Nail-Biter in Brooklyn as Trump Declares Victory But Biden Favored to Pull Ahead

Trump has already declared victory in the pivotal 2020 presidential election, but Biden is likely to pull ahead as the final votes are counted. As of this morning, Trump has the lead in the key states of Pennsylvania and Georgia, but that edge is likely to fade as yet-uncounted absentee ballots — from urban areas such as Atlanta and Philadelphia and likely to favor Biden — are tallied.

There was lots of anxiety on the couches as the night wore on.

On Tuesday, calm prevailed and lines were short at the polls in Brooklyn, despite late starts at two polling places, one in Cobble Hill and one in Williamsburg, and harassment of voters in South Slope. In the days just prior to November 3, caravans of Trump supporters blocked roadways and bridges in Texas, Pennsylvania and New York.

COVID cases have doubled in October vs. September in Brooklyn, the Associated Press reported. A staggering number of Brooklyn businesses have shuttered due to the virus, and survivors — particularly restaurants — are threatened by the coming cold weather.

News outlets have been warning for weeks of “red and blue mirages” — the perils of rushing to judgement on an election in which weighty amounts of mail-in ballots (and varying rules about counting them in each state) will be a decisive factor.

New York is among the slowest of states to report, and Republican challenger Nicole Malliotakis has already declared victory over Democratic incumbent Max Rose in the race for U.S. Congress in the 11th Congressional District in southern Brooklyn and Staten Island. Rose has not yet conceded. Democrat incumbents Hakeem Jeffries and Nydia Velazquez won races for U.S. Congress, according to the Associated Press.

Social media reported a heavy riot police presence at Barclays but streets were calm, and police dispersed early. “I walked past Barclays last night around 10 p.m. and most of the police presence was scattered,” said a Brownstoner reader who lives in Fort Greene. “Not many people around. Things were quiet.”

Results of the presidential race may not be known for weeks. New York activist groups have been making preparations for a series of demonstrations starting tonight, depending on how the election goes.

Related Stories

• Voters Across Brooklyn Get Absentee Ballot Return Envelopes With Wrong Name and Address
• Brooklyn Voters Report Confusion, Wrong Ballots at Poll Sites Across the Borough
• Central Brooklyn Crowned Clinton, Brighton Beach Loved Trump and More Primary Insights

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