Close elections are normal: Prepare for November’s Election Overtime

September 19, 2024 | Kristina Becvar and David L. Nevins | The Fulcrum

Close and contested elections are a part of American history, and the upcoming presidential election will likely continue this tradition.

Unfortunately, the worsening political polarization in America is creating deep anxiety among citizens as many fear what disputed elections could mean for our democracy. Making matters worse, Americans don’t have a very clear understanding of the rules that clarify and verify who won when the results are close.

For this reason, The Fulcrum is excited to launch “Preparing for Election Overtime,” a series of articles and commentary from bipartisan experts on what’s ahead.

In parallel with the series, the Overtime Project will host national and state-level press briefings beginning with the launch event Sept. 24. These events are designed to give reporters, journalists and news anchors tools they need to report effectively on close and contested elections. …