My first presidential election taught me that the power of voting goes far beyond a single result; it’s a chance to learn, engage and see firsthand what change looks like on the ground.

The 2024 election was my first presidential election, and I hit the ground running. I went from registered voter to canvasser in a matter of days. 

I wanted to be involved in any way I could, and in the weeks leading up to Election Day, I spent hours going door-to-door and talking to people on campus. I must have interacted with dozens upon dozens of students. The conversations were often surprising; they challenged my assumptions and reminded me of the power of diversity within our generation. Most were civil and open-minded, eager to engage no matter their stance. While I did have one or two bad experiences (let’s just say not everyone was thrilled to see another clipboard on their way to class or at their door…sorry!), I wasn’t discouraged.

A front-row seat

I was at the Warwick Center from the moment the polls opened at 6:30 a.m. to the minute they closed at 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, watching every wave of voters arrive. Throughout the day, I interacted with a steady stream of students, answering questions, providing non-partisan information and encouraging them to stick it out despite the monstrous-looking line and wait time. It was like a front-row seat to the most fascinating show. I found myself indulging in some hardcore people-watching. At around 3 p.m., after lines started to wrap around the building and wait times climbed to at least 90 minutes, a DJ set up shop and spun some music until the polls closed. It was a little surreal – here we were, in the midst of such a tense and high-stakes day, and suddenly Chapell Roan’s “HOT TO GO!” was blasting in the background. Honestly, it was kind of amazing. While there was definitely some tension and anxious anticipation in the air, for a day that should have felt stressful, it had an unexpectedly festive energy. 

A blue Wilmington and record turnouts

This election saw record-breaking turnout across N.C., with over 4.4 million of 7.8 million registered voters participating early. In New Hanover County, voters were almost evenly split, with Harris receiving 49.45% and Trump 49.15%. This closely mirrors previous election results in the county. In 2020, Biden narrowly won the county with just over 50%, and in 2016, Trump led by a slim margin. According to the poll workers on election night, Warwick saw an estimated 1,129 students on Tuesday, not including provisional ballots. 

Big wins in N.C.

In addition to the news of Trump’s victory, I woke up to a text from my conservative father, “At least Robinson lost.” Thanks, dad! Despite losing the presidential race, there are still some big wins to celebrate in N.C. 

• Josh Stein, Governor – I think everyone can breathe a sigh of relief as 54.8% of people felt the same way about Mark Robinson as my dad.
• Mo Green, Superintendent – As superintendent, Green will have a major role in shaping education policy and ensuring that every student has access to quality education. 

• Rachel Hunt, Lt. Governor – As Lt. Governor, she’ll have a key role in presiding over the state senate and advancing policies that impact both students and working families.

• Elaine Marshall, Sec. of State – Ensuring N.C.’s elections continue to be fair and secure, Marshall will also oversee the state’s elections, business registrations and public records, keeping the processes transparent and trustworthy. 

I wish I could say watching Trump win again didn’t feel like a punch to the gut. It did. I was reminded of 2016, when I was a little girl in fifth grade watching Hillary lose and I thought about all the other little girls and women, especially women of color. I want to mourn what I potentially am losing, but I can’t help but be so angry for those actually losing so much more. That same heavy feeling from nine years ago came back like déjà vu. It’s a hard thing to grapple with: seeing the country you love take a direction that feels uncertain and unprecedented. 

But despite what felt like a major loss in the presidential race, I couldn’t help but feel hopeful. The conversations, the record turnout and the overall sense of community all felt like proof that change is possible. It’s easy to feel disheartened, but this election showed me that real progress doesn’t depend on one outcome – it’s built every time we engage, every time we vote and every time we have those tough, insightful conversations with each other. 

So, as I walked away from the Warwick Center at the end of the night, exhausted but inspired, I realized this election was only the beginning. There is hope beyond this election. It lives on through every single person who cast their vote, mobilized their friends and engaged in the democratic process with enthusiasm and determination. The hope we’ve built together doesn’t end here. It is something we can and must carry forward. We showed up for this election, and we can show up again. 

In the words of Vice President Kamala Harris herself, “This is not a time to throw up our hands. This is a time to roll up our sleeves.”

Whichever outcome you had hoped for Election Day, the results can stir up a mix of emotions. If you or someone you know is struggling, know that there are resources and people to lean on. You can visit DoSomething.org for post-election resources.