With the sun peeking through the clouds Edker Ivy waited to the line to cast her ballot Tuesday at Oxford One, at 10:46 a.m..

A 61 year-old retired Oxford native, Ivy was ready to cast her ballot in the election. She had been waiting all morning for her daughter to come pick her up..

“ I was at home and my  daughter came and got me. Now I get to vote,” Ivy said.

The 2016 Presidential election has been viewed as a one of a kind election. Many have said it’s unlike any other based on how the candidates have handled themselves throughout their campaigns.

Looking at her phone, Ivy laughed when asked about her views on this election.

“This has been a strange one but I’m going to vote. I’ve been voting since I’ve been able to vote,” Ivy said.

Fixing her shirt Ivy was laughing when she was asked on if had recently decided on who she was voting for and if she would tell.

Ivy knew who she was voting for but declined to share whom she was voting for.

Harris waited in line for 15 minutes before entering and casting her vote for the election. Harris and daughter left the building with their I Voted stickers.

Amber Mckeehen cast her ballot on a chilly Tuesday night at Oxford One, at 6:30 p.m., 25 minutes after she arrived to stand in line.

Mckeehen, a 31-year-old Ole Miss student, was not hesitant about sharing her views on the election.

“I think it’s a large disappointment in a lot of ways but I think we stand to gain a lot. I think that we may see more even call on the House and Senate then we’ve ever had. I think they’ll work better together from now on.”

Social media is one of the best ways politicians can get their messages out to the public, however, it can also have the power to ruin a candidate’s chances.

“I think social media has played a large role, especially in the last few days with Trump losing numbers because his Twitter was shut down. That caused a lot of fear in voters and they actually did a study on that today; with the sharing of the emails and WikiLeaks, it’s caused everyone to go back and forth,” Mckeehen said.

Looking at her husband, Mckeehen shared why she waited this late to cast her vote:

“My husband just got off work at Walmart and I wanted to vote with him,” Mckeehen said.

2016 has seen a record breaking turnout for voter registration. As the line was moving forward and children’s laughter was in the background Mckeehen shared her thoughts.

“I think it’s awesome, it needs to continue to go up. I think that millennials are starting to understand that their vote counts more and more. That’s why we are getting more votes,” Mckeehen said.

The right to vote is very important to Mckeehen.

“I’ve had a brother injured in Iraq, I was a junior when 9/11 happened, and I’ve watched friends go off to war. It means I have the right to vote for everything they have fought for and if I don’t utilize that right, I’m dishonoring my servicemen and my country,” Mckeehen said.

Several people didn’t have a favorite candidate they were voting for, but more they were voting for the candidate that is running for their party. Mckeehen laughed when she said whom she was voting for.

“I’m a republican and I’m voting for Trump,” Mckeehen said.

Kirk Laughter, a first-time voter, was ready to cast his ballot on Tuesday night at Oxford One, at 6:38 p.m.

Laughter, a 20-year-old Ole Miss student, had mixed emotions on this election.

“It has been a disappointment in a sense, but it’s exciting that a lot more people are getting involved,” Laughter said.

Social media is a big tool for the candidate’s to be able to share their platforms with young people.

“I think social media has helped with that. You can’t get even get on your Facebook without seeing a soundbite from Trump or something Hilary said. I think it’s gotten a lot more people involved and the registration being up,” Laughter said.

First-time voters can now have a say so in history and can make their opinions heard by voting.

“It’s important just cause after we graduate we’ll probably enter the workforce. So this will be the first presidency that we’ll have an impact in voting for. We’ll feel the effects of who is voted tonight,” Laughter said.

Some voters have mixed feelings about this being their choices to vote for.

“I’m not particularly happy with my choices but it’s exciting I guess. I’m voting for Trump,”

Laughter gave another person a high-five when he shared that Ben Carson was his original choice until he dropped out and she shared the same opinion as him.

Jared Cox

The 2016 voting process for the presidential election has come to a close. Now the american people must sit back and watch as the results of the ballots come rolling in and the decision of the next President of The United States of America is made.

