As of Nov. 17, 2021, the Electoral College has not yet voted on a presidential candidate. Several Americans’ eyes are on associated press’ projected winner, Joseph R. Biden, and — between Biden’s policies, the 2020 vote, and the future of the nation — are wondering what this will mean for the country. 

Joseph R. Biden: Policies. 

According to Biden’s own campaign website, he has set the bar high for what he wishes to accomplish. Building on President Obama’s Affordable Care Act, proposing plans to beat COVID-19, and promote the middle class by providing aid to states and citizens alike. 

Ultimately, a major part of his campaign has been his promise to build upon the affordable care act by, according to the Biden campaign website, “giving Americans more choice, reducing health care costs, and making our health care system less complex to navigate.” Biden has also voiced his support of “creating millions of new manufacturing and innovation jobs throughout all of America” with his “Made in America” plan. One thing that’s caught the eye of many young voters is his pledge to focus on education and “ensure middle and high schools prepare students for good jobs” with his detailed plan for educators, students, and America’s future. 

All of these promises align heavily with the ideals of the Democratic Party that Biden represents. 

2020: The Vote.

All over the country, men and women lined up to vote on election day, casting their ballot for the next president of the United States. This year however, things were slightly different because of the current and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

“I imagine [voting] would be a much smoother process without the COVID precautions,” said senior Alex Koch, a first time voter, “Like, you couldn’t touch the actual machine; you had to use a Q-tip.” 

Voting in a pandemic may be hard enough, but that didn’t make voters shy away from the ballot box. At least 161 million voters turned out to vote for their party, their country, and the presidency, according to Bloomberg’s Nov. 4 election report. 

“The place I voted in had a really long line,” Koch said, “By the time I came out of the ballot room, the line was single file and wrapped around a few other rooms a few times. It was a bit of a wait time, but it wasn’t that bad since I got there early.”

The voter turnout on Nov. 3 wasn’t the only voting type to surge. Absentee ballots, mail-in ballots, and early voting contributed to the mass amounts of people who voted throughout the states. In the wake of the pandemic, many people found these methods of voting safer and more covid friendly compared to the Nov. 3 alternative. However, this has led to some news outlets predicting mass amounts of voter fraud. 

“I personally didn’t see anything that looked like voter fraud when I voted.” Koch said, “But I’m also just one student, and the election was absolutely huge. I don’t think it was a thing though, I just think the votes came in later because… well…COVID.” 

As of Nov. 17, 2021, no claims of mass voter fraud have been proven by government officials, although President Trump is still pressing the matter. If you or a loved one has witnessed some form of voter fraud you can report it at 1.800.252.VOTE (8683).

America the Free

While the Electoral College has still not voted, a majority of the press and citizens have called the election for Biden. This is a very controversial decision because while Biden recieved 79 million ballots and 290 electoral votes, Trump received 73 million ballots and 232 electoral votes; making this election a very close call. 

With the country so politicized over the results of the election, the reports of voter fraud, and the disheartening nature of the pandemic, it’s easy to see how Americans might lose faith in one another. Still, Biden has placed a call to the American people asking them to band together. 

“It’s time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation,” Biden said, during his victory speech. “It’s time for America to unite and to heal.”