Campaigning Through COVID

CAMPAIGNING THROUGH COVID

Coronavirus alters both campaign strategies Story by Zoie Carlile // Design by Jeneta Nwosu // Graphics by Elsa Pedrosa Noguera

With coronavirus establishing a made major changes in an attempt to standard of mask usage, social address coronavirus concerns. distancing, self-quarantine and maximum On May 7, Biden held his first virtual occupancy guidelines, the virus affected rally but with limited success. Numerous both candidates’ campaigns strategies, and technical issues and hiccups from Biden it brought controversy over mail-in voting. made him an easy target for Republicans

In a typical campaign, candidates dedicate on social media. much of the year to holding events across On June 30, Biden announced that he the nation through measures such as stump would not be holding campaign rallies, thus speeches and rallies. However, the spring complying with health guidance during the lock downs, followed by social distancing, pandemic. This took place after his campaign altered these norms. attempted to h o l d

Before the lock downs, Trump held six indoor rallies during the months of February and March. These include his rallies in New Hampshire, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, South Carolina and North Carolina. On March 19, Trump began to cancel events.

During this time, former Vice President Joe Biden, along with Senator Bernie Sanders, canceled in Cleveland on March 10.

Once lock down faded away, and restrictions were lifted in many states, Trump continued to hold small, socially rallies, starting in late June in Tulsa, distanced events Oklahoma. Pictures of these rallies reveal open only to reporters, local officials and packed crowds, with some unmasked. local business leaders.

“Not only are there a lot of people at Biden resumed his in-person rallies in late these rallies, but they’re yelling,” Pediatric August, prioritizing social distancing. One Specialist Dr. Christopher Dreiling said. unique thing Biden has also done is drive“One sick person can have what’s called a in rallies. These look like what you’d expect super spreader that could just tear through as attendees park their cars around a stage the entire population there.” where Biden stands to speak.

According to data by Zach Nayer and ER physician Dr. Kristy Stucka explained Usnish Majumdar from Stat News, after the candidates could be trying to send a the President’s rallies, spikes in coronavirus certain “political message” with how they cases occurred in seven of the 14 cities address and react to the virus. and townships where the rallies were held. “I believe that really this entire pandemic However, the two conceded that there’s situation is highly politicized in some ways,” no way to undeniably link a community Stucka said. outbreak to just the rally. For example, though masks are essential

On the other hand, the Biden campaign in most public situations, she said she has seen a masked Biden in situations that 20 BAGPIPE might not demand one. However, she agrees in-person rallies are not safe.

“Having large gatherings is probably not the right thing to be doing now,” she said.

Students have opinions on the matter.

“This is not like a partisan issue, and I think it’s stupid how people try to politicize the virus,” said senior Julia Testa, Co-President of the Young Progressives club.

Senior James McAnalley, co-president of the Young Republicans Club has a more positive view towards Trump’s decisions.

“In the eyes of the media, any decision President Trump made would be the wrong one,” he said.

Yet another thing that has been greatly influenced by coronavirus, is voting.

Expanding mail-in voting to all eligible voters has been introduced as an idea to combat coronavirus spread amid the pandemic especially for those who are most vulnerable to infection, but that has been met with opposition in many states.

Texas will be limiting mail-in voting to people over the age of 65-yearsold, people who have a “qualifying disability,” anyone who will not be in their county on election day and people confined to jail. Attorney

General of Texas Ken Paxton believes expanding mail-in voting outside of this will increase the risk of voter fraud.

Paxton also wants to make it clear fear of coronavirus is not a “qualifying” disability under Texas law.

Junior Jack Tatum, President of the Turning Point Club agrees with this stance.

“Just think about it logically, I mean how often it is that people can make fraudulent documents,” he said.

There is evidence showing that mail in ballots is not a large cause of fraud. According to The Heritage Foundation, who maintains an online database of election fraud, reported that since 2000, there have been only 204 allegations of mail in voter fraud, and only 143 convictions that involved mail-in ballots.

Despite months of controversy over this, people still rushed to the polls for early voting in record numbers. Texas led the country in voter turnout with over 4 million ballots cast by Oct. 20. Now, each candidate is wrapping up their unique campaign season ahead of Nov. 3.