Watch Election Results with
Friends and Faculty on Nov. 2

Where will you be on the eve that Americans vote? Students and faculty, at least a good chunk of them, will be at Election Night at the Athenaeum, an evening with real-time coverage of mid-term election returns plus interactive commentary on key races. Hosted by the online student newspaper The Forum, the night begins with a 5 p.m. reception, followed at 6 by a generous, American-themed dinner that includes fried chicken, baby-back ribs, mashed potatoes with chicken gravy, harvest vegetables, salads, and apple pie.
Forum Editor-in-Chief Michael Wilner '11 says the Forum staff is excited about this election night, when such questions will be answered: Will the Republicans win the House and possibly the Senate, or has their momentum receded? Can President Obama rally the Democrats? What effect will the economy have on voter reactions to the Democrats and Republicans? "Our dinner is fully booked, and with the addition of students who plan on dropping by to watch the returns, we expect around 200 students to attend," Wilner says. "This is about a particularly historic midterm election, and students understand what's in play and what's at stake with every seat."
And if you like prizes, here's your chance to earn one. The Forum is also holding a 2010 Election Predictions contest. A bubble-voting format takes just a few minutes online.
"Our predictions contest will definitely be worth watching," Wilner says. "We think you'll see some students give Karl Rove a run for his money."
In addition to live TV coverage during Election Night, a map will track election results throughout the nation, and an interactive message board lets students post reactions as the numbers come in. Periodic polling questions also will gauge opinions in the room.
For more information, visit The Fortnightly. It's no secret that CMCers take their politics seriously. Unigo.com recently named CMC one of its 10 Most Politically Active Schools in America. Hear now from two CMCers who were on the campaign trail this summer: Greg Sanford '11 is working for the communications department on Meg Whitman's gubernatorial campaign, tracking Whitman's opponent Jerry Brown. Ilsy Melendez '11 works for Barbara Boxer in her senate re-election campaign, organizing volunteer recruitment and planning events.