Politicians once referred to election years as “the silly season,” a time when strange comments and worrisome rhetoric ruled the day. Today, such a phrase seems naïve and anachronistic.
Globally, this year, 60 countries are holding elections, and there have seen assassination attempts, surprise outcomes, routine voter suppression, substitute candidates and political rhetoric intended to rattle the opposition and frighten the electorate. This is more than “silly.” So, what is happening this year in elections worldwide and what do election outcomes so far this year suggest might happen in the U.S. election?