Today is the day. I have done my civic duty and encouraged my friends to do the same, but to be honest with you, I can't even bring myself to be worried about who will win. I've spent countless hours reading projections and researching processes, but I don't think I'm ready for the aftermath — regardless of who wins.

My fears for today are about what happens after the president-elect is announced.

It all starts with uncertainty. There will still be mail-in ballots to count as many states will be counting them as long as they're postmarked by November 3, though this nothing new. But what about recounts that may be called for and cheating accusations that will fly around?

Though, overwhelmingly, I fear the violence that may follow the results.

Allan Lichtman, who has accurately predicted the last eight elections, predicts that the popular vote will come down to a less than 5% difference. The popular vote is the choice of the people, and a majority is a majority, but if this is accurate that means that 47.9% of people will be unhappy. It would not be the landslide win that either side would hope for, but a win is a win, right? I fear the American people will not accept the results. No matter which party wins, someone will be upset. Over the past few days, we have all seen the videos and news stories of major cities boarding up glass windows and schools being canceled for fear of what may happen today. We have also seen jokes about what we are wearing to the purge or the next civil war that will begin on November 4.

But I don't think these things are funny. They terrify me because it is a true and unfortunate possibility.

Over the past few months, I have urged those who will listen to register and vote, no matter their party affiliation. Today, I am telling you that it is OK to feel what you are feeling today. Whether you are as nervous as I am leading up to the results or not, whether you voted or not, it is okay to be upset with the results.

But now, I am begging you to feel your emotions with peace. Violence will never be the answer.

A broken window will not change the results of the election. Destroying your city will not bring forth change. This has been an uncertain and tumultuous year. My only hope is that we can learn from it and make change with kindness and understanding.