Throughout Election Day, and after as results continue to trickle in, Massachusetts Daily Collegian Staff will be covering the 2024 Election on campus, highlighting races across the country and in Massachusetts. Watch this page for updates!
2:01 p.m.: Harris concedes to Trump
At 2:01 p.m., the Associated Press reported that Vice President Kamala Harris called now President-Elect Donald Trump, conceding the 2024 presidential election to the former president. According to the AP and the Harris campaign, she will deliver her concession speech at her alma mater, Howard University at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
By Johnny Depin
5:34 a.m.: AP calls race for Trump
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, the Associated Press can project that Donald Trump will become the 47th president of the United States. The AP projects that Trump will carry Wisconsin, and with that, will defeat Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump’s Republican party will control at least the Oval Office and the Senate, while the House of Representatives is still up for grabs.
By Johnny Depin
2:48 a.m.: Donald Trump speaks after swing state victories
With the election nearly called, Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump took the stage and spoke to supporters. He vowed to create a “safe and prosperous America,” and thanked his campaign staff, along with staunch supporter Elon Musk, referring to him as a “super-genius.”
By Manas Pandit
2;31 a.m.: Associated Press Calls Pennsylvania for Donald Trump
The Associated Press has called the state of Pennsylvania for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, adding a further 19 voters to his electoral tally, now totalling 267. This victory makes a Kamala Harris win extremely unlikely, as her pathway to 270 now runs through Alaska and every remaining battleground state.
By Manas Pandit
2:05 a.m.: Associated Press calls Maine’s second congressional district for Donald Trump
The Associated Press has called Maine’s second district for Donald Trump, adding one more electoral vote to his tally, now totalling 248. Maine, like Nebraska, divides its votes uniquely, splitting one per district winner and two for the state-wide winner. The historically conservative district broke for Trump in 2016 and 2020 as well.
By Manas Pandit
1:17 a.m: The Opinion Havers Election Special Episode
On this special episode of the Opinion Havers, the Opinion section team, joined by Editor-in-Chief Caitlin Reardon, Managing Editor Johnny Depin, Head News Editor Daniel Frank and Assistant News Editor Alex Hill, discusses and live reacts to the 2024 Presidential Election. The team shares their wildcard electoral predictions!
Click here to listen!
12:48 a.m.: International student opinions on the election
Former president Donald Trump has espoused anti-immigrant rhetoric in his latest presidential campaign. Despite this, some international students support him.
Massachusetts is a blue state, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus seems to lean in favor of a Harris presidency. But opinions of international students can sometimes be overlooked. Although international students may not be able to vote in the U.S. elections, that doesn’t mean they are left unaffected by them.
Read more about some UMass international student perspectives here.
By Daniella Pikman and Alexandra Rowe
12:22 a.m.: For those who cannot vote, they rely on those who can
From the consistent updates on social media to outspoken advertisers, the pressure to vote is almost everywhere you turn. But for some people, their current circumstances keep them from the polls.
Elsayed Fadhi is unable to vote because he only has a green card. Fadhi immigrated to America from Egypt 10 years ago, looking for work. Read more about Fadhi and others’ perspectives here.
By Kalina Kornacki
12:16 a.m.: Associated Press calls Senate for GOP
The Associated Press has called the Senate for the Republican Party. With at least a 51 seat majority, the GOP seizes control of the Senate. This comes following the A.P.’s recent calls of Ohio, Texas and Nebraska Senate races for Republicans. With certain battleground Senate races still a toss-up, the GOP could further grow their majority.
By Manas Pandit
12:05 a.m.: Election has played out the way that was expected
At this point, most states have gone the way the country expected. Six of the seven swing states have yet to be called, but North Carolina swung the way of former President Donald Trump. Currently, the margins aren’t favoring Vice President Kamala Harris, and she would have to win the remaining share of the vote by a large margin to make up the deficit that she faces.
By Johnny Depin
11:24 p.m.: North Carolina called for Donald Trump
The Associated Press has called the battleground state of North Carolina for former President Donald Trump. Trump will carry the states’ 16 electoral votes for the third time following his victories there in 2016 and 2020. With victory in NC, the Republican nominee opens up multiple pathways to 270 electoral votes. Voters split the ticket, with Democrat Josh Stein winning the gubernatorial race.
By Manas Pandit
10:21 p.m.: NY-19: A microcosm
New York’s 19th district might be a crucial race, potentially determining control of the house. The purple district faces a choice between historically bipartisan Republican incumbent, Josh Molinaro, who shifted hard to the right this year over immigration policy, and hopeful Democratic challenger Josh Riley. Redistricting in 2021 altered the district measurably, creating a wide and sometimes confusing coalition of voters candidates must woo. Given the partisan skew of the district, Riley has distanced himself from left-wing elements in the Democratic party, and framed his candidacy in a similar manner to Tim Walz’s vice-presidential campaign. House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries joined Riley on the campaign trail, referring to the NY-19 as “a microcosm in many ways of the state.” The race currently stands at 57 percent for Riley and 43 for Molinaro, with 58 percent of the vote counted so far.
