I have to admit that For the past three weeks I’ve begun to get a little irritated with some of the questions that people from overseas were asking about the US election. Then, I remembered living abroad, how that affected my perception of different issues and honestly, the questions were valid. Ultimately why on earth would I expect people from overseas to “get” what’s going on here when they aren’t from the US and have only Emily in Paris as a guide to American behavior. In this episode, I answer some of the most frequently asked questions that I noticed on social media. And, I call out some of the passive aggressive comments people have been making too. I’m over it. In this episode I will answer the following five questions: Why are there so many COVID deaths, why are so many Americans so angry? How do you vote in the US? Why are there so many voting lines and is it normal to wait 11 hours to vote? And, I’ll share my personal experience with voting. Please note that I lean moderate/liberal and that this episode reflects my personal opinions.
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Americans are Batsh$t Crazy
I’ve always said this, similar to that beloved uncle that comes to holiday dinner. You never know what he’s going to do. Kiss people inappropriately, sit quietly, hand out cash, or air out the family’s dirty laundry. Americans are very much like this as we’re incredibly unpredictable. We’re also, paranoid, individualistic, bold, loving, and aggressive. All of these traits lends itself to in good and bad ways to what you’re seeing happening now. The one time we needed to work as a collective (during a pandemic) our main trait-a focus on individualism bit us in the ass.
Now, we’re in an election cycle that has literally been called the most important election in 100 years. We’ve seen both the best and worst of America during this time and I wanted to share my observations and opinions of what’s happening during this time with a focus on what folks observing this from outside the US are seeing. I also will share my personal experience with voting and why I have the opinion that I do because of my voting experiences.
First, there’s something very tantalizing about seeing a country like the US brought low or humbled. I’ve seen a number of comments in the past couple of years where people have smirked, giggled, and laughed at what has been going on here. That is, until COVID hit. The sh$t show that we’ve been dealing with rapidly became an unfolding tragedy that was hard to watch as millions of Americans were infected with COVID and over 200,000+ Americans died from the disease.
Second, a couple of my overseas friends really pissed me off because of the following:
- They wanted to make the comparison between Boris Johnson and Donald Trump getting sick with COVID. While there were some similarities and I do think Boris is a douche. I don’t think that he’s compromised in the way that I think the US president is. Also, Americans are completely different for British Citizens. We’re much more tribal, are armed, and really don’t have a global view of the world without us as the lead in that view. In fact, over half of US citizens have never had a passport.
- Another overseas friend who talked about how Americans think about race all the time and how they don’t in Europe. I’m here to tell you that I’ve lived in Europe and even if white Europeans aren’t hearing this, Europeans of color DO talk about race. They just aren’t talking about it with YOU. Also, the conversations are different and nuanced because there are much more robust social safety net policies and services in Europe unlike in the US.
- We talk about color because there is constant and consistent research on how race and class affects American lives.
- We’ll stop talking about race in America when people stop being shot in the streets
- Have pay parity with white men
- Are treated equally and with dignity and respect
- We talk about color because there is constant and consistent research on how race and class affects American lives.
- Sorry, not sorry, that Americans are rightfully concerned about our election and it’s clogging up your social media feeds. We don’t care that this feels inconvenient for you. We’re literally fighting fascism. Also, remember who created the social media media platforms you’re on? You can block us or create a new platform that we’re not on. But, you should care about the outcome because do you want 4 more years of this type of instability
Question #1 Why Many Americans are Angry?
I’m going to ask you a question before I share why many Americans are so angry. What do you take for granted in your life in your country?
- Job stability and resources available in the event that you lost your job
- Access to affordable healthcare?
- Quality education starting from pre-school age and beyond
- Affordable healthcare
- Affordable childcare-I have a friend who pays $1500 a month in childcare expenses. She makes a good living but that’s expensive.
- Lack of violence specifically gun violence in your country
We’re angry because
- There is NO job stability and very little help in the event that you lose your job.
- Healthcare costs are insane.
- College is expensive
- Childcare is expensive
- The gun violence is unacceptable
- The political discourse is unacceptable
- Fascism-Yes, fascism in 2020 looks like the current iteration of the Republican Party. I will never change my mind on this.
- America has the freaking money to make significant changes…but won’t.
I share these insights before answering the big questions that I’ve seen because this will give you some insight into what’s currently going on.
Question #2: Why Are So Many Americans Dying from COVID?
You can’t talk about voting in 2020 without talking about COVID.
- There is no unified public health policy in the US. Each state is doing something different. The basics of contact tracing and wearing masks is basically not happening in most of the US. Also, COVID has been politicized instead of thought of as a public health issue. This is important to remember as I get further into the episode. The COVID response became a huge issue as we went into the election because the president cast doubts on the legitimacy of voting by mail. The doubts he placed on vote by mail has now made citizens nervous and they’re opting to vote in person vs. voting in ways that are safer.
Question #3 How do You Vote in America?
One thing to be aware of-registering to vote ALSO depends on your state. You have to register in order to vote.
- Some states allow registration up until the day of the election and you can vote the same day
- Other states close out voter registration weeks or even a month before the election. I find this strange because it’s almost 2021 and we have technology these days.
- If you’ve committed a crime depending on the crime you may be ineligible to vote-for life.
