Election Day 10:00 a.m.

It isn’t raining this Tuesday morning in Eugene, Oregon—yet. The air is crisp and full of anticipation as the world awaits the 2024 presidential election votes to begin to be tallied this evening after voting officially closes.

This is Sage Fields’ second election, and he turned in his ballot yesterday. “I am definitely feeling nervous,” he said, “but whatever happens, I just hope it comes out all right.”

Fields does not plan on watching the polls tonight. He would rather know at the end for a “stress-free” experience while depending on his partner to keep him in the loop.

Leah Pearl, who has voted in every election she’s been eligible for, feels “cautiously optimistic” on Election Day morning. Pearl, who manages Provisions Market Hall in Fifth Street Market, is experiencing strong election anxiety.

“It’s just very tense, and I think maybe my best answer is to disassociate,” she said. She plans to periodically check the news, but she does not expect a final result tonight.

“Go Kamala,” Pearl added before getting into her car.

Ella Mendoza, a senior studying public planning and policy at the University of Oregon, said, “I’m hopeful but also just scared at how close it is.”

Mendoza plans to have a drink in hand while she watches the election polls with her roommates this evening.