As you all know, the presidential elections were this past Tuesday and Barack Obama was re-elected! For the last several months, we have all been bombarded with campaign posters, ads where both sides attack the other and say “I approve this message”, and volunteers canvassing for your vote.

Living in DC, however, the build-up to the elections was probably like no other city. As a predominantly Democrat city and the center of where it all happens, the stakes were high. The office was abuzz with political conversations and analysis of who will win and why. Every other person I know has a friend working for the Obama campaign or knows a political analyst with predictions of how votes would tally. So even though I’m not a citizen and can’t vote, I couldn’t help but become excited by the buzz of it all.

My friends and I made plans to watch the election results on Tuesday night at a local bar and I’m so glad I went! The excitement and electric energy was contagious, and I soon found myself cheering whenever Obama won a state and booing when Romney did. We became friends with the group next to us because everyone was playing for the same team that night. And when CNN announced that President Obama was re-elected, the entire bar exploded into applause, cheering, and celebrating! People were hugging total strangers, taking pictures to remember the momentous occasion, and raising their glasses.

As we walked outside, we found that U street was packed with revelers who were chanting Obama’s name, cheering, and some even popping bottles of champagne!

This will definitely be one of my most memorable DC experiences. How was your election night?