101 Center Ridge Road, Lafayette County Health Department, had voters coming in until the end but the turn out was nothing like the A.M. crowd. Tonights voters were fortunate enough to skip any lines which made for a quick in and out voting process.

“I am a busy mom of six. It was just kinda the best time for me to come and vote and then I was, honestly undecided, still kind of undecided. My children are like, you have to vote mom” says Lynora Jackson.

Even though everyone has there on reason behind when and why they cast their vote, their voice will still be heard and their candidate has a better chance of coming out on top due to their willingness to come out despite their busy day.

“My wife worked until five, I’m a stay at home dad with a baby so, I had to wait for her to get home and then we ate dinner so” says Dave Ray.

“I teach high school so I get off late and then I have children” says Caitlin Mclarty on why she was not able to get to the her voting poll until 6:00 P.M.

The answer to every ones question, “Who will be the next president?” is right around the corner. Whether the outcome is what you wanted or even expected it is something we are stuck with for the next four to eight years.

“I hope my candidate wins but uh you know either way it’s gonna be alright” says Ricky Clayton.

“ I’m just waiting for it to be over, that’s the main thing I just want it to be over because I’m tired of the wait. I’m like, okay, let’s just do it and get it over with” says Earnestin Johnson.

“None of the options are great but some are worse than others so its a question of how poorly we feel tomorrow, i think” says Jacob Whelan.

This historical presidential race will be one people look back on for years to come. Whether people are looking back in a positive or negative manner, we can’t say, but to be able to say you were able to cast a vote in the 2016 Presidential Election will be looked at a big deal.

“ I kinda have a feeling there’s gonna be some riots on campus either way honestly” says Kirkland Laughter, a student at The University of Mississippi.

“ I think it is a little bit different this election cycle because there is a potential for a lot of people who haven’t voted before to come out and vote which could scew the polls somewhat but uh who knows what is eventually gonna pan out from the last three weeks of madness so some of the midwestern states are very tight and interesting so I really don’t know whats going to happen to be honest with you” says Whelan.

“ I’m very relieved, I don’t know who’s going to win but probably not America” says Ray.

“ I think it’ll be pretty close” says Laughter.

“ I think either way tomorrow is going to be a good day, I think a lot of people are just ready for it to be over” says Mclarty.

“ Gosh, I guess driving over here I had a sense that Trump would win but I don’t know why I feel that way. I don’t really care for either one of them” says Ray.

“I’m not excited about it but I think Hillary’s gonna win” says Micheal Ferris.

At 7:57 p.m. the votes are piling in. Trump has won Mississippi which for the first time ever might be a slight shock to some people. Googles election results update every 30 seconds and as for now Hillary Clinton has won or leading in most north eastern states and Donald Trump is leading or has won most south eastern states as well as North Dakota. Trump has 123 electoral votes and Clinton has 97 but the final results could go either way.

Kaitlyn Collins

November 8th is here and that means the future of America is being decided by every ballot casted in America today.

The Lafayette County Health Department located at 101 Center Ridge Rd was a popular location for citizens casting their vote early this morning. Many people were already in line before 7:00 a.m. but once the doors opened at 6:59 a.m. people began flooding in to get a spot in the steadily growing line.

“I wanted to be the first person in my polling section to vote. Yes, I’ve been up since 4:30am. Yes, I was here reading by flashlight at one point. So, yes, I was here before a lot of the actual poll workers.” said Kenneth Jones, a sociology teacher at North West.

Whether in line to get the voting process over with or in line because of pure excitement many men and women of Lafayette county came early to exercise their right to vote.

“ I mean I think that it’s been an interesting election for sure. I don’t wanna say that I’m glad it’s over, I mean I’m glad that we are getting to exercise our rights that we do for the beauty of our government every four years, for president, and every couple of years and all for different down ballot raises and so am I glad it’s over, maybe but I don’t know that I have strong feelings either way on that part.” said Micheal Cherry, a staff member at The University of Mississippi.

The election process has been going on now for a little over a year with positives and negatives along the journey, same as every year, but the election process of 2016 has been a shock to most citizens of the United States.

