The election proved to be an extremely close race, and with the voting beginning with absentee ballots and early voting, the process of calling the results proved a much longer process than in normal election years. States that determined the race were Florida, Pennsylvania, and Arizona. While the popular vote still matters, the 2020 race relied on the electoral college to determine the end choice.
Biden won with 290 electoral votes, beating current president Donald Trump, who gained 214.
Georgia and North Carolina remain uncalled, but with 290 electoral college votes Biden holds an insurmountable lead.
Many students at Milligan expressed frustration with the process.
“When I think about the outcome of this election I fear that no matter the result people won’t accept the outcome,” said Senior Logan Mink. Not knowing the outcome yet, Mink expressed worry that the emotions from such a divided country would lead to the inability to move forward.
“I personally feel as though we live in a world that’s so polarized that we don’t often seek the middle ground in the way we should,” said Mink.
Students used various ways to address the anxiety Election Day brought.
“I anxiously wait as Election Day has begun,” said Junior Mallory Fehl. “I am both grateful for my freedom to vote, but also deeply saddened by the choices I was given.”
Spoken to before the outcome was released, Fehl expressed her faith as her comfort in such an unknown situation. “I can only hold fast to the truth that God has everything in his hands, and I must trust him and obey those that he has placed in authority.”
The US election doesn’t just affect American students at Milligan.
“Coming from Serbia I see that a lot of things are similar here but it seems that everyone is super anxious,” said Senior Valentina Kenjeres. “Whoever wins the election will determine if I get to stay in America or not. I am worried about going home for the holidays because I fear whoever is president might choose to not let immigrants back in the country. Either way I do not know what will happen to me.”
“Regardless of your political opinions we all have the duty to change the way we look at politics,” said Mink. “Rather than blindly vote for the party we associate with.
We live in a broken world with broken outcomes, but that doesn’t mean that is what we should settle for.”
The newly elected president will be sworn in on Wednesday, Jan. 20 in 2021.