Voting day experiences, understanding election issues and Trump wins presidency

By Esra Ghanim, PolitiFrog Editor

Published Nov 7, 2024

2024 presidential election results (270toWin)

Texans are voting today in the general election. Check back throughout the day and later this evening for PolitiFrog’s coverage of the elections and results.

8 a.m. — Donald Trump wins the U.S. Presidential election

Reporting by Esra Ghanim In the early morning of Wednesday morning, Donald Trump won the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, making him the 45th and 47th president of the United States, according to the Associated Press. As of 8 a.m. CST on Wednesday morning, President Trump received 277 electoral college votes and Vice President Kamala Harris has received 224. Throughout this election, we followed swing states closely. There were seven highly contested swing-states–Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona, North Carolina and Georgia. Of the swing states called so far, Trump has won each one. However, as of Wednesday morning, Michigan, Nevada, and Arizona—though leaning Republican—have not yet been called, according to the Associated Press. The Harris campaign was still enthusiastic on Tuesday evening as votes were still being counted. “We still have votes to count. We still have states that have not been called yet. We will continue overnight to try to make sure that every vote is counted, that every voice has spoken,” Harris campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond said to Harris’ supporters at Howard University. Harris is expected to address her supporters today, according to NBC Washington.

8 p.m. — How the Associated Press calls elections

Reporting by Esra Ghanim and Caleb Gottry TCU 360’s coverage will call races as the Associated Press (AP) calls them. AP News bases their race calls on their vote count, which is gathered from state and local election offices across the country, according to AP News. Throughout election night, the AP monitors incoming votes at the county level while simultaneously working to determine the number of ballots that are uncounted.

Election officials recount the vote to make sure the counts match at a polling station in Brattleboro, Vt., on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP) (AP)

Determining the number of uncounted votes has become more complicated due to the rising number of mail-in ballots, according to AP News. AP takes into account the counted ballots, the number of ballots that could remain (including mail-in ballots) and statewide trends from the polling data. From these factors and others, AP can often call a race before 100% of votes have been counted. According to the AP, they call the race based on “a careful and thorough analysis of the latest available vote tallies and a variety of other election data, with the ultimate goal of answering this question: Is there any circumstance in which the trailing candidate can catch up? If the answer is no, then the leading candidate has won.” In addition, the AP may delay calling a race if the results cannot be factually confirmed. If you missed the News Now live show at 6 p.m., you can watch it here. Check back for results on the presidential race and the Texas senate race. Tune in every hour for live updates from News Now.

6:30 p.m. — Understanding the electoral college

Reporting by Esra Ghanim The electoral college is not a place, it’s a system. Understanding the electoral college system is fundamental to understanding the U.S. Presidential election. Unlike other U.S. elections, U.S. presidential and vice presidential candidates are not elected directly through a popular vote. Each state, and Washington D.C., has electors based on its representation in Congress, totaling 538. Maine and Nebraska assign their electors using a proportional system, however in the remaining states, the winner gets all of the electoral votes for that state. In other U.S. elections, candidates are elected directly by popular vote. But the president and vice president are not elected directly by citizens. Instead, they are chosen through the Electoral College process. Voters in each state cast ballots, which determine the allocation of that state’s electoral votes. A candidate must secure at least 270—out of the 538— electoral votes to win, according to the United States Government.

6:10 p.m. — How single-issue voters could make a difference at the polls

Reporting by Esra Ghanim and Shane Manson In highly contested swing-states, single issue voters could be the difference in the presidential race.

People line up to vote by absentee ballot at City Hall, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Hamtramck, Mich., one of the nation’s only Muslim-majority cities. (AP Photo/David Goldman) (AP)

According to 2024 Gallup polls, 32% of voters said that they will only vote for a candidate that shares their views on abortion policy. For Arab American and Muslim voters, the war on Gaza is driving their voting decision this election. For states like Michigan, that hold a large Arab American population, getting the Arab American vote will help decide the election today. Michigan is one of the “blue wall” states that the Harris campaign is depending on today, along with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, according to AP News. The results of the latest poll on Muslim voter preference by The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, found that Muslim voters show that 42% now favor Green Party nominee, Jill Stein, for president, according to CAIR. Still some voters discourage single-issue voting. “A person who is wise and informed would base their decisions on all of the available information,” 77-year-old James Sappington, a Wise County resident, said.

