I think it’s good and appropriate that Biden is being projected as the winner. I also think this is a different thing than actually *being* the winner. We do ourselves a disservice by blurring the distinction. 1/9

For all of the incorrect things Trump has said about this election, he is *correct* that (1) election results have not been certified, (2) there may be recounts pending in some close states, and (3) legal challenges are still in process. 2/9

These may seem like mere formalities, but they are not formalities to many, who sincerely believe (rightly or wrongly) fraud has occurred, and trust our democracy less as a result. 3/9

Some may worry that these processes are being abused, that the letter of the law may somehow be twisted to violate its spirit. That’s reasonable; all rulesets have that risk. 4/9

But we shouldn’t ignore parts of our election process whenever half the country is worried the other half would abuse them. That’s the same thing Republicans have been accused of doing (e.g. by tossing out “late” mail-in ballots)! 5/9

Due process should be sacred in our government, most of all for the office of POTUS. These processes exist because there is a chance, however small, that they change the outcome in a fair and appropriate way. We should to see them through to their conclusion. 6/9

Our choice is to honor those processes as written, or to sign up for a game where ALL future elections are decided NOT through our votes, but an unpredictable game of legal and political chess. 7/9

Biden is the President-Elect only *provisionally*, until Trump exits the race by concession or the election is certified and legal disputes are exhausted. This distinction should be held firm by both candidates, the media, and the public. 8/9

Maybe that means our election process takes a month sometimes instead of 24 hours. Small price to pay to build public faith in the core of our democratic system. 9/9

PS: I say all this as a Biden voter. 10/9