After weeks of anxiety-riddled anticipation, the presidential campaigns will culminate with tonight’s Election Day coverage. Students’ plans run the gamut from last-minute trips to swing states to drunken election-watching parties.
“Hopefully I’ll be celebrating Tuesday night,” said David Knappenberger ’07, “And if not, I’ll be drinking away my sorrows.”
Other students, anticipating ambiguous election results, are already planning their protests.
“I think regardless of who wins the election, it is definitely not going to be over Tuesday night,” said Kristen Juarez, ’08. “I’m not sure what my plans are for Tuesday, but on Wednesday I’m going to drive with friends to D.C.”
Following the 2000 election, one of the most controversial presidential contests in American history, students have rushed to ensure their absentee ballots get in early or at least on time.
“I got my absentee on Friday after calling the Chicago board of elections two times,” said Zev Frank ’08. “I had to spend $13.85 to express mail it since I was filled with overwhelming doom that my voice would not get heard.”
In 2000, many University students campaigned and voted for candidates such as Ralph Nader. In comparison, however, there has not been strong support for any third party candidate.
“The polls are so close that there is less of a sense that one can make a protest vote cost-free,” said professor of government Cherie Steele, “Even if a voter is not thrilled with either candidate, the election may be so close that making a protest vote may allow the greater of two evils to prevail.”
Some students doubt whether their votes would be counted in light of new electronic voting machines and the disappearance of thousands of absentee ballots in the mail.
“Before the last election, we did not worry so much because we did not realize the corruptions [in the voting process],” said Dawn Patel ’06, “People I know here are nervous that their votes won’t be counted by Tuesday evening.”
Others see the election in a more cosmic light.
“Maybe it’s because the Red Sox won the World Series,” said Lauren Goldman ’08, “But I really feel like the apocalypse is coming.”
David Rood-Ojalvo ’06 spent his summer registering voters in New Mexico with other Wesleyan students and plans to watch the results on Tuesday with those friends.
“I’ll feel personally connected if New Mexico goes to Kerry, but I’d still say most people here are more nervous than excited,” Rood-Ojalvo said. “I plan on going to Pennsylvania on Tuesday to help with any last efforts I can.”
The Wesleyan Democrats have reserved the Multipurpose Room in the Campus Center for election return news Tuesday night, and some students say that they plan on watching the news coverage in big groups, either in lounges or student residences.
“The Wesleyan community understood that they had to be more involved in this election,” said Arjuna Ballaranjan ’07, “If Bush wins; this campus is going to go crazy.”
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