5:45 p.m. — Absentee ballots may be biggest obstacle for first-time voters

Reporting by Cecilia Murphy For many Gen Z citizens, the 2024 election is their first chance to exercise their civil duty to vote. On TCU’s campus, however, like many other college campuses around the country, some students are unable to participate in this year’s election as they attend college outside of their voting counties. Charlotte Wunz, a 19-year-old TCU student from Travis County, was unable to vote, even by absentee ballot. “I was told [by Travis County officials] I would have to drive all the way back to Austin [today] in order to vote,” Wunz said. “It was really upsetting.”

Election workers process absentee ballots at Portland City Hall on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/David Sharp) (AP)

Because most students are not properly taught how to register to vote early or absentee, many first-time voters missed the opportunity to participate in the election. For Kate Maggiore, a 19-year-old from Encinitas, California, and Olivia Young, a 21-year-old from Newport Beach, California, they had the opportunity to cast their ballots early. Maggiore cast hers when she visited home. Not all students had the same luck as Maggiore and Young though. Mackenzie Soul, a 20-year-old from Louisiana, was unable to vote in this election. And some students that did vote had to go to extra lengths to have their ballots turned in securely. Nathaniel Kern, a 21-year-old from St. Louis, Missouri, had his mom mail his ballot to him. “I then had to go get my ballot notarized at The Box to get it sent in,” Kern said. “If it wasn’t for my mom, I would not have known how to do any of this.”

5:15 p.m. — DJs at the Polls: Making Democracy Dance

Reporting by Andrew Lindsey Instead of twiddling their thumbs while waiting in line, voters were treated to funky beats as the bass line pulsed through the parking lot of Celeste’s Ballroom in Fort Worth. DJ JayCo transformed an ordinary polling place into something that feels more like a block party. As voters emerged from casting their ballots, many couldn’t help but move to the rhythm, some even breaking into impromptu dance moves. “I’m just trying to promote democracy and get people out here to have a good time while they’re waiting in line,” said Jason “DJ JayCo” Conley, who started manning the turntables at noon. With 14 years of DJ experience, Conley knows how to read a crowd – even one that’s here to perform their civic duty rather than party.

DJ JayCo brings the beat to the ballot box at Fort Worth’s Celeste’s Ballroom, where he’s transforming Election Day into a celebration of democracy. (Andrew Lindsey)

Conley is part of “DJs at the Polls,” a national, non-partisan initiative reimagining what Election Day can look like. Founded in Philadelphia by Anton Moore in 2008, the program has expanded nationwide with a simple but powerful mission: make voting feel like a celebration. “Music is unity,” Conley said with conviction. “You can play something for everybody. It’s universal.” The impact of this musical approach to voter turnout isn’t coincidental. A 2022 randomized control trial in Philadelphia found that polling sites with DJs saw a 3% increase in voter turnout. This evidence has helped fuel the program’s expansion, with DJs at the Polls placing DJs at more than 8,500 polling sites across urban centers in the United States for the 2024 election. As voters came and went throughout the day, Conley observed how many people take their democratic rights for granted. “A lotta people waste it or complain if something doesn’t go your way,” he said. “But if I can make this more of a party, maybe people will want to come vote, and then I’ll feel like I’m doing some good.”

5 p.m. — Nearby polling station brings FWISD community together on election day

Reporting by Analise Wachtel R.L. Paschal High School’s community was on full display today at the polling station, where Fort Worth Independent School District security guards played a vital role in ensuring a smooth voting process. These guards direct traffic and guide voters to their designated areas. Voters walked, drove cars, mopeds and scooters to get to the polling station. During their duties, the guards exchanged greetings and friendly waves with students, adding a personal touch to the civic atmosphere as voters young and old returned to cast their ballots. One voter, who wished to remain anonymous, said he chose to cast his ballot at Paschal because it was his alma mater, giving his voting experience a sense of nostalgia. Jacklyn, a 22-year-old Texas Christian University student who asked to be identified by her first name only, said she chose to vote at Paschal because of its close proximity to the TCU campus. The polling station at Paschal High School highlighted a sense of unity within the FWISD community. The Fort Worth Independent School District is hosting polling stations at 31 elementary, middle and high schools today. R.L. Paschal High School serves as a polling station today from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

4:15 p.m. — Voters at Como Community Center consider personal beliefs

Reporting by Sofie Ruiz and Alexis Garcia Voters flock to the Como Community Center in West Fort Worth to cast their votes.

