. This is super overwhelming, but while we obviously want to turn the White House and Senate blue, we also are defending the House and have to consider local and state officials.
If you’re interested in helping out in these states and aren’t a resident, there are plenty of ways to participate in these races. You can donate to campaigns and sign up to phone bank for Democratic candidates or check out Crooked Media’s Adopt a State program here. We also have a dope “Flip The Senate” sweatshirt and t-shirt here — 20% of sales (ex. tax and shipping) benefits the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project.
Most of us consider our computers online shopping or Netflix machines, and have no f*cking clue how they work. Beyond the turn-it-off-then-on-again method, the vast majority of computer users are not necessarily tech savvy. However, 17-year-old River O’Conner from Washington knew enough about computers to hack our election system. Before you start picturing a hacker with a black hoodie on, sitting in front of like 5 monitors in his basement (i.e. our exact header image), think again. River did this as part of a hack-a-thon, and not as an international terrorist. Very important to clarify that fact since he prob is still trying to apply to college and he’s prob got a reputation to protect as a normal teen not terrorist, the usual.
Why Did He Do It?
So it wasn’t even his idea… the Democratic National Committee (DNC) decided to have a mock election system hacking challenge (say that 10 times fast) at the annual DEF CON convention in Vegas. Because a group of teen hackers and the DNC could really only make sense in Vegas. River has attended the convention since he was 11 and wanted to participate in this challenge because I guess something made him feel like our election system could be vulnerable? Wonder what that could be…
How Did He Do It?
In his personal account, which you can read here, River uses some jargon like “MySQL” and a bunch of other tech info that those of us who aren’t in STEM (I see you, beautiful lady STEM warriors) probs don’t fully understand. But whatever the method, the outcome was that a bunch of teens were able to change names, numbers, and – oh yeah – the outcome of an election. River decided to go one step further, putting himself in the mindset of a spy. He shut down the whole system by copying the IP Address, accessing the portal from a secure wifi spot, and the googled the coding he would need to use to shut it down. This all happened in minutes and he googled how to do the main part. *jaw on floor*
Why TF Does It Matter?
Basically our entire voting system is based on the idea that everyone gets one vote and that vote matters. So, when a bunch of high schoolers are able to hack into the election system and cancel those votes out, it’s def concerning. River O’Connor may not be a spy, but there are for sure plenty of countries *cough, Russia, cough* that would easily be able to pull this off. Even scarier is the fact that this may have already happened in 2016, when 21 state election systems were hacked.
It’s been no secret that state election systems have been v vulnerable in recent years and it is a problem that could be fixed. Unfortunately, the powers that be in Congress and the crumbling White House aren’t making any changes. If a 17-year-old who doesn’t even know if he wants to study technology in college yet can hack into an election system in 10 minutes, then let’s just assume pretty much every country as like hundreds of people who could too.
Heads up, you need to keep up with the news. It’s not cute anymore. That’s why we’ve created a 5x weekly newsletter called The ‘Sup that will explain all the news of the week in a hilarious af way. Because if we weren’t laughing, we’d be crying. Sign up for The ‘Sup now!
Today is a national holiday that should be marked on every notable calendar around the world. For on this day, a mere 42 years ago, this planet was graced with the arrival of one Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon, and none of us have been the same since. That’s right betches, today is Reese Witherspoon’s birthday
Reese is an icon. This is an indisputable fact. Agree with me or perish, sweater monkeys.
From Elle Woods to Tracy Flick and every perfect character in between, Reese has given us more than we can ever return, but we’ll die trying nonetheless. On Reese Witherspoon’s birthday, this holiest of days, we’re here to tell you which iconic Reese Witherspoon character you are based on your zodiac sign, so that you may go forth and exemplify the best that the world has to offer.
Aries
It only seems right that in this, the season of Aries, you are bestowed one of the single greatest Reese roles of all time: Madeline Martha Mackenzie of Big Little Lies. Much like Madeline, you are a passionate, determined leader, and someone people look to for guidance. The flip side of that: you’re polarizing. Some of us love you, some hate you, and most just want to be you. Congrats, Aries. Here’s hoping your husband doesn’t leave you for Zoe Kravitz.
Taurus
Tauruses are loyal as hell but full of fire, much like June Carter from Walk the Line. You both take no shit (which people love you for) and have a tendency to look out for the most important person in your life: yourself. It would take someone with your dedication to tolerate Jonny Cash for as long as June did, and more so to spend that much time isolated time with Joaquin Phoenix.