“ As a sociologist and historian, I can tell you this one has been nasty, I mean this, I mean a certain amount of political debate and fighting is the norm but this has been exceptional”  says Jones, “I have been voting since 2000 and this is the first time I can remember presidential election commercials on Mississippi television. It’s the first time I can remember that so that uh, that’s been interesting there has really been a, you know, full country blanket effort to get voters from every where so it seems like a lot of states have been sorta swing states because you know, I don’t know if people know this but if you follow the polls, for a while there in the Summer, Hillary Clinton had like 30 to 40% chance of winning Mississippi, which is basically unheard of in the modern age for a democrat to come even that close.”

Technology and some media outlets have made it far to easy for people to receive only the information they want to hear rather than both sides of every story.

“ I do watch the news and I do get frustrated on both sides. There is a lot of bias in the news these days, um it doesn’t matter if you turn on CNN, if you turn on Fox even now these days if you turn on MSNBC they’re just as bias too, so I am ready for that to be over not that it will end. I feel like this is just the beginning um I think for, how ever it ends, I think Donald Trump and Hillary both they’ll still be a lot of controversy so I don’t know if it’ll end but it will, the controversy, decline a little bit” said Dylan Lewis, a student at The University of Mississippi.

Whoever one decides to vote for is their constitutional right yet some people have let another persons opinion bother them so much as to delete friends from their life.

“ I read that up to 7% of Americans polled have ended a friendship because of this election so I would personally hope that once this is done hopefully some way can be found for everyone to just sort of, you know kinda like, you know you fight with your family at Thanksgiving and by Christmas you try to get it all together again, that would be my hope” says Jones, “ regardless of your political affiliation I would hope that we could ultimately sorta get on with it.”

Everyone voting today feels there candidate is the way to go and the other one is not. Even if the candidate they are voting for today was the candidate they were voting for at the beginning of the race, the controversy of this race has caused most to feel very strongly for or against each candidate.

“ Not to say who I am voting for, but I am voting on the right side of history today, I am voting for the people, I’m voting for um everyone, to make sure everyone feels like they have an opportunity, a chance here in our country because that’s what we are founded on” said Lewis.

Even at 7:00 a.m in the morning on the day of the 2016 Presidential Election, Oxonians are thinking of how the end of this journey will go, despite the outcome of the ballots.

“ In Mississippi, I feel that we know who will win here, I think overall it’s going to come down to those swing states those battle ground states that they really fought hard in the last couple of days, both sides have been very active in those states so I don’t know it’s going to be interesting to see who pulls it out, I mean I think that we know who will win or I hope we know who will win but again it’s going to come down to those battle ground states” said Lewis.

Cherry says, “ I think it could go either way, I don’t know that I would say that I am nervous about the results. I mean the results are going to be what they are and I hope that who ever is the losing side, if we’re talking about the presidential election, is willing to work towards reconciliation and a better country that’s what I would hope in any election.”

In roughly less than 24 hours our country will have elected its new president for the next four to eight years and there will not be an opportunity to turn back the clock. Every one registered has the opportunity to get their voice heard whether your candidate comes out on top or not. The election process is over but citizens have until 7:00 p.m. to have their voice heard.

“I am very glad it is over, I feel this election has created a lot of tension amongst people and I am kind of ready for that to be over. “ said Lewis.

Kaitlyn Collins

As nightfall crept over the Taylor Community Center, so did the last few voters who were filing in after leaving work.

An aged 60 man who preferred to stay anonymous said he’d just left work.  He was bringing himself and his wife to vote.

“This election is very different but I feel good about it,” he said.  “I feel better about Hillary than I do the other one.  Trump is very outspoken, too outspoken. He’ll literally say anything.  I don’t think he has any respect because he was born a rich man.  A rich man is not going to think like a lower level man.

The man and his wife feel Trump is distracting his followers by supporting Christian values.

“I feel the way he’s directing his followers is wrong,” he said.  “He’s distracting them by telling them he’s against abortion and he’s pro-life, completely avoiding the fact that he only wants to help people who have money.  That’s what it boils down to.”

