When it seems like there’s only so much stress a person can take, the 2020 presidential election has proved the sky is the limit. Americans have spent the past couple of days glued to their screens and live election trackers in hopes of ending their sleepless nights and curbing their impending sense of doom.
The wait for the voting results has bent time and space. Hours seem longer than ever, days go in slow-mo, and ballot counting feels like an IV drip, painfully long and needlessly exhausting.
But the internet is a magical place, and whatever happens in the world around us, both the good and the bad find shelter here. That’s why people are taking to social media to share their election reactions, which is becoming a kind of meme in itself. From people saying they’re pulling up to Nevada to count the ballots, to checking the map every 5 minutes to see if the votes have changed, this has been an ultramarathon in anxiety and people are still rolling.
This post may include affiliate links.
It is definitely upsetting and even scary to see the amount of support he has in our country.
To find out more about what it’s like for Americans to wait on the election results, Bored Panda reached out to Twitter user @strawbearysal, who tweeted one of the funny election reactions with the caption “This is everyone checking the map every 5 minutes to see if the votes in Nevada changed.”
@strawbearysal told us that waiting was absolutely nerve-wracking. “I’m a college student and I found myself not being able to focus on schoolwork because of how anxious I was waiting for the results.”
The Twitter user also told us that there have been 100 emotions that they've gone through during this time. In fact, @strawbearysal has been on the edge of their seat since November because “Anything could happen during the vote-counting period.”
Luckily, “The memes help a lot in keeping calm.”
On the other hand, @strawbearysal believes that this is going to be a historic election. “The voter turnout and states that are usually red turning out to be blue this year. People are ready for a change.”
At this boiling point of the vote counting, @strawbearysal suggests staying positive. “It doesn’t matter what’s happening right now—all votes will be counted and we will receive fair election results soon,” the Twitter user concluded and we can’t agree more!
When it seems like there weren’t enough things to worry about these days, the US presidential election has surely added fuel to the fire. A recent survey conducted by the American Psychological Association and Harris Poll found that 68% of American adults say that the current election has caused significant stress in their lives. In comparison, ahead of the 2016 election, only 52% of Americans said the same thing.
Interestingly, the findings also indicated that the increased stress levels were present and consistent across the political parties: 76% of Democrats, 67% of Republicans, and 64% of Independents reported election-related stress.
The American Psychological Association suggests a couple of tactics for easing that tremendous sense of election anxiety. Avoid dwelling on worst-case scenarios, because fear breeds negative emotions. Make sure you have a voting plan and an election day plan ready, so that you have some emotional support from friends and family to help you through the nerve-wracking wait.
And lastly, try to control your use of social media, because focusing on things that you can control may be soul-soothing. “If following the news, watching the debates, or scrolling through social media is causing you stress, limit your media consumption,” writes APA.
Exactly: 4.6 million MORE of your neighbors voted for tRump this year than did in 2016 - message to: POC, LGBTQ, women, Jews, Muslims, native populations, latinos, immigrants? Approximately 66 million Americans voted against your right to exist freely and equally in this country - THAT is what Biden/Harris and the rest of us are really facing.
In the end, try staying active because “Moving helps us release the energy we experience when we feel stressed.” So at this point, there’s no better thing to do than taking your corgi out for a walk. I mean, when was the last time you turned your head to see the sky?
A true American hero, the late great Senator John McCain, is surely smiling while his home State of Arizona just gave the proverbial "thumbs down" to President Trump.
Remember when Trump said John McCain was "not a war hero" and that Trump "like(s) people who weren't captured..." ?
Maybe Cindy McCain's endorsement of Biden turned this whole election.
It is incredibly poetic that John McCain's home State is the one that turns this election for Biden.
EXACTLY! This is the best tweet thus far... I'm going out to twitter to find this and re-tweet!
Seriously... I also love how all those "Christians" lined right up behind this damaged human being whose existence violates every principle and belief Jesus had and preached. SMFH
So much for the notion that we are a country that separates church from state (in theory, at least). That's just not a feasible concept when it comes to some of our citizens and what's really funny is that they believe Trump gives a damn about God. News flash - oh never mind. You know the rest.
Load More Replies...
Most white people? Really?? Fun fact: just because you're white does NOT mean you're racist.
Ummm, no. Many white people vote Democrate. And if we're going off her statement, why did nearly 20% of the African American male population vote for Trump?
That's actually 10-11 % of the African American males (the same number that are Republican).
Load More Replies...
Um... I am white (well, in the US I am; other nations, not so much). So.... I am not satisfied. At all. I am appalled and sickened.
Volunteering for Biden, I actually talked to some Trumpers. They’re operating on a different set of facts and they have a different perspective. Clinton’s administration burned children to death in Waco; Democrats aren’t all evil and neither are all Republicans. Stop spreading hatred, that’s Trump’s shtick.
