The U.S is falling apart. Whether it’s the whole country, Pittsburgh, or our little town of Saxonburg, we’re as divided as ever. The main reason for that is the election, and whether you can or can not vote, everyone has different opinions.

As I’m writing this, it is October 28th, 2020, six days until Election Day. According to most polls, Democratic nominee Joe Biden has a 12-point lead nationally over current president Trump. So, what do students and staff think is going to happen? And how will they react when it’s all over?

Before the Election

“This is probably the most screwed up election in history. But, I think it is going to be super close, and whoever wins, the other side will put up a fight,” said history teacher Mr. Pflugh. “If Biden wins, Trump won’t accept it and vice versa. Both sides hate each other so much, and we might not know the outcome of it until Spring. Either candidate might not accept it and it might go to the Supreme Court to see what is going to happen. And, I think no matter who wins, society will become more polarized. Especially in Saxonburg. It might be time for a third party.”

With this being a very influential election, it is important that everyone who can, should vote, or get involved. There are many first time voters at Knoch that are happy to finally be able to contribute. 

Senior cyber student Hope Goldscheitter said, “This is my first time voting and I voted for Joe Biden. I think it’s very important to vote. Everyone who is eligible to do so decides the future of our country.”

Another first-time voter in support of Biden, Senior Ira Mercer, had a similar thing to say about contributing to the country.

“It’s a way for us to speak our voice.  It is one of our few ways to do that. I am definitely not one of those that believe the whole election system is a fraud but I do believe in the abolition of the electoral college system. Overall, I am satisfied with voting but nervous for the outcome,” said Mercer

Not everyone had the same fears about the outcome of this. 

  “I think that for the most part, society will shrug its shoulders or cheer, depending on what result each individual person was hoping for. However, there’s a chance that there will be a small minority of people who will reduce to violent unrest,” said junior Nick Kristoff.

Even with not being able to vote, Kristoff is still interested and involved in politics.

“I think it’s important to get involved with politics before being able to vote so one can develop their views before they are forcefully influenced or impressed by outside factors,” he said. 

Overall, most students just think high schoolers should pay attention and understand how politics influences our everyday life and especially our future.

“I think it’s important for people who can’t vote to be interested in politics because it spreads out what your opinion is at that time and so people don’t make decisions thinking it’s for your better when it isn’t,” said junior Justin Walls. 

After the Election

As of now, it is November 7th. If you don’t know the results by now and have been living under a rock, Joe Biden is the projected winner and 46th President of the U.S. With 306 electoral votes, surpassing the 270-vote threshold needed to win.

“I voted for Donald Trump, and even though he lost the election, I feel like people who voted for him, and other Republican leaders have expressed their opinion which is useful for showing leaders what the people want,” said senior Cole Green.

I’m guessing we all thought the same thing when it came to what was going to happen if either side wins. The hardcore fans would cry, protest or start a war like some of the people on Twitter said, and maybe the rest of society would actually try and give the elected president a chance. 

“Trump acted just as I thought he would. I knew that he would say that there is ‘election fraud’ because he said on his Twitter that he would only believe the results if he won,” said Mercer. 

Aside from all the tweets, disrespectful remarks from everyone who didn’t get their way, and the protesting in several U.S cities about stopping counting votes, I think that people are less angry than what I imagined. 

“Well, I thought Trump would win,” said Walls. “And I believed the right had a less violent voice than the left and moderates would see that and vote for him. Although, I knew whoever won the opposing side would cry about it, and I knew people would complain or make claims if they’re true or not.”

To tie a little bit of my opinion into this, I wasn’t in support of him but I honestly thought Trump would win. And whether either side won, there would be larger protests, families would be more divided than they are right now, and the other nominee would not accept the outcome. Which has all happened but I think it could have been way worse than it is right now. 

“With one side claiming they won the election and the other side denying it, we’re more polarized than before. Meanwhile, the world watches us like it is a Soap Opera! Politicians keep pushing us into corners, while the rest of us just want some middle ground and what is best for all of us,” Said Mr. Pflugh. “Each day we fall further from using the word American and believe the terms Republican and Democrat have replaced it altogether.”