Photo Story: Inside BCS 2024 Election Watch Parties

Students, local residents gather to watch results come in on campus, at bars, restaurants.

Battalion Photo

November 6, 2024

Attendees pose for a photo during the Texas A&M Turning Point USA election night watch party at Lake Walk at Traditions in Bryan, Texas, on Nov. 5, 2024.

Photo by Samuel Falade

Hundreds of people gathered in bars, classrooms and restaraunts in the Bryan-College Station area on the night of Tuesday, Nov. 5 to watch as results from the 2024 election began to flash across television screens. After the first polls in eastern states closed around 6 p.m. CT, voters waited in anticipation for vote tallies to reveal themselves.

Attendees gather to watch election results at a watch party hosted by Turning Point USA at Lake Walk at Traditions in Bryan. (Photo by Samuel Falade)

“Well, I’m sitting here in a bar watching the election,” Paul Thomasson, an attendee at a watch party at Billy’s Grille & Bar in Bryan, said. “I must admit, I’m pretty tense right now.”

An attendee watches the TV as Trump takes the lead in election polls at a watch party in Billy’s Bar and Grill hosted by Brazos County Dems in downtown Bryan. (Photo by Sarthak Dalal)

Attendees watch the TVs at the bar as election results come in during a watch party hosted at The Angry Elephant. (Photo by Chris Swann)

Former president Donald Trump appeared to take an early lead with victories in Florida, Ohio and North Carolina among other states. Cheers filled bars like The Angry Elephant as Trump’s victories were called on the screen. “I’m exhausted,” Joseph Casaretto, a first-time voter who watched the results at The Angry Elephant, said.“I want to go home, and go home knowing that Trump wins tonight.”

For voters on the other side of the aisle, disappointment and dread filled Democratic voters as the Texas senate race was called for incumbent Ted Cruz against challenger Colin Allred, on top of the ongoing presidential results favoring Trump.

An attendee reacts as election results come in at Billy’s Bar and Grill in downtown Bryan. (Photo by Sarthak Dalal)

Attendees watch election coverage at a watch party hosted by Members of Aggie Democrats at the ILCB. (Photo by Jessica Roppolo)

“I think everyone in this room is anxious,” English senior Luis Pena said.“That’s just election night in America. You don’t know what’s gonna happen. [But] the sun’s gonna come up tomorrow, and the day will still go on. That’s what I tell myself.”

A participant wears a red ‘Make America Great Again’ hat during during the Texas A&M Turning Point USA election night watch party at Lake Walk at Traditions in Bryan.

Photo by Samuel Falade

'
Attendees watch election coverage at a watch party hosted by Members of Aggie Democrats at the ILCB.

Photo by Jessica Roppolo

'
Attendees watch election results during the Texas A&M Turning Point USA election night watch party at Lake Walk at Traditions in Bryan.

Photo by Samuel Falade

'
An attendee watch election coverage at a watch party hosted by Members of Aggie Democrats at the ILCB.

Photo by Jessica Roppolo

'
A photo of Trump’s assassination attempt at the Angry Elephant Election night watch party.

Photo by Chris Swann

'
An attendee watches election coverage at a watch party hosted by Members of Aggie Democrats at the ILCB.

Photo by Jessica Roppolo

'
Attendees watch state polling results at the Angry Elephant Election night watch party.

Photo by Chris Swann

'
Students watch at state voting results at the TAMU College Republican Election watch party in the HECC.

Photo by Abdurahman Azeez

'
Business Administration freshman Isaac Feeney celebrates Republican victory over Florida at the TAMU College Republican Election watch party in the HECC on Tuesday, Nov. 5 2024. (Abdurahman Azeez/The Battalion)

Photo by Abdurahman Azeez

'

Donate to The Battalion

Your donation will support the student journalists of Texas A&M University - College Station. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.