Hopefully this election was one of a kind. From a record number of votes cast to the days-long delay in declaring the president elect and a backdrop of a global pandemic and ongoing civil unrest this election has proved to be one for the history books.

-Steph, journal curator

Election week has been a week filled with optimism, and dread, mixed in with the underlying stress and worry about Covid-19 and the everyday stresses of anyone’s life. Our journals reflect not just the election but everything else going on in the world. Just because there is an election doesn’t mean the world stops. -Steph, journal curator

“Had a nightmare that I was outside without a mask! Could be that Halloween was yesterday… orrrrrr, the crisis has penetrated my psyche… orrrr, I finally slept well enough to dream.” -A. Paprika, November 1, 2020

“I don’t think we realize how much the pandemic has depressed us. I am not someone prone to depression... Perhaps having this time off, and realizing there is little to do with this time is part of the issue. Perhaps it is we are so close to the election.  Whatever it is, it is really exhausting me.”  -David, November 2, 2020

“I contracted the Coronavirus, due to me and my brother’s asinine and ignorant trips to the gym under the guise of being safe and wiping down machines. My brother’s symptoms started on Sunday and he soon got tested positive. The rest of the family, while somewhat cautious, were constantly bringing him food and helping him out, so the inevitable has happened and all four of us in this household are now under the control of the virus.” -A.W., November 4, 2020

November 3rd. The big day. For the first time in a long time we knew that by the end of election night we would not know who the president elect would be. Que the stress, anxiety, and maybe a little hope. -Steph, journal curator

"The election is still not resolved. The whole country is being patient. Actually, I must admit I am pleasantly surprised that there has been very very little violence or other shenanigans. With very little exception, at least the election is going smoothly. A few protests here and there, a burst water main at an Atlanta polling place, some bat shit crazy tweets, but that's all.” -Dominic Putko, November 5, 2020

“I came into the night pretty confidently. Even though I predicted that Biden would win by about 306 electoral college votes, I thought it was highly probable that Biden would completely blow Trump out. But as Election Day rolled on, it became increasingly clear to me that the blowout was never coming.” -Kenneth, November 6, 2020

“Come on Pennsylvania and Nevada! I understand that you want to count accurately, but could you speed it up just A LITTLE! The United States of Anxiety will thank you if you speed it up a little. If we don't know the results by tomorrow, I fear my anxiety may catalyze a complete nervous breakdown. *deep breaths*” -Dominic Putko, November 6, 2020

“I haven’t been getting much sleep this past week, so I found myself oversleeping today. I woke up to the news that Biden would be president elect. I’ve been getting texts from friends, and social media is going crazy. It’s a beautiful day outside, and I think people are really happy to have something to celebrate after months. I would love to go out in the streets to celebrate. A lot was at stake in this election. People woke up today feeling relieved that they didn’t need to worry about having their basic human rights taken away from them, and that this terrible Trump administration is coming to an end. America has just elected Kamala Harris—the first woman, first Black person, and first person of Asian descent—as Vice President. There is a lot to celebrate. But I’m staying home due to coronavirus.” -NA, November 7, 2020

“BIDEN WON! I still don't like him, but I AM SO HAPPY HE WON! I also like him a little better after listening to him speak tonight... It's AMAZING how quickly my anxiety melted away after I found out the winner was announced.” -Dominic Putko, November 7, 2020

“I was excited to see that Biden’s election was confirmed today in the news. It means alot to me. I was always supportive of his policies and his actions. He is a role model and a very well-esteemed individual. His policies to fight against the virus are especially appealing to a citizen.” -Can, November 7, 2020

“I really hope Trump doesn’t make the authorities remove him from office. There will be no greater test of our democracy than a president who refuses to give up power, and if the recounts come back still showing a Biden victory I fear for the state of the republic.” Nemo, November 7, 2020

Regardless of who a person voted for or if they didn’t vote at all, this election will change the United States. The United States will start to undergo not just a change of president in January 2020, but quite possibly a change in a better direction. -Steph, journal curator