Seattleites are preparing for post-election unknowns in their own ways

It’s the day before the election, and Jennifer Loomis is making sure her family has everything they need for a week — in case they need to hunker down. She’s preparing the same way she did as Covid was emerging, by stocking up on food and water.

“That doesn't feel so out of the ordinary,” Loomis said. “I just don't know what's gonna happen.”

Loomis is one of many Seattleites who are preparing for what’s to come after the election, in their own ways — by buying extra food, gassing up their cars or taking time off from work. Others are simply coming up with strategies to maintain their mental wellbeing. But even with planning, it's hard to guess what the coming weeks will look like.

Some fear civil unrest, sparked by the political divide.

Loomis, a Seattle photographer, said it’s hard to plan for the “unknown.” She said Wednesday, the day after the election, will likely be “business as usual.” But that thought hasn’t quelled her nerves and feelings of anxiety.

“I just want to get it over with,” she said. “I just want to see what's going to happen. I am concerned that this is a powder keg, and that there's just so much mistrust.”

Kate Sweeney, a local artist, is also planning ahead for the outcome of the election. She has plans to participate in a “Protect the Results” demonstration in Pioneer Square on November 4. Organizers of the nationwide demonstration, which is tentative, say they will take to the streets to protest in the event Joe Biden wins the election and President Donald Trump “takes action to undermine the results.”

Sweeney said she’s worried the demonstration could turn ugly, with “agitators” inciting violence and police brutalizing protesters. That's why she's done these two things: Packed what she calls a “protest bag” full of bottles of water and first aid supplies, and gassed up her cars.

“I'm trying to go forward with the mindset of nonviolence and de-escalation of any situation that we might encounter,” Sweeney said. “And being prepared to just turn and walk away if it gets too hot.”

Then there are others who aren't preparing for violence at all. Rather, their priority is managing their own mental health and helping others do the same.

Salon owner and hairstylist D'Arcy Harrison is worried about voter suppression and intimidation happening in other states, where in-person voting is the norm. However, to deal with any stress, she’s taking a week off from work, to free herself from the mandatory socializing that comes from cutting hair.

“It can be emotionally and mentally taxing, talking to people about everything that's going on in the world, especially now,” Harrison said. “And so being able to have space to deal with my reactions, my own personal reactions, without having to discuss it for a few days with clientele and friends is probably for the best for my personal mental (wellbeing).”

With such mental health concerns in mind, the nonprofit group Young Women Empowered will hold two sessions for people to debrief on Wednesday: One will be held for youth, at Coyote Central. The other is open to the community at-large and will take place online.

“Well, I think this year has been crazy, just in general, but this election cycle specifically has just been really contentious and really hard,” said Reagan Jackson, program director. She said when political tensions rise, youth need a place to share and be heard.

“We just want to make sure that folks have the opportunity to say what they need to say and know that they're not alone,” Jackson said. “And to start trying to think through what our next steps are.

On Election Night, Doug Coutts, of the Ravenna neighborhood, has plans to join his neighbors outdoors, weather permitting. He and friends from eight different families will listen to election results as they roll in on the radio.

Coutts has also been part of voter mobilizing efforts, sending text messages and letters to people in swing states, such as Florida and Arizona, encouraging them to vote.

He’s a supporter of Democratic nominees Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. And while he said he fears a Trump re-election, his second greatest fear is low voter turnout.

“That’s how we got into this,” he said. “Taking our democracy for granted.”