*This post will be continually updated. All photos courtesy of F&M Votes.*

By TCR STaff

*UPDATE: 8:50P.M.*

Polls have now closed in Pennsylvania and vote tallies from around the commonwealth have begun coming in. The College Reporter has the totals for the Lancaster Theological Seminary polling location, where most F&M students voted. Voters at the Seminary are mostly F&M students, but includes some local residents as well.

A total of 672 votes were cast at the Seminary, which includes voters that voted in-person on election day. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris carried the polling location with 494 votes, 74% of the total. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence received a quarter of the total, with 165 votes.

The total tallies for all of the races are listed below:

Presidential:

Joseph R. Biden & Kamala D. Harris: 494 (73.5%)

Donald J. Trump & Mike R. Pence: 165 (24.5%)

Jo Jorgensen and Jeremy Spike Cohen: 9 (1.3%)

Write-ins: 4 (0.6%)

Attorney General:

Josh Shapiro: 476 (71.3%)

Heather Heidelbaugh: 163 (24.3%)

Daniel Wassmer: 16 (2.4%)

Richard L. Weiss: 7: (1.0%)

Auditor General:

Nina Ahmad: 472 (70.2%)

Timothy DeFoor: 164 (24.4%)

Jennifer Moore: 16 (24.4%)

Olivia Faison: 9 (1.3%)

State Treasurer:

Joe Torsella: 462 (68.8%)

Stacy L. Garrity: 173 (25.7%)

Joe Soloski: 16 (2.4%)

Timothy Runkle: 10 (1.5%)

Representative in Congress (11th District):

Sarah E. Hammond: 489 (72.3%)

Lloyd K. Smucker: 174 (25.9%)

Write-ins: 1 (0.2%)

Senator in PA General Assembly (13th District):

Janet Diaz: 490 (72.9%)

Scott Martin: 174 (25.9%

Write-ins: 1 (0.2%)

Representative in PA General Assembly (96th District):

Mike Sturla: 576 (85.7%)

Write-ins: 30 (4.5%)

*Original Article: 7:15P.M.*

Franklin & Marshall students who registered to vote at the college have been casting their ballots at the seminary (F&M’s designated polling location) since the polls opened at 7:30 this morning. F&M students were lined up outside by 6:45 on Tuesday morning. Sammi Perry ‘23 said that “I woke up at 6:30am to vote today because I wanted to get there early. There was a significant amount of turn out by the time I arrived, but I only waited for 30 minutes. The whole process was super easy and I was in and out by 7:15am.”

Members of F&M Votes at the Seminary, ready for election day.

Sammy Fischer ‘22 expressed concerns about the potential number of voters waiting outside the seminary and how long it would take in order to cast her vote, “Coming from New York City, I anticipated a significant wait in order to vote and I encouraged my roommates to wake up to be at the seminary by 7:30am. I had also recently changed my voter registration to Pennsylvania knowing the importance of this swing state and I was unjustly concerned about the validity of my voter registration when I would show up to the polls. However, the voting process was seamless!’

F&M Students after voting.

Brice Gambill ‘22 similarly expressed the importance of making it to the polls today a priority, “I got there around 7:45am and it took me about 30 minutes to vote. There was a decent line and it was also super quiet while waiting. I’m from Maryland and registered to vote in PA my freshman year. I think it’s extremely important to vote, especially since PA is a swing state.”

When speaking to Jessica Hail from F&M Votes about election day at F&M, she expressed how “It’s been a busy but very orderly day! Our faculty and staff volunteers have been super friendly and excited to welcome students.”

“This is my first time voting in Pennsylvania and I didn’t know what to expect. We went pretty early in the morning, and were ready to wait as long as we had to, but it ended up being very easy and pleasant. It took 30 minutes in total. F&M Votes was extremely helpful, I really appreciate all they’ve done to get out the vote on campus” said Bette Scher ‘21

Seniors from the Chi Omega Sorority cast their votes.

Ally Carey ‘21, second from left in the photo above, shared her sentiment on election day at Franklin & Marshall, “I couldn’t vote in the 2016 election, which was my senior year of high school, so I’ve waited the past four years to participate in this year’s election. It was such a mix of emotions voting today—there’s such an energy you get on a college campus during elections. It was truly invigorating to see so many people show up to practice their civic duty and one that our democracy has celebrated since the birth of our nation.”

Although students like Solomon Mathis are not registered in Pennsylvania, they were still able to send in their mail-in ballots in the past few weeks. Solomon Mathis ’22 noted that “It was exciting to vote in such an important election, especially considering that this is the first presidential election I’ve been apart of. I’m excited to see how my vote will help shape our country’s future.”

3:15 pm
“We are thrilled with the turnout- as of 3:15pm we were looking at almost 600 votes (the overwhelming majority being students). When we take out mail-in ballots, those that voted from home, and all the sophomores not in Lancaster- that number feels great!”

6:00 pm
“An update from the polls! Our current number is a little north of 650 ballots and 30-40 provisional ballots.”

F&M Students after voting.

Important Information from Franklin & Marshall Post-Election Day

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4
11/4 at 1:30 PM
Common Hour: “Fear and Loathing in Our Discourse: Dangerous Speech and What to Do About it.”
Anyone with an F&M email address can access the talk via this Zoom link for 11/4/20. See email from Deb Moriarty for more information.

11/4 from 2-5 PM
“Post-Election De-Stress Day” Activity booths to help destress and have safe spaces for political/election talk.

11/4 at 4 PM
Post-Election Debriefing: Profs. Matt Schousen and Stephen Medvic

Join Professors Schousen and Medvic for the post-election debriefing they’re offering their classes. They’ll discuss what we know, and what we don’t, the day after the election and they’ll take your questions.
https://fandm.zoom.us/j/92447962738pwd=UDZoL3hCQU5neGZPaFZmblU3N1l1Zz09

11/4 from 7:30-8:30pm
Focus Group on Fire: Student group from the Writers House that provides a space for people to process their political thoughts/frustrations through writing.
https://fandm.zoom.us/j/93489845987

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5
11/5 from 7:30-8:30pm
“Creating Boundaries Around Election Talk” – A discussion that gives participants tools to decide on their own terms when and for how long they engage in dialogue around the election.
https://fandm.zoom.us/j/96629183229?pwd=QmRQZjVwbUk1Zmp0ZjRIenpST0M3UT09

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6
11/6 from 9-10 AM & 3:30-4:30 PM
Gray Matter Campus Dialogue “The Election is Over. Now What?”
https://tinyurl.com/GrayMatterElection2020

By TCR