In the past few months, Pennsylvania has become the center of an unprecedented election cycle. Both major party presidential candidates have made countless stops across the state, with 1968 Wharton graduate and former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris ending their campaigns in Pennsylvania on Nov. 4. On campus, student groups and community organizations have organized tabling events, celebrity appearances, and free food giveaways to encourage students to vote in the weeks leading up to the election.

With some of the most contentious races in the country relying on Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, here’s a look into how Penn experienced this historic Election Day.

At 6 a.m., lines began to form outside Houston Hall, the ARCH building, and the Walnut Street West Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia. While some professors chose to cancel their classes, many students expressed frustration at the University’s decision to hold classes on Election Day and told The Daily Pennsylvanian they could only vote in the morning due to their schedules. 

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As the sun rose, so did campus activity. Penn Leads The Vote encouraged students to vote at a table beside the LOVE statue, handing out pins, stickers, and T-shirts. Interim Penn President Larry Jameson visited the table around 11 a.m. and stayed for an hour, talking to students about the importance of civic engagement. 

Many other student clubs and community organizations tabled on Locust Walk throughout the day, including Penn Democrats and Wellness at Penn.

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Lines lightened up in the evening, with polling stations mostly empty as voting hours came to a close. Still, Penn’s campus saw record-breaking voter turnout, with more than 5,000 votes cast across the University.

At 8 p.m., polls closed in Pennsylvania and poll workers began to clean up. Precincts on Penn’s campus and around University City saw overwhelming support for Harris. 

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As polls closed, College Houses opened up their doors, hosting watch parties to view the live presidential election results. Students gathered, snacking and talking with peers, while votes were counted.

The Philadelphia Democratic Party and Andrew Yang’s Forward Party hosted official watch parties in Center City. The mood at the on-campus and off-campus parties changed throughout the night, with excitement dimming into anxiety as more states were called for Trump. As Pennsylvania was called for Trump, students reacted with shock and despair.