It was a vigilant atmosphere at the UTM College Democrats’ watch party.

The channels on the television were ever-changing, the radio tuned in to WCMT could be heard in the background, and multiple laptops were being refreshed with the latest projections on all the political races.

Everyone was being adequately fed with the most up-to-date information. Welcome to election watch parties of the new age.

“It’s a bad night to have a sinus infection,” said Wil Hammond, president of the College Democrats. Hammond hosted the event full of eager spectators.

Many spectators could be seen pacing around the room, soaking in all the latest information and giving their strategic insight. It had all the elements of a political war room. With each new piece of information, everyone was thinking positively about Sen. John Kerry’s chances of being the next President of the United States.

All the campaigning was finished, the only thing that mattered now was the end result, and everyone in attendance knew it. All the talking was finished; the votes are all that can be heard now. Many members of the College Democrats were worn out from campaigning for local candidates, and they were eager to find out if all their hard work had paid off.

“We’re very happy with how our local candidates (Tanner, Herron, Maddox) are doing,” said Kevin Teets of Clarksville, TN.

For the UTM Democrats and the rest of the country, it may very well be morning before the results are known.