Before long, we will (hopefully) discover who will be the next president of the United States.

Once the results are in, many Americans are likely to feel disappointed, and some might even be enraged. Conversely, a significant number will be filled with joy and a sense of triumph.

Should Vice President Kamala Harris be victorious, Democrats may question whether Donald Trump will accept his loss gracefully. On the flip side, if Trump manages to win reelection, Republican supporters may celebrate in triumph.

As a conservative, I can empathize with both sides. It’s natural to feel anxious or upset when your chosen candidate loses, as well as to feel joyous or self-satisfied when they win.

This election has indeed been fiercely contested. However, there’s no need for it to perpetuate divisions or harm personal connections as we transition beyond Election Day.

The messy 2024 election cycle

This year’s election seems more chaotic than previous ones in recent memory.

Concerns regarding President Joe Biden’s cognitive abilities became apparent during his reelection campaign, leading many to think he may no longer be suitable for the presidency.

In response, Harris emerged as a fresh face, though she appeared to lack depth and sincerity.

In recent weeks, both Trump and Harris have resorted to ugly tactics, filled with insults and racial slurs. It feels reminiscent of schoolyard bullies vying for the presidency.

This election comes on the heels of four challenging years. Following a heated contest in 2020, Trump refused to recognize his defeat, which led to the notorious Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. The world was also grappling with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent government-imposed lockdowns.

With economic stimulus initiatives originated by Trump and carried on by Biden, inflation hit a 40-year peak, leaving Americans to face soaring costs for essentials like food and rent. Conflict continues between Ukraine and Russia, while Israel is in a struggle against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran.

America’s divisions aren’t as extreme as perceived. Just try the BBQ test.

Though it might seem like Americans are more fractured than ever, a study by the Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace suggests otherwise.

The study indicates, “American voters are less ideologically polarized than they believe, especially among those who are most politically active.”

I sincerely hope that’s the case — for the good of our nation.

The research also highlights two important conclusions: it’s mainly the American politicians who are deeply divided ideologically, and while Americans may not be as split as they presume, they are “emotionally polarized,” meaning they harbor negative feelings toward opposing party members.

I’ve witnessed this personally. As an outspoken conservative, I received a deluge of harsh criticism following my column published by YSL News about why I, along with millions of other Americans, would vote for Trump. Negative responses are part of the job, for better or worse.

This is not a complaint; I feel incredibly fortunate to have this career. However, I’m illustrating how we live in a political climate where an article reader swiftly responds by disparaging my character, criticizing my roles as a woman and mother, and even insulting my children. My colleagues across the spectrum experience similar backlash regularly.

The current atmosphere leads many Americans to develop an immediate negative perception of fellow citizens merely because they hold differing political views, which is Insulting each other’s political beliefs is detrimental to our society.

Trump and Harris hurl insults at each other, while their followers feel as though they’re in a conflict with neighbors over who displays a Trump sign and who supports a “Hope is making a comeback” sign.

I frequently test my beliefs with what I call the barbecue litmus test (I live in Texas, by the way). You might find it helpful too.

Here’s what I ponder: Would I invite my neighbor over for ribs if he supported Harris while I favored Trump?

What if I believe in tax cuts, and he feels it’s his duty to contribute a substantial amount of taxes?

Would I enjoy a beer with my neighbor if he advocated for abortion restrictions? What if he is even—gasp!—pro-life?

What specific issue or candidate would make me say: No, I can’t share a barbecue with my neighbor because of his political beliefs?

I like to think that most people in America are capable of holding conflicting thoughts: Republicans aren’t terrible just because they are pro-life and support the only pro-life candidate. Democrats aren’t bad for opposing Trump and backing the only candidate who stands against him.

The issue lies with the system, not with our fellow citizens

It’s a fact that many feel anxious about the upcoming elections. A recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates that 70% of Americans express anxiety or frustration regarding the presidential campaign.

Americans are personally invested in the election outcome. They hope the next president can address their concerns. According to Gallup, key issues for voters include the economy, democracy, national security, and future Supreme Court justices. When times get tough, such as during inflation, it’s natural to look to our political leaders to remedy the situation.

However, feeling frustrated doesn’t justify harboring hatred towards fellow citizens who simply have different ideas on how to address problems or which political figure has the best policies.

Regardless of the election results, we should not despise one another. Instead, we should be critical of a political system that has become twisted, encouraging ideological divides. We ought to detest a system where elected officials can amass significant wealth while spending years or even decades in power.

We should be intolerant of politicians who get elected based on certain promises yet pursue their ambitions once in office. We need to demand more from our representatives and ensure they are held accountable in elections.

If we feel upset come Election Day, let’s challenge the system rather than each other.