This is an interesting question because it depends on your state. Here are the different ways that Americans may be able to vote. Again, this depends on your state.
- Early voting
- In-person
- Mail in vote-Typically, voters are told a cut off date for vote by mail so that voters don’t turn in their votes too late to be counted.
- Submit your ballot in a ballot box
- You Can Vote Day of the Election
- In-person
- Submit in a ballot box
Question #4-Why are there so many voting lines? Why didn’t America prepare for the election?
- America is 100% capable of holding elections without significant voting lines. What you’re seeing is voter suppression at play. Some people will say that those lines are a sign of voter enthusiasm. But, in my opinion, that’s just not true. Here’s what you need to know about voting in America.
- Each state has an official who is tasked with managing the elections of that state. Basically, the administrative aspects of running an election. They will be in charge of communicating with the local population on what to do. Where to vote, etc.
- In many states, especially states with high populations of color, there has been a long-term focus on making voting difficult for those populations. This looks like:
- Having fewer places to vote
- Making voter eligibility more difficult
- Attaching fees or unexpected costs to the process
- There have been numerous studies on the differences in voter access based on race throughout the US. These are just facts.
- Examples of why there are so many lines.
- The Governor of Texas struck down a ruling to add additional ballot boxes throughout the state to submit their votes. He banned additional ballot boxes. Houston has 2.3 million people and there is now just 1 ballot box to collect their votes. Basically, forcing people to vote in person. In contrast, the city of Denver, Colorado has 600,000 citizens and 38 secured ballot boxes in highly trafficked areas for voters to drop off their ballots. Please note: the state of Colorado added 121 additional ballot boxes as a response to COVID. Quoted from the Denver Post “Jena Griswold, Secretary of State, says the additional drop boxes will ensure “no American should have to choose between risking their health and exercising their right to vote.”
- Fewer polling places and CHANGING the places at the last minute confusing voters.
- The US President sabotaging the US Mail. Yes, the US Mail. He placed a friend and high campaign contributor as US Post Master General-Louis DeJoy. Mr. DeJoy began tasking post offices to dismantle mail sorting machines. There are images of these machines dismantled and in post office parking lots. Fortunately, postal workers fought back and refused to follow his orders.
- No, it’s not normal to wait for 11 hours to vote like you’ve seen on t.v. If you’re seeing lines lasting more than 30 minutes-that’s a voter suppression indicator.
- Not enough polling stations
- Not enough voter education prior to the vote
- Not enough ballot boxes to drop off your ballot
Question #5 What is It Like for YOU to Vote Michelle?
Glad you asked! I’m going to share what it’s like for me to vote here in Colorado. Also, by sharing my experience you’ll understand why I KNOW long voting lines are a policy choice.
- First, I’ve voted both in NY state and Colorado. However, I’ve voted for every election but one here in Colorado.
- Coloradans begin to get reminders to check their voter registration well before every election. Now this happens via: t.v. ads, social media, mailers and word of mouth.
- You can check your voter registration online and are encouraged to do so well before the elections.
- Coloradans seem to be pretty well-informed and in my observations have a pretty solid understanding of what needs to happen when.
- We receive a giant ballot information book in Spanish and English explaining in a non-partisan way each ballot measure we’re voting on/new laws/etc. I’ve recently learned that not every place does this.
- We know when our ballots are being shipped to us. This year it was October 9th and I received my ballot on October 10th.
- I should mention that Colorado is an entire vote by mail state and it was a system set up under a Republican Secretary of State in a bi-partisan effort. For Republicans listening to this episode-Colorado Republicans STILL when elections.
- Most Coloradans will submit their vote by ballot box even though we can mail them in. I think it’s because you have to get stamps and the state doesn’t cover postage.
- Having time to review everything from home is nice because I don’t have to rush and I can spend time really understanding the issues that I’m voting on.
- I will review the book and walk over to a ballot box 5 blocks from my house and drop it in.
- Then, I can check to see if the ballot has been reviewed and accepted (signatures are checked) if I discover there’s a problem. I can vote in person.
- Coloradans have access to the following:
- All vote by mail. If you’re registered you’re shipped your ballot by mail. Your ballot has a unique identifier on it. Like a barcode.
- Early voting
- Mail in voting
- Ballot Information Booklet
- Same day vote and registration-this is a huge deal as many states don’t do this.
Some things to know:
- Colorado has an entire bipartisan voting system. Even how they pick up the ballots and accept votes.
- People LOVE the system.
- It’s great for all political parties
- Wonderful for people of color
- For people with crazy schedules
- Families
- The elderly
- Ballot boxes are under 24 hour video security
- the Secretary of State added more options to vote
- We currently have massive fires happening in our state and there were IMMEDIATE commercials addressing evacuated citizens and their right to vote.
- One thing I do want to bring up-While Colorado has a large latino population it’s not a super diverse state. However, California, Oregon, Washington State, Nevada, Utah, and Montana are all vote by mail states where registered voters are mailed their ballots. It’s important to note that these are ALL western states.
Closing Remarks
- Please remember that when president Trump won he won the electoral college NOT the vote
- There’s more than one way to win an election-Americans learned that hard lesson in 2016
- The US is experiencing record voter turnout
- It’s likely that there will be some violence
- Pray that the win is decisive. If it’s not, it will be a contested election.
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