Leaving the community center after him was a woman and her 5-year-old daughter.  She preferred to keep her identity anonymous as well.

“It’s been the most interesting election I’ve seen thus far,” she said.  “Very interesting.  I feel like these candidates, at least one of them is a bit opinionated and has a lot of views that I didn’t think, as an African American, I would have to be dealing with or listening to in 2016.  It’s nerve wrecking.  I’ve been fasting and praying.”

She was there a bit late.

“I’m here later because of work,” she said.  “I got off and had to come straight here after picking up my daughter.  Every vote counts whether people believe that or not.”

A 23-year-old and her step-son filed out of the building after the woman and her daughter.

“Yes, I’ve voted before but oh gosh, to be honest with you this whole election has been crazy.  All I can do is pray about it.”

She said that she believes political views could be kept private to preserve friendships and work relationships.

“As far as my coworkers, we don’t mention it at work,” she said.  “But as far as Facebook friends, that’s a different story.”

She said she’d witnessed people she knew saying some pretty surprising things.

“A lot of people have lost friendships from this election and even families have been separated because of this election,” she said.   “I’ve had Facebook friends say things that surprised me but I try to refrain from sharing my political views on there.  I just keep it to myself because I don’t need it to interfere with any relationship I have with friends.”

She too had just gotten off of work.

“I just got off work,” she said.  “A lot of people get off at 5 so we pushed the late end for the night.”

The last person to leave the building shared the same views as the others before him and said he too was so late getting to the poll because of work.

“Yeah, work pushed me back but it didn’t stop me from voting,” he said.

He was 67 years old and went on to share some of the things he’d witnessed in previous elections dating back to the 60’s.

“I’ve seen a lot of strange things,” he said, “but nothing comes close to what I’ve seen in this election.  I’d rather not share who I voted for but neither one of them can be trusted.  Trump runs his mouth too much and Hillary is just hiding something.”

He said that the way both candidates approached the election was unlike anything he’d ever seen, saying that the morals in the country were slowly dying.

“When I was a young boy, there was a sense of respect among lawmakers and politicians,” he said.  “We most definitely had respect for women, and bad mouthing them on national television and getting away with it was something that just wasn’t right.  You would see politicians slandering each other in sense, but by no means was it as severe as this year’s election.”

He said he prays the outcome of this election is in favor of American citizens, in all financial divisions.

“I’m not sure how it’s all going to pan out,” he said. “All Trump talks about is money and I don’t know if Hillary knows what going on half of the time.  We need a leader who is deeply rooted in God.  Someone who respects everyone and wants to see the country live up to the potential it has.”

He nodded, said goodbye, and slowly walked back to his old Chevrolet truck, revving the engine and heading home.

Mia Sims

As the day is nearing the end mid day voters have started to turn out at the Yoncoa Community Center. The late afternoon voters defiantly had a drag in them. Around this time more and more people were becoming unwilling to talk and trying to avoid contact. The wait time is still nonexistent with people coming out the polls around every 10 minutes.

“I just got off work. I am apprehensive for results said, Danny Morton.” Morton is a worker at the Wal-Mart in New Albany.

The people had lost the pep in their step that the morning voters once had. With the middle of the day upon everyone more people had just got off work and their mood was down. They wanted to get in and out without too much chatter. The townspeople whom once knew everybody and were willing to speak to one another with such excitement turned into just a wave or a passing nod for one another. Another thing that can be said about this town however is that throughout the day only a maximum of two voters were seen on their phones.

Around 3:28 p.m. there was no line at the voting center. One woman by the name of Lindsey was the first person to start off the afternoon. According to Lindsey, “I am a teacher and I wanted to beat the work rush. Wish I had better choices on campaign people.”

Bobby Clark is an account that was also out at the late afternoon voting. Clark said, “I got off of work a little late and I had to get my car serviced. Everything was perfect at the voting poll. I am a little nervous about the election but excited. I did not vote for Clinton I will tell you that.”