DJT (aka Jim Jones) followers were waiting for their cup of Kool-Aid.
In 45 years of doing custom design work, 100% of clients who testified for Jesus screwed me out of some money.
Wow. I had no idea I'm not allowed to vote Democrat or dislike Trump because I'm a Christian. I also didn't know I'm racist because I'm white. Thanks. I guess I'll have to see if I can change my ballot, and divorce my mixed-race husband.
Maybe I have misunderstood you, but nobody is saying that you're 'not allowed to vote Democrat or dislike Trump' because you're a Christian. If anything, you should dislike Trump more if you're a Christian, because he stands against every value that is taught in the Christian religion. As for racism, longer conversation. As a white person myself, my feeling is that we have reached a point where it's no longer acceptable just to say 'but *I'm* not a racist'. We need to start taking some responsibility, and some action, and unless we do then we have no right to get hurt and offended when non-white people point out that most white people are racist.
Load More Replies...
If I made a statement with "most [insert race here] did . . . " you call me a racist. It's still racist if you direct it at whites ya know. Heal thyself
America is the least racist country... that's hilarious
Load More Replies...
No, she didn't say "ALL white people". She's right though. It's unbelievable that so much people voted for a guy who has made it no secret he supports white supremacists and fascist and that he despises people of color. Trump called Sen. Elizabeth Warren “Pocahontas” . He called a judge biased because “he’s a Mexican". He said that anti-racist training initiatives were “racist.” because they thought people " very bad ideas and, frankly, very sick ideas.". And this list can go on and on. Just face it, if you vote for a racist president, you're a racist yourself.
Load More Replies... That's not what people are saying here. They are saying that whoever voted for him (including non-white people) must be comfortable with his racism.
Load More Replies...
That is what makes me realise that this isn't a victory or an end to the division. Either way it's four (and more) more years.''
I disagree. The result of this election will affect the rest of the world too.
I see the results turning out badly whichever way it turns out. I predict that The riots and violence happening right now will be nothing compared to whats to come. It won’t help that Trump will fuel the fire ESPECIALLY if he loses. I am scared for America.
Dear World: We in the US understand the concept of multi-party elections. We simply have two parties that dominate b/c they have the $$$$. Donate to the other parties if you want to see it change. Love, An American
Note: this post originally had 105 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
As a non-american, I am just looking with shock to what is happening. Apparently, about 70 million people voted for a president who – ignoring anything that has been before – has been spreading nothing but lies ever since the votes closed, much of which shatters the trust in the institutions of democracy itself. And his followers do not seem to mind that he has no evidence, or even worse, he does not even have real accusations. He simply states facts about irregularities as to his own pleasure. This is disgusting, shameful, and very dangerous. I am not entitled to judge the American people, but I feel entitled to wish them brighter days.
I agree, it's so alarming to see an entire party and its followers do everything they can to undermine the very democracy that they claim to be so proud of. The lengths that they are trying to go to to win at any cost. The Trump administration has exposed just how weak American democracy is. At this point, I'm very worried about the future of the country, as Trump has proved that you can lie, cheat, play the system and there's not a damn thing anyone can do about it.
Load More Replies...
I think issues like abortion play a much bigger role in these decisions than people are willing to acknowledge. If pro-life is the hill you're willing to die on and Republicans are representing you in that, you're gonna vote for Trump even if you disagree with his everything. If your whole family and town's income hinges on mining fossil fuels, you're gonna vote for the people who promise not to eliminate it. There's too many issues to be represented by just two parties, and small upstarts like the Green party won't be able to make headway against the political juggernauts we have now. We need to deliberately split the parties down so people can more fully vote in keeping with their beliefs instead of having to choose one make-or-break issue to hinge all political decisions on.
Those "pro-life", one issue trump supporters conveniently ignore the fact they've had the presidency, the Senate and House (for two years), plus a 5-4 majority on the Supreme Court and nothing was done about abortion. Republican politicians love the abortion issue - no other issue gives them so many unearned votes - why get rid of it?
Load More Replies...
Writing from and for a US audience: There was a great heaviness I felt while viewing the “Beyond Midnight: Paul Revere” exhibition. I suppose it’s a combination of different fears and trepidations sprinkled with disappointments. Our (US) founding fathers fought for freedom from tyranny, for “no taxation without representation.” That’s the simplest and romantic sentence I could possibly write in the moment. There’s always money and self-interests involved. To hold the title of citizenship and the power to cast your vote were supposed to mean something. We’ve been told every vote matters. That it’s our duty as adult citizens of our country. To deny counting of the votes, when the ballot is already completed, mailed by the election date is to go back on the basic ideals we hold dear. Whether you’re blue, red, rainbow, whatever ... this can’t be condoned. If anyone wants to chime in about citizenship in the ancient world and voting privileges. Let me get on bended knee and swoon.