By Manas Pandit
10:08 p.m.: Updates on abortion amendments
The right to abortion has been a primary amendment on many states’ ballots this election year. According to NBC News, New York has officially passed yes to an amendment stating “people cannot be denied rights based on their ‘ethnicity, national origin, age, and disability’ or ‘sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy,”’ and Maryland passed yes to an amendment on “a right to reproductive freedom, defined to include ‘the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end one’s own pregnancy.”’
By Mia Blue
10:06 p.m.: UMass students share their evening election thoughts
Daniel McGrory, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, came into this election with his family in mind, “This election is important to me because of my father’s veteran status. He gets benefits and it’s possible that if one party wins, that aid can be stripped away which would change my and my family’s life … No choice that I could have made in the past could have that much of an effect on me, personally,” he said. “Our economic system has always been so that the higher ups in the economy get the upper hand rather than raising the ones at the bottom … I think that the education system needs to be fixed so that it can better serve the public and be able to actually improve America as a whole.”
Hector Sosa, a fourth-year PhD student from New York, did not register in time to vote: “I feel really frustrated about not being able to vote and I regret it … I think with Project 2025, a lot of crazy things are going to happen if Trump wins and I felt that my vote could have changed that … I think immigration, women’s rights and education are important issues that resonate with me,” he said.
Junior music major Liana Gao values the importance of this election. “I believe this election is incredibly influential and significant in the history of this country, it’s a nerve wracking feeling,” she said. “Personally, I think that none of the candidates are ideal for what I stand for. I think that it sucks when we constantly have to choose between the lesser of two big evils… I was thinking about the genocide in Palestine, which the candidates are not ideal for, reproductive rights and those of minority communities … I feel incredibly anxious, a lot of dread and uncertainty,” Gao said. “It’s like Christmas in Hell.”
Freshman chemistry major Lauren Fontaine is staying hopeful during the election, encouraging everyone to stay positive and vote. “I hope that it falls the way we want it to … One of the issues that is important to me is human rights. Project 2025 and anything within the Trump administration kind of violates many rights, especially for women and queer people,” she said. “Prioritizing those and keeping women, queer people and people of color in mind when we vote is important … I think the fact that I’m voting in such an important election, the impact that it could have on people is special to me,” Fontaine said. “I live in a state where young people can make a big impact and I hope that my vote can help.”
By Victoria Mação
10:01 p.m: New Yorkers approve abortion constitutional amendment
New Yorkers approved a ballot measure calling for a constitutional amendment to protect civil rights for those who have received or plan to receive abortion or related medical treatment. It would add the following conditions to the state constitution’s anti-discrimination clause, “sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy.” The measure is currently at 71.3 percent approval, and given New York’s electoral base, the measure has passed.
By Manas Pandit
9:40 p.m.: Maryland senate race called for Angela Alsobrooks
The Associated Press has called that Democrat Angela Alsobrooks has defeated former Governor, Republican Larry Hogan in the Maryland senate race. Alsobrooks currently serves as the county executive of Prince George’s County, MD, and served as the county’s state attorney from 2010-2018. Hogan served as the 62nd governor of MD from 2015-2023.
By Asha Baron
9:36 p.m.: North Carolina elects Attorney General Josh Stein as governor
North Carolina’s Attorney General, Josh Stein, has won the governor’s office with 54.7 percent of the vote. His Republican opponent, Mark Robinson lagged behind with 40.5 percent of the votes. While North Carolinian voters elected a Democrat as governor, former President Donald Trump is leading in the polls with 51 percent of the votes, although the state is yet to be called. In 2020, Trump won North Carolina’s 16 electoral votes with 49.9 percent of the vote, and a margin of only 1.34 percent.
By Brigid C. Baleno
9:20 p.m.: U.S. citizenship now required to vote in various states
As ballot question results are filling in, Kentucky, North Carolina, Oklahoma and South Carolina have officially passed changes to their state constitutions that require a United States citizenship in order to be able to vote.
By Mia Blue
8:59 p.m.: Florida voters reject proposed abortion protections and marijuana legalization
The proposed abortion amendment in Florida that would protect a woman’s ability to have an abortion has been rejected. Due to the amendment not being passed, Gov. Ron DeSantis’s six-week abortion ban remains in place. According to NBC News, Florida amendments require 60 percent of votes to pass and only received 55.7 percent votes for passing amendment three, with 85 percent of predicted votes in. Florida did not pass the amendment legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for anyone at the age of 21 or older.
By Mia Blue and Brigid C. Baleno
8:54 p.m.: When will swing states be called?