Jessica a student at Ole Miss voted at this precinct also. Jessica said,” I voted at this time because I just finished up my day at school. It’s a new world coming. We are going to have to look at it that some good will come out of this election. I did not think the election candidates were ready for the election, but with the senators and people already in office it will not be as bad.”

Monica is a daycare teacher for two-year-old students. She brought her son with her to the polls. “He wanted to come. He hears about it at school and on the bus so I think he wanted to see what it is about. I came at this time because I have kids and my husband, said Monica.”

Shane and Shelia McGiuney looked happy as ever as they walked out of the election polls. They may have been the two happiest people whom were seen around the 4 p.m. hour. “I had to wait on my wife to get off work or I would have came at any time. For the election results tonight it is a certain apprehension. I will still get up tomorrow and get dressed, said Shane.”

Another woman that was interviewed was a little surprised about what awaited her at the voter check in table. “I did not know I needed my ID. I had to come back to the car and get it, other than that it went smoothly. I came at this time because I have been up toward Memphis all day. I am anxious about the results of the election tonight, said Vicki Nardozzi.” Thankfully for Nardozzi there was no line when she came so when she forgot her ID she did not have to go back and wait in a line.

One man that did not want to comment on his name or occupation said a very interesting phrase that was the first heard though out the day. He said, “I just got off work. I want to see the election results but I do not think they are going to be in America’s favor.”

The sign workers were still out as well supporting their father and husband at the end of the road to see who will win Lafayette County Schools Board Member for District One.  Both Christy Larson and Molly Wray said, “we have no plans of leaving until 7 p.m.”

Conner Mounger

It’s time for the United States to find out who their 44^th president will be.

Will it be Hillary Clinton, looking to be the first female president, or Donald Trump, the

American businessman and former television producer?

Polls in over two dozen states opened up to the public Tuesday morning for everyone waiting

to give their last opinion on who they thought should be next president. Despite the chilly and

damp morning, Oxford Mississippi voters came out in plenty.

However, it is apparent that the opinions of the voters still differ, with the only thing they tend

to agree being that they are glad this election season is over.

Kayla McCarty is hopeful that the end of this election season will help decrease hostility

between the opposing sides.

“It has been a rocky road for me,” McCarty said. “It has been scary just seeing some of the

people fighting against each other over each candidate.”

McCarty, who was originally a supporter for Bernie Sanders, now sees Clinton as an

understandable candidate to win.

“It’s obvious Clinton would be a better choice of a candidate,” McCarty said. “Just because we

cannot let someone like Trump get into power like that.”

McCarty also admits that her resentment of Trump helped play a factor in her voting.

“I’m voting against Trump, but I also don’t think Hillary is as bad,” McCarty said. “There are

some things I agree with her and some things I don’t agree with her but she is clearly the better

choice.”

First time Mississippi voters Todd and Leslie Maine disagree however. Todd and Leslie, who

moved to Oxford Mississippi because of kids in school, see Donald Trump as the clear favorite

for presidency.

“Donald Trump shined head and shoulders above Hillary Clinton,” Todd said. “I think it’s a

crucial time in American history, so hopefully the American people do the right thing today.”

After a little trouble with trying to vote at the poll this morning, Todd was eventually able to

cast his vote for the candidate he saw more capable of leading the country.

“I’m happy with my candidate,” Todd said. “I voted for who I thought was the better

candidate, to make America great again.”

Leslie agrees with Todd while stating how happy she was this “brutal” election season is over.

She also shared her admiration for Trump, calling him the “better candidate, hands down.”

“I like his policies on immigration,” Leslie said. “That he is willing to make jobs in this

country again, and he doesn’t believe in abortion and some of those things I really stand against.”

But not everyone was impressed by either candidate.

Cristian Camp explains how he wasn’t happy with the election season because it turned into

“choosing the lesser of two evils.” Camp mentions how the candidate’s actions made it hard to

see one being more competent than the other.

“It’s more them just bashing each other,” Camp said. “And just trying to make the other one

look not as good as the other one instead of trying to show the point in the policies that they can

do to make Americas be what it used to be.”

“I feel like it’s just one trying to make the other one look worse.”

Danyele Wilson was a little more blunt with her expectations after the election.

