29 Americans Got Very Honest About Their Election Day Mood

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After what feels like 84 years, it's finally Election Day in America, and people are feeling a lot of mixed emotions. Over on Reddit, someone asked Americans to share their mood today, and more than 17,000 people chimed in. Here are some of the top responses:

1. "Like I’m about to check my bank account after a weekend of 'treating myself' — a mix of hope and dread."

—reydawg00

2. "I have jury duty today, so I'm annoyed that I had to watch a 20-minute video about my civic duty while they are preventing me from voting. Hopefully, they let me out soon. Election Day should be a national holiday, and if they are really intent on keeping jury duty on it, at least let me vote at the courthouse!"

—TinySpiderman

3. "Cold. Been waiting in line since the polls opened at 6 a.m. Line is ginormous. This is the largest voter turnout I’ve ever seen. For those asking about voter suppression or questioning the efficiency, it’s as simple as hundreds of people lining up prior to the polls opening. I thought I could get there early prior to work; others had the same idea. The poll workers were doing a phenomenal job, and everyone was respectfully waiting to cast their ballot."

—ConcentrateJust2120

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4. "It’s like I’m waiting for the results of a biopsy."

—jeanvaljean_24601

5. "Honestly, I’m a bit anxious but also relieved it’s finally here. The buildup has been intense, and now it's just about getting out there and voting. Fingers crossed for some positive change."

—RadiantRhythm87

6. "I’m on an international trip with my mom right now. I think I’m going to do this every presidential election going forward."

—knocking_wood

7. "I'm so grateful to have a D&D game tonight. It goes 'til about midnight and will be about the only thing to keep me away from the news."

—BallClamps

8. "Full-time election staff here, ready for it to be over and done. The amount of hours we've put in is insane. The OT money is great, though, and I'm putting it to good use by taking a damn vacation come January. When every single election is the most important, that means the body of our democracy is in bad shape. It doesn't make me excited; it makes me sad."

—jms21y

9. "I took my dogs out for a walk last night, and my neighbor was raking leaves even though it was dark outside — she said she couldn’t handle just sitting around and needed to burn off some anxious energy. I have not talked to a single person in the last 48 hours who is doing okay. We’re all exhausted but filled with manic, anxious energy."

—PirinTablets13

10. "Nervous poops all damn day. Ugh."

—LOTRcrr

11. "I’m in a very important swing state. My kid is voting for the first time. I’m excited for the handwritten political postcards, mailers, flyers on my door, people at my door, phone calls, voicemails, texts, instructions on where to go, misinformation on where to go, yard signs, bumper stickers, flags, and debates to all be fucking over. It’s exhausting. That said, I wish everyone’s vote counted as much as mine and my family's does…"

—browncoat47

12. "I’m a therapist who sees people from both sides of the political spectrum. Almost all my adults and teens are shitting bricks. It’s so crazy to go from helping a Trump supporter find a sense of safety and peace in case he loses to helping my Harris supporters find safety and peace in case he wins."

—Therapy_pony

13. "Nauseously optimistic. Just stood in line for an hour to vote, need you all to do the same."

—didnotbuyWinRar

14. "Ready for it to be over, and sad that Americans are afraid of the outcome and their safety. Sad that policies aren’t discussed but derogatory vitriolic comments are what our democracy is reduced to. Election Day and the results never felt like a catastrophic event — we would hand over the reigns with dignity and respect. Now, it feels like chaos and mistrust."

"There is no bipartisan agreement anymore either. I want my country to be civil and discuss issues, not characteristics.

My prayer to the universe is that no person be harmed!"

—Heavy-Escape-6392

15. "Standing in line right now before I vote. I cannot overstate how cool/unique this feeling is. This is the sixth presidential election I have participated in, and the feeling is always the same. Regardless of who is running, the fact that we as citizens have a voice every four years to course correct is very, very cool. I work internationally quite a bit, and the fact that many of the people I work with won’t get to experience this brings to light how truly special this process is."

—2-cents

16. "Not drunk yet, but looking forward to day drinking."

—guttengroot

17. "I am an older poli sci major. Election Day used to be my jam. Teenage me would scratch out Electoral College votes on a notepad; college me went to parties on election night. Young adult me would volunteer. But it's not fun anymore. There is no good outcome for me. I voted for Harris, but I agree with very little of her agenda."

"When she talks about free speech restrictions and price controls, I can feel the blood in my head as I grit my teeth. I am much worse off today than I was four years ago. On paper, I should not be voting for Harris...

...but fuck me if I am voting for Trump. Jan. 6 is disqualifying, but so is the gross racism and misogyny. 

Normally, I would vote Libertarian or something as a protest, but I live in Pennsylvania. 

So I did my part. But I am not happy about it because if Harris wins, the chances that my situation will improve will get worse." 

—lessmiserables

18. "Nervous. In my almost 40 years, this is the first time I’ve ever voted. I did my homework. Watched every debate, most rallies, and made my choice last week for the clearly more sane of the two. So now I have to just sit and wait. I’ve been sleeping worse and stress eating. I’m glad I’m awake, but I hate what I see. We are so divided as a country, and it bums me out. I thought we were supposed to evolve over time, not devolve."

—poston03

19. "One of my basic life rules is to not get emotionally invested in stuff I have no control over. So I'll go vote this morning, but then it's on with my day. I have stuff to do; there's no point sitting around doomscrolling."

—Rtalbert235

20. "I am on the ground in Pennsylvania, and I feel good. It’s hard to overstate how much work has gone into getting out the vote efforts here. We‘re doing some incredible work and leaving it all out there. Victory is within the margin of effort."

—killahchillah

21. "Doesn’t faze me one bit. Nothing during the Trump administration affected me when he was president, and nothing during the Biden administration affected me. I just saw a bunch of people online feigning outrage over a bunch of nonsense."

—_Jack_in_the_Box_

22. "As a gay teacher who married an immigrant, I'm exhausted. I feel like every part of my life gets impacted in some way by the results today."

—DirtyDratini

23. "Great day! Let's make America great again."

—Numbersuu

24. "I'm nervous if Trump wins. I'm nervous if he loses."

—AngryTreeFrog

25. "It’s my first time voting. I’m mostly just scared someone will see me, assume correctly who I voted for, and either assault me verbally or physically. I’ve already had rocks and slurs thrown at me while walking to work or to the library from school. Since I’ve graduated, it hasn’t been as bad, but I’m still worried. There were people holding Trump flags outside my local voting center on the last day of early voting."

"My family has also been bragging about 'voting all red' in our family group chat. I still plan on telling them I voted, but I’m not going to be telling them who I voted for."

—justsomeshortguy27

26. "Both candidates are the current or the previous administrations, and so both are known products, so this is actually the most boring election in recent times."

—yamfun

27. "Honestly, just finished a cup of coffee, and I'm preparing to vote today. I believe everything is gonna be okay somehow, regardless of who wins."

–SalamiMommie

28. "My feet are starting to hurt a little. I am the chairperson of a voting ward and have been at my voting location for 5.5 hours so far. Likely another 9+ to go. I have been standing and walking the whole time, helping people and answering questions. But it has been a solid turnout so far, with a high level of first-time voters registering to vote today. All in all, I am feeling good."

—silentjay01

29. And finally, "Just taking solace in the fact the goddamn ads will finally end."

—raggedyrachy21

How are you feeling today, and what are your plans for election night in America? Tell us what's on your mind in the comments!

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