Another year, another election. Across America, voters are casting ballots for who will be the next President of the United States, thirty-three seats in the U.S. Senate, all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, and various state and local offices and referendums.

Then we wait to see who wins and loses.

The presidential election this year is fraught and unusual. People are fired up. Many Trump supporters believe the 2020 election was stolen from him (it wasn’t) and, if he loses again, they’re likely to engage in angry protests and riots like what we saw in January 2021. Many Harris supporters believe Trump is “literally Hitler” and, if he wins, they are equally likely to engage in angry protests and riots. I hope we can keep cool heads, but I’m expecting the worst. I hope I’m wrong.

Let’s stay calm. Let’s be kind to one another. Let’s accept whatever happens with grace and respect. In other words, let’s act like adults.

Off on a Tangent live election night coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET and continue at least until all the races I’m following are called or 1:00 a.m., whichever comes first. Updates will continue (as time permits) as significant events occur until the Virginia State Board of Elections certifies the state results in December.