“We’re doomed,” Wilson said. “Just hope we got the right person.”

Wilson, who admits to voting against the other candidate, is not happy with the baggage that

comes with both presidential candidates, claiming “they both have just as much dirt as the

other.”

Kesha Ware also feels like actual politics has taken a back seat during this election as both

candidates continue the mudslinging.

“I think it’s been more of smear campaign,” Ware said. “As opposed to actually focusing on

the most important things, which are the things of our country.”

While Ware has made her decision on who to vote for, she still recognizes the faults on both

sides but wishes there was an alternative.

“There are definitely qualities on both sides that can be improved,” Ware said. “And if there

was another candidate to choose from, that would probably help the situation. Since there’s not,

we have to work with what we have.”

Bettye Dukes is not suffering from any indecision for this election.

“It was an easy decision for me,” Dukes said. “According to the things said on TV, it wasn’t

hard to make that decision.”

“Clinton is shining all the way.”

Dukes biggest reason for supporting Clinton is the behavior of Trump.

“What president is going to get on TV and say those kinds of words out loud?” Dukes said.

“And he’s talking about bombing people. My daughter is in the Navy.”

When the two are compared, Dukes sees Clinton having more poise and self-control for

someone who might be dealing with the stress of being the president of the United States.

Zach Saranthus

The wind blew stiffly as the long line of midday voters stood outside the dark and abandoned Oxford Mall to cast their vote for either Trump or Clinton for the 2016 Presidential Election.

The sky was grey and ashen to match the somber mood that people felt for this year’s Election. As the lines grew longer and longer voters many first time expressed their views on the candidates and unanimously agreed that Hillary Clinton was the right choice for them.

Parents clutching babies and elderly men and women were most of the voters in attendance. Hospital workers on break laughed and joked about the outcome of this country if Trump were to win the election while others stayed silent choosing not to speak on the election at all.

The sky turned darker and by 12:30 it began to get colder as the only illumination came from the bright white lights in inside the mall. The poll director with a forced smile on her face directed people to their correct lines.

University of Mississippi Religious studies professor Mary Thurlkill walked briskly to the voting poll with her son who was dressed in a matching pantsuit his brown- blonde hair swooped to the side. Thurlkill, 47, eagerly talked about the election and revealed who she think is best to run this country.

She looked lovingly at her son as she said “We are voting for Hillary Clinton, she represents many of the values that I hold as well as the values I hope to instill in my son. Also I grew up in Arkansas while she was the first lady and I’ve seen first- hand the positive things she can do in this society,” said Thurlkill.

Her eyes shone as she continued to gush about Clinton. Her son looked up at her his navy blue suit hanging off his body. Thurlkill continued to speak in hushed but firm tones.

“I think it would be exciting to see her at a national level and enact many of the things that she has done already.”

Thrulkill’s voice became disappointed as she talked about the effect that the election has had on our country as a whole. She believes that the election has been very hard on our country.

“I think as a whole the election has been very difficult. The nastiness and the idea that as human beings we cannot try to communicate and understand each other instead of just hurl nasty names at each other. “

People behind Thurlkill in line nodded their heads in agreement with her opinions while some pondered and stared off into space.

“The occurrence of violence on both sides has really disturbed me. The attacks on republican polling stations, The attack on the church in Greenville Mississippi, and the idea that people feel that it’s okay to resort to violence has been one of the most saddening part about the election season.”

The lines started to stretch all around Jackson Avenue as Thurlkill started to talk about Trump she chuckled at the thought of him pushing her glasses up on her face.

She paused for a second before clearing her throat and saying that for a man that has so much wealth and privilege he has done very little for anyone else in terms of charitable deeds and actions.

“We just seem to hold very different values and hopes for our country. I hope that he’s ingenious and if he shall obtain power that he would use it for good. That’s a hope with very little evidence at this point.”

The poll director rang out the standing positions for people with the last names starting with A-K Thurlkill and her son quickly switched sides so they could correctly cast their ballot.

When to the other side Thurlkill continued to express her views on the election both past elections and present.

