The polarization of the United States, proven by Election Day results that gave Bush 51 percent of the popular vote to Kerry’s 48 percent, can also be seen in the student body at Mississippi State.
Breaking news from CNN was broadcast on the big screen television inside The Union Wednesday. Sen. John Kerry conceded the state of Ohio and, consequently, the presidential election, to George W. Bush.
Some heads nodded in agreement.
“We are extremely excited. We appreciate Sen. Kerry’s choice to concede,” said Lindsey Tew, College Republicans chairman. “That shows integrity. We’re relieved that there isn’t a repeat of the 2000 election.”
Others sank in thought.
“We’re disappointed in the results,” said College Democrats President Brandon Bogard, “but we’ll continue to fight for our ideas that will bring a better America to everyone.”
The election divided friends and family on issues of abortion, health care, the economy and gas prices, homosexual rights, the war in Iraq and terrorism. A marine recruit in Florida reportedly told his girlfriend he’d stab her if she voted for Kerry.
But the polarization did have one positive effect Tuesday night: record voter turnout in the state and country.
A greater percentage of Americans voted Tuesday than in any election in three decades, The Associated Press reported.
Curtis Gans, director of the nonpartisan Committee for the Study of the American Electorate, said nearly 120 million people turned out to vote. That represents just under 60 percent of eligible voters-the highest percentage turnout since 1968, he said.
Four years ago, in the election that led to Republican George W. Bush’s narrow victory over Democrat Al Gore, slightly more than 54 percent of eligible voters, or about 105.4 million, voted.
President Clinton’s 1996 re-election bid drew just 49 percent of eligible voters, about 96.3 million. But his 1992 challenge to the first President Bush brought out 55.2 percent of eligible voters, or about 104.4 million.
Officials had eyes on whether Tuesday’s turnout would rival the 1960 benchmark, when about two-thirds of eligible voters came out to back either Democrat John Kennedy or Republican Richard Nixon.
A voter turnout record was also set in Mississippi. More than 1 million Mississippians voted despite bad weather across the state, Secretary of State Eric Clark said.
The previous record was set in 2000, when more than 994,000 people voted.
An estimated 9 percent of voters nationwide Tuesday were aged 18-24, about the same proportion of the electorate as in 2000, exit polls indicated.
The youth vote accounted for 17 percent of turnout when broadened to the 18-29 age group, also about the same share as in the last presidential race.
Still, the actual number of young voters was up, given that overall voter turnout was higher.
Most MSU students said they made good use of their right to vote. Some drove nearly 175 miles back home to do so, but others said they think that the process in which their vote is counted should be altered.
Marcus Jones, an Army Reservist and sophomore, said he isn’t satisfied with the way the country chooses to tally his vote.
“We need to do away with or at least revamp the Electoral College,” Jones said. “As we have seen the popular vote is not always reflected in the overall decision.”
Whether a vote was cast for Bush, Kerry, Nader or a write-in for Sylvester Croom several students expressed concern for one group on their minds: the soldiers in Iraq.
“We need to concentrate on the troops. I have friends in Iraq,” said senior Nikki Fant. “The country is losing its focus. Hopefully now that the election is over with we can get back on track.”
Others saw odd resemblances of this election to that of elections taking place during the Vietnam War.
“We shouldn’t change presidents during a war,” said Amy Hester, sophomore psychology major. “Kerry defamed Bush too much. Our country and those seeking to run it should be united as long as our troops are away from home.”
Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.