Red and blue balloons floated in the air while about 75 students celebrated or lamented as Ron DeSantis won the governor race and Rick Scott took the Senate last night.

The Boca campus Election Watch Party at the Student Union’s Burrow featured a live stream of the Nov. 6 midterm election results, broadcasted by a projector from ABC’s website. CNN and Fox News also played on TV screens behind the cashier. The event was sponsored by the Weppner Center for LEAD & Service-Learning and Student Government, whose members greeted students at the door.

All attendees received 10 percent off their purchase by swiping their Owl Card at the front door. Although the live stream’s network connection was spotty at times, students continued munch on their food and cheer their candidates on.

“We wanted a safe and happy place for our students to be able to watch the election results and celebrate and embrace each other in either win or defeat, and just have an enjoyable election experience,” Director of Government Relations Jacqueline LaBayne said.

And while some students were pleased with the results, others left unsatisfied.

“The results are upsetting to me. I wanted Andrew Gillum to win, I’ve been following him ever since he announced his plan to run. I see all the effort that he’s been putting in and I think he deserved to win. I’m tired of Republicans being in charge,” Sarah Lockett, a social work major, said.

Alexandra Ashbrook, a senior biology major, was pleased with the governor election results, but not with the Senate results.

“I’m glad that DeSantis won because he’s the only candidate who really knows what he’s doing. I’m not happy with Rick Scott. He caused enough trouble in Florida and now he’s out of time and wants to cause some trouble in the Senate,” she said.  

Students also watched as 11 out of the 12 amendments that appeared on the ballot passed. Amendment 7, which has the most direct impact to college students, will now require a supermajority vote to raise tuition fees at public universities.

“As someone who pays out-of-state tuition, I already pay too much money for college. I’m very pleased that Amendment 7 passed,” Ryan Kennelli, a multimedia journalism major, said.

Caroline Bell is a contributing writer with the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected].