Students discuss plans, hopes and fears for election night

Penn students have many concerns about election night — one of which is whether to bring popcorn.

Whether they are meeting with friends or attending on-campus political events, many students have plans to watch the results of the presidential and local races come in on election night. Students discussed expectations, hopes and worries about what this election could mean.

College freshman Harry Kern said he will spend election night at a watch party held by the Penn Dems — that is, if he doesn’t have much work to do. Kern is a registered Democrat who will be casting his vote for Hillary Clinton. 

Like Kern, College freshman Lea Makhloufi, although unaffiliated with a party, will be voting for Clinton. Though Makhloufi is a member of Penn Dems, she said she would be watching the election results with her friends rather than attending the party.

“I’ll probably just be sitting in a dorm with a TV and watch the whole thing unfold. It’s so exciting,” Makhloufi said.

Nursing freshman Erin Boruta said she will probably watch the election with some friends, adding that she plans to vote for 1968 Wharton graduate Donald Trump. While Kern and Makhoufi both expect a Clinton victory, Boruta said she is uncertain about her expectations for the election.

All three students agree, however, that this election is quite important. Kern discussed how both candidates are largely unpopular. He thinks that these polarizing candidates have made the election more interesting. Kern also acknowledged the importance of this election in encouraging young voters.

“From being on a college campus now for the past few months, it’s interesting to see how now a lot more young people are going out to vote specifically because of this election,” Kern said.

Makhloufi said she hopes the election will highlight flaws in the existing democratic process.

“I think that this election night is really going to bring to light the ways that this election was biased and the ways the American people are uneducated politically,” Makhloufi said.

Both Boruta and Kern both brought up the question of whether or not there will be a peaceful transition of power. Boruta said everyone should support the next president no matter the outcome.

“Everyone should be respectful of whatever ends up happening because as soon as it happens they are going to be our next president regardless of what your choice would have been,” Boruta said.

All three students anticipate watching history in the making this election night, despite the results. They all acknowledged the significance of this election to the American political and social climate.

“It will definitely be a unifying and a dissatisfying night for a lot of people,” Makhloufi said.