This page will receive regular live updates throughout the day as part of The Lafayette's 2024 election coverage.

10:59 a.m. – Electoral College statement

The United States is the only country in the world which elects its president democratically through an electoral college system. Therefore, this system can be a bit confusing. This is how it works.

How does the electoral college work?

The Electoral College is made up of electors, people chosen to represent a single state in its election. To win the presidency, a presidential candidate must win 270 voters out of 538 total.

Each state's electors are allocated based on the size of their congressional delegation (the additional number of U.S. representatives and senators). Although Washington, DC is not a state, it constitutionally has three electors for representation purposes.

In most states, electors are chosen using a winner-take-all system. Winning a state means that a candidate wins all of that state's voters. The only exceptions are Maine and Nebraska, which use a proportional representation system – the winner of each congressional district receives one electoral vote and the winner of the statewide vote receives each state's remaining two electoral votes.

On December 17, voters will meet in their respective states to cast their official votes for president. Congress then counts the electoral votes and confirms the winner of the presidential election on January 6th.

What happens if no one reaches 270 electoral votes?

In the event of a tie (for example, both candidates win 269 electoral votes) or if no candidate receives 270 electoral votes, the newly elected Congress decides the election.

In this election, the House of Representatives would choose the president. Each state, regardless of the size of its congressional delegation, would receive one vote and select one of the top three presidential candidates. Washington, DC would not participate in this election. The vice president would be elected by the Senate, with each senator having one vote.

Note that a contingent election has only occurred twice in history – in 1824 with the election of John Quincy Adams and in 1837 with the election of Richard M. Johnson as Martin Van Buren's vice president.

William Gutierrez '27

9:54 a.m. – What motivates students to vote?

Millions of young voters The swing states will play a crucial role in who wins this election. As a result, students have been particularly targeted this election cycle – including on Lafayette's own campus.

October of Lafayette Election poll found that the majority of students surveyed were primarily concerned about abortion and the economy before this election. From the voters' perspective, this trend appears to be holding steady so far.

“At the top of the wish list is reproductive justice,” said Lucy Parry ’26. “Gun control is also a big issue for me, as are environmental issues and having someone in office who hasn’t been convicted of crimes.”

For some voters, issues like foreign policy played an important role in election day turnout.

“It's my first election as a voter, so I'm excited to vote,” said Jack Hollinstat '27. “Middle East politics regarding threats to Israel’s existence and abortion rights is why I’m here voting.”

“I think as an international student there is a certain amount of pressure because I have to think about how the political situation here affects my home country,” said Isabella Lu '25, a first-time voter from Taiwan.

William Gutierrez '27

8:45am – Here’s what you may have missed

Election day follows two high-profile visits to the Lehigh Valley: the two presidential candidates, Republican former President Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Voter registration data was completed at the end of the month and The Lafayette analyzed it Data and trends about how people can vote.

On Monday, a Students for Life of America event was held in front of the Farinon College Center in the early afternoon. Savannah Cravena pro-life activist, spoke to dozens of students about the topic of pro-life advocacy – the program was called “Racist Roots of Abortion.”

Sidney Jones '27, the president of Lafayette Students for Life of America Club, organized the event.

“We want people to ask questions and we just want people to get more information,” she told The Lafayette.

Jones emphasized that the event was not planned in conjunction with Election Day.

One participant shouted, “Look at L-RAJE!” referencing Lafayette for reproductive autonomy, justice and empowerment.

“I think the majority of people don't really believe it's a happy thing, and most women don't really want to do it,” Craven said of abortion.

Andreas Pelekis '26

7:50 a.m. – Polls open in Pennsylvania

The polls are now open and Election Day has officially begun. Most students began lining up at the Kirby Sports Center at 6:50 a.m., and when the polls opened at 7 a.m. there were over 60 voters in line. The line to vote goes around the gym and outside. By 7:45 a.m. there were over 100 voters in line.

“Some people came, saw how long the lines were, then left and said they would come back later,” said Lucy Parry, 26, a poll worker.

“I waited 55 minutes, and that was at 8 a.m., in front of the huge crowd,” said Yoryi Roque ’28.

From outside the Kirby Sports CenterThe group of non-students also entered the building but quickly left, deciding to vote later.

However, some students didn't mind the long lines.

“I thought it was interesting that there were so many people there, given the time,” said Isabella Lu ’25. “It didn’t really detract from the experience, but I did regret not bringing gym clothes so I could work out later.”

Oh, and I was the first to vote too! I'm pretty proud of that.

William Gutierrez '27

A sign at the Kirby Sports Center shows voters where they can cast their ballot.

6 a.m. – Welcome to our Election Day coverage

swing state, Bellwether CountyDistrict that “can decide the election.” These are the phrases you may have heard over the past few months as the Lehigh Valley election gained momentum. Today these words mean something.

Our editors, staff writers and photographers will spend the day on location at the Lafayette College campus in the city of Easton, at official congressional candidate watch parties and at informal watch parties as the results are announced. We'll be updating our coverage throughout the day and into the night.

For those voting in Easton, Pennsylvania, below is a reminder of who is on the ballot. Vote.

The Lafayette Editorial Board