By Editorial
Barack Obama might have won the election, but the true winners on Tuesday were the University of Portland community and the American people at large.
Both showed inspiring commitment and enthusiasm toward the electoral process during a time when vigilance and responsibility on their part is needed more than ever.
For the months leading up to the election, the university campus, usually a quiet place as far as politics goes, was abuzz with political activity.
Institutions around the school put on multiple, varied activities leading up to Nov. 4, building up excitement for the vote.
Campus Ministry hosted the Faithful Citizenship panel discussion, where community members were able to explore election issues rationally and thoughtfully, but through a religious lens.
Keeping with their mission to create social justice and a more equitable society, free elections being a part of doing that, the Moreau Center brought in The Bus Project, a non-profit organization that helped register many new students on campus.
As the economic crisis unfolded, some faculty members held a panel to bring some rhyme and reason to the situation and clarify what it means for voters.
Student groups also mobilized for the election.
The College Democrats participated in the "Trick or Vote" program, on Halloween, going door to door to remind students to vote.
Ending the long campaign with a bang, the club also put on an election night party for political junkies from the whole voting spectrum.
After disbanding last year, the political fervor inspired the College Republicans to reorganize. Within days of their first meeting, they spent the weekend before the election volunteering at a Republican call center, and intend to continue club activities into the future.
In an irreverent twist to the sometime over-serious campaign season, the Philosophy Club held a presentation outlining the numerous logical fallacies from both camps.
There isn't enough room here to cover everything put on by the school or by students, or talk about every election party or every student who sneaked peeks at the election results on their cell phone during night class.
The UP community's showing was impressive, as was the country's at large.
While they are still tallying the votes, projections for the turnout this election point to an unprecedented level of voter participation. Some projections place voter participation at 62 percent or more, which would make this the highest participation election since 1968.
The turnout among the college-age set was especially uplifting. Although fewer than 50 percent of 18-24 year-olds have voted, that percentage has been rising.
Results for this election are yet to come out, but if the high turnout and the fact that the percentage has risen in the past elections - 37 percent voted in 2000, 47 percent in 2004 - probably bodes for record-high numbers.
According to exit polls, 68 percent of those voters voted for Obama. Whatever difference young voters made, however great it may or may of may not have been, is says volumes about the potential of college-age voters to make a difference.
This election reminded a cynical, tired electorate that our system does work. People can make a difference in a modern democracy. As promised by the writers of the Constitution, and repeated during Obama's acceptance speech, our system really can create a more perfect union.
