Photo Story: Inside BCS 2024 Election Watch Parties


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.
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“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.”
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.
“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.”
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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
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