Gemini
Salty as they are sweet, underhanded as they are helpful, Geminis straddle the line between “wow, I LOVE her” and “wow, I want to KILL her” all too well. They are the Sour Patch Kid of the zodiac, and the sooner we all accept that, the sooner we can all find peace. In light of this, Geminis are clearly the Jill Green, little sister to Friends’ Rachel Green, of the Reese Witherspoon universe. Jill is cute, sweet, a bit ditzy albeit well-meaning, and it’s hard not to root for her…until she hooks up with Ross. You love her, you hate her, you wish you had access to her credit cards—all things we’ve thought about our real life Gemini friends.
Cancer
While This Means War is definitely not one of Reese’s better ventures, her character Lauren Scott is a Cancer down to her core. Catching the attention of not one, but two wildly attractive men? Check. Destroying a lifelong friendship between said men while they vie for her affections? Check. Somehow embroiling herself in some CIA-level drama without realizing what she’s done? Double fucking check.
Leo
For you, Leo, we’re going back to the year 1998 and the egregiously underappreciated movie Pleasantville. In it, Reese Witherspoon is transplanted into an idyllic 1950’s sitcom with her nerdy twin brother, where she initiates a full on sexual awakening in the high school boy population. Showing up to a foreign environment and causing an absolute scene is pretty on-brand for your sign, but literally recreating the plot of Spring Awakening amongst a bunch of horny, repressed teenagers is some next level Leo shit. Viva la revolucion.
Virgo
Virgos are the ambitious types who were never content to hang around in their hometown when there was a whole world to explore. Their drive for success will take them many places, but they’re also family-oriented folks who never forget their roots. This tension between breaking free and coming home is perfectly exemplified by Melanie Smooter of Sweet Home Alabama. Like Melanie, sometimes Virgos can get a little full of themselves given all they’ve accomplished, but their hearts of gold will always shine through in the end. Also, you wouldn’t be all that surprised if they punched their mother-in-laws in the face, tbh.
Libra
Congrats, Libra, you’ve struck Reese Witherspoon gold. Your ceaseless optimism and firmly instilled sense of justice means that you are the one and only Elle Woods. Like Elle, you set high goals for yourself, goals that others may not think you’re able to reach. But you know that if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. Your tendency to be good-natured even in the face of absolute bullshit can be confusing (even off-putting) to people who aren’t used to it. But once they realize that you’re genuinely that kind and enthusiastic, they’ll come around.
Scorpio
Intimidating, ruthless, ambitious to a fault: these traits may be seen as negative by some, but are cherished by Scorpios and their Reese counterpart, the iconic Tracy Flick. Tracy is fearless, unencumbered by petty things like reputations and other people’s feelings. Sound familiar, Scorpio? Also, if I had to put money on any sign’s ability to drive a grown man to madness, I know who my pick would be. Both Scorpios and Tracy know that you can’t be both loved and feared, and we all know which one they’d choose given the option.
Sagittarius
Sagittarians are known for their independent streak. Of your friends, they’re the most likely to pick up and leave on a solo trip on a moment’s notice, weather, conditions, and safety be damned. Much like Cheryl Strayed, a Sagittarius knows that the road to self-actualization is a rocky one, but that won’t stop her from venturing to it. You both value the importance of alone time, something that others don’t always seem to understand. But the opinions of others have never mattered much to a Sagittarius, and they won’t start to now.
Capricorn
Capricorns are the moral compass of the zodiac. Logical and level-headed, they always seem to stick to their guns, even if their opinion is wildly unpopular. Much like Anette Hargrove of Cruel Intentions and her diatribe on virginity, Capricorns tend to form their opinion and stick to it (unless Ryan Phillippe shows up to derail it, that is). But this doesn’t mean that Capricorns are weak. In fact, their ability to stand by their word makes them a fierce enemy, and if the rest of us aren’t careful they will topple our carefully built kingdoms and drive away in our vintage sports cars.
Aquarius
People have a hard time understanding Aquarians, in part because of their aloof nature. What is an Aquarius thinking? How are they feeling? Do they even feel? These are all valid questions, which makes Aquarians the Mrs. Whatsit of the Reese Witherspoon zodiac. Both parties know that you don’t necessarily understand them, but that doesn’t make them more likely to allieve your confusions. It’s not that they relish the mystery that surrounds them, but more that they genuinely don’t realize how they come across. In the end, they mean well, which is good news for the rest of us because they seem like they’d be a formidable force to go up against.
Pisces
Pisces are dreamy romantics who sometimes have trouble keeping their heads in this world. Their genuine optimism and hope is infectious and can warm even the coldest of hearts. Much like Elizabeth Masterson in Just Like Heaven, Pisces have the tendency to make the rest of us believe in the impossible. In Elizabeth’s case, it’s making living men fall in love with ghosts, but you get the idea.
Images: Giphy (12)
