Amid the excitement, anxiety and high-stakes emotions of election night, rumors and misinformation can get spread fast. Here are some tips from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School experts on recognizing the pitfalls, staying healthy and protecting your mental well-being as the results come in.
The core expectancy-disconfirmation model is that one’s satisfaction with democracy or confidence in the electoral process depends on both their expectations and the nature of the disconfirmation — a surprise outcome will lead to greater happiness, and a less satisfied outcome will lead to lower confidence. A previous study examining post-election perceptions found that the strength of citizens’ post-election satisfaction was tied to their expectations and their understanding of how the vote is counted (Plescia, Blais and Hogstrom 2020).
It’s important to remember that whether or not an election outcome aligns with our hopes and dreams, it is still valid and legitimate. If we are disappointed, it is normal to feel that way, but we should be careful not to let our anger or sadness turn into bitterness towards other people. This will only make the problem worse for ourselves and for our society as a whole.
It’s also important to understand that it can take a while for election results to be certified. For example, in many states, mail-in ballots are counted after polls close and may take longer than votes cast at a traditional polling place. In addition, the state election office will often conduct a process called a canvass that ensures all votes are counted and there are no clerical errors. Only once all of these processes have been completed will the results be certified.