The most watched states tonight are undoubtedly the swing states, North Carolina, Nevada, Michigan, Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Some of those states won’t be called until the end of the week and possibly into next week. Click here to read our breakdown of when those states might be called.
Full story by Manas Pandit and Daniella Pikman
8:27 p.m.: Massachusetts declares Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Vice President Kamala Harris
The Associated Press has called that incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Warren defeated her Republican opponent John Deaton in Massachusetts. She has served as a United States senator since 2013. Vice President Kamala Harris also has been declared as the Commonwealth’s winning candidate, bringing in 11 electoral votes. Harris currently stands at 71 electoral votes compared to former President Donald Trump’s 101.
By Caitlin Reardon
8:13 p.m.: Ohio results are too close to call
As polls close throughout the country, the Senate race in Ohio is too close to call. Sherrod Brown, the incumbent Democrat in the Conservative state, is currently leading against Republican Bernie Moreno. According to The Wall Street Journal, Brown is ahead by five percent with a total of 706,497 votes. In the presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris has the lead over former President Donald Trump with 52.1 percent of votes to his 47.1 percent.
By Sydney Warren
8:00 p.m.: First three Senate elections called
The Associated Press has called West Virginia, Indiana and Vermont’s Senate races. In WV, Republican Jim Justice has defeated his opponent, Democrat Glenn Elliott, and flipped the seat after Democrat Joe Manchin decided to not seek reelection. In Indiana, Republican Jim Banks has defeated Democratic opponent Valerie McCray. Independent Bernie Sanders defeated Republican Gerald Malloy in Vermont.
By Abby Joyce
7:49 p.m.: More takeaways from ABC News and CNN exit polls
According to the ABC News Exit Polls, the percentage of voters that say “most undocumented immigrants should be deported” has increased since 2016 by 13 percent, now standing this election cycle at 39 percent. This may be due to the persistent anti-immigrant rhetoric during the 2024 election period.
Earlier this year, former President Donald Trump spread anti-immigrant rhetoric during a presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris. He stated that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio were eating citizens’ pets. This statement has now been debunked.
CNN’s Exit Polls revealed that immigration was the second highest issue for Trump voters with around 20 percent of voters claiming it as their most important issue.
Senior psychology major at University of Massachusetts Amherst Lilly Regale commented on her thoughts on the rhetoric, saying they’re “awful and negative stereotypes that have really affected people in the long run, day to day, [in their] overall living situations.”
By Norah Stewart
7:40 p.m.: Georgia polls open later than 7 p.m.
This morning, officials at Georgia polling stations in Fulton County were forced to evacuate voters after receiving bomb threats. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has revealed these threats were sent from Russia and are not credible threats. Due to the evacuations, the five polling stations affected in Fulton County have extended their hours until 7:45 p.m. at the latest to ensure citizens have ample time to cast their vote.
By Brigid Baleno
7:30 p.m.: Milwaukee conducts hand recount on absentee ballots
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, about 31,000 absentee ballots are being recounted due to the doors on ballot tabulators not being sealed properly. Out of caution, they have decided to recount the ballots impacted, but officials note there is no sign of tampering. It is unforeseen how long the recounting will take.
By Alexandra Hill
7:16 p.m.: Early Congress results
According to NBC News, as of 7:16pm, Republicans have won 10 House of Representatives spots in states of Florida, Indiana, and Kentucky. Democrats have won so far two spots from Florida. The Senate has only called one seat with Republican Jim Banks winning Indiana.
By Mia Blue
7 p.m.: Women voters mobilize against Trump
At local polling locations across Amherst, Massachusetts, women voters expressed support for presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris, largely due to her support for women’s rights and reproductive freedom, something that in their words, former President Donald Trump has lacked.
Read the rest of the story here.
By Eve Neumann and Bella Astrofsky
6:55 p.m.: Massachusetts ballot polls
Many Massachusetts voters are raring to go to the polls this election, with over 1.7 million casting their ballots early. According to a poll conducted by UMass Poll and WCVB released late October, four out of five of the Massachusetts ballot questions were found to be supported by the majority of residents. The one ballot question with a split amongst voters is the legalization of psychedelic drugs, or ballot question #4. The question with the most support is auditing the state’s legislature, or ballot question #1.
Ballot questions #2, #3 and #5 also garnered a majority of support according to the poll. These include eliminating the MCAS graduation requirement, allowing rideshare drivers to unionize and the removal of the tipped wage which would require businesses to pay the hourly state wage of $15 to food service workers.
The poll also found that a majority of support leans blue towards both Senate and presidential candidates, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Vice President Kamala Harris. Warren holds a 22 point lead over Republican opponent John Deaton, and Harris holds a 26 point lead over Trump.
Massachusetts polls close at 8 p.m. tonight.