I think my BIL summed it up best. People who voted for Trump be like - tAxEs, GoVerNmeNt, tHE bLaCks. (And we were talking about our own parents.)
Load More Replies...
Americans aren't necessarily voting for Biden- they are voting for the hope that Harris comes in somewhere during his term. Trump declared a premature victory and in the same breath said that the voting was corrupt- if there was fraud, then it would mean his 'victory' was invalid. The guy is like a bull in a china (ironic) shop- a loose cannon.
I wonder if people going into politics for the people are like parents and siblings herding children away from danger? That sometimes you’re seen as a bad parent because you give in and let the kids eat chicken nuggets and go on the smart devices. What people don’t see are the moments you come home tired, work hard and (mostly) patiently to keep them safe, cleanish, healthy, relatively happy, and entertained. Others look in and wonder why the kids aren’t prodigies and the model of ideal children, which is rare and slightly creepy by the way. They don’t see that without you, the ceiling is caved in and the house is on fire versus drawings on the walls and some disorganized mess all over the place.
I think we'd love a POTUS who did all that, but the problem I see is that POTUS Trump and his followers *want* to burn the house.
Load More Replies...
You know how the US likes to invade countries and pretend it’s to spread democracy? Could some country do that to the US but they’re actually spreading democracy and not just killing brown people for oil?
This is a great explanation of American 'democracy' and the Electoral College (with a little bit of humour): "The Electoral College: None Of This Makes Any Sense" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irwjLviDHmo
Why is this all so Nevada focused? Just curious. A few PA jokes. But nothing about Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, and Alaska. Is Nevada just funnier?
Because if Biden wins Nevada, he has enough points to win the election, even if Trump wins all the other outstanding states. That makes it a big deal
Load More Replies...
Ladies and gents and human beings, democracy has prevailed. Welcome back to the White House, 46.
Wouldn't it have prevailed even if Trump won though??? Because he would have been democratically elected?
Load More Replies...
It *shouldn't* be this close. After kids in cages. After being impeached. After 4 years of proven lies. After 230K dead from COVID-19. After his open support of white supremacy. *THIS* shouldn't be this close. This is the year when we need to have an overwhelming mandate saying: this isn't us. I'm so sorry that this many are...
OK, let's get real. Most have an indirect system ---- not electoral college, but a parliament/legislature that appoints a prime minister, while a president is a different office from PM, if it exists. There's also the difference between Head of State and Head of *Government*, which may mean you have a monarchy appointing a PM, or or or... Head of state is directly elected, then appoints a PM/head of government. I grew up on the US Canada border. Canada's lower house elects a head of gov't, and the lower house is directly elected, but its upper house is appointed. Germany has electors, IIRC. Scandinavian countries still have monarchs. It's pretty wild if you look at the world. So... Is America's system perfect? No. Are we alone in ignoring a direct popular vote to choose a leader? No. Is it odd to others? Yes. Is it odd to have a monarch to the US citizens? Yes. Does money talk? Yes. So we at least seem to all have that in common across the world. Peace.
FOX News literally just posited that something was crooked w/ the counts because vote counting slowed down in the evening, then mysteriously picked back up next morning (maybe around the time people went in to work?)
You see, if we would let him inject himself bleach to treat Covid, we wouldn't be there! Next time, please don't laugh on him so loud.
Ever think that maybe that's because America (as a whole, not ever single person in it) is pretty damn racist?
Load More Replies... As a non-american, I am just looking with shock to what is happening. Apparently, about 70 million people voted for a president who – ignoring anything that has been before – has been spreading nothing but lies ever since the votes closed, much of which shatters the trust in the institutions of democracy itself. And his followers do not seem to mind that he has no evidence, or even worse, he does not even have real accusations. He simply states facts about irregularities as to his own pleasure. This is disgusting, shameful, and very dangerous. I am not entitled to judge the American people, but I feel entitled to wish them brighter days.
I agree, it's so alarming to see an entire party and its followers do everything they can to undermine the very democracy that they claim to be so proud of. The lengths that they are trying to go to to win at any cost. The Trump administration has exposed just how weak American democracy is. At this point, I'm very worried about the future of the country, as Trump has proved that you can lie, cheat, play the system and there's not a damn thing anyone can do about it.
Load More Replies... I think issues like abortion play a much bigger role in these decisions than people are willing to acknowledge. If pro-life is the hill you're willing to die on and Republicans are representing you in that, you're gonna vote for Trump even if you disagree with his everything. If your whole family and town's income hinges on mining fossil fuels, you're gonna vote for the people who promise not to eliminate it. There's too many issues to be represented by just two parties, and small upstarts like the Green party won't be able to make headway against the political juggernauts we have now. We need to deliberately split the parties down so people can more fully vote in keeping with their beliefs instead of having to choose one make-or-break issue to hinge all political decisions on.
