Iran Press/America: Following the elections on November 5, the United States may face one of two potential crises. The first scenario involves Kamala Harris being declared the winner, which could spark a legal and media battle to contest her victory. Only a surprising win by Biden's vice president in at least five out of seven battleground states might prevent this scenario.
The second scenario foresees a Trump victory and his actions following the inauguration on January 21. Constitutional experts are concerned about how Trump might handle opposition within the Republican Party and how much latitude he would have in advancing his policies.
Despite this, the possibility of a close race remains significant. Unlike Biden’s win in 2020, which showed a clear lead in polls for months, Trump and Harris are neck-and-neck in many competitive states. Biden won by over six million votes and secured 306 electoral votes compared to Trump’s 232. However, it took nine days for Arizona's results to be announced and 16 days for Georgia's. Even Biden's decisive victory did not stop Republicans from denying the election results.
With the current slim margin between Trump and Harris, this year's vote counting could be longer and more complicated. A difference of less than 0.5 percent could trigger automatic recounts in several battleground states, potentially delaying results for days or even weeks.
The sensitivity of the situation has led the Republican National Committee to file over 100 complaints regarding the voting process and eligible voters, a stark contrast to four years ago when no such cases were recorded at this stage of the election.
What Happens if Trump Wins?
If Trump emerges victorious, Democrats lack a clear plan to counter possible allegations of electoral fraud in his favor. He could win the electoral vote while losing the popular vote, reminiscent of the 2016 election where Hillary Clinton was defeated. Should Trump’s victory mirror the Supreme Court ruling in 2000 that favored George W. Bush, Democratic responses this time could be more intense. In 2000, Al Gore, Bush's Democratic rival, quickly conceded to the Supreme Court ruling; however, Harris might face increased pressure to reject a similar ruling this year.
If both candidates end up with an equal number of electoral votes at 269, the House of Representatives will decide the winner according to the Constitution, which, given the Republican majority in this legislative body, would secure Trump's victory.
Media's Role in Reporting Election Results
The role of media in the U.S. elections is also crucial. Given the nationwide voting system, Americans rely on these private networks to announce election results from each state. The differences in electoral processes and voting technologies among states make result reporting complex.
Meanwhile, Trump continues to cast doubt on the integrity of the electoral process, and the Republican Party plans to deploy thousands of volunteer observers to monitor potential fraud on election night. Recent Gallup polls indicate that trust in media has reached an all-time low.
These factors have led American media to adopt a defensive posture, dedicating resources to ensure "transparency" in reporting. Indeed, media outlets are preparing for an election that may not yield a clear winner.
CNN has announced that it will deploy a "powerful team" of journalists to competitive states to monitor the voting process. ABC has also formed a "voter watch team" to oversee vote counting across the United States. Fox News, the most-watched cable news network in America, has invested in enhancing its graphics to present clearer differences in candidate vote counts.
206
Read More:
Trump's Opponents Stage Rally in Manhattan
