MACOMB, Il – Western Illinois University students gathered at the Multicultural Center (MCC) on Tuesday night to watch the live results of the 2024 presidential election, which concluded with Donald Trump projected as the 47th President of the United States. The evening also saw Republicans regain the Senate majority, signaling a significant shift in the nation’s political landscape.
The watch party, which ran from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., offered a lively and engaging environment for students of various political backgrounds to come together, watch the election unfold, and discuss the nation’s future. The MCC provided expert election analysis, interactive games and raffle giveaways to add excitement to the night. Conversations buzzed throughout the room as
students debated issues, predicted outcomes, and shared their thoughts on the future direction of the country.
Among the attendees was Mars Shufelt, a freshman and choral music education major.. “I am a non-binary individual, and I feel like Kamala Harris is the best choice for me to keep some of my rights and make sure that I remain safe,” Shufelt said.
While acknowledging the early Republican lead, Shufelt hoped for more “blue on the screen” as the night progressed.
Rafael Lopez, a first-year graduate student studying physics, shared his top concerns as he watched the results roll in. “The existence of democracy was the most important issue in my mind,” he said. “Second was domestic policy, and third was foreign policy.”
The event attracted students from various majors, many of whom expressed concerns over foreign policy and national security. Zachary Ghere, a senior studying political science, said he prioritized foreign policy in his vote for Kamala Harris.
“More and more of our nation’s enemies are becoming aggressive towards our neighbors,” Ghere noted. “I feel that if we don’t do something to put a stop to it, it’s going to get worse.”
Spencer Andrew, a senior majoring in broadcasting and journalism, felt the night’s events were aligned with his expectations. “So far, my prediction is spot on,” he said. “I voted for Harris based on the economic aspect of things. I do think it was smart of Biden to step down over the summer.”
For Winter Hurst-Leadicker, a junior political science major, personal and social issues were key to their vote. “The issues that are important to me personally are abortion, transgender healthcare rights, the economy, and immigration,” Hurst-Leadicker shared.
Hurst-Leadicker also noted a surprising result in Florida, remarking, “If there’s anything that surprised me so far, it was definitely how fast Florida was called, especially after seeing the results from the Iowa Selzer polls.”
Hurst-Leadicker maintained “cautious optimism for Democrats.”
The event highlighted WIU’s commitment to fostering civic engagement and providing spaces for students to reflect on pivotal national events.
As WIU students return to their regular schedules, many will continue to discuss the implications of this election, having engaged in meaningful dialogue with peers across the political spectrum.
