SMU students gathered in the Student Activities Center Tuesday night to watch the results of the election. The event, which played host to an estimated 75 people was put on by the Political Science Symposium.

“It’s important for everyone, especially students, to realize their votes can make a difference. Events like this help to remind and encourage people to vote and to participate politically,” said Alicia Harden, ajunior political science major who was president for the Political Science Symposium.

Joe Kobylka, associate professor of political science, summed up the evening when he said it would be a long night. Kobylka explained that without the exit polls, the results received were radically incomplete and no one would know the actual results until much later.

As each state was reported, the room broke out in soft chatter. Students sat on couches, leaned against desks and pulled chairs from other rooms to get a good view of the election coverage on the single television broadcasting CNN in the SAC.

Andrea Betts Menendez, a senior political science major and president emeritus for the Political Science Symposium, said she believed that President Bush’s visit yesterday could have had some effect on how people voted.

“I think with the Cornyn and Kirk race, that yesterday’s last minute push by Bush could have really influenced people who were undecided,” Betts Menendez said. “The president of the war on terrorism said it was right for Americans to vote for Cornyn, I think that could have swayed peoples opinions.”

Julie Lindley, junior political science major, said she wouldn’t believe anything until the results were final.

“The Senate is too close to call without exit polls,” Lindley said.

The event was held to get people involved in politics and give them the opportunity to discuss the results of the election.

“I think this is testament that not all college students are apathetic. Some of us do care and those of us who do are informed voters,” said senior political science major Michael Harms.