With many outward varying reactions regarding the recent presidential election, it is possible that this political division will be seen across the nation and on Fairmont State University’s campus.
An anonymous poll was conducted from November 13 through November 15 for Fairmont State University students inquiring about their thoughts on the election results. All questions in the poll were met with division.
The first question asked was “Are you happy with the results of the presidential election?” Unsurprisingly, this question was met with the most division amongst the three questions asked. Of the students who completed the poll 45% were unhappy with the results of the election, while 39% were happy. The remaining were undecided if they were happy with Donald Trump winning the election against Kamala Harris.
The second question asked in the anonymous poll was “Do you believe the election was conducted fairly?” Compared to the previous election it appears that there is more trust in America’s voting system with 66% of students polled believing the election was conducted fairly. However, 9% of students believe this to be false with 25% being unsure of the election results.
The final question asked was “Do you think the results will cause division on campus and throughout our country?” This question was met with a close decision between most of the answers. Not one student who took the poll answered that there would be division on campus alone. However, 9% of students believe that division will not occur nationally or throughout campus. Approximately 48% of polled students answered there will be division regarding the presidential election nationally, 43% of polled students believe division will occur both nationally and on campus.
The presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris has been controversial and many emotions have been involved for supporters from both political sides. However, the full extent of political division nationally and on campus may not be seen until after Donald Trump’s inauguration as the forty-seventh president on January 20, 2025.