By Caitlin Reardon
6:55 p.m.: Initial takeaways from Exit Polling
CNN’s early exit polling was conducted online and by in-person interviews, with 18,354 people being surveyed. This includes people who voted on election day or by early voting and those who voted by mail-in ballot.
It found Vice President Kamala Harris’s supporters were more confident in election fairness compared to former President Donald Trump’s supporters. Three-quarters of voters polled also said their vote was “mainly in support of their candidate, rather than primarily motivated by the desire to cast a vote against their opponent.”
CNN’s exit polling differed from NBC’s; CNN found six out of 10 Harris voters said their top priority was democracy, with abortion coming in second. Compared to Trump supporters who said the economy was their top issue.
Eight out of 10 voters polled said they made their ballot choices in September and one out of 10 said they made their choices in the last week.
Nationwide, NBC found democracy mattered more to Harris voters, and Trump voters said the economy was more important, similar to the CNN exit polling.
Forty-three percent of voters nationwide said they were dissatisfied with the way things are going in the country, with 29 percent saying they are angry with the way things are going in the country.
NBC found that 45 percent of voters noted they are “financially worse off now” compared to four years ago.
Notably, white voters said they had a less favorable opinion of Trump than in 2020. While Latino voter’s favorability of Trump increased from 38 percent in 2020 to 42 percent in 2024.
Similar to NBC, ABC’s exit polling uncovered that 72 percent of nationwide voters are dissatisfied or angry at the current status of the country.
Thirty-six percent of voters said they would be “scared” if Trump wins the election, and 55 percent also told ABC they believe Trump’s views are “too extreme.” Twenty-nine percent of voters said they would be “scared” if Harris is elected.
By Alexandra Hill and Norah Stewart
6:30 p.m.: CMASS continues watch party
Attendees at the Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success (CMASS) election watch party are eating pizza, playing board games and doing arts-and-crafts while waiting for the results to roll in. Discussing the election at all is optional, and there is a designated space to have civil conversation. While attendees occasionally check the TV, the feeling in the room is not tense. Lighthearted chat prevails as attendees enjoy each others’ company.
By Emily Albert
5:30 p.m.: Chancellor Javier Reyes shares his thoughts on today’s election
On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Student Engagement and Leadership group hosted an “Election Day Drop-in Event” to help UMass students relieve any “political stress” that may be experienced during this historic event.
Many students had fun participating in activities such as bowling, therapy dogs, bingo, crafts, video games and board games. One person in particular stood out among the rest of the attendees — Chancellor Javier Reyes, who had some thoughts to share on this year’s presidential election. See what he had to say here.
By Paige Hanson
5:30 p.m.: Centre for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success hosts Election Watch Party
The Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success (CMASS) has kicked off its election watch party at the Malcolm X Cultural Center on the lower level of Berkshire Dining Commons which will last until 10 p.m. tonight. The event will feature food, games, activities and giveaways, as well as an optional conversation space to discuss thoughts and feelings about the election.
By Emily Albert
5:15 p.m.: University of Massachusetts Amherst Alum designs Harris campaign ad
In the build up to election day, Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign spent $513 million on ads. One of the most talked about political ads of the 2024 presidential campaign was created and co-produced by Dode B. Levenson, UMass Class of 1987 and former Collegian editor-in-chief. The ads, which feature explicitly gendered themes, have sparked a national conversation about privacy in the voting booth.
The Collegian got an exclusive interview with Levenson, who spoke about the process of creating the ads, his transition into politics and his time at the Collegian. Click here to read the full article.
By Judah Katz
4:30 p.m.: A contentious Ohio race to the Senate
In Ohio, vice presidential candidate JD Vance’s home state, a contentious Senate race is ongoing with incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown facing a challenge from Republican Bernie Moreno.
Colombian-born Moreno, backed by President Donald Trump, has adopted many far-right policy stances, including strict border control and pro-life policy. Brown has described Moreno as a weak candidate and multiple ads have said Moreno is “too conservative for Ohio.”
Brown is the only Democrat holding statewide office in Ohio, a state increasingly turning red. Brown has used this race to highlight his policies that overlap with Republican views. Brown was also endorsed by former Ohio Governor Republican Bob Taft.
The race has been fraught with controversy. Moreno was heavily criticized for his comments on abortion, including by Republican and former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who asked Moreno on X, “Are you trying to lose the election?”
In polling by the New York Times in past weeks Brown was ahead by three points, yet the gap has shrunk in the past days to a dead tie between the two candidates.
By Alexandra Hill
3:30 p.m.: Texas Senate race tightens as Lone Star State shifts to the left
The Lone Star State, a traditional Republican strong-hold is witnessing a tight Senate race between Republican Incumbent Ted Cruz and Democratic Representative Colin Allred.
Allred, a civil rights attorney and former Tennessee Titans linebacker, has painted himself as a moderate choice compared to Cruz.
