by Serwan Zangana
The early voting in Roanoke is underway as the candidates’ supporters and volunteers from both the Democrats and the Republicans are rigorously in the City distributing flyers to persuade the voters to cast their votes for the one that is believed to be the right candidate. The candidates are focusing on different issues and criticizing one another, which is a part of the democratic process in America.
The civility in campaigning and approaching the voters in a respectful manner can define the level of the person’s mindset and show his/her understanding of different views in a democratic society. In America, the elections have become the most agitated process as many voters are taking a hostile route in the event of their candidate’s defeat. It is important to remember that democracy will not survive in a violent society, and therefore, free elections and voting rights are the modern and powerful way to protect democracy. “The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” Abraham Lincoln said.
The nation’s political conflicts and the ongoing domestic issues often reflect on local elections and become opportunities for the candidates to, one, amplify such conflicts and issues and use them against the majority ruling Party, two, demonize the majority ruling Party especially if it is controlling the Presidency, and three, personal attack and defame the opponent. Most candidates use such techniques during the election campaign.
However, the decency of the politicians and the fair criticism are the tools for a peaceful election season, which can reflect on the voter’s attitude and their acceptance of the elections’ results. Evidently, the elections have caused stress for many people and harmed their physical and mental health as the American Psychological Association revealed in a survey that 69% of people were stressed about the 2024 presidential election.
Also, the politics which is a major part of elections can lead to a long term stress that completely affects the mental health as Brett Ford, associate professor of psychology, University of Toronto, said, “There is a strong case to be made that for many people, politics is a form of chronic stress.”
The candidates have a significant role during their campaigns and continue to embrace such a role after the elections. Running a campaign with civility can lay a smooth path for the elections and influence the voters in general to follow such a path. The agitation of the candidates definitely reflects on the voters and causes a state of public disturbance.
For example, the 2016 Presidential election result caused unrest as the supporters of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton protested and denied the election result that was her defeat by President Donald Trump. The incivility obviously could be observed during the campaign and debates between Trump and Clinton, which turned to personal attacks and use of offensive language.
Furthermore, the 2020 Presidential election became one of the most chaotic elections as President Trump denied its result that was President Joe Biden’s victory. Such a denial provoked some of Trump’s supporters to protest and attack on the U.S Capitol Hill in January 2021, and break into the building, which caused the death of some people.
It is undeniable that the politicians’ influence on the nation and people can change the direction significantly and either widen the gap or bridge it. For example, the 2024 Presidential election between President Trump and former Vice President Kamala Harris took a different path. Despite the stressful consequence of the election result for Harris and her supporters as she was defeated by President Trump, her concession speech did not ignite a conflict. Without a violent language, Harris conceded the election, which resulted in a peaceful transfer of power.
Apparently, the candidates’ actions and civility define their true characters, and hence, Americans can trust and cast their votes.
