In the UK, broadcasters are not permitted to report on elections on election day itself.
What a contrast from here, where for weeks I’ve been receiving regular reports from the Secretary of State on how many primary ballots have been returned. Some are very detailed — for example how many Democratic or Republican ballots have been returned. It feels like there’s an undercurrent there: “Beware, too many of X have been returned. Y’s, get out there and vote!”
I’m sure there’s a PhD student out there studying, let’s call it entry polling and its impact on election results.
For me, the more tangible polling data I’m given prior to an election the less secure I feel about voter privacy and election security.
I’m conservative when it comes to elections. Unless one is physically unable to vote in person, all voting should be done on election day and in person. It massively reduces the potential of election interference or fraud, thereby massively reducing the conversations and conspiracies of such. In some countries, including Israel, election day is a public holiday, facilitating high voter turnout.
Another factor: Like in countries across the world, the results should be available by that night or following morning. Gone would be “X was leading by 25% for two days and now they’ve lost to Y? Fraud!”
An ad for the Kiros campaign opens with an ominous voice intoning something along the lines of “No one can see your ballot, but they can see if you voted or not.” It’s an interesting choice of message; as someone concerned about privacy, this has me running in the opposite direction. (By the way, this ad was paid for by the PAC Justice Democrats, because apparently, it’s OK to take money from PACs just as long as it’s not AIPAC.) The ad sounds like a threat: “I’m going to hunt down every voter who didn’t vote.”
Voting is an individual privilege. Call me old fashioned but I don’t think it’s anyone’s business how you voted or if you voted.
Back to the UK: I get the strange headspace of its journalists on election day. We’re going to press on June 30, election day. There are hugely important primary races that we have been closely following and reporting on, yet the fates of these races will not appear in the paper we send to press on June 30. Polls will still be open at our press deadline.
In other ways, the timing of election day is perfect. It’s the day our America 250 special issue is being mailed to subscribers. It’s two days before the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Lee Resolution by the Second Continental Congress. It’s three days before the Declaration of Independence was signed.
No matter how the results turn out, no matter the battle that may lie ahead, election day is that regular reminder of how privileged we are to live in a country where we have the opportunity to make our voice heard.
Shana Goldberg may be reached at shana@ijn.com
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