Countdown to Chaos: Will We Face Days of Uncertainty After the Election?

The 2024 presidential election is looming, and once again, crucial states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are preparing for what could be a prolonged wait to determine the winner. Election officials are already warning that the results may not be clear on election night, raising concerns about misinformation and public confidence in the electoral process.

Why the Delays?

In Pennsylvania, Republican city commissioner Seth Bluestein has put the chances of knowing the winner on election night at an “almost zero.” Similarly, in Wisconsin, election commission chair Ann Jacobs indicates that the final tally may not be available until the morning after the election.

Despite efforts in other states to expedite the vote-counting process since the tumultuous 2020 election, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin remain mired in political gridlock. This situation is compounded by their inability to start processing mail-in ballots before Election Day, which could lead to significant delays in reporting results.

The Risks of Misinformation

Election observers are sounding alarms that delays in counting mail-in ballots could create a "red mirage" scenario. This refers to the potential for Republican candidates to appear ahead in initial counts, only to be overtaken by Democratic-leaning absentee ballots later on. Such scenarios can foster false narratives about election fraud, intensifying public distrust.

• Georgia's New Counting Rules: A controversial rule change in Georgia mandates hand-counting the number of ballots cast on Election Day, which could further delay results in another key battleground state.
• Historical Context: In 2020, it took news organizations four days to project that Joe Biden had won Pennsylvania, a period rife with misinformation and protests.

A System Strained by Politics

In both Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, election officials are frustrated by the lack of legislative action to change the current laws. Secretary of State Al Schmidt from Pennsylvania remarked, “That period of uncertainty is something that is exploited by bad-faith actors to undermine confidence in the outcome.”

As the public prepares for the upcoming election, experts are urging voters to understand the logistics behind ballot counting. The process involves verifying voter identities, opening ballots, and tabulating results, which naturally takes time. “Delays are not fraud; it’s simply logistics,” Jacobs emphasized.

State-Level Variations

While many states have embraced changes to facilitate earlier ballot processing, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin remain exceptions. For example:

• Michigan: Allows processing eight days before the election.
• Georgia: Introduced a new law requiring results to be reported promptly after polls close.

Looking Ahead

As election day approaches, officials in battleground states are bracing for the possibility of delayed results. With heightened scrutiny and misinformation lingering from past elections, the call for transparency and patience is louder than ever. Election experts are encouraging voters to avoid jumping to conclusions based on early returns, which may not reflect the final outcome.

What Do You Think?

• Will the delays in counting ballots lead to increased distrust in the election results?
• Do you think states should change their laws to allow early processing of mail-in ballots?
• How can election officials combat misinformation during the counting process?
• Should voters expect a return to the chaotic aftermath of the 2020 election?
• Is the risk of a "red mirage" enough to warrant changes in how votes are counted?