Political Science students watch the results come in

More than 80 Northwestern students and faculty gathered in Scott Hall for the Political Science department's to watch CNN as the the poll results roll in.

"This of course is a historic Super Tuesday," said Professor Kenneth Janda, the watch's moderator.

Though the political science election watch party is a tradition during every presidential election, this is the first primary-watch party.

"Tonight, the February 5th election, we are electing more than half the delegates to both parties' conventions," Janda said. "In 1996, the first primary in New Hampshire wasn't until Feb 21. We're really frontloading it this year, it's close to a national primary."

Aside from the timing of this year's primaries, the candidates themselves have made this election more interesting than in years past.

"Last time we just had a bunch of staunch old white guys," said graduate student Marissa Brookes. "Even the Republicans all have something wrong with them that's going to split the Republican vote."

As of 8:30 pm, most students agreed that none of the reported results were very surprising. Obama took Illinois and Georgia, Clinton is expected to take Arkansas and New York, Romney is victorious in his home state of Massachussetts and McCain leads in New Jersey and Illinois.

Polls in one of the night's most important states-- California-- still had open polls.

"Unless Romney wins California, it's going to be McCain's night," said Professor Larry Stuepnagel.

Many out-of-state students said they voted by absentee ballot.

"Obama's been ganing ground," said Communication freshman Kim Castel, a California native. "He's really popular among young people so it will be interesting to see how many young people vote."

For both parties, tonight's primaries may shape the rest of the presidential race.

"When this night is over, we still may not have a clear Democratic leader and McCain may not have enough delegates to be called the frontrunner for the Republicans," Janda said.

—NATHALIE TADENA

On the issues

Although many Northwestern student voters are heading to the same place today, they have different motives for trekking to the polls through a not-so-pleasant Chicago drizzle.

"I voted for Ron Paul because he's the only candidate who voted against the war and decreased the size of government," said Lee Taylor, a Weinberg sophomore.

Several students said they're voting for Senator Barack Obama.

"I think he can change the country in the way it needs to be changed," said Kate Lipstein, a Weinberg freshman.

John Aldous, a freshman in the School of Communication, liked Obama for his electability.

"I like him and Hillary the same, I just think he has a better chance in the general election," Aldous said.

A few people said they initially supported former Senator John Edwards.

"I was going to vote for John Edwards, but he dropped out of the race," said Montgomery Miller, a Weinberg sophomore. "While I originally liked Hillary, because her husband's Bill Clinton, when I looked at the issues Obama was more in line with my kind of thinking."

School of Music senior Louis Mark also wanted Edwards to win the Democratic nomination.

"He was the only one against corporate media," Mark said.

Joyce Woods, 53-year-old Evanston nurse, on how she voted

"Obama. Obama, Obama, Obama. Obama. Obama, Obama. Obama, Obama. There's no other word. Obama."

When asked for further comment, Woods added, "Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama."

- Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center polling place, about 3:20 p.m.

Absentee voters

As the Super Tuesday election results pour in tonight, many Northwestern students will be watching to see how their home states measure up. Though students were excited for the chance to participate in the political process, some said that sending in their absentee ballot couldn't compare to the voting booth experience.
Ben Bear, a Communications sophomore, was afraid his absentee vote in the Massachusetts primary might get lost in the mail.

"You definitely feel like you're having a bigger impact if you go right to the booth, but I still feel like I have an active role," Bear said.

Music junior Laura Weiner said her absentee vote in the Colorado primary would be more important than a vote in Illinois, since Colorado is more evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats. Weiner said the absentee voting process was simple, though she almost forgot to get a ballot. She thinks it's important to vote, though voting absentee has its downside.

"You aren't with other people who are all voting," Weiner said. "And there's the delay. My vote won't get counted for another couple days."

For Weinberg sophomore Katie Mallon, voting absentee was all about convenience. Though Mallon is from Chicago, she chose to send in an absentee ballot two weeks ago.

"I wanted to vote absentee because I wanted to vote for Chicago officials, and I couldn't get home," Mallon said.

—CHRISTINA SALTER

'Are you voting today?'

12:00 p.m. - South Campus

Although Brian Korpics graduated from Northwestern last year, today he stands outside the Parkes Hall polling station at his alma mater, taking his shivering hands out from his pockets at the first glance of passersby to hand out flyers. He's campaigning for his uncle, Robert Milan, who is running for the Illinois state attorney position.

"Are you voting today?" he asks of passersby, handing a blue pamphlet outlining Milan's qualifications and candidacy. Milan championed for criminal and police rights, installing video surveillance equipment in police interrogation rooms, Korpics said.

But while Korpics campaigns for his uncle Milan, he said his mind is also at the presidential primaries where he voted for Barack Obama.

"Obama's got the ability to inspire people," Korpics said. "It's an asset for a leader."

After the primary elections, Korpics plans to travel to Taiwan to teach English. But today, he hopes people are participating in politics.

"I know a lot of people voting," Korpics said. "I hope people are getting out to vote."

—Paul Takahashi/ The Daily Northwestern

Welcome to The Daily's election blog!

Check this space tomorrow for updates as students and Evanston residents go to the polls for Super Tuesday.