Allred strongly supports the right to abortion in a state with one of the country’s most restrictive bans, compared to Cruz, who has avoided discussing abortion during his campaign. Allred has criticized Cruz for rejecting a bipartisan border bill. Cruz pointed out Allred’s hypocrisy on the expansion of a border wall, rejecting Former President Donald Trump’s plan and supporting President Joe Biden’s wall expansion plan.
No Democrat has won statewide office in Texas in 30 years. Due to shifting demographics, including a growing Hispanic population, the margin for a GOP win is shrinking. Current polling shows Cruz has a four-point lead over Allred.
Democrats are eager to act on Texas’ changing political atmosphere and flip Texas blue.
By Alexandra Hill
3:20 p.m.: Celebrities make appearances at final campaign rallies and share last minute endorsements
As Election Day 2024 is upon us, some celebrities are taking to social media and rallies with last-minute endorsements.
Podcaster Joe Rogan took to X last night, Nov. 4, officially endorsing former President Donald Trump. The post came after Rogan uploaded his three-hour long interview with the former president, stating: “For the record, yes, that’s an endorsement of Trump.”
Pop star Katy Perry made a last-minute endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris by attending a Pittsburgh, PA. rally the night before the election. Perry performed her iconic songs “Dark Horse” and “Part of Me.”
“I’ve always known her to fight for the most vulnerable, to speak up for the voiceless, and to protect our rights as women to make decisions about our own bodies,” Perry said.
Singer Lady Gaga and Television Host Oprah Winfrey accompanied Harris to her final campaign stop in Philadelphia, PA. last night. Other celebrities who made appearances at final rallies across the country include Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin and Bon Jovi.
By Paige Hanson and Gustavo Atencio Flores
2:45 p.m.: How can Donald Trump vote if he’s a felon?
Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump cast his ballot for the presidential race earlier today in Palm Beach County, Florida. Given his extremely high-profile conviction on 34 counts of falsified business records in a hush money plot relating to an illicit affair with adult actress Stormy Daniels, his ability to vote has raised questions due to the restrictions on felon voting rights.
Trump voted in Florida, but was convicted in Manhattan, New York. In out-of-state convictions, Florida laws defer to the relevant state’ felon voting rights and regulations. As New York allows convicts to vote if they are not currently incarcerated (owing to a law passed in 2021), Trump would have been able to vote in New York, and was therefore able to vote in Florida.
By Manas Pandit
2:15 p.m.: Election Chief races
Former President Donald Trump spoke to the press after casting his ballot in Palm Beach County, Fla. On a CNN broadcast he reiterated his, and many fellow Republicans’ views on our current electoral process, specifically on mail-in voting, saying, “Paper ballots, in France they want paper ballots, because mail-in wasn’t working, it was corrupt.”
At a time when the veracity of our elections is under question, and multiple key political figures in the Republican party continue to cast aspersions at the reliability of our electoral process, these comments are indicative of potential changes that Republicans may attempt to make to our voting system.
Read more to see which state election chiefs or secretaries of state are up for election.
By Manas Pandit
2:05 p.m.: Collegian reporters talked to several people in the town of Amherst
Merle Bruno, a Hadley resident who voted by mail, said that, “Even if it wasn’t Harris I’d vote for the person who’s gonna be picking the next Supreme Court judges … People vote for personalities and all sorts of policies that they say they’re gonna do but you can’t because you just don’t know what the Congress is gonna be … We’ve got to have a Democrat in there to choose the next Supreme Court.”
Kimball Prentiss, a resident of the Amherst area, was frustrated by the ballot questions. “I feel frustrated about those, even trying to dig
into research with what NPR put out, and PBS also had a guideline, I still feel like there wasn’t enough information … It felt like it came down to semantics when I’m sure there’s a lot more … and then you vote and there’s a lot at stake. And if you feel like you’re voting and potentially harming a cause you believe in, it feels bad.”
Ena Vulor, a resident of the Amherst area, voted for Vice President Kamala Harris. “Why did I make that choice?” Vulor said. “Because I want democracy to continue, to prevail. I come from a developing nation and growing up America was something that we admire. The democracy that existed here was something that we admired and we aspire to, so I guess I’m voting to keep it going. And also I’m voting so that we have a country where immigrants don’t have to fear. Immigrants who are here legally, who are working hard, they are not breaking any laws, they should be able to live freely without having to look over their shoulders.”
By Eve Neumann, Bella Astrofsky, Kalina Kornacki and Gustavo Atencio Flores
1:50 p.m.: Arizona Senate race
Arizona, a state that traditionally leans Republican, is a swing state in the 2024 Presidential Election. President Joe Biden won the state in 2020 and former President Donald Trump won the state in 2016, both by small margins. Besides the national election within Arizona, there is a tight and contentious Senate race between Republican Kari Lake and Democrat Ruben Gallego.
