The mood in the apartment of Northwestern College Democrats President Lily Becker is upbeat, to say the least. It’s Nov. 4 — Election Night, to the United States — and Obama has just captured another state’s electoral votes. Becker has invited six of her friends and fellow College Dems to her living room, picked a spot of the couch, and set the TV to CNN.

“Suck it, McCain,” Becker shouts as Obama’s electoral vote count increases. Her friends laugh.

“Everyone, including myself, has a lot at stake,” Becker says. “This is the first time that I’m a real adult and have to worry about loans and jobs.”

A slender charcoal-colored cat slinks around the room and between the legs of the tense audience. Communication sophomore Lauren Kudsi came to watch the results from Becker’s apartment; she said the setting felt a lot more intimate, and less stressful.

“Sitting at home, munching on popcorn is a lot more comfortable than sitting on grass with a whole lot of people watching a big screen,” Kudsi says. “Plus, I like the punditry.”

Ryan Murphy, a Weinberg senior, joined the small watch party after nine hours spent working at the Illinois polls. He places his backpack on the floor and quickly pulls out a long roll of white paper. Printed on the long sheet are the poll results from his location.

Weinberg senior Ryan Murphy shows off the results ticket from the Parkes Hall polling station, where he worked that day. Photo by Katherine Tang / North by Northwestern.

This summer, the Minnesota native spent his summer working for the campaign of Senate candidate Al Franken. By mid-Wednesday, the votes were still too close and a recount of the entire state was mandated.

“On the [Minnesota] ballot is a campaign that I’ve been following for a year and a campaign that I’ve been working on for three months,” Murphy says.

Periodically, he jumps up and moves to a laptop to check Franken’s status in the race. “I’m jittery,” he explains. “I’m worried about Minnesota, though, because no one knows what’s going to happen.”

When Obama’s victory is officially announced, the reactions in the room are mixed. Some jump and clap loudly. Various cell phones are flipped open and fingers dial furiously. Murphy shares the contents of a text from his brother. “OMFG,” it says. Patia agrees.

“Bush has been president for all of my political life, so I’m ready for a change,” she said. “I think it’s going to take a while to finally set in.”

Jesse Benchk, a McCormick senior, says he was almost certain that Obama would be victorious on Election Night. He smiles at the flashing images of Obama across the screen. For Benchk, the end of the presidential campaign means a return to his academics.

“I’d like to go downtown this weekend with a couple friends to celebrate, but I have a midterm tomorrow,” he says.

Yet for Murphy, the end of the elections brings new beginnings as well as the unknown:
“I’ve just realized I don’t know what happens after Election Day.”