Donald Trump was declared the 47th president of the United States in the early hours of the morning. With this historical race finally coming to a close, let America move into the new administration with grace.
The polls have been close all season, and the race was similarly tight. Harris lost to Trump 224 to 277 electoral votes when the swing state Wisconsin turned red, according to the Associated Press.
No matter their spot on the political spectrum, waiting for the results of such an impactful election created a stressful feeling of anticipation for many voters.
Now, it’s critical that all Americans find graceful ways to process the results of the election, whether that’s celebration or dismay.
That respect must be clearly displayed by candidates as well.
Since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection on the Capitol after the 2020 election, respecting election results has been a contentious topic of political discourse.
Following the widespread false conspiracies that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump, often spread by influential political leaders – such as the former president himself, JD Vance and many GOP congressional leaders – many voters have expressed resistance to accepting another Trump defeat.
Additionally, Trump’s failure to completely condemn the actions of the Trump supporters that attacked the Capitol remains a cause of concern for Americans fearing history will repeat itself in the aftermath of the 2024 election.
These fears should not be so prevalent in a nation founded for democracy.
Voters must understand that to live in a democracy does not guarantee the name they select will win simply because they prefer a candidate.
Similarly, voters must understand that should their preferred candidate lose, America’s highly regulated election system has not suddenly gone corrupt, much as losing a board game doesn’t automatically mean someone cheated.
To live in a democracy guarantees the voice of the collective people will be represented in the electoral race, and the United States Department of Justice goes to much more extreme lengths to prevent fraud than the average board game night.
If American citizens cannot grasp this monumentally important concept – as they have failed to in the past – all political leaders must publicly voice the need for a peaceful transition between presidencies.
Please let Trump’s victory mean the sore losers of the 2020 election will learn to be graceful winners in 2024, as they are sure to have a newfound faith in the electoral system.
And at least this election around, when the former President – undoubtedly – accepts the results of the election, let him disembark from his usual route of vulgar remarks and accept the results with respect toward his opponent as well.