Voters at the Como Community Center (Sofie Ruiz)

At the center, voters have been in-and-out of the building in less than 10-minutes, providing an easy and quick voting experience. Though voters explained various reasons that drove them to the polls, many included policies on the economy, national security and taxes. Although there is cultural pressure surrounding the outcome of this election, voters at Como Community Center are focused less on the candidate and more on specific policies that align with their values and morals. Most people agreed that there was a certain urgency to define personal beliefs before stepping into the polling place. “I have two boys that I want to protect, and I am very faith-based and super conservative in my values so I think those factors drive my choice in this election,” said Michel, a Tarrant county resident and poll worker. Laurie Cooper, a resident of Fort Worth, said when she was considering who she would vote for in the election she focused on policies regarding people of color, women, low income families and candidates’ connection to the people. She also emphasized the importance of state and local elections that are often shadowed by the presidential election. According to the Pew Research Center most Americans view voting as a way to have some influence over government. Nearly seven-in-ten (68%) say that “voting gives people like me some say about how the government runs things,” with majorities across most groups holding the view that voting gives them a voice in government.

3:30 p.m. — Poll workers at Tanglewood Elementary and Daggett Elementary stress the importance of voting

Reporting by Courtney O’Connell and Sam Snellen Poll workers have expressed the need to not only vote but also the need to educate oneself on the nation’s politics and democracy as a whole. Adrianna Smith, a poll worker at Tanglewood Elementary School shared her thoughts on this topic. “I believe kids need to know civics better and understand that democracy is not freely given,” Smith said. “I feel like if people don’t engage in civics and learn how fragile it is, then we can lose it.” Mrs. Smartt, a poll worker at Daggett Elementary School who asked to be identified by her last name only, has been a poll worker for the last three elections and takes pride in helping people learn about voting and helping people get over any fears about the whole process. “For first time voters it can be nerve racking, but it is important for everyone to exercise their right to vote,” she said. “Worry about what you can control and that is coming to the polls and voting. Everything else will happen outside of your control, so don’t get all worked up over it.” For Smith at Tanglewood, it is her fifth time working as a poll worker in an election. While working the election during the 2020 presidential election, she experienced the controversies first hand when Trump’s campaign accused states of voter fraud. Smith said she believes that the voting system is free and fair. “They are so strict,” Smith said. “We can’t even have phones in there. I feel like I know the system very well where we work, and maybe every state is a little different but I feel like it’s very secure. I 100% have faith in our elections, even if it doesn’t go my way.”

3 p.m. — International students share their thoughts on the election

Reporting by Isabella Tankersley One entire group of TCU students didn’t vote today and that’s because they can’t. Sophie Degrand, a sophomore biology major, is from Canada and can’t vote in this election because she is not an American citizen. “If I had the chance to vote in this election I would because I believe it is important to exercise your right to vote and ensure your voice is heard,” she said. Despite being unable to vote, Degrand tries to stay informed about the election because she feels she is still affected by the outcome. Not all international students choose to stay informed about the presidential election, however. Katherine Clavijo is a junior strategic communications major from Ecuador. She said she is not concerned about the results since she is not from the United States. “If I had the chance to vote I would not, because I am not informed about the election and do not want to make a decision that could influence something that I do not know much about,” Clavijo said. She added that she still thought voting is important for American citizens.

2:30 p.m. — TCU students say media influences first time voters

Reporting by Perrin Gilman A steady crowd of voters from TCU and the Fort Worth community went to cast their ballots at R.L. Paschal High School earlier this morning. Meagan Moseley, a former Paschal High School student, went to vote for the first time with her mother, Jennifer Moseley. Meagan Moseley believes that the most important issues in this election are “immigration, money and inflation.” Jennifer Moseley shared advice regarding first-time voters like her daughter. She said to “do it right” and stressed the importance of young voters in this election. According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, 41 million Gen-Z-ers are eligible to vote.

The media has also been a major force in shaping this election cycle, especially among first-time voters. “Social media has a big influence on everyone’s opinions,” Lexi MacDougall, a first-year TCU strategic communication major, said. She said that social media algorithms feed viewers personalized content that solidifies their own beliefs. Livy Christansen, a TCU senior strategic communication major, said the media shows extreme viewpoints. “Social media portrays a lot of negativity,” Christiansen said. “It does not show reality.”

