PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Election day is just around the corner, leaving some Pennsylvanians wondering how it’ll end.
“It’s just very stressful, fretting about the outcome, I’d prefer Kamala wins and I’m concerned she might not,” said David Jordan, a registered voter from New Cumberland.
Recent polling numbers show a virtual tie between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican rival Donald Trump.
Pennsylvania is expected to play a pivotal role this election cycle.
Alison Dagnes, a political science professor at Shippensburg University, expects final numbers to be published after November 5.
“When there is a time, a lag in time, where there is a period of uncertainty, that’s very anxiety producing,” Dagnes said.
A recent survey from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that 76% of registered voters worry about post-election violence in some way.
It’s an anxiety shared among some Pennsylvanians.
“My students are concerned. And it’s scary to think that our national history of having free and fair elections where there is a winner and a loser and there’s a peaceful transfer of power, that really came to a halt just four years ago,” Dagnes said.
“After January 6th, you can’t really say, ‘It can’t happen,” Jordan added.
Dagnes says it’s important to remind voters about election integrity and disprove misinformation about it.
“In Pennsylvania alone, we have 67 different election systems that are run by Republicans, that are run by Democrats, that are run by really good citizens who are trying to get the job done in a way that is fair and efficient.”
If anxious about the election, consider trying mindful exercises such as deep breathing and doing something pleasurable. Unplugging can also help settle anxiety.
“I would just suggest everybody take a deep breath, we’re a great country, we can handle this, and it shouldn’t be any problem,” Jordan said.