On Nov.5, the ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Communication hosted its Election Night Watch Party. Students on the Phoenix campus gathered in front of the First Amendment Forum’s 16-by-9-foot screen as votes poured in from across the country.
“This election means a lot to me as I am a first time voter. Being involved in our democracy is so special for me,” said Ryleigh Mangundayao, a first-year Public Service and Public Policy student.
The crowd, mostly journalism students, watched intently as multiple TV networks shared the latest updates.
“You have CNN, MSNBC, Fox, and Arizona PBS all playing at the same time,” said Christopher Towne, a freshman-year journalism student.
Maricopa County, home to ASU, is considered crucial in this presidential election. With about 60% of the state’s vote, Maricopa County played a decisive role in President Joe Biden’s victory in 2020.
“Being a part of a swing state, you really feel like your vote matters,” said Gabriella Grasso, a freshman first-time voter in Maricopa county.
Student reporters had a busy night covering the election for Cronkite’s various clubs and publications. Blaze Radio, ASU’s student radio, was buzzing with activity as reporters scrambled through New York Times polls and electoral maps, while also filling in a makeshift electoral map on a whiteboard.
“It’s media run by students, for students,” she explained, highlighting the importance of having a student voice during such a significant event.
Melanie, a Journalism and Mass Communications student who does production work for Blaze Radio, said how the unexpected twists of election night took everyone by surprise.
“All the predictions Blaze Radio had for election night were thrown out the window,” she said.
Two floors above Blaze Radio’s studio, Arizona PBS reporters were busy with their own election coverage, visible to students watching from downstairs.
An hour after the event ended, former President Donald Trump declared victory, with Fox News projecting him as the president-elect after he won key battleground states like Georgia and Pennsylvania, bringing him over 260 electoral votes.
Edited by Shi Bradley
