Election Day 10:45 a.m.

With democracy today’s assignment, Bushnell University students were nowhere to be found at 10:15 a.m. on Election Day. Twenty minutes later, as church bells echoed across campus, swaths of students flooded the sidewalks to attend chapel. Split down the middle, several students expressed a general disinterest in both candidates — a sharp contrast to the nearby University of Oregon, where political expression is commonplace.

Trevor Angove, sitting in Bushnell’s commuter lounge, said he voted but was otherwise ambivalent about the election. “I don’t really prefer either of the candidates,” he said, indicating abortion as his top policy priority.

Abby Askew also voted, noting character as important as policy in determining her pick. “I think for me, it’s been a lot about who is representing our country as a person,” Askew said. “That matters just as much as policy.”

Cody Adams decided not to vote. “I don’t really like either of them,” he said while walking to chapel. “I’m still young enough to the point where I’ll figure it out later in life. Whoever wins, it happens.”

Emma and Violet, who declined to give their last names, said they were nervous and scared about the results despite voting for different candidates. Emma voted for Harris due to the vice president’s support for abortion rights, while Violet favored Trump for his economic policies.

The two friends say their differing political views do not impact their friendship. “I can’t view another person differently. I have my own beliefs, but I won’t let people define them as my character,” Emma said about Violet. “I love her no matter what.” Violet nodded in agreement.

One thing all students agreed on was that they had no idea what would happen tonight. As Angove said, “I’m just leaving it in God’s hands.”