How are people feeling in this moment?

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On the ballot: former president Donald Trump and vice president Kamala Harris.

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In the early hours of Wednesday morning,Donald Trump was declared the winner.

Here is what they told us.

Today the line was outside the building before the doors opened.

A woman with glasses wearing a beanie hat; a woman with a voting sticker on her finger

Despite the volunteers being a bit overwhelmed, the mood was optimistic and positive."

Erin McCarthy, attorney

Arizona

“I joyfully cast my ballot for Kamala Harris.

I hope Im part of history in electing the first female president of the United States!”

A woman hugging Kate Schaffer, the Democratic candidate running for Arkansas State House District 10; A woman standing and holding her I Voted sticker; A woman standing in front of a sign that says Colorado for Harris and Walz

The votes are extremely close, and I’m hopeful we will finally see some change.

But you could bet I’ll be voting the day early voting starts for the next elections."

Nivriti Deshpande, high school senior

California

Today feels monumental and scary.

A woman wearing a sweater standing on the beach; a news anchor in a green dress getting ready to address the camera

As a Black woman you always hear youll work twice as hard to get half as far.

And today could finally prove that adage wrong.

Im cautiously optimistic, and galvanized no matter what.

A woman looking at a computer screen of election results; a woman sitting on a bench in front of a beach

Zoe Burgard, Yale PhD student and educator

Delaware

“It’s late in the evening.

I’m at home on my couch watching as the results start to roll in.

It feels like Donald Trump is going to win.

A woman wearing black giving a thumbs up, a woman in a pink shirt, a woman in a pink sweater looking at her phone

I’m texting friends and family as it all feels unbelievable.

Its 9:40 p.m., and still an early night… Ive covered four presidential campaigns, but this is my first as a mom.

Thats changed how I think about politics.

A woman in a blue jacket sitting at the table, a voter wearing a white shirt, a woman wearing a flannel and gray pants taking in a selfie in front of a bathroom mirror

Ive tried to be more empathetic in my coverage, aiming to find the humanity in politics.

Naisha Roy, student journalist

Hawaii

“I have mixed feelings.

I’m glad this day is finally here.

A woman wearing a gray sweater with an I Voted sticker, a group of girls taking a selfie, a woman walking next to a man and a dog on a leaf covered street

Now we just have to wait and see what wins, common sense or bigotry and misogyny.

I am expecting the worst; hoping for the best.

I meant to spend my day in complete solitude hiking to keep my bubble of emotions from bursting.

A woman wearing a hat standing next to the Harris and Walz 2024 sign; A woman holding her I Voted sticker; A woman standing with her family

A sense of normalcy, I guess.”

Oksana Enriquez, project executive

Idaho

“I voted, of course.

But now I’m moving on.

A woman taking a selfie wearing a blue sweater; a woman hugging a dog outside a polling center

I went to work, stopped at the grocery store on the way home.

There were only two choices, so it’s not a huge surprise.”

Wendy Fast, administrative assistant

Illinois

“Im excited to be voting in my 17th election.

A woman standing with her children, a group of women holding their I Voted sticker, a woman wearing a gray shirt pointing to her I Voted sticker

Everything was very efficient at my polling place.

The whole thing was only about 45 minutes.

Im anxious to find out what happens in Wisconsin since Im across the border.

A woman sitting at a desk, a woman with yellow eyeshadow taking a selfie, a woman looking at a computer

I can only hope things turn out well.

I would hate to have a criminal as my next president.”

Ive spent much of the day solo after voting early last weekand saving my sticker, of course.

A group of women standing with Kamala Harris signs; an image of a TV screen broadcasting election results

I didn’t want to leave anything open to mistake since abortion access is at risk.

Thats not to say Im not anxiously awaiting the results of many races across Kansas and the nation.

This morning I hosted a free Election Day meet ‘n greet breakfast at a local bagel shop.

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Kamala does her job and I do mine and we all have a role to play.”

Josie Raymond, Kentucky State Representative

Louisiana

“Just voted at my polling location!

What Im feeling, thinking, experiencing: I am overwhelmed with emotions!

A woman sitting at a desk with a computer, a pregnant woman standing with two young boys, a woman with a microphone

Feeling anxious but also excited!

This can be a tough sell.