Lake is a former television news anchor and Trump supporter. She has been known for her extreme right stances including calling abortion the “ultimate sin.” Gallego, an Arizona representative since 2015 and an Iraq War veteran, has continuously led Lake in polling.
The race is expected to be tight, with recent polling showing Gallego at 49 percent and Lake at 45 percent, according to the New York Times.
The outcome of the Arizona Senate race will help determine the senate majority. Republicans are expected to win a majority of the Senate, with Democrats needing 23 seats.
By Alexandra Hill
1:45 p.m.: Alaska’s ranked-choice voting referendum
Nine states have referendums regarding ranked-choice voting (RCV), including Alaska, calling to repeal the state’s open primaries and ranked-choice voting.
Alaska currently uses RCV to decide general elections and the presidential election. This means candidates run in a primary election regardless of affiliation and the four candidates that receive the most votes advance. Then in the general election, voters elect candidates by ranked-choice voting, allowing for you to list your top candidates, and the candidates with a majority win. If nobody wins a majority, the lowest-voted candidate is eliminated, and another vote occurs.
A vote “yes” will repeal top-four primaries and RCV accepted into the Alaska legislature in 2020. “No” will maintain RCV. If voted in, it will return Alaska to plurality voting, deciding winners based on the highest number of votes.
Many in support of the referendum argue that RCV is confusing and has suppressed voter turnout. Those in opposition say the election process now offers freedom and outcomes of elections are more likely to represent the voter’s interests.
Alaska and Maine are the only two states using RCV in this year’s election cycle. Colorado, Indiana, Nevada, Oregon and the District of Columbia have referendums on their ballots to adopt RCV.
By Alexandra Hill
1:45 p.m.: Florida, Texas & Missouri ban Department of Justice Poll Watchers
Republican legislators in Florida, Texas and Missouri have moved to ban Department of Justice (DOJ) poll observers, something that the DOJ has done for the past 60 years. Texas and Missouri have asked federal judges to block the DOJ from entering polling stations but the judges declined to do so. Texas later reached an agreement with the Justice Department.
The DOJ only enters polling places with the approval of state officials or if they have a court order. Missouri and Texas filed lawsuits saying that their laws did not allow poll observers from the DOJ. Florida did not file a lawsuit, but told the DOJ that the states’ laws don’t allow poll observers in polling places.
With growing partisan divides and a looming threat of political violence, this election cycle will have the most poll observers in over 20 years.
By Johnny Depin
1:30 p.m.: Campus interviews
Sadie Rogowski, a sophomore hospitality & tourism management major, is a first-time voter who voted by mail. “I would say my top issues are women’s rights, reproductive rights, policies about healthcare, education,” said Rogowski. When asked why she attended the Black Box Theater election watch party, Rogowski said that she’s “trying to get away from constantly checking the news, and to be around people who are kind of feeling the same.”
Anthony Cooper, a sophomore computer science major, is also a first-time voter who voted by mail. “It was just easier to vote by mail because we’re in college, we’re busy people,” said Cooper.
Nikhil Pratapagiri, a sophomore computer science major, voted early about two weeks ago at home in Massachusetts. Pratapagiri said a key issue when he voted was foreign affairs. “I want someone who’s a leader, someone that knows what they’re saying, someone that will lead the country in the right direction.”
Jade Scott, a sophomore public policy major, is a first time voter. “I live in Massachusetts so I was thankfully able to go home and vote early. I didn’t want to brave the election day rush,” said Scott. When asked what he was looking for in a candidate, Scott said “Someone who is well-spoken, cares about the young generation, because we have some of the most long-term issues to deal with, and advocates for a more equitable society.”
By George Coulouras
1:15 p.m.: Florida’s abortion access ballot measure
In the midst of a heated election day, Florida remains divided about ballot measure #4, to establish abortion access in Florida. The amendment needs 60 percent of the vote to pass, yet has been met with much contention of the six amendments on the ballot. The amendment would prohibit government interference in abortions
Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has restricted access to abortions in Florida, banning abortions on pregnancy at 15 weeks in 2022 after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and later banned abortions up to six weeks. It has been reported that he believes that the measure will pass, and is making efforts to defeat the measure, including forming a committee against it.
In addition to Florida, there are nine other states with abortion questions on the ballots for this election, allowing access to different degrees of reproductive healthcare and access to abortions. These states are Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York and South Dakota. Nebraska is the only state with two measures on the ballot, one permitting abortion until fetal viability, and the other permitting the ban on abortions past 12 weeks.
A poll by the New York Times/Siena College found that 46 percent of Floridians support the passing of this amendment, 38 percent are against and 16 percent did not provide answers or did not know their answer. The question will need to garner 60 percent of the vote. Florida polls will close at 7 p.m. tonight.
