From Spooky Season to Civic Duty
Making the jarring but necessary transition from Halloween to Election Night.
Like many of us, the ever-growing feeling of election night looms over us - a night that makes a difference in our country, no matter who wins. In a slightly poetic yet unexpected comparison, election night can be compared to Halloween: the only difference is that on Halloween, people get sick with the copious amounts of candy they consume.
Recent elections, including the upcoming 2024 Presidential election, can feel like Halloween—both are charged with anticipation and fear. Both deliver on the thrills of trick-or-treating but also bring out our collective anxiety, like waiting for the doorbell to ring and handing out our candy to children.
Just as Halloween stirs up memories of childhood and community, election night brings reflections on the future and the choices we've made.
The fear of the unknown lingers—questions about what the results might mean for the future, and how they’ll impact your life and community. Comparable to the dread of encountering something unexpected in a dark, creaky house.
This fear can also manifest in a feeling of powerlessness, as if you’re standing at the edge of a cliff, peering into an abyss. Just as some Halloween stories explore the darker sides of human nature, the election can bring out worries about divisiveness, conflict, and the potential for loss. With the upcoming election especially, it stands to say that tensions have boiled over with a variety of events: the rise in antisemitism, the hurricanes, school shootings, misinformation, the economy, so much loss and pain.
Even in the recent week leading up to election day, we seem to be going down similar roads, comparable to both the 2016 and 2020 elections. It’s on the news cycle 24/7, tensions are rising from both sides. No matter which side you lean towards, Red or Blue, the world still keeps going. I fear that a similar incident to the January 6th insurrection is on the horizon, no matter how much we prepare for it - people are smart when they want to be, which is very dangerous in today’s world.
Recently, journalists and publications have been advising several ways to cope with election anxiety. Sites like the Trevor Project, Mental Health America, the American Psychological Association and the Jed Foundation amongst others, offer meaningful advice on how to cope with stress and anxiety revolving around election season. For those who practice a religion, one may turn to their preferred text [i.e. Bible, Torah, Quran, etc]. In a recent article which was formatted as a letter from a rabbi, he cites Proverbs 12:25: “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” To me, this is essential to remember, whether one is religious or not. Kindness always wins - during this time especially, always be kind to one another, no matter their political differences. If you know someone who is struggling during this time, reach out to them - we have the technology to do so. Sometimes, a single message is all is takes to make a difference in someone’s life.
Ultimately, both nights are about transformation—Halloween embraces change in the form of costumes and characters, while election night reveals the potential for new leadership and direction. It’s a blend of celebration and uncertainty, a time to face what’s ahead, whether it's ghosts or governance. This fear can be both a motivator and a burden, driving you to engage and make your voice heard while also leaving you with a sense of trepidation as you confront the realities of what lies ahead.
At the end of the day, be sure to make your voice heard - VOTE on November 5th.
