Statement On The Election From Boise Mayor Lauren McLean

Press release from the City of Boise:

November 4, 2020

We had an historic election day with record voter turnout across Boise and the nation. It is a beautiful reminder that this country’s oldest and most significant tradition is alive and well. People across this nation did not let COVD-19 prevent them from voting. They voted by mail. They voted early. And because of that the election looked a little different this year, as have most things.

Right now, election workers are volunteering their time and working to count and verify every ballot. Down at the Ada county elections office last night your friends and neighbors tabulated mail-in ballots from military personnel, absentee ballots and ballots from those who because of health reasons could not vote in person. Like many things this year it looks different because we voted differently.

Locally, elections officials and volunteers were able to count the ballots quickly and announce results last night and into this morning. But every state has different rules and procedures and with record turnout in cities and states across America – and very close races – there are many places still counting. In some of those places, where early and absentee vote counts shattered records, they couldn’t start counting those until polls closed. In times like these, the service of election workers and volunteers is even more valuable. I’m grateful to each and every person who did this work here and in communities around the country.

Because of the slow process of counting these ballots, and because the presidential race is so tight, we all must be patient. We’re naturally anxious as we await the results. Our process works when we allow it to work and our democracy relies on ensuring that every person’s vote is counted. So, while election workers and volunteers are doing their duty to count every ballot, I urge everyone to remain patient while looking out for those around you. We’re a strong community and when we remain committed to each other, to our community, and to our democratic ideals we are at our best. Thanks again to every person who made our election here in Boise run smoothly.

This press release was produced by the City of Boise. The views expressed here are the author’s own.