On Election Day, many University students along with much of the country went out to vote in national, state, and local elections. President Barack Obama was reelected for a second term on Nov. 6, 2012, currently with 303 electoral votes. The Republican Party continued to control the House of Representatives, while the Democratic Party retained a majority in the Senate.

Student groups such as the Wesleyan Democrats (WesDems) and the Wesleyan chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (WesACLU) both commented on the election results. The WesDems also called students on Election Day to remind them to vote and helped shuttle students to polling locations.

“This election there was a lot on the line for civil liberties,” wrote WesACLU President Angus McLean ’16 in an email to The Argus. “By casting a ballot we decide who will make the call to defend or roll back women’s reproductive freedom, support LGBT equality or continue discriminatory policies, support or oppose illegal drone killings, and enable or deprive educational opportunity for immigrant youth.”

He expressed optimism concerning some of the main civil liberty issues that the country is facing today.

“On the social level, it is likely that we are going to see progress in the next four years,” McLean wrote. “It remains important to keep a close eye on issues such as the surveillance state and the indefinite detention of Americans. There is no end in sight for the vague and prolonged war on terror, and we need to continue to protect our rights from being eroded in the name of national security.”

WesDems President Michael Linden ’15 also expressed satisfaction at the election results.

“I am thrilled with the results of last night’s election,” wrote Linden in an email to The Argus. “The electorate has given Obama a decisive mandate to continue and expand his progressive agenda. Furthermore, the Wesleyan Democrats are excited about the successful ballot measures across the country that expand marriage equality and reform regressive drug policy.”

Maine, Maryland, and Washington all voted in favor of ballots legalizing gay marriage, while in Minnesota a constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and a woman was voted down. Additionally, the recreational use of marijuana was legalized in both Washington and Colorado but was rejected in Oregon.

Linden maintained that a great deal of work remains for elected officials.

“The work is not over, however,” Linden wrote. “The hard task of governing still remains and I urge individuals to remain active and engaged in advocating for progressive change.”

Many of the students registered in Connecticut also voted in the senatorial race to replace Independent Senator Joe Lieberman. Democratic Congressman Chris Murphy defeated Republican World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon 55 percent to 43 percent. Democrat Peter Elliot Shumlin ’79 was also reelected for a second term as Governor of Vermont.

Local Democrat Matthew Lesser, who is State Representative of the 100th Assembly District, was also reelected for a two-year term in the Connecticut House of Representatives. Lesser is a former student of the University.

“I thought it was a tremendous win here in Middletown, and obviously I am thrilled about the results across the country,” Lesser said. “Obviously it is wonderful to have partners in Washington and to have a real progressive voice in Senator Murphy. I think it’s tremendous to have this team together.”

Despite his party’s victory, Lesser echoed Linden’s sentiment that work remained.

“We have a lot of work over the next two years; the president has a lot to do over the next four years,” Lesser said. “I only have a two-year term to put people back to work, to head off the fiscal cliff that Washington was facing at the end of the year, to continue to support green economy and health reform, and do all the things we ran on.”

University students also expressed excitement over the outcome of the elections.

“I’m really happy that Obama won,” said Johnny LaZebnik ’16. “I’m really excited to see him do another four years. I think that he was worried about reelection in the first four, but now he’ll actually be able to do what he wants to do, so hopefully he’ll come through with some of the change he promised earlier.”

Other students expressed similar enthusiasm at the results, though they also expressed some reservations about the maintenance of the political status quo.

“I find it amusing that we’re sort of exactly where we started,” said Gabe Rosenberg ’16. “But I’m relieved [for the most] part, and I’m really happy about the individual state decisions, like gay marriage.”

Others expressed happiness at the potential direction of the country.

“I’m really pleased with the election results because now I don’t have to emigrate to Canada,” said Ronnie Alvarado ’15.