First-time voters across campus gathered last night to witness the fruits of their labors.
Freshmen especially expressed excitement as they gathered in front of television screens large and small, eager to witness what some consider the most momentous event in their lives thus far.
“I’m so excited,” said University freshman Scott Rhodes at the watch party in the EMU Fishbowl last night. “This election is definitely going to be in the text books.”
Some first-time voters said they were enthusiastic, even gleeful, at the prospect of voting in such an important election.
“We documented it,” said freshman Abby Young, glancing at her roommate Sierra Predovich. “We took pictures of us voting … and put them up on Facebook.”
Walton hall residents Young and Predovich donned their Obama campaign paraphernalia and joined other student voters crammed into the EMU Fishbowl to watch election results on the giant screen set up temporarily by the UO Cultural Forum.
“I support Obama because … we spend a ridiculous amount for college,” Young shouted over the din of the watch party. “We need to cut defense spending and put more money into education.”
Young said she was not surprised the on-campus observers appeared to be mainly Obama supporters because she thought they felt more comfortable being vocal in the liberal environment than most conservative voters would.
In another area of campus, freshmen roommates Renee Delaval and Anna Monson discussed the election over a late-night dinner at Dux Bistro.
“I’m excited because this is the first election I’ve gotten to vote in,” said Delaval. “But there’s always been the feeling that your one vote doesn’t count.”
Despite this, both women feel it is important to vote. They are both Obama supporters.
“If you don’t vote then you don’t have the right to bitch,” Monson said. “I did my best.”
Several student voters admitted to sharing political information and ideas to help bolster their ballot selections.
“I did research on some of the guys (I voted for),” Monson said. “My mom informed me about a lot of them, because I trust her.”
Delaval agreed.
“My mom definitely did that for me as well,” she said. “She’s a state worker.”
Back at the EMU, Predovich smiled sheepishly at her roommate.
“I’ve actually gotten a lot of my (political) information from you,” she said.
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