As Election Day unfolds, students at Augustana College voice a mix of anxiety, hope and cautious optimism about the future of democracy in America. With the stakes seeming higher than ever, many young voters feel the weight of the decision on their shoulders, aware that today’s outcomes will significantly alter the nation’s political landscape, and consequently, the course of our lives. 

As students navigate their classes and social interactions, the reality of their democratic duty weighs heavily on their minds. 

Conversations about policies and the future are interspersed with moments of doubt and apprehension, reinforcing the feeling that every vote counts. You can’t help but feel the energy around you—it’s charged with both hope and fear.

“You hear all the things, all the policies, and it feels like a normal day, but then you walk out and you see a Trump flag pass you as you go to class, or hear the news of all the polls of what’s happening […] and you’re just like, “oh, today is a defining factor,’” said senior Josie Ramirez. 

Amid an ordinary campus routine, it is these jarring reminders of the political climate that bring the significance of Election Day sharply into focus – the decisions made today by voters across the country will determine where we stand for the next four years. 

“It’s very nerve-wracking, especially because of what’s at stake,” sophomore Sidney Underwood said, expressing anxiety about the potential consequences of the election results. “I’m confident that stuff is gonna be okay, just because I’m obsessed with the data and seeing the general trend. But you have to prepare for the worst, we’re at a crossroads for democracy.”

The fear of uncertainty looms over the campus, with many echoing a shared sense of unease. With Donald Trump and Kamala Harris neck-and-neck, at this point the election could go either way, making our futures uncertain. 

One student reflected on the emotional impact of this election, describing a deep sense of fear about the potential loss of rights that many take for granted, driving them to vote and to encourage it among others. 

“No matter what happens, our lives will change dramatically after today,” sophomore Kallik Ewen said, referencing their concerns about the protection of marriage equality and other hard-won civil liberties. “I’ve had the right to marry for nine years, and it could be gone within the next four, which is terrifying and hard to think about.”

As we reflect on the stakes involved, it’s clear that the outcome of the election holds significant sway over our personal lives and the rights we cherish. This race is very unpredictable in nature, and coupled with the looming potential for dramatic change with either candidate, has left many feeling apprehensive. 

“It’s just very up in the air. I know I want to be confident in thinking who I want to win will win, but it’s a little scary,” senior Paige Meyer said. 

The anxiety is joined by a prevailing sense of anticipation, an excitement for seeing who will win that has students thoroughly invested, as it is not only a reflection of the votes themselves, but America as a whole, that will determine where it stands for the next four years. 

The election feels personal – students are invested in the immediate outcomes, but also in how these choices will shape the future. 

“I’m more excited than anything to see. Obviously, there’s a lot on the line, especially with healthcare. But I think the group that ends up winning will say a lot about where America is at, like economically, so I’m excited,” said junior Isabel Grimes. 

This sentiment underscores a broader anxiety felt by students concerning issues like healthcare, civil rights and the economy – rooted in a fear that policies they care about could be rolled back, or that their rights might be threatened, hangs heavy in the minds of many. 

Given this, the importance of this election has not gone unnoticed by college students, with record early-voter turnouts in swing states like Georgia sparking hope among many across the Augustana campus, who see this as a sign of a vibrant democracy at work and an indicator that the American people are ready to vote for what they believe is the right move for the nation’s future.

For senior Iratze Aceves, the act of voting alongside the older generation, and a new generation of voters, raises not just a sense of empowerment, but of hope. 

“Whatever the results are, they will have an impact on everybody’s future and it’s scary to not know what that will look like, but I’m also just hopeful today,” Aceves said. “My grandmother, who had never voted before, wanted to register to vote today […] and we voted together. I have a lot of hope in older generations and those new generations of voters coming in, and really just powering the polls and our election days.”

While Election Day at Augustana College has been filled with a spectrum of emotions across the student body, the shared sense of responsibility and the recognition that this is a defining moment for the future of the country bind students together. 

As we cast our votes it’s clear that we are not just participating in a routine election, but are actively shaping the future of our democracy.