Polis Midterm Election Watch Party
November 8, 2022
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Polis held a Midterm Election watch party (with pizza!) as results rolled in during the evening of November 8th. Students also submitted “ballots” for a chance to win prizes, as well as played Election Bingo!
Additional Resources
“Live Coverage of 2022 Election Results,” The Chronicle:
Duke students watch as results roll in
11/8/22 6:30 p.m.
As midterm polls begin to wrap up, students watched in anticipation of results rolling in at a POLIS: Center for Politics watch party.
Deondra Rose, POLIS director and associate professor of public policy at the Sanford School of Public Policy, reflected on the stakes of the midterms. Rose mentioned how driven young people are to vote for the future of voting rights and reproductive rights, especially in this midterm election. She also encouraged individuals to remain engaged with democracy beyond elections by continuing to stay informed and discuss with others of differing views.
Students remained fired up as the night progressed, watching as races began to be called. Many expressed concern with the state of reproductive rights, voting rights and environmental justice.
“A lot of young people are really tired with the older generations [having] a lot of power and making the decisions for us … I think we’ve seen so many issues that are up for debate firsthand without having a say,” said first-year Sophie Yost.
Many also are curious to see the role the midterms will play in the integrity of the nation’s democracy moving forward, especially considering that this is the first election since the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
“The one major thing that I want to see coming out of the midterms is that both sides are willing to come out of it and recognize the legitimacy of the election,” said first-year Jaden Rodriguez.
Additionally, students are very hopeful for the turnout of young people.
“I won’t get my hopes up tonight. What I’m hoping to see is more voter turnout … I would love to know that the things we are doing to promote voter turnout among young people are working,” said junior Ashley Bae.
With on-campus voter mobilization events, such as Democracy Day, along with a large social media push, students have organized and mobilized across Duke to make their voices heard this election.
-Akshay Gokul