| "Election Day" | |
|---|---|
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| Author | Harry Turtledove |
| First Appearance | Alternate Peace |
| Publisher | Zombie Brains |
| Editor | Steven H. Silver and Joshua Palmatier |
| Illustrator | Justin Adams |
| Genre(s) | Alternate History |
| Publication date | June, 2019 |
"Election Day" is an alternate history short story by Harry Turtledove, first published in the anthology Alternate Peace (Steven H Silver and Joshua Palmatier, eds, Zombies Need Brains, 2019).
The story, told in the second-person, follows Ralph Tompkins of Youngstown, Ohio as he votes on election day, 2016, first thing, then goes about his normal work routine. While Donald Trump is the Republican Party nominee as he was in OTL, the identity of the Democratic Party nominee remains a secret, although there are some hints as to the person's identity, including the fact that they are or were a Senator for New York state and that they are part of a political dynasty.
After a day at work, Tompkins returns home and watches election coverage. Initially, the electoral vote matches the results of OTL. In the end, however, the so-called "Blue Wall" holds; Trump carries Ohio, but the Democrat carries Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, thereby gaining the presidency.
Trump gives a graceless concession speech. Tompkins is relieved that Trump didn't contest the results as promised. Then the story finally reveals the identity of the Democratic winner: John F. Kennedy Jr., who we learn entered politics shortly after the beginning of the 21st century, becoming a senator. He and his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy are still married, and have a 12-year old son, both of whom are present as he speaks. Kennedy vows to continue the policies of Barack Obama, emphasizing the expansion of healthcare reform. Kennedy concludes his victory speech by thanking Carolyn for convincing him not to fly on the night of July 16, 1999.
The story ends with Tompkins realizing how early in the morning it now is.
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