And so is our final analysis.
I’m Isaac Saul, and this is Tangle: an independent, nonpartisan, subscriber-supported politics newsletter that summarizes the best arguments from across the political spectrum on the news of the day — then “my take.”
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Today's read: 6 minutes.
Thank you.
This is our first newsletter ever that is going out to more than 200,000 readers — a really wonderful milestone. Thank you all so much for the support, and thanks for following along with us during such a wild year. We're excited to finish strong today.
A quick reminder: We also have a podcast (if you prefer listening), and today we are publishing an interview with Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss (MA) — a Tangle reader (!) and the youngest Democratic parent in Congress. Also, if you haven't yet, don't forget to become a Tangle member. Memberships unlock Friday and Sunday editions, the ad-free newsletter, the comments sections, and keep us wholly independent. Thank you for your support!
A note to readers.
Dear readers,
Over the last year and a half, we've dedicated over 100 articles to the 2024 election. With voters heading to the polls today, Congress on recess and 2024 polling complete, there isn't much more to say. So in today's special Election Day edition, we are going to point you to some of our most valuable pieces of election coverage along with some resources to help you vote and information on how to follow our coverage tonight (which includes an in-person watch party and our first-ever election night live stream on YouTube). We’ve also got some quick hits and, as always, a “Have a nice day” story to end the newsletter.
Before we do that, though, I just want to share a personal note to the Tangle community. You can take it or leave it, but I wanted to use my platform for something that I think is worthwhile.
Every four years, I watch leaders from across the political spectrum tell voters that this election (always, miraculously, the one we are in) is the most important election of our lifetimes. This year is no different. In fact, this year’s rhetoric is more inflammatory than I’ve ever heard — and it’s breaking through: Nearly 8 in 10 voters believe this election presents an existential choice. One side is saying a burgeoning fascist dictator ready to jail his opponents and sic the military on civilians is a step away from the White House, while the other side is claiming the next administration is going to freely invite tens of millions of migrants into our country who will rape, rob, and murder your family — then steal your vote. Both are framing today as the “last stand” against these future realities.
There’s no doubt — none — that elections have consequences. Joe Biden and Donald Trump are not the same; Kamala Harris and Trump aren’t, either. They are two very different candidates pitching two very different visions with two very different sets of policies, and I think our country will change in notable and important ways depending on who wins this election. I hope our work has helped you better understand these dynamics and make an informed choice with your vote, regardless of whom you cast your ballot for.
At the same time, I implore you to remember that all the noise — what you see on TV, what you see on social media, what you hear from political partisans — is not always reality. Reality is the kind and decent neighbor you have who doesn’t share your views on abortion; reality is the local politician from the opposite party you respect but don’t vote for; reality is the dad, aunt, niece, or son you fight with about politics, but you love unconditionally anyway — and they love you back.
We have the capacity — in fact, the obligation — to stay attached to that reality in the next few days. Because regardless of what happens, the outcome will produce some ugly, vitriolic, and rage-filled responses, and we’ll need decent people around us with level heads to lead us through them. That doesn’t mean you should water down your values or beliefs, but it does mean you can be a part of turning the temperature down rather than up. I implore you — this community — to do what you can to keep being part of the solution.
And please, go vote!
Best,
Isaac
We are live on YouTube tonight.
First, and most importantly, we want to let you all know that we'll be covering the election live from Tangle HQ in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We're hosting an election watch party (a handful of tickets are still available) and I'll be doing live interviews with guests all night. Here is a sneak peek at our line-up:
In order to tune in, you can go to our YouTube channel right now, subscribe, and turn on notifications. You can also plan to tune in to the channel at 7:00pm ET, or click the link in the special email we’ll send out tonight when we go live.
Aside from tonight’s live coverage, you can also follow my X thread where I investigate claims of election fraud; I’ll also give my real-time thoughts on the early returns and exit polls on X.