By Abby Joyce
12:45 p.m.: Iowa and the Selzer poll
On Saturday, Nov. 2, it was a shock when the Des Moines Register Poll, which was conducted by J. Ann Selzer, showed Vice President Kamala Harris with a three-point lead in Iowa. Gold standard is almost down playing how accurate the Selzer polls have been in the past – since the 2008 Democratic Iowa Caucus, where Selzer predicted a victory for then Senator Barack Obama while the rest of the polls showed a then Senator Hillary Clinton comfortable win, her polls have been incredibly accurate, with all of the results falling within the margin of error.
In 2020, Selzer’s poll showed former President Donald Trump with a seven point lead in the land of corn, while all other polls were showing a much tighter race. The final result? Trump carried the state by eight points, right in the ballpark of what Selzer predicted.
So what does this mean? It’s a clear outlier compared to the rest of the polls that have been conducted in Iowa, but Selzer has the reputation that not many other pollsters have. If these numbers from her are correct, this completely flips the tossup nature of the election on its head, and would be a clear change from how certain demographics have voted in the past two elections.
“I’ve been the outlier queen so many times,” Selzer said in a New York Times interview on Monday. “I’m not jumpy.”
By Johnny Depin
12:30 p.m.: First results in the 2024 election come in
In the wee morning hours of Election Day, residents in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire cast their ballots, ticking the nation’s very first results for the next president of the United States. The six-citizen unincorporated township, located in the North Country area near the Canada border, celebrated a midnight vote count with an accordion rendition of the national anthem by Cory Pesaturo before kicking off the official results. Pesaturo has won three times as an accordion world champion.
Despite the 2020 election’s results bringing in a unanimous five-ballot vote for President Joe Biden, today’s 12:07 a.m. call announced a straight split of three votes for Vice President Kamala Harris and three votes for former President Donald Trump. In 2016, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gathered four of seven votes, with two for Trump and one for Libertarian Gary Johnson. Six unanimous ballots were cast for Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley in the January GOP primary this year.
New Hampshire has had a small but storied history with midnight voting. Dixville Notch began its late-night-early-morning tradition to cast midnight ballots in 1960, while the White Mountains’ Harts Location did in 1948, along with Millsfield. But Dixville Notch is the only continued New Hampshire location with midnight voting.
By Caitlin Reardon
12:15 p.m.: Swing state counties
There are 3007 counties in the United States, and with county equivalents that number jumps all the way to 3,142. Some of these counties are, quite frankly, more important than others when it comes to giving us an early idea of who the next Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. will be.
In the seven swing states (those being Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania), there are several counties that give us an idea of how the election could shape up nationally. I picked two counties from each swing state (excluding Arizona and Nevada, in which only one county will be the deciding factor in each state) that I believe will give us results that will help us project the winner of each state.
Georgia
Chattooga – This is a very rural, heavy evangelical county on the border between Georgia and Alabama. Former President Donald Trump grew his lead in this county between 2016 and 2020, getting over 80 percent of the votes, besting President Joe Biden by nearly 62 percent. This is a county that will show the tenacity and the get out the vote (GOTV) movement of Trump’s hardcore base. Trump needs to beat his numbers from 2020 if he wants to flip Georgia back to the GOP.
Cobb – Located to the north of Atlanta, Cobb is part of the reason that Biden carried Georgia in 2020. He won 56.4 percent of the vote in the county during the last cycle. A county that is just about 61 percent white, and with nearly 50 percent of the county holding a college degree, this county will be an indicator with how Vice President Kamala Harris is connecting with middle class white voters, both with and without a college degree.
North Carolina
Anson – Anson is a more rural, southern county in North Carolina. Biden won this county by four points in 2020, which looks like a pretty good margin. However, this was a state that Trump ultimately won. Harris has to get a higher margin than four percent if she wants to carry the state for the Democrats.
Nash – Nash has long been one of the closest counties in the country. Decided by less than half of a percent (.2) for Biden in 2020, this county will probably be close again. If it’s not though, there’s no doubt in my mind that if a candidate wins this county by three percent or more, they will carry the great state of North Carolina.
Pennsylvania
Erie – Erie is almost a perfect representation of how blue collar voters in the Midwest tend to vote in presidential elections. Trump won this county in 2016 by two points, Biden won in 2020 by one point. This county could show how blue collar Midwest voters are swinging.
Lackawanna – Lackawanna county used to be one of the strongest counties in Pennsylvania for Democrats. This all changed with Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2016, when Clinton won the county by just three points in her loss of the Keystone State. Biden won the county by eight points in 2020, and time will tell if Scranton’s own Biden was the reason the county staved off an even greater shift to the right.
Michigan
Kent – This county used to be a Republican stronghold, but that changed in 2020 when Biden won 52 percent of the vote in Kent. With Michigan being the least swing-y swing state that Biden won in 2020, if Harris can match Biden’s vote share, she has a much clearer path to winning Michigan than Trump. There’s a good chance that this county keeps shifting to the left.
