Editor’s note: The ideas and opinions expressed in this article do not reflect those of Her Campus and of Her Campus at UCD
Since I have barely started holding hands with adulthood (our relationship is quite new), I have had yet to experience an election that I actually voted in. Since I deeply care about the outcome this year, I had the Google live updates of the results constantly on my phone or laptop. Here’s how my day began, at around three in the afternoon.
3:00 p.m.
Oh, wow! Google offers live updates. How neat. Ok, I guess I just type it in here aaaand….OK, so it says Trump is winning, but I doubt this is accurate. What do you mean 80%?! Oh! 80% of those already calculated. Better, better. Why are these like a light red? Why is that one a light blue? Is Google’s printer out of colored ink or something? I don’t know…
4:00 p.m.
It turns out that light colors mean that the winner hasn’t been officially declared yet, but that person is currently leading in the polls in that state. The more you know! Now, we have some real reds and blues. I never realized how many teeny states there are on the east coast… if California is a Barbie, they’re like Polly Pockets! It seems like Clinton has quite a few of those pipsqueaks. Nice!
5:00 p.m.
I’m currently in my political science lecture, but I’m having way more fun looking at these results. Texas looks like it’s at a rave, and so does Ohio. It was blue, then red, then blue, then red, and so on. My professor is talking about party theory and control over the House and Senate, but I’m far too distracted by this website and the fact that my mail-in ballot did not come with a sticker. I will get a sticker… It might be off of the chest of an unsuspecting passerby, but I will get one…
6:00 p.m.
Project Steal-A-Sticker did not succeed. Everyone suspected me. They fled instantly in fear as I packed up my backpack, or maybe I am just a notoriously slow packer. These are possible answers. I’m seeing a lot of red on this map now, and I don’t know how to react. Is this normal in a race? I’m a little worried from my own stance on this election, but others might feel fine. The swing states are concerning me, so I’m going to watch them like a hawk.
6:50 p.m.
Swing states! What are you up to? Why are you so red? Are you angry? Are you having an allergic reaction? It seems like you’re out of sorts. I thought these would be more even, but you’re as red as Clifford! I’m watching you…
9:30 p.m.
I just returned from rehearsal. We spent most of our time gawking at the chart of already decided states. It feels like I’m in a dream, and I know that sounds silly of me to have thought so hard that my candidate would win. Parts of me had already prepared myself to see history made tonight, but other parts of me know that I am extremely privileged to live in a state like California where many people share my same ideologies. I feel like I had one definition of the United States before tonight, but I’m having a bit of an identity crisis. I don’t feel one with the majority. I don’t feel like I’m on the same page. I started this article with a bit of a satirical vibe but, as the night continues, my satire is becoming astonishment. I apologize if you came here for puns and sass!
10:30 p.m.
It’s 10:30, and I don’t think much else will budge before I must report to you. I’m hoping that a miracle happens, or that a U-Haul full of votes somehow were sent on the wrong path (even though I am sure it is all electronic). As much as I am unsatisfied with the results at this point, I am thankful to be a part of a system in which I got to have a choice in the first place. Though I find myself disagreeing with many my fellow Americans, I know that I should feel joyous to have cast my first ballot for this election. Truly, this is a historic night either way. I am curious to see what the future holds. For the first time in eight years, I find my beliefs to be looking from the outside in. Good night, America.
None of the images belong to the author or Her Campus UC Davis.