“I was very enthusiastic about Bernie Sanders and his statements. I would’ve been equally happy with both him, or Clinton, so we had two good candidates in my opinion. I voted on the democratic ticket during the primaries.”

Housewife Sandy Edwards, 41, did not express enthusiasm for the election as she stood in line to cast her vote. Her facial expression showed little interest as she spoke about the candidates.

She looked down at the ground as she spoke.

“Today I will be voting for Hillary Clinton because it would be best. I don’t like Donald Trump I never have and honestly wish we had better candidates.”

She dragged her feet on the pavement as she looked ahead to go cast her vote for Clinton.

The line moved at a steady pace last names A-K on one side and M-Z on the other side. Voters chatted making small talk to strangers.

An excited Father tossed his kid around as he sported a Clinton sticker on his green vest.

In the middle of a line stood Elicia Jenkins 52. She smiled brightly as she played in her golden curls while walking to go secure her vote. Jenkins is a receptionist at Oxford Housing Authority she had been waiting in line for over 30 minutes.

“I don’t who I am voting for and the reason is somebody has got to win and we need more going on in our life. I’m hoping that whoever wins will bring in a good report of helping us do some changes that we need.”

She smiled again as she talked about how good she felt about the election and good it is for people to be experiencing this.

“I always come to vote to this precinct and I have been coming here as long as I can remember.”

Jenkins shook her head as she declined to offer an opinion on Trump she just nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders as she moved up a place in line.

Mixed conversations melded together, people moving around getting antsy as they stepped closer and closer to the pale light inside the Oxford Mall.

21 year old student at the University of Mississippi Chad Knight stood in line for over an hour to cast his vote for Hillary Clinton and when asked about Trump politely offered his opinion.

“I’m voting for Hillary Clinton because a lot of her views align with mine. I don’t particularly like her past, but I think she is a lot more logical than the other candidate so I think it’s just a better fit.”

Knight spoke calmly as he continued to talk about his reasoning for voting.

“I’m not voting for an independent person because I feel like while we don’t give them the same platform or publicity as the other two parties I feel like it would be a wasted vote to do that.”

Knight stroked his chain as he talked about how long the election has been for him and how this is his first time voting in a presidential election.

“”I think in comparison from the last go around people are less enthused about it and don’t seem to care about either candidate.”

“Everyone is going to this we lost either way attitude and I agree.”

Knight chuckled when asked his opinion on Trump going on to say he has nice TV shows to keep it polite.

The clock struck 1 o’clock as more and more voters piled into Jackson Avenue Center. Jessica Marshall was one of many to arrive and joined the latter as she began her wait in the increasingly long line.

Marshall, 23, is a recent graduate of The University of Mississippi and announced her vote for Clinton.

“I am voting for Hillary Clinton today since she has had so much experience in politics and has been there for so long that she knows how to get things done and will have an easier time of actually doing a good job of being the president,” said Marshall.

She took a long pause before making a neutral statement about Trump and his campaign.

“He has his views and his opinion and I think some are not quite right with what he said he would do. I just feel like he has said things and his opinions on things can’t be done.”

Marshall also gave her opinion on the state of this country and where she think that it’s headed. The wind picked up causing her straight black hair fly all over her face.

“It will interesting I don’t know if it’s going to lean one way or the other, but for awhile it will be a little unsettled I think. Once things kind of get going and the initial hype is over then I think things will be back to a decent place.”

This election for Marshall is interesting and different and has been glad at the different candidates in this election.

Daniella Oropeza a 21 year old correspondent for News Watch stood to the far left of the crowd taking everything in on her video camera as she filmed the voting process and interviewed different political parties.

She smiled as she took a break and talked about her views on this election and how important the voting process is.

Oropeza said that she wasn’t able to vote today due to scheduling conflicts with her job.

“I feel like America has spent so much time becoming undivided from our past and I feel like this election definitely divided people and not just blacks and whites, but also other races, religions and genders.”

“I think people should vote for those who are saying they are not going to vote because they don’t like either candidate need to vote. Every vote does count. I had a teacher tell me that that is a myth and that every vote does not count especially Mississippi’s but that just doesn’t sit right with me.”

