Late on the evening of November 5th, Ohio University students gathered around town to witness history in the making. From the Baker University Center, located at 1 Park Place, to The Pigskin, located at 38 N. Court St., the 2024 election results parties have hosted students and community members of various political leanings and expectations.

Esme Miranda, a senior studying pre-law political science and women’s, gender and sexuality studies, spent the early hours of the night tracking Ohio’s presidential vote tally before the state was called in former President Donald Trump’s favor at about 10:45. p.m, conformable to AP News.

“I was hoping that maybe (Ohio) could have gone blue because I was hoping that a bunch of Gen Z people would have voted, and they probably did, but maybe not the way I would have liked,” Miranda said .

Although Nathan Malz, a freshman majoring in history, predicted Ohio would turn red, he believed the final outcome of the presidential election remains unpredictable, even though most states showed their support for the Republican candidate after hours of counting.

“It’s going to be very close,” Malz said. “Honestly, it’s really kind of a coin toss, I guess… I can’t tell if the lead right now might just be a red mirage or if it’s really a track, it’s really hard to said, but it’s interesting.”

In such a close presidential race, Miranda had to realistically consider a future where either candidate could take office.

“I’m scared and worried because it could really affect me as a queer, trans, non-binary person, and the way Trump talks about trans people and the queer community, it just doesn’t seem hopeful,” Miranda said.

In addition, Miranda is concerned about how the economy would be affected if the final result favors Trump.

“I feel like it’s just not going to help the working class at all,” Miranda said.

Malz attended a watch party hosted by The New Political in the Baker University Center after watching a number of local issues in Lake County, where he is from, as well as the Senate race between Sherrod Brown and Bernie Moreno.

“I think the president has a lot of power over the Senate, especially these days,” he said. “I think if the Senate is red and Trump wins, then Trump will do a lot more. If the Senate is red and Kamala wins, then there is not much she can do.”

Another Baker Center watch party attendee was Gavyn Caney, a junior studying exercise physiology. Caney came to the party with minimal prior knowledge of electoral issues, demonstrating how gathering election results can bring together community members of varying levels of political involvement.

“Honestly, I just came here … for the food and just to hang out, so I’m not really here for the politics,” Caney said.

As was the case in 2020, the results of the presidential election may not come until later in the week. While no definitive predictions can be made regarding that outcome, Malz is certain of one thing.

“It’s going to be a show,” he said.

@sophiarooks_

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