By KERRI SHUTIKA

Turn on any news channel right now and the main topic of discussion will more than likely be on the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, regardless of how long people are asked to stay at home or keep their businesses closed, that does not mean life will just stop. One major event quickly approaching the United States is the 2020 Election. Here is the Red and White’s quick rundown of what’s going on:

First off, the way votes are being submitted has changed. Some states, such as Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, and Hawaii, have made mail the default voting method. Other states require an excuse to vote absentee, and the rest (also the majority) allow any voter to vote absentee. 

There are a few advantages to voting via mail. The National Conference of State Legislatures listed off a few, such as financial savings, saying that Jurisdictions may save money because they no longer need to staff polling places with poll workers. They also said turnout may increase due to the convenience for voters. However, just as there are advantages, there are also disadvantages. One major one is security and accuracy. Due to the environment in which they will be making the decision, coercion from family or friends is possible. Another is slow vote counting; an all-mail election may slow down the vote counting process.

As the election nears, candidates have been cut down until only two major ones remain; current president Donald Trump, and previous vice president Joe Biden. If Trump wins, this will be his second term in office. According to BallotPedia, his re-election campaign focuses on the economy, jobs, immigration, and foreign policy. During his inaugural address, he talked about “America First” (the name of his platform) saying, “Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families. We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies, and destroying our jobs.”

Joe Biden had previously been the vice president under president Obama. If he wins this upcoming election, this will be his first term as president. In his announcement video, Biden talked about Trump’s presidency, saying, “I believe history will look back on four years of this president and all he embraces as an aberrant moment in time. But if we give Donald Trump eight years in the White House, he will forever and fundamentally alter the character of this nation—who we are—and I cannot stand by and watch that happen.” 

As of May 22, the national poll is in favor of Biden, with 48%. However, Trump is not far behind, having 41% of the votes, according to 270towin. It is clear that the election will be a close call, all the way until the end.