The College Republicans rallied with the North Carolina Republican Party as they gathered at The Brownstone Tuesday night to socialize and await the results of the elections.

Brittany Farrell, senior in economics and political science and chair of the College Republicans, said the organization was “very hopeful and optimistic” this would be the election to turn the state around.

“From what I heard, a lot of students got out there and voted,” Farrell, who worked a polling station Tuesday, said. “I’m really impressed with the students.”

She said the College Republicans and the College Democrats did a great job of reaching the student population.

According to Farrell, more than 20,000 people in Wake County alone voted early. She said the early-voting program has been a huge success and it really helps to raise the voting rates.

The race between Republican Vernon Robinson and Democrat Brad Miller was one of the more prominent races Tuesday night. However, Robinson eventually lost ground to Miller as the votes drifted in.

“It’s been close,” Farrell. She said the Robinson-Miller race was “a fun one to watch.”

There were some victories for the Republicans, though, including the race won by Donnie Harrison for Wake County Sheriff.

“I’m so happy Harrison won his race,” Farrell said, “He really is committed to the people of Wake County.”

While some students at the party were focused on North Carolina, Joyner said the national elections were important as well.

“The whole thing matters,” Joyner said.

In a speech Robinson gave while his results were still incomplete, he said regardless of who won, it was important to contest the congressional seat.

“We cannot allow politicans to choose voters,” he said.

He insisted that instead, voters should have the choice between two dissimilar candidates and said he believed he had accomplished that with his campaign.

He said he wanted to “give voters a clear choice and not an echo.”

Robinson finished his speech by restating his campaigning points.

“America is teetering on the brink,” Robinson said.

He said America must secure its borders and make English the official language because multiple languages in America would lead to sectarian strife.

He also emphasized how he felt America has drifted away from Judeo-Christain values because “the founding fathers used a lot of extra words.”