The UMC fountain bubbled with activity on Election Day afternoon at CU Boulder as a multitude of political groups came out for last-minute campaigning. On the other side of the building, a steady stream of voters turned in their mail-in ballots and voted in-person on the UMC’s south side. Inside, on the second floor, an ever-growing line of people waited to vote in-person.
New Era Colorado, Colorado Democrats and the College Democrats all had booths set up by the fountain, and the College Republicans were stationed inside the UMC, with some sign-bearers outside as well.
A group representing the Yes on 72 campaign (Amendment 72 would increase the tax on tobacco products) were also in the fountain area with signs.
Music and stilt walkers from New Era Colorado provided a lively atmosphere, and people congregated to get food and stickers from the campaign booths. At the Colorado Democrats booth, people posed with cardboard cutouts of President Barack Obama and Sen. Bernie Sanders, and a volunteer spoke through a megaphone imploring people to vote Democrat.
“From the get-go I’ve been very pro-Hillary, so my views haven’t changed too much, but they’ve definitely been solidified through some of the groups through campus,” CU sophomore Riley Williams said in reference to all the campaigning on campus in recent months. “It’s been a very positive influence to just get out there and make sure you vote.”
Williams is a first-time voter who turned in his ballot this afternoon.
CU alum Claire Ochsner was at the UMC fountain campaigning for Yes on 72, and explained that if the measure passes, CU might receive some funding in terms of grants for disease research.
“Student outlook is positive because most millennials know how bad smoking is for you,” she said, stating that they’ve received mostly a positive reception from CU students.
The College Republicans were inside the UMC as well as around the fountain area. Member Nick Reinhardt, a CU sophomore, said student reaction has been mixed during election season.
“We have had some negative interactions, but we don’t really give into that,” Reinhardt said. He believes that Boulder in general is liberal, but he’s seen a lot of right-wing support.
Concerning the presidential election, Reinhardt said that the College Republicans are not too supportive of Donald Trump as an organization, so they focus on local elections as much as possible. He said that the College Republicans are fully supportive of Darryl Glenn for senator and Heidi Genahl for CU regent.
Mustapha Yatribi, a Denver citizen, was out at the UMC fountain in support of the Democratic Party. Originally from Morocco, he came to the United States 37 years ago for college and has lived here ever since. He now has five sons, one of whom attends CU. He explained that Trump and the policies he stands for are concerning to him.
“Mr. Trump is different than what we’ve seen in the past. There’s a lot of hate, a lot of discrimination, and it’s not appropriate for a country like this. We need better. I hope [Trump] learns from his mistakes,” Yatribi said.
Yatribi is especially concerned about Trump’s policies concerning immigration.
“I don’t like what he’s saying. America is a melting pot; everybody came from somewhere. We need to love each other, respect each other and be there for each other. That’s what makes America a great country.”
As the final seconds of the election in Colorado count down volunteers from New Era and Boulder Students for Hillary stand together in front of the UMC to cheer on the final voters. The last voter ran into the polls with 50 seconds to spare being cheered on by volunteers.
As the doors closed volunteers embraced, overcome with emotion at the end of this years long election. Many students had taken off school for the semester to support the campaign and now turn to celebration with their friends as they watch the returns.
Contact CU Independent News Reporter Carina Julig at carina.julig@colorado.edu.
Contact CU Independent Photographer and News Reporter Jackson Barnett at jackson.barnett@colorado.edu.