Here are some pieces of election coverage you might want to dive into today:
Newsletters
- Our neutral, side-by-side breakdown of Trump and Harris on the issues (part 1; part 2)
- Our breakdown of the key Senate races
- Our final analysis of the polls
- My recent essay about debunking voter fraud
- 10 ballot initiatives that will define the election
- My election predictions, and my final analysis of the race
- Yes, you should vote
Podcasts and YouTube videos
- My interview with the chair of the Bucks County Republican Committee about voter fraud
- My interview with Rep. Auchincloss (D-MA)
- The full season of our original podcast, “The Undecideds”
Tangle in the news
- Tangle’s feature on the “Question Everything” podcast (featured on “This American Life”)
- My interview on Slate’s “What Next” podcast about what to watch for in the election results
- My interview on “A Braver Way” about how to stay sane in a polarized election
- My interview on “Battleground” with S.E. Cupp about the role of Philadelphia's suburbs in the election
The penultimate episode of “The Undecideds.”
Since March, we’ve been following five undecided voters from five different states as they track the election and make their voting decisions. From each party’s primary elections, to the debate between President Biden and former President Trump, to the assassination attempt on Trump, to Vice President Harris replacing Biden on the Democratic ticket and beyond, we’ve stayed close with these voters — discussing their views on each candidate, the issues that matter to them most, and the stakes of the election.
On Sunday, we released the penultimate episode of the series, where we pressed our voters on their reasoning as we head into Election Day. For those who have been following the series from the start, you can tune in to hear each voter’s final decision. For those who haven’t yet checked out the show, you can listen to all eight episodes here.
Election Day voter resources.
Here are a few resources you can use to learn about the downballot races and ballot initiatives in your state, as well as how to find your polling place and check your voter registration status.
- Ballotpedia’s Sample Ballot Lookup tool
- Check your voter registration status
- Find your polling place
- FAQs on voting on Election Day
Quick hits.
- Boeing machinists voted to end their 53-day strike, accepting a new labor contract that includes a 38% wage increase over four years and enhanced retirement contributions. (The vote) Separately, The New York Times Tech Guild, which represents over 600 tech workers, went on strike over a dispute about pay increases, pay equity, and return-to-office policies in the workers’ new contract. (The strike)
- European security officials alleged that Russia planted two incendiary devices on cargo planes as part of a covert operation to start fires aboard cargo or passenger aircraft flying to the U.S. and Canada. (The investigation)
- The Supreme Court agreed to hear a case about whether Louisiana’s redrawn Congressional maps violate the equal protection clause of the Constitution. (The case) Separately, a Philadelphia judge ruled that Elon Musk’s America PAC can continue its daily $1 million giveaway after Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner filed an injunction to stop the contest. (The ruling)
- Israel formally withdrew from a 1967 agreement recognizing the Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA one week after banning UNRWA from operating from Israeli territory and prohibiting Israeli government agencies from working with the agency. (The withdrawal)
- Moldova’s President Maia Sandu won re-election in a runoff. Sandu, considered a pro-Western leader, defeated Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general who was backed by the pro-Russia Party of Socialists. (The election)
The extras.
- One year ago today we had just published a Friday edition about how Israel has no good options.
- The most clicked link in yesterday’s newsletter was our interview with Pat Poprick, the chair of the Bucks County Republican Committee.
- Nothing to do with politics: Just in case you need to de-stress today (for whatever reason), here’s a 30-minute video of strange animal friendships.
- Yesterday’s survey: 3,716 readers responded to our survey asking who they’ll vote for. In a rather stunning result (given our readership’s evenly split partisan divide), 72% said they’ll vote for Harris. “More of a vote ‘against Trump’ than a vote ‘for Harris’,” one respondent said.
Have a nice day.
In the thick of election season, it can be hard to see all the people working on bridging our deep political divides. We’re working hard on this mission at Tangle — but we’re not alone. Today, we wanted to end our newsletter by listing other organizations with similar missions: Braver Angeles, Crossing Party Lines, Making American Dinner Again, National Conversations Project, AllSides, The Transpartisan Review, American Public Square, and many many others. The Teachers College at Columbia University has more.
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