It’s a high-stakes election night, and emotions can get intense as results come in. The uncertainty can exacerbate existing stressors, and misinformation or conspiracy theories can contribute to feelings of frustration or disbelief. Here are some tips to help you stay balanced and protect your mental health as results unfold.
Election results are unofficial until certified by state officials days or weeks later. During this process, a “canvass” takes place where state election workers examine the vote totals to ensure every valid ballot was counted. This is done at the county, state and federal level and it may take a while to complete.
News outlets will often make a prediction of the winner of a race based on their own system of reporting, and these projections can change as more votes are counted. This is because different news outlets allocate their resources differently and may have different assumptions about how fast they can collect data from different sources.
Regardless of the outcome of an individual race, we are all united by the heightened stakes of this election. We are all contemplating what it means for our values, communities and hopes for the future. Whether you are celebrating a victory or mourning a defeat, remember that one result doesn’t determine the course of our country; it takes ongoing efforts and diverse voices to shape the nation. Ruminating and complaining on social media won’t change that, but staying informed will.
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