LIVE Q&A THREAD: We asked our followers to send us their biggest #Election2020 questions. Bloomberg QuickTake reporter @MadisonMills22 is taking over the account to answer them all below 👇
Can polls be wrong?
@MadisonMills22: Yes, but they’re likely to be better this time than in 2016. In 2016, national polls weren’t far off, but state polls failed to anticipate a spike in turnout from non-college-educated voters who came out in droves for Trump.
@MadisonMills22: Yes, but they’re likely to be better this time than in 2016. In 2016, national polls weren’t far off, but state polls failed to anticipate a spike in turnout from non-college-educated voters who came out in droves for Trump.
How long will results take? (pt. 1)
@MadisonMills22: Unclear! If either candidate wins an unexpected state with tons of electoral votes, like Biden wins Texas or Florida, they may declare victory.
@MadisonMills22: Unclear! If either candidate wins an unexpected state with tons of electoral votes, like Biden wins Texas or Florida, they may declare victory.
(pt. 2) But many states didn’t start counting ballots until today, so that means it will take time for news outlets to make their calls of who won, and the outcome may take even longer if either candidate contests the results.
Are there any ongoing legal battles on mail-in ballots? (pt. 1)
@MadisonMills22: Several. Let’s talk about PA because that case went all the way to the Supreme Court. SCOTUS said absentee ballots in PA could be counted if they were postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Friday.
@MadisonMills22: Several. Let’s talk about PA because that case went all the way to the Supreme Court. SCOTUS said absentee ballots in PA could be counted if they were postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Friday.
(pt. 2) Trump said this weekend he would go to court to prevent Pennsylvania from counting these ballots. PA will keep these ballots separate in case of any legal issues that arise after the election, which leaves the door wide open for challenges.
Could the Supreme Court potentially decide the election?
@MadisonMills22: It’s unlikely, but if either candidate contests election results, SCOTUS could get involved. This has only happened once in modern times with Bush v. Gore twenty years ago.
@MadisonMills22: It’s unlikely, but if either candidate contests election results, SCOTUS could get involved. This has only happened once in modern times with Bush v. Gore twenty years ago.
What’s a red mirage?
@MadisonMills22: Republican voters may be more likely to vote in person, partially because of Trump’s rhetoric on mail-in voting. These ballots will be counted faster than mail-ins especially in swing states like PA that can’t start processing until today.
@MadisonMills22: Republican voters may be more likely to vote in person, partially because of Trump’s rhetoric on mail-in voting. These ballots will be counted faster than mail-ins especially in swing states like PA that can’t start processing until today.
Could Trump refuse to leave office? (pt. 1)
@MadisonMills22: It’s unlikely Trump will refuse to leave office. He's given no real indication he will go that far. It’s more likely he will focus on contesting election results rather than simply refusing to leave without an excuse.
@MadisonMills22: It’s unlikely Trump will refuse to leave office. He's given no real indication he will go that far. It’s more likely he will focus on contesting election results rather than simply refusing to leave without an excuse.
(pt. 2) We’ve seen him prepare for this through his language surrounding the fraudulence of mail-in voting, which we know is extremely rare. Many strategists believe Trump will say the election was rigged or fraudulent without conceding.
Could either candidate declare victory prematurely?
@MadisonMills22: Yes, and there’s precedent for the benefits of doing this. Bush did this in 2000 which some strategists say made his battle against Gore easier, because he created the perception that he was the winner.
@MadisonMills22: Yes, and there’s precedent for the benefits of doing this. Bush did this in 2000 which some strategists say made his battle against Gore easier, because he created the perception that he was the winner.
How can I get real-time election updates?
Follow @quicktake for live updates at the top of every hour starting at 8pm ET. You can also sign up to receive election alerts, including when a winner is declared in key races here: bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-…
Follow @quicktake for live updates at the top of every hour starting at 8pm ET. You can also sign up to receive election alerts, including when a winner is declared in key races here: bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-…
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