Now, we wait.

A woman next to a man and a young child; A woman with her friend holding their I Voted sticker

But no matter what, I strongly believe that real change lies in collective community power and grassroots action.

This is where I will always place my faith and my trust and my energy.”

Mira Ptacin, writer

Maryland

“I’m running for school board in Carroll County, Maryland.

A woman wearing glasses next to a man and young child, a woman with blonde hair, a woman wearing a blazer putting a sign on a door

Elizabeth Warren, U.S. senator

Michigan

“Woke up feeling anxious and an alphabet soup of emotions.

I wish I was feeling more excited about such a monumental event.

But my feelings are heavily overshadowed by the anxiety of having Trump back in office.

A woman wearing glasses leaning against a wall, a woman with a U.S. flag sweater, a woman with a pony tail and tan sweater

Were voting today to protect our rights as women and preserve the Department of Education.

More than a hundred people came.

‘This is America,’ one said, ‘We all have to be adults and get along.'”

life in plastic with barbie face and black text

Julie James, patient care coordinator

Nevada

“Our family team is small, but mighty.

Lori Hong, mom of two

New Mexico

“I’m spending Election Day at work.

This election has been nerve wracking.

Queen Elizabeth wearing a purple coat and hat smiling at Pope Francis

I work at a university and interact daily with students who are first time voters.

I don’t think I’ll feel happy with either result.”

Laura Paige, manager

Ohio

“This election means everything.

A gif of a woman washing her hair and the Culligan Water Softener.

These women have taken me under their wings, fully accepting me.

Without them, I would be absolutely panic-stricken.

I know that they are helping me make a difference for my daughter.”

Donald Trump praises his campaign senior advisor Susie Wiles during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on November 06, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The whole world is holding its breath.

They know whats on the line.

I, too, am just waiting to exhale.

election victories

And, in the meantime, chilling with John King.”

Amanda Tunnell, freelance writer

Oregon

“Im glued to the TV.

Im a nervous wreck.

US Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign event outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024.

But Im clinging to every ounce of hope.

I did voter protection in Philadelphia and visited over 20 polling sites.

The turnout was good in Philadelphia so I did not expect the result.

Side by side images of Former President Trump and Vice President Harris

But I’m not giving up.

Just in for a longer haul.”

I feel confident in a victory tonight for my race and also optimistic Kamala will win as well.

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We meet every two weeks.

Im grateful for the opportunity to share peoples stories while witnessing many voters participating in shaping the future.

As a news reporter, its been exciting to see such a big voter turnout.

Kamala Harris may pick Tim Walz to serve as her vice president.

It shows how passionate people are to have their voices heard.

Now that Election Day is here, it feels surreal.

Weve been working to inform people on topics appearing on this ballot for months.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during an NCAA championship teams celebration on the South Lawn of the White House on July 22, 2024 in Washington, DC.

By 8 p.m. our time, the adults were getting pretty anxious.

Someone mentioned feeling like they were going to throw up.

As the results rolled in, parents went back and forth with musings like ‘oh, thats promising!’

E. Jean Carroll

and ‘I dont knowIm nervous.’

I took my daughter to vote for her first time.

And it was historic in so many ways.

Ive chosen to vote for our collective humanity today.”

Our fundamental human rights and our democracy is on the ballot up and down."

Our local volunteers at the town hall displayed Midwest nice!

No wait in the voting cubicles with hand sewn curtains.

This brings a culmination of emotions including polarization fatigue.

I hope for a return to civility and bipartisan approaches to solve real issues faced in rural Wisconsin communities.

Health should not be determined by your zip code.

My vote is my voice."

I have high hopes for outcomes to emphasize local priorities like energy, agriculture, and small government."

Karen Linn, kindergarden teacher

But would I do it again?

The late pope spared no expense when it came to treating the infant prince in 2014.

Skip the shampoos, glosses, and treatments.

The political consultant helped the former president run his successful 2024 campaign.

Including momentous firsts, abortion protections, and New York’s “Equal Rights Amendment.”

“The stakes in this election couldnt be clearer.

The current governor of Minnesota recently called the Trump-Vance ticket “weird.”

The GOP knows that if this becomes a campaign about identity, theyre going to lose.

Carroll had filed two defamation suits against the former president.