After months of anticipation of Election Day, students who wish to take a break from homework and watch the results come in have a variety of exciting options in Madison to watch up-to-date election information as it is tallied.
Democratic supporters can head to the Monona Terrace, beginning at 8pm, to enjoy light refreshments in the company of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, and Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz. While waiting for returns to come in, these elected officials will be speaking.
\We will just be celebrating, it's free and open to the public ... the festivities will go pretty late, until the election is called,"" Lesley Sillaman of Wisconsin Victory '04 said.
On the other hand, Republican supporters can rally at City Center West, at 525 Junction Rd. Perhaps foreshadowing an election night surprise, the Dane County GOP remains tight lipped about what will happen during their festivities and was unavailable for comment.
Students who wish to celebrate with all political parties can travel to the Memorial Union where there will be a big screen television set up in the Rathskaller as well as numerous smaller sets in the Lakefront on Langdon.
""Because of polling rules, televisions won't be turned on until around 8 pm until the polls are closed because the Union is a designated polling place,"" noted Marc Kennedy, Publicist for the Wisconsin Union.
Bars such as State Street Brats, 603 State St., will be switching up the usual sports broadcasting to tune into election results, according to a State Street Brats employee.
Smaller political parties have scheduled events as well, some celebrations bigger than others. Brian Lutenegger of the Green Party said that the Madison Area event in honor of Green candidates Brian Pruka, Tony Schultz and Sally Stix will involve speeches by the candidates starting at 8 p.m. and continuing until the votes are tallied. They will be meeting at the Harmony Bar and Grill (2201 Atwood Avenue).
Madison's Nader supporters will also meet, but on a smaller scale. Regarding their election party, Paul Heideman, Coordinator of the UW-Madison Students for Nader, said ""It's at one of our member's apartments on the West Side ... its not very big, so we can't have a lot of people there.""