Oropeza smoothed her hair down as she discussed the fate of this country.

“Well I was looking at live polls and I feel like our fate is going to be in Hillary’s hands. She’s been on top of the polls all day and on top of the polls in the past month so I think its leaning towards her, ” said Oropeza.

Kiara Manning

For the people over at the Yocona Community Center voter turn was pretty steady. No one was waiting for over 10 minutes this time around. The voters were in and out within the 10-minute mark as well. The voters seemed to be in more of a rush this time than earlier this morning. The crowd was mainly full of lunchtime goers and retired people.

“I came this time (10:44 a.m.) because I just got up. Nothing to it. Took no time. I was worried about hitting the wrong button for the first question. That was the most important question, said Buster.” “I wanted to hit the right button I am a slow reader, said Cherry.” Buster and Cherry are a retired couple that live in the Yocona community. They have been married for 61 years and decided to vote together this morning.

The people around this time of day were still fairly friendly. More people however were not willing to comment. Not because they were in a rush to get somewhere they just did not want to.

One woman by the name of Amy Burnett was out also later this morning to cast her vote. She had a group of 5 kids with her. They all received “I voted” stickers. When asked why she voted at this time Burnett said, “Just to be able to exercise my right as a citizen. Important for my kids to see it. They can look back on it so they can see they were apart of the election.

Linda Waldman and Jessica Wroth stopped by at the polls taking a break from work. They are both self-employed businesswomen. Waldman said, “I am nervous this is the first time I ever felt an importance of voting until now. We came at this time because it worked into our schedules like this.”  Waldman had the same comment as Wroth. Both Waldman and Wroth were in the age range of 30-45.

A woman by the name of Helen took some time to comment between trying to vote and help her husband vote as well. Helen said, “It is my duty as an American citizen to vote. Who I am going to vote for I have no idea.” Helen could be seen with her husband walking to the polls and continuing her conversation about the election with him.

Another group of people took to the edge of the community center to represent his dad running for County School Board Member. Kevin Parker voted earlier today. According to Parker, “It was a hiccup in my voting process. They gave me the wrong ballot, but it was fixed right away.”

Another couple that ranged from 65-80 came to vote around 10:30 a.m. “Happen to be handy. Went to a thing at school and I was still dressed. I would have come earlier if it was not for her and the school function.”

“I figured it would be non rush hour. Pretty easy. I am excited about the election and to see who will win said, Heather Sheed a house wife.”

One of the same things was saw in this group of voters like in the last. Everyone knew each other and they came out not only to support their county but their town as well. According to Larry Howell, “I have to go to church at 10:45 a.m. to unload some stuff off the truck. I am killing two birds in one stone.”

Jonathan Hester was one of the millennials that came to cast his ballet at Fire Station #3 at 6:48 a.m. Tuesday.

With a triple minor in music, business administration and religious studies, Hester came out to vote because he had classes all day and wanted to get voting out of the way.

“More than ever before we are voting against candidates rather than voting for candidates,” said Hester. “It’s kind of disheartening. At least the majority are. Not every one.”

A first time voter,  Hester is dressed in a flannel shirt over a white t-shirt and believes that his vote is important because of the surge in millennial voting in this year’s election.

“In the last election cycle the millennial generation was kind of silent,” Hester said. “I think for this election, we are becoming more vocal and more outspoken. And as a whole, we are finding that voting is important for our country and how it is being ran.”

Noel was the first person to cast his ballot Tuesday at 7:02 a.m, at Fire Station #3. He arrived to find the doors closed while workers were setting up inside.

Dressed in a flannel shirt and blue jeans, Noel holds a book in his left hand as he waits to be let in to vote.

“I don’t really have anything to do until around noon today,” said Noel. “I was awake, so just decided to get it done.”

Noel’s opinion on the election is that of many people in this election. He knows who he wants to vote for but he doesn’t like any of the candidates.

“No matter who wins, we lose,” Noel said. “ With smiles we chose the candidate that appears nicest and we do it in this cold weather.”