Community invited to Purdue's Election Night Watch Party

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue will mark the 2016 election with a public watch party on election night (Nov. 8) in the Honors Hall of the Honors College and Residences North building. The event is designed for both students and community members.

Beginning at 6 p.m. and running until 10 p.m., it will feature a live production of political commentary and analysis from expert faculty and student panels. There will also be interviews with the mayors of Lafayette and West Lafayette, Purdue President Mitch Daniels and a recorded talk with C-SPAN founder Brian Lamb. 

Election night guests will enjoy discussion, snacks and refreshments while watching returns roll in on large displays throughout Honors Hall. Those unable to attend are encouraged to follow the evening virtually, using the hashtags #PurdueVotes and #Election2016. They can also view a live stream of the event.

"This university is a hub for the exchange of ideas," said professor Natasha Duncan, of the Honors College and Department of Political Science. "During the watch party we will not only examine the campaigns and results, but also the significance of the 2016 election and the democratic process. We invite everyone, the campus and off-campus community, to join in this evening using our social media polls onsite or following along with the live stream and Twitter using #PurdueVotes."

The event is sponsored by the Brian Lamb School of Communication, Purdue Honors College, the Department of Political Science and Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. It marks the culmination of Purdue's "2016 Presidential Election Series," which features public talks, workshops and guest lectures by three visiting scholars. Topics include the impact of the Latino vote, campaign polling and the candidates' use of social media.

Contact: Lindsay Perrault, Honors College Communications Manager, 765-427-1923, lindsayperrault@purdue.edu

Media Contact: Howard Hewitt, 765-494-9541, hhewitt@purdue.edu