Vice President Kamala Harris will host her Election Night watch party at Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, DC, that Harris credits as a launching point in her political career.
Harris elaborated on the decision while appearing on Atlanta radio station V-103’s The Big Tigger Morning Show, saying, “The first office I ever ran for was freshman class representative at Howard University. And to go back tonight to Howard University, my beloved alma mater and be able to hopefully, you know, recognize this day for what it is, is really full circle for me.”
Students at Howard University have been enthusiastic about this election, especially with an alumni at the top of the ballot and visits from Harris to their campus throughout the campaign season.
“It’s just such an honor to come to Howard at this time, and I feel so honored that the political candidates come back,” said Howard freshman and Georgia voter Trent Morrow.
Morrow said that gun control was top of mind in terms of issues, adding that his hometown of Atlanta also struggles a lot with disparities in education.
“The recent Apalachee High School shooting was only about 20 minutes from where I lived, and that was only a couple weeks after I came to DC from Atlanta, and it really impacted me,” Morrow said.
Howard freshman Aidan Newell said that “queer rights and bodily autonomy of women” were important issues in this election.
“I know a lot of people personally who have been affected by rape and sexual assault and taking their access to such important health cares is so, it’s mind-boggling that it’s even a topic of conversation that we’re having, but it’s something that’s at stake,” Newell said.
“Being a part of such a diverse campus, and seeing how many people that this election can definitely affect, it made it so much more important to me to vote and to get other people to vote during this election,” Newell continued.