Tuesday, November 5 is the official election day determining who the 47th president of the United States will be. This presidential race is between Vice President Kamala Harris and 45th President Donald Trump.
This election is a very significant election, with the country more polarized than ever. The policies each candidate focuses on are very different and have significant impacts on all Americans. This article will be published after election day, therefore, its purpose is to provide a history of past elections at Colby, and how they compare to the 2024’s election.
Maine has been a state since 1820, therefore, Waterville has been voting for 204 years. The Colby Echo has been publishing issues since 1877, and covered its first federal election in 1880.
In 1880, James A. Garfield was elected as president. Written in The Sanctum section of The Echo (Vol. II, No. II) are various lines that echo modern dialect, such as the importance of voting. It reads “The educated men of this country are the men of influence, and the greater interest they manifest in every-day politics, the more encouragement we derive from the future of our country.” This quote emphasizes how important it is that you vote, and participate in democracy. Voting is a hard-fought right and amongst the most influential ways to advocate for your ideal future. Maine especially requires voter participation due to its status as a swing state. The Echo also covered the election of Benjamin Harrison in 1888. The Echo (Vol. XIII. No. 8.) printed that “Whatever might have been the result of the election, our national stability could not have been shaken by the supremacy of any party. The greatest calamity is always suffered by disappointed office seekers whom the issue of every election most seriously affects.” This quote is ironic now, given general sentiment towards this election. Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump’s opponent in 2016 has said “the future of democracy is at stake.” The Trump campaign recently named this election as “our country’s most important election.” Feelings about this election starkly contrast the outlook in 1888.
The election of William McKinley in 1900 was also documented by the Colby Echo. The Echo (Vol. IV. No. 6) documented a debate between three Democratic speakers, and three Republican speakers. The debate was hosted in the Chapel, and had an audience of both Colby students and Maine residents. The writer describes both sides of the debate as seemingly unbiased. Such a debate at the College today has yet to happen.
In 1928, the Echo (Vol. XXXII. No. 7) printed the result of the Student Straw Votes. Student Straw votes are unofficial votes that are used to predict trends. The Echo reads that at the College, students favored Herbert Hoover over Alfred Smith by “nearly a four to one vote of three hundred and thirty students.”
In 1936, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s landslide win over Alf Landon was The Echo’s front page (Vol. XXXX. No. 6). The Echo also published an article about guest lecturer Dr. Mortis J. Bond, and his feelings towards Roosevelt. Dr. Bond was a consultant economist for the German Government at the end of World War 1.
In 1940, The Echo (Vol. XXXXIV. No. 7) proceeded to publish a column covering “The Results of the Election,” and in 1944, the Echo (Vol. XXXXVIII No. 5) published a piece called “Political Parties and Their Labels,” which discussed Roosevelt’s job as president.
The Echo also covered Richard M. Nixon’s presidency in 1969. The Echo (Vol. LXXIII No. 7) contains editorials on Nixon as president, and his policy regarding the Vietnam War.
When re-elected in 1972, The Echo (Vol. LXXVI No. 8) published the news on the front page, saying “The size of president Nixon’s victory is awesome.”
The Echo also developed a section called “Off The Hill” that existed in various volumes of, addressing politics outside of Colby.
In 1992, the Echo (Vol. XCVII, No. 9) had an editorial titled “Where’s Colby’s Political Spectrum?” One line reads “when comparing Colby to other colleges, it fails miserably in establishing a balance of liberal and conservative viewpoints.” This student writer actively called out the imbalance of political viewpoints at the College.
In 2000, the Echo (Vol. CXXIII, No. 10) printed a column titled “Wait patiently for final results in Florida.” This student writes about President George Bush and his campaign against Al Gore. The election was very close; the writer ends the column saying, “For those of you that didn’t vote because you were under the impression that your vote didn’t count, I hope you have learned your lesson.”
In 2004, The Echo (Vol. CXXVII, No. 10) published a piece about a student march called “Funeral for America.” This protest took place on Miller steps, and was a forum students used for expressing disappointment for the re-election of George W. Bush. The student who organized the protest did so, saying, “I was sort of distressed by the lack of response on this campus” and that “without a voice, we don’t stand a chance.” The same edition also published an editorial called “Is the Democratic Party Cursed?” Students were not hesitant to publish their opinions.
In 2016, when Donald Trump won the election, the Echo (Vol. CXXIX No. 8) featured emotional melancholy photo reactions from students watching the election. This issue also contained an editorial from the Editors-in-Chief of the Echo, which stated that “This election was not just an American issue, but a global issue. The severity of the situation is beyond our control.”
An article was written about student and faculty reactions to Joe Biden’s victory over Trump in the 2020 election.
As we approach another pivotal election, The Colby Echo’s recounts of past elections remind us of the importance of civic engagement. Students have the opportunity to voice their opinions, challenge perspectives, and foster dialogue. In a day and age where the country is extremely polarized, and active political discussions induce fear or unease, it can seem daunting to publish your feelings or have discussions. Democracy thrives on participation, and every voice matters. Regardless of the result of this election, ensuring that discussions are held will affect not only our campus but the future of our country.
~ Molly Garvey `28
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