2 p.m. — Poll greeters campaign at Tanglewood Elementary

Reporting by Molly Curran Tanglewood Elementary had more of a crowd than Southcliff Baptist Church this early afternoon. Voters stand outside of the school entrance to the polling site, poll greeters hand out campaign flyers and poll workers guide voters through the polling line. Outside of the polling site, poll greeters encourage voters to vote for a specific candidate. John McQueeney is running to be in the Texas House of Representatives to represent District 97. McQueeny and his wife both graduated from TCU. They attended last night’s men’s basketball game at TCU along with their friends. Today, the group stood outside of the Tanglewood Elementary polling site, encouraging people to vote for him.

1 p.m. — Southcliff Baptist Church hosts voting with curbside options and language interpreters

Reporting by Molly Curran Southcliff Baptist Church had a steady crowd this morning at 11 a.m. rolling into their voting polls.

Campaign signs outside Southcliff Baptist Church (Courtney O’Connell)

A new way to vote has also been introduced in this election, making voting more accessible. A curbside voting station can be wheeled out to cars if someone cannot leave their vehicle for any reason. The station allows a safe way for people who may not be physically able to go into the polling places to cast their ballots. Twenty-seven states, including Washington D.C., require or allow curbside voting for voters with disabilities, according to the Movement Advancement Project. Certain election precincts are required to appoint a bilingual clerk at polling sites. In addition, state and federal laws require all voting material to be translated into Spanish. Last night, the Spanish interpreter who had initially committed to be at Southcliff Baptist canceled, so a high schooler stepped in to volunteer. This young woman, who asked to remain anonymous, had to get a note from her principal to be excused from school to come and work the polls.

12:30 p.m. — TCU leaders encourage voting

Reporting by Caleb Gottry During early voting, more than 8,300 Tarrant County voters cast their ballots in the Brown Lupton University Union, according to TCU.

Today, TCU’s Instagram account features a post encouraging students and community members to vote and make their voice heard. So, it’s no surprise TCU’s own chancellor would feel the same. “Everybody seems to have a lot of complaints about everything nowadays,” Chancellor Victor Boschini said. “But the best way to answer those concerns is not to gripe about them, but to vote about them.” TCU’s recently-crowned outstanding senior, Oreo Adebanjo, echoed this sentiment. “Many times we don’t have the ability to make a change but the privilege to vote is one way that we can be the change we want to see,” Adebanjo said. “It’s easy to complain, but using your vote to enact change is a privilege that not many have had or currently have.” For its part, the TCU student body government association is nonpartisan and nonpolitical, according to their governing documents. Still, Student Body President Dominic Mendlik said they “encourage all students to participate in the democratic process.” For the 2020 election, 66.73% of registered voters in Texas cast a ballot, according to the Texas Secretary of State. Early voting this year had 48.63% of registered voters in Texas cast their ballot before election day, when some polling sites now have more than a 45 minute wait. Polls opened this morning at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. tonight. If you are in line before the polls close, you will still be allowed to vote providing that you remain in line, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

10 a.m. — Economics: what to know for election day

Reporting by Elle Wood and Crystal Polglase The state of the economy is one of the factors that voters are taking into consideration in this election. After researching and interviewing TCU economics professor, Graham Gardner, here’s what we found out: “No matter who wins in November, expect to see the federal budget deficit grow significantly,” according to CNN. A deficit occurs when the government spends more revenue than it collects. “Trump nor Kamala’s policies are aimed at creating new jobs in the economy,” Gardner said. “I do think there’s one part of expanding the child tax credit that could possibly allow people to spend more time at work, but I don’t think the evidence is super clear on that.”

People pass the New York Stock Exchange in New York’s Financial District on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan) (AP)

Trump is planning to pay for those initiatives with his tariffs and estimates that his proposal could cause the deficit to increase by an additional $5.8 trillion over the next ten years, according to CNN. “The goal of the Trump tariff is to protect American industries and draw production away from foreign nations that traditionally imported goods and incentivize production on American soil,” Gardner said. Harris has proposed having higher taxes, and Trump has promised to end taxes on tips. “Harris’ child tax credit will, I think, increase spending power, so we could expect to see spending on more items for families with young children after the expansion of that credit,” Gardner said. Trump plans to bring inflation down by promising to drill more oil, which is a major cost for businesses that may bring down prices.