Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock...The countdown to election day is on everybody's minds.Amid the heightened political tension, the worsening Covid-19 pandemic has (at least temporarily) become the white noise in the background.The election has become a poltergeist, reaching beyond the white noise and holding our attention like frightened and confused children.That may seem like a silly allusion, but the United States did develop on top of an Indian graveyard, and Donald Trump isa real-estate developer.If the election and the pandemic weren't so stressful and sad, I would laugh, but I can't. -Dominic Putko, Journal Curator

Concerning An Outing With Friends: “We chatted for a while, and then the topic of the US presidential debate came up. My friends were sure that Trump would most likely win but they were not supporting Trump in any way. They provided the example of the previous presidential election where Hillary was leading first and then she failed to become a president. I was scared to hear that. The possibility of Trump winning the election terrified me.”  -Can, October 25, 2020

Concerning The Final Presidential Debate: “If the stakes weren’t so high, I could laugh at the sheer absurdity of Trump’s rants. Although I don’t understand it, I can appreciate why the political rhetoric causes some people to disengage. But, how are there any undecided voters at this point?”  -A. Paprika, October 26, 2020

Concerning Trump's Claim To Have 'Ended' The Pandemic:  “The Trump administration is obviously trying to obfuscate from their own failures. They know that their handling of the pandemic has been the biggest red mark on their administration in an election year, so they are trying to trick the American people into thinking that they did and are continuing to do a good job containing COVID-19. Hopefully, the American people do not believe them and vote them out of office in less than a week.”  -Kenneth, October 29, 2020

“School work is starting to drain me. Thankfully, I like the work I am doing, but it's been challenging day after day to keep up with my work. Mostly it's because my anxiety is really high right now. The election is coming, but perhaps not coming fast enough for me. Lately, I just can't seem to turn my brain off, and not in a good way. In this way, school work is not helping; it keeps my brain spinning, and then I can't shut it down in the evening when I just want to unwind. Really though, it's mostly the election that's the problem.”  -Dominic Putko, October 28, 2020

“I do believe the anxiety around the election is my primary worry in the world right now.  More so than the email I received that there has been a positive student and teacher in week one of the school reopening.  Think about that, I am more worried about another 4 years of Trump then I am of actually contracting Covid.  That's an amazing statement.  I would gladly trade contracting Covid for the end of the Trump administration.”  -David, October 25, 2020

“2020 election night promises to be like no other election night that preceded it. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, more people than ever, including myself, are voting by mail.”  -Kenneth, October 31, 2020

“I’ve been on edge lately with the election coming up, as many people are. I wonder if we’ll find out the election results on November 3rd or after, being that mail in and drop box ballots have the potential to come in/be counted later that November 3rd. I’m guessing after.”  -Nicole, October 30, 2020  

“I am excited about the number of early votes and hopeful that these numbers will carry the day.”  -David, October 28, 2020

Concerning Polling Numbers: “It’s not over till the fat lady sings.”  -Nemo, October 31, 2020

Concerning The Election: “It's uncomfortable being so unsure about the future.”  -Dominic Putko, October 31, 2020