The cover story: How COVID-19 changed everything about the 2020 election

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The Cover Story How COVID-19 Changed Everything About the 2020 Election By Molly Ball National Political Correspondent, TIME As a political reporter in an election year, I typically spend most of my time on the road: traveling from swing state to swing state; talking to voters at political events and in grocery-store parking lots; watching the candidates make their case, up close and personal. This year, obviously, is very different. I haven't been on the campaign trail since February. In fact, there is no campaign trail: President Trump has been forced to suspend his signature rallies, Joe Biden is doing most of his campaigning from his home in Delaware, and candidates up and down the ballot have had to find new ways to get in touch with potential supporters. And I, like so many others, am working from home, watching it all unfold on my laptop and listening to my three kids complain about being bored. COVID-19 has disrupted so many aspects of our lives—including the functioning of American democracy. For this week's cover story, I tried to take a comprehensive look at its effects, and I found some fascinating things. Candidates are attacking each other over mask wearing while casting about for new ways to attract people to yet another Zoom. State and local election officials are offering poll workers hazard pay and mailing millions of ballots to people's homes. Voters, meanwhile, are following this surreal campaign with unusual interest, anxious and fearful about the nation's future—but eager for the opportunity democracy offers to help decide how we move forward. Read the Story » Share the cover story

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