Where to Watch Election Returns Tonight

Election Night viewing parties are going on tonight all across campus. Minukuan Chan (COM’18) (above) with conflicting headwear—Donald Trump hair with Democrat donkey shades—at a BU Central October debate watch party. Photo by Alexandra Wimley (COM’17)

The 2016 presidential election, full of twists and turns, is finally ending as Americans head to the voting booth today. All of the television networks begin broadcasting election results starting at 7 p.m. (earlier for Fox and CNN) and continue live coverage until 2 a.m.

Millions of Americans are expected to tune in, and to mark the historic occasion, viewing parties are being held all over campus. We’ve put together a list of places to view the returns with friends. All are free, but many of the residence hall events are open only to students living on campus, so nonresidents have to be signed in. Some events, as noted, are open to all BU students with a valid ID. If you know of others, please list them in the Comment section below.

College of Communication Lounge Party

Everyone with a BU ID is invited to the COM lounge for an election viewing party hosted by Fox News from 7 to 9 p.m. Get ready for an Apple TV giveaway and enjoy Southern comfort food, like mac and cheese, ribs, and fried chicken, from the Coast Cafe. Fox News campus associate Laura Eng (CAS’17) will be on hand to provide information about the media outlet’s College Associate Program.

The COM Lounge is on the first floor of the College of Communication, 640 Commonwealth Ave. Tonight’s watch party is free and open to students with a valid BU ID.

BU Central

BU Central transforms into “Election Central” tonight from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Expect up-to-date exit polls, a special appearance by cardboard cutout candidates, and plenty of food to keep you energized for what could be a long night.

BU Central is in the basement of the George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Ave. Tonight’s watch party is free and open to students with a valid BU ID.

BU Pub

Here’s a viewing party for the 21+ crowd. The BU Pub is hosting a special Election Night viewing party from 7 to 11 p.m. TV screens will carry the latest election results and guests can enjoy a special election-themed bingo game with prizes. Those sporting an “I Voted” sticker can purchase half-price appetizers from 7 to 9 p.m. Anyone dressing up as a current or former president or as a presidential candidate earns a free sandwich.

This event at the BU Pub, 225 Bay State Rd., is open to any member of the BU community 21+; BU ID required.

The Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground

The Howard Thurman Center, BU’s multicultural gathering space, will be providing live election coverage on multiple screens, starting at 8 p.m. There will be free food, American-themed décor, and several professors on hand to provide context and answer students’ questions.

The Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground is in the basement of the George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Ave. The event is open to all students with a valid BU ID.

Warren Towers

If you want to watch election coverage on a big screen, the Warren Towers fourth floor multipurpose room is the place to go. The party, from 8 to 11:30 p.m., is being hosted by Warren Towers RHC, Faculty-in-Residence Bryan Stone, School of Theology E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism and associate dean, Roy Grundmann, a College of Communication associate professor of film and television, and Jennifer Knust, a College of Arts & Sciences associate professor of religion. Snacks will be provided.

Warren Towers is at 700 Commonwealth Ave. All students who live on campus will be able to swipe into the building.

The Towers

Head to the Franklin Lounge at 8 p.m. for snacks, election coverage, and to try your hand at a game of election bingo. Prizes will be awarded to winners.

The Towers is at 140 Bay State Rd. All students who live on campus will be able to swipe into the building.

575 Commonwealth Ave.

If you weren’t able to cast an official ballot in this year’s election, you can drop your unofficial ballot in the informal ballot box that will be set up in the HoJo lobby all day. Then, at 8:30 p.m., watch at Cafe 575 as election results come in. Refreshments will be served, and you can decorate patriotic cookies (it will keep you from biting your nails as you wait to find out who won).

All students with a valid BU ID can enter the lobby and Cafe 575 on the first floor of 575 Commonwealth Ave.

StuVi II, 33 Harry Agganis Way

Join Faculty-in-Residence Karen Jacobs (SAR’79), a Sargent College clinical professor of occupational therapy, and the StuVi II RHC in the 26th floor lounge starting at 8 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.

All students who live on campus can swipe into the building.

1019 Commonwealth Ave

Munch on snacks and watch the election results from 8 to 11 p.m. in the first floor multipurpose room at 1019 Commonwealth Ave.

All students who live on campus can swipe into the building.

1047 Commonwealth Ave.

Join the 1019 and 1047 Commonwealth Avenue RHC for election viewing and snacks from 8 to 11 p.m. in the Entertainment Room on the first floor.

All students who live on campus can swipe into the building.

Kilachand Hall

The ninth floor of Kilachand Hall will be abuzz with students watching election coverage, from 8 to 10 p.m. Cookies, chips, and soda will be on hand as you wait for the networks to call the election and to find out the name of the next president of the United States.

Kilachand Hall is at 95 Bay State Rd. All students who live on campus can swipe into the building.

South Campus

South Campus residents can watch election results from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at 520 Park Drive. Light refreshments and photo ops with cardboard versions of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton will be provided. Stay for the political conversation.

This event for South Campus residents is at 520 Park Drive.

If you know of other Election Night events, post them in the Comment section below.

BUTV10 and WBTU will also be covering the election. More details can be found here.

Find out which way some BU students are leaning—and why—in this “YouSpeak: Who I’ll Be Voting For.”

Kylie Obermeier can be reached at kylieko@bu.edu.