Miles Parks, an NPR correspondent, dives into the complexities of election results, emphasizing how varying state rules on mail-in ballots can delay counts. Kermit Roosevelt, a constitutional law professor, sheds light on the often-misunderstood Electoral College and its role in determining presidential outcomes. Meanwhile, Ellen King, co-owner of Hewn Bread, shares the delightful tradition of election cakes, highlighting their historical significance and recipe, blending food and democracy in a flavorful discussion.
Delays in election result announcements are caused by varying mail-in ballot counting procedures across states, with historical contexts underlining these complexities.
The Electoral College system can result in a president being elected without winning the popular vote, raising ongoing debates about its fairness and potential alternatives.
Deep dives
Understanding Election Result Delays
Delays in election result announcements are normal, particularly in pivotal states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, due to varying procedures for counting mail-in ballots. In North Carolina, the quick counting of ballots is facilitated by minimal mail-in voting, allowing results to emerge sooner; however, tight margins may still prolong the announcement. Conversely, Nevada and Arizona, where vote-by-mail is predominant, may experience longer counting times, especially if ballots arrive close to Election Day. In fact, historical context shows that North Carolina took ten days to finalize results in 2020, underlining the complexities of election tallying even in states with effective systems.
The Impact of the Electoral College
The Electoral College plays a crucial role in determining the presidency by not simply relying on the national popular vote, which can lead to scenarios where a candidate wins the presidency without winning the majority of votes. Each state's electors are allocated based on the number of its congressional representatives and senators, creating a system that favors certain states over others. The founding fathers designed this system out of concern that a purely popular vote might lead to regional candidates dominating elections and incentivized states to restrict voter access to maintain political balance. The conversation around changing this system continues, with the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact emerging as a potential alternative to realize a more democratic electoral process.
The Tradition of Election Cake
Election cakes have historical significance primarily as a way to engage community members and celebrate democratic participation, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. Originating in places like Hartford, Connecticut, these cakes were often made by women who were unable to vote, symbolizing their contribution to the electoral process by nourishing poll workers and voting participants. The scale of these cakes was substantial, featuring ingredients like large quantities of flour and dried fruit, reinforcing the communal aspect of elections as people gathered to vote and celebrate democratic processes. In modern times, initiatives like 'Make America Cake Again' reflect a revival of this tradition, urging individuals to come together through baking as a means to encourage voter turnout.
State rules differ on when mail-in ballots can be counted. That might lead to delays in getting vote totals. NPR's Miles Parks joins us to break down when we'll know the results. And in a presidential election, the winner isn't always the one who wins the popular vote. It comes down to the Electoral College. University of Pennsylvania professor Kermit Roosevelt shares a refresher on how the Electoral College works. Then, we take a look at the bygone tradition of baking an election cake. Baker Ellen King, co-owner of Hewn Bread in Evanston, Illinois, joins us with a recipe for her election cake and a look at the past and future of the tradition.