BRIGHTON, N.Y. — People all over the country are anxiously awaiting the news of who won the presidential election, but it may take a couple more days.
What You Need To Know
- "It's just been a nail biter all night long." -Grace Hoblock
- "I've never seen an election go like this..." -Terry Johnston
- "Every vote counts." -Alaina Perez
- "I've been trying not to think about it." -Terri Miron
Grace Hoblock is a University of Rochester student, a political science major, and she's refueling at Jay's Diner in Brighton with coffee and breakfast after a long night of no sleep watching what happens with the election.
"It's been a lot of energy drinks so far,” said Hoblock. “But this is super like an energizing time and the fact that our fate's being decided tonight for the next four years kind of like had me awake too."
This was the first election she was able to vote in, and she said she's excited to be participating in such a historical election.
"It's just been a nail biter all night long,” said Hoblock. “I haven't slept yet , and so originally Trump had a lead in a lot of the key states that I thought he was focusing on, but now, as for about an hour ago, Biden possibly has a lead in Wisconsin and with all the mail-in votes it's too close to tell. I couldn't sleep because it's just been a tie all night long."
In Monroe County, 159,160 people voted on election day Tuesday, 105,732 voted during early voting, and 95,572 voted absentee.
Whether you were a first-time voter or a long time voter like Terry Johnston, this election stands out.
"I've never seen an election go like this as far as the politics and stuff involved and name-calling,” said Johnston. “It's like a war to them. But you gotta go with the flow I guess. Times are changing."
The majority of the states have unofficial results, with a few states left. Alaina Perez, who was coming off her nightshift at the hospital while watching the election, feels it can come down to the absentee ballots coming in the mail.
"Every vote counts,” said Perez. “Everyone has hopefully made their voice heard, and hopefully, that comes through."
While some have been keeping their eye on the news nonstop since Tuesday night, others, like teachers Terri Miron and Mary Woodfield, have been trying to avoid it altogether until the final results are in.
“I don’t expect the results for a while, so I’ve been trying not to think about it,” said Miron.
“I’m pretty much the same,” said Woodfield. “I did not watch because I know it’s going to take a few days. Either candidate, it is what it is. The only thing I’m excited about is all three of my kids made an effort and voted last night.”