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.”

Election Day 10:30 a.m.

“It’ll be what it’ll be. What am I gonna do anyway? I’m 73,” said Bob Wear, a volunteer for the Lane County Republicans. He said he would trust whatever the election results are, but is still uneasy about election security nationally.

Wear is concerned about Republican voter turnout in Oregon. He thinks that many registered voters decided not to vote since the state is deep blue. He feels good about Lane County election officials in particular, saying, “I know they’re doing good work.” 

Election Day 10:23 a.m.

Zion Pua, a 19-year-old Eugene resident, chose not to vote. “They don’t help me pay for my bills, so I don’t worry about that,” said Pua. Speaking outside the Lane County election office, he said he doesn’t want to end up homeless. “I got to worry about me first.”