Students talk media updates, ballot counting, anxious feelings and more.
In some ways, elections are unifying: individuals across the spectrum hold the same power as they approach the voting booth (or this year, the mail-in ballot). But elections can also be divisive: mixed feelings are stirred, and views and perspectives may not align. Because there is such a broad range of possible election emotions, I decided to discover what the Azusa Pacific student body was feeling. I asked five students five questions about the 2020 election — here’s what they had to say.
How were you feeling before the election?
“Prior to the election, I was feeling neutral but also uncertain as to what the future holds, and I am still uncertain as to what the future holds.”
—Mercedes Joi Broadway, 2020, public relations and philosophy major
“I was pretty concerned. Anytime anyone spoke about the election, from the right or the left, they would say this was the most important election ever, and that America would either survive or be destroyed from within. To me, it seemed a little overboard, I don’t think either Trump or Biden could destroy over 200 years of history in just four years. I was, and still am, concerned more about the fallout from the results rather than the results themselves.”
—Cole Brouwer, 2021, journalism major
“Before the election, I was feeling very anxious because I did not know what would happen depending on who got elected. There were several rumors of protests and panic buying in my town, so I was very worried about what would happen on the morning of Nov. 4.”
—Sophie Cook, 2021, liberal studies major
“Mixed. I resented the administration and the way it was handling the pandemic as well as the many social issues that were going on (the George Floyd protests especially). At the same time, I got to see a lot of good people stand up for these issues and fight for justice, which made me proud. Still, there was a feeling of heaviness as things throughout the year only seemed to worsen.”
—Thomas Firestone, 2021, film major
“Before the election, I felt fine. I knew there would be issues no matter who appeared to win on election night or the day after.”
—Sean Blacklock, 2021, history and design major
What was the election process like for you?
“The election process was anxiety-inducing, and still is; not because of the uncertainty, as I am used to life’s uncertainty, but because I was hoping that we would have a new president, and now we do.”
—Mercedes Joi Broadway, 2020, public relations and philosophy major
“After I voted, I watched the news to see the results as they came out. I understand that people need to know the results and that news networks gain a lot of viewers during this time. However, I really don’t think we need the minute-by-minute updates anymore, especially at the early part of the count. There are so many drastic changes in the numbers and people react to these changes without realizing just how many votes need to still be counted. Honestly, the media should just update us when the polls close in different states and when states have been called for a candidate. We really don’t need to know the percentages of votes counted in a small county in Ohio.”
—Cole Brouwer, 2021, journalism major
“For me, the election process consisted of researching various candidates and propositions online. I then had conversations with my parents and brothers about who [and] what they were voting for and why. After prayerful consideration, I filled out my ballot and dropped it off at the post office.”
—Sophie Cook, 2021, liberal studies major
“It felt very loud, hectic and stressful with all the voices being thrown around, not to mention the stakes that were on the line.”
—Thomas Firestone, 2021, film major
“I’m a Washington state resident, so I received my ballot weeks before the election and sent it in where it was received and counted without problem.”
—Sean Blacklock, 2021, history and design major
In your opinion, has the election come to a close? Why or why not?
“Yes, the election has been called by the Associated Press, and political scientists say it is impossible for Trump to win irregardless.”
—Mercedes Joi Broadway, 2020, public relations and philosophy major
“In my mind, the election is not over. There were discrepancies surrounding some of the votes cast in a number of states. I believe the Trump campaign does have a right to go through and audit the votes in these states, and if the roles were reversed, I would also say the Biden campaign has the right to do the same thing. I’m honestly not sure why people are so upset about checking to make sure everything was done legally and in an upstanding way. I mean, this is ‘the most important election in history,’ right? Shouldn’t we take the time to make sure everything was done correctly?”
—Cole Brouwer, 2021, journalism major
“I do not believe the election has come to a close. The votes are being recounted, and honestly, the country still feels very divided. Until both sides agree on which person holds the office, I do not feel we have our next president.”
—Sophie Cook, 2021, liberal studies major
“Technically, not yet, since a lot of the ballots are still being counted [or] recounted, but I think the results are pretty clear on who won.”
—Thomas Firestone, 2021, film major
“The election has not come to a close. That isn’t an opinion — it’s a fact. The election is not over until the electoral college votes in December.”
—Sean Blacklock, 2021, history and design major
What do these next four years look like for you as a young person, and how do you feel about it?
“I am not sure what the next four years have in store for my generation and myself, but I feel better knowing that the candidate I felt would be best for America right now will be inaugurated into office. Neither candidates are perfect, but no one is.”
—Mercedes Joi Broadway, 2020, public relations and philosophy major
“Well, I hope that at some point we drop the topic of the election. I mean, we had like four years of ‘Donald Trump is a Russian spy and he rigged the election!’ until that was proven to be false. I don’t want to hear about Trump or Biden rigging an election for another four years. What I do want, though, is to be able to find a job that makes use of my degree. I also hope that in these next four years, we take steps to become less divided on literally every topic. We need to realize that people are people, not political ideologies.”
—Cole Brouwer, 2021, journalism major
“These next four years are some of the most formative of my life. I am graduating in the spring. From there, I will go on to graduate school with the goal of obtaining my teaching credential/master’s degree… While I am excited, this election has made me incredibly anxious for the next four years. I feel our country is divided, and there is a lot of hate going around. I am afraid to use my voice because so many people villainize people whose opinions are different [from] their own. Ultimately, I am trying to trust in the Lord with the next four years of my life.”
—Sophie Cook, 2021, liberal studies major
“I feel a lot better about the next four years as I’m about to graduate and enter the professional workforce. I’m looking forward to what I hope will be adequate leadership in this country, especially as it comes to overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic and caring for its citizens.”
—Thomas Firestone, 2021, film major
“I have always been politically active and will continue to be regardless of who wins the election. Personally, I will be more comfortable if the far left is not empowered by the government as well as the media.”
—Sean Blacklock, 2021, history and design major
What is your hope for America?
“I hope to see progression in terms of police reform, race relations, health care and pandemic response. I hope to also see an end to the barbaric practice of imprisoning immigrants at the border, along with family separation.”
—Mercedes Joi Broadway, 2020, public relations and philosophy major
“My hope for America is that we all just relax a little bit. At this point, I think we are all too divided for any real, lasting changes to happen. I hope that we stop demonizing people on the right and the left for having an opinion that is different than our own. I hope that we find a real way to address injustices within our policing rather than just saying they need to be defunded. But most of all, I hope for a victory in the 2026 World Cup on home soil.”
—Cole Brouwer, 2021, journalism major
“I hope that America can remember we all have more in common than that which divides us. I hope instead of solely focusing on what’s wrong in our country, we can celebrate what’s right while advocating for change. I hope we can treat one another with more kindness than I have seen this past year and especially this past election season.”
—Sophie Cook, 2021, liberal studies major
“Honestly, that some sort of dignity can be restored to this country. I hope for political unity, necessary reforms to the social and judicial systems and that the U.S. can become an example of clean energy production and environmental preservation.”
—Thomas Firestone, 2021, film major
“What is my hope for America? There is another election in two years, and there will be another one two yars after that. No matter who wins this time, there is always a chance that they will lose in the next election. Our system works, and it will continue to work despite attempts by the far left to break it.”
—Sean Blacklock, 2021, history and design major