Wayne – The home of Detroit, this county will offer an insight into how Harris is reaching non-white voters. Neither Clinton nor Biden were able to match former President Barack Obama’s numbers in this county, as he received 73 percent of the vote. Biden received 68 percent of the vote in this county, so if Trump wants a chance in this state, he must beat his 2020 margins. This county could be the proving ground for both campaigns.
Wisconsin
Dane – Home to Madison and the University of Wisconsin, this county has been a stronghold for Democrats. In 2020, Biden won this county with 75 percent of the vote, in a state he won by just .7 percent. Harris has to match these margins to keep what was a razor thin victory for Biden in 2020.
Washington – Washington county is one of the few counties in Wisconsin where Trump actually improved his margins from 2016 to 2020. It didn’t matter much as the rest of the state shifted to the left, but Trump won 68.4 percent of this county in 2020. However, even winning two-thirds of the vote in this county won’t be enough – Trump has to outperform his 2020 performance to potentially win Wisconsin, which again I remind you, was already an improvement from 2016 when he won the state.
By Johnny Depin
11:30 a.m.: Nebraska Senate race
As the nation chooses between Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris & Republican nominee former President Donald Trump, Nebraska’s Republican incumbent Senator Deb Fischer faces a stiff challenge from her Independent opponent Dan Osborn.
Osborn, a former Nebraska National Guard service member and life-long industrial worker, shook up the race with his Oct. 5th, 2023 campaign kick-off. A Times/Siena Poll shows the Independent trailing Fischer by just two percentage points.
A self-styled moderate, Osborn supports reproductive rights, gun rights and stronger unions. His campaign has framed itself as a challenge to the two-party status quo, with Osborn pledging to not caucus with either party if elected to the Senate. Fischer, on the other hand, has attacked him as a “Democrat in disguise.”
The unexpectedly competitive nature of the race has led to the national Republican organization getting involved, with millions of dollars from Republicans and Republican affiliated PACs and official endorsements from top ranking Republicans, including Trump, rolling in. The Cook Political Report has updated the race as “leaning Republican” as opposed to “solidly Republican.”
By Manas Pandit
11:15 a.m.: Virginia 7th District House race
Virginia’s 7th district, located in northeast Virginia, is centered around Fredericksburg, home to several battles during the American Civil War. The district has a large population of federal employees who work in the area and in nearby Washington, D.C., along with a large veteran population. Thirty-eight years of Republicans holding the seat ended in the 2018 midterm election when Abigail Spandberger took a two point victory over a Republican incumbent. Spanberger is planning to run for governor in 2025, and decided to vacate the seat after winning two close reelections. The district was heavily redistricted after the 2020 census under a new independent commission, shifting the district slightly more blue. The current lines of the district voted for Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden against Donald Trump previously, but voted for Republican Governor Greg Youngkin in 2021.
The current race features Democrat Eugene Vindman and Republican Derrick Anderson, two political newcomers with military experience. Vindman gained prominence after he and his twin, Alexander, were whistleblowers in Trump’s first impeachment. Anderson was a Green Beret, and due to his lower national profile has lagged behind Vindman’s fundraising numbers. Virginia polls close before much of the country, and results are expected to come in relatively quickly. Democrats are expected to keep this seat, but if they struggle or lag behind the 4.6 points they won the seat by in 2022 it could be a sign of troubles for both down ballot democrats and Vice President Kamala Harris.
by Daniel Frank
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, millions of Americans will head to the polls to cast their ballots for one of the most consequential presidential elections in the history of the United States. The country has faced unprecedented turbulence over the last few years, and no matter which party line you prefer, it can be difficult to know when that light at the end of the tunnel will suddenly appear.
There are many issues at the forefront of this election, like women’s reproductive rights, healthcare, immigration, the economy, climate crisis, housing, LGBTQIA+ legislation, gun control, even democracy.
These concerns are on the minds of young people across the country. For many UMass students, and staff at The Massachusetts Daily Collegian, this is the first time we are voting in a presidential election. We’ve seen not only how our parents, grandparents and family members have voted in the past, but how they’ve been affected by the policies our public servants sign off on.
Since its establishment in 1890, the Collegian has covered statewide to national politics through the lens of students. Now, in an age of social media and rampant disinformation, truth can feel hard to find. From local pre-election events and ballot questions, to robust opinion pieces and past coverage of some historic races, it’s our duty to educate UMass and the greater Amherst community on what’s at stake.
Do your research and go vote. Ensure that you play a part in deciding the future of our country. It’s in the DNA of UMass students to make your voice heard and help shape a better world.
Signed,
Caitlin Reardon, Editor-in-Chief & Johnny Depin, Managing Editor