Those "pro-life", one issue trump supporters conveniently ignore the fact they've had the presidency, the Senate and House (for two years), plus a 5-4 majority on the Supreme Court and nothing was done about abortion. Republican politicians love the abortion issue - no other issue gives them so many unearned votes - why get rid of it?
Load More Replies... Writing from and for a US audience: There was a great heaviness I felt while viewing the “Beyond Midnight: Paul Revere” exhibition. I suppose it’s a combination of different fears and trepidations sprinkled with disappointments. Our (US) founding fathers fought for freedom from tyranny, for “no taxation without representation.” That’s the simplest and romantic sentence I could possibly write in the moment. There’s always money and self-interests involved. To hold the title of citizenship and the power to cast your vote were supposed to mean something. We’ve been told every vote matters. That it’s our duty as adult citizens of our country. To deny counting of the votes, when the ballot is already completed, mailed by the election date is to go back on the basic ideals we hold dear. Whether you’re blue, red, rainbow, whatever ... this can’t be condoned. If anyone wants to chime in about citizenship in the ancient world and voting privileges. Let me get on bended knee and swoon.
I think my BIL summed it up best. People who voted for Trump be like - tAxEs, GoVerNmeNt, tHE bLaCks. (And we were talking about our own parents.)
Load More Replies... Americans aren't necessarily voting for Biden- they are voting for the hope that Harris comes in somewhere during his term. Trump declared a premature victory and in the same breath said that the voting was corrupt- if there was fraud, then it would mean his 'victory' was invalid. The guy is like a bull in a china (ironic) shop- a loose cannon.
I wonder if people going into politics for the people are like parents and siblings herding children away from danger? That sometimes you’re seen as a bad parent because you give in and let the kids eat chicken nuggets and go on the smart devices. What people don’t see are the moments you come home tired, work hard and (mostly) patiently to keep them safe, cleanish, healthy, relatively happy, and entertained. Others look in and wonder why the kids aren’t prodigies and the model of ideal children, which is rare and slightly creepy by the way. They don’t see that without you, the ceiling is caved in and the house is on fire versus drawings on the walls and some disorganized mess all over the place.
I think we'd love a POTUS who did all that, but the problem I see is that POTUS Trump and his followers *want* to burn the house.
Load More Replies... You know how the US likes to invade countries and pretend it’s to spread democracy? Could some country do that to the US but they’re actually spreading democracy and not just killing brown people for oil?
This is a great explanation of American 'democracy' and the Electoral College (with a little bit of humour): "The Electoral College: None Of This Makes Any Sense" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irwjLviDHmo
Why is this all so Nevada focused? Just curious. A few PA jokes. But nothing about Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, and Alaska. Is Nevada just funnier?
Because if Biden wins Nevada, he has enough points to win the election, even if Trump wins all the other outstanding states. That makes it a big deal
Load More Replies... Ladies and gents and human beings, democracy has prevailed. Welcome back to the White House, 46.
Wouldn't it have prevailed even if Trump won though??? Because he would have been democratically elected?
Load More Replies... It *shouldn't* be this close. After kids in cages. After being impeached. After 4 years of proven lies. After 230K dead from COVID-19. After his open support of white supremacy. *THIS* shouldn't be this close. This is the year when we need to have an overwhelming mandate saying: this isn't us. I'm so sorry that this many are...
OK, let's get real. Most have an indirect system ---- not electoral college, but a parliament/legislature that appoints a prime minister, while a president is a different office from PM, if it exists. There's also the difference between Head of State and Head of *Government*, which may mean you have a monarchy appointing a PM, or or or... Head of state is directly elected, then appoints a PM/head of government. I grew up on the US Canada border. Canada's lower house elects a head of gov't, and the lower house is directly elected, but its upper house is appointed. Germany has electors, IIRC. Scandinavian countries still have monarchs. It's pretty wild if you look at the world. So... Is America's system perfect? No. Are we alone in ignoring a direct popular vote to choose a leader? No. Is it odd to others? Yes. Is it odd to have a monarch to the US citizens? Yes. Does money talk? Yes. So we at least seem to all have that in common across the world. Peace.
FOX News literally just posited that something was crooked w/ the counts because vote counting slowed down in the evening, then mysteriously picked back up next morning (maybe around the time people went in to work?)
You see, if we would let him inject himself bleach to treat Covid, we wouldn't be there! Next time, please don't laugh on him so loud.
Ever think that maybe that's because America (as a whole, not ever single person in it) is pretty damn racist?
Load More Replies...