With the bizarre year of 2020 entering its home-stretch, the election amassed several different reactions due to the substantial voter turnout and a long period of waiting for results, which has yet to be fully announced.
This year’s election has the highest projected voter turnout in over a century according to the Washington Post, with votes still being counted all across the nation.
“I think anytime we have an increase in voter turnout, it’s good for democracy and good for the country,” said Communications Professor Georgine Hodgkinson.
So far, there have been more voters compared to the 2016 election. With this turnout, Hodgkinson hopes that this will set the tone for future elections and encourage more people to vote.
“I hope that a higher turnout in this election sets the trend for future elections and that no matter how you voted, I think that election is a great example of how important everybody’s vote is,” said Hodgkinson.
Many factors played a key role in this year’s record-breaking voter turnout for the election. Arguably, one of the more impactful components were the issues that surround the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have some really important issues on the table. I think the COVID-19 situation and how that’s handled really matters and connected to that is healthcare,” said Hodgkinson. “How we deal with healthcare in this country really matters. I think we have some really difficult economic times ahead of us.”
Quarantining may have helped voters become more informed by consuming more news due to extended time online and at home.
“With the pandemic, we have been more confined to our homes and we’re a little more informed than we were before because our lives slowed down,” said English Professor Heather Hutcheson.
While not all of California’s votes have been counted, some propositions have been declared.
For example, Proposition 17, which deals with restoring voting rights for those who remain on parole in California has passed.
“I think that once it comes to re-entry processes, once people have served the time for a mistake that they have made, they have a right to come back into society,” said Hodgkinson.
Supporters of this proposition believe that this can actually help those on parole because it can allow them to feel included in important decisions being made.
“One of the ways we help folks become active members of their community is by granting them the opportunity to participate in democratic processes like voting,” said Hodgkinson.
Proposition 25, which would replace cash bail with risk assessments referendum, failed to pass.
“I was surprised by some of the messaging behind Proposition 25 because the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People came out against it but progressive liberals were for it,” said Hutcheson.
If one voted yes, they voted for cash bail to be replaced with risk assessments for those awaiting their court date, whereas those who voted no, voted for the use of cash bail to remain in place. This election proved to have close numbers which made for a tight call for the presidential candidates.
“While I thought Biden would win, I’m not surprised that it’s this close, I totally saw it coming,” said 19-year-old Business Management major Sumaya Burhan.