Thunderous applause and spirited boos echoed off the walls of the Molly Shi Boren as a heavily Democratic audience of students watched election returns trickle in Tuesday evening.

Hundreds of students were gathered to watch election results at the OU Votes election watch party in Oklahoma Memorial Union.

Students roared with support at each of Obama’s projected victories, while Republican candidate John McCain’s were met with loud booing.

The watch party provided free food and campaign signs for students as they watched election coverage from CBS and CNN on two screens.

Several exchange students joined native Oklahomans and Texans to watch the election results.

Miguel Pardo, a Spanish computer engineering exchange student, said he anticipated a close election.

“As the night [went] along, it [got] closer and closer,” he said. “Either way, this election [has changed] the world.”

University College freshman Hannah Cooney, a McCain supporter, said she was hopeful for a McCain victory, but expected Obama to win the election.

“I definitely wish more people were McCain supporters at OU,” she said.

Cooney said she disagrees with Obama on nearly every issue and doubts the validity of his Christianity.

“If Obama’s a Christian, maybe I should start calling myself something else,” she said.

Issac Freeman, international security studies junior, said he voted Democratic because he thinks Obama’s vice-presidential candidate selection was wiser than McCain’s.

“The vice president needs to be prepared to take a leadership role as president,” he said. “[Gov. Sarah] Palin is not ready to be president.”

Freeman said he thinks McCain used to be a maverick, but changed everything he previously stood for during his campaign.

“He pandered to people he thought would get him elected,” he said.

The room erupted when Obama was declared the winner of Ohio, a hotly contested swing state. Based on CNN exit polling, Obama captured 53 percent of the state’s overall vote and 64 percent of its youth vote.

Political science professor Margaret Ellis said swing states are unpredictable, but necessary to win an election.

“Ohio is an almost permanent swing state,” she said. “They’re important because they make the difference. Ohio is very diverse, and it’s very dismal for McCain since he lost it.”

University College freshman Allison Harris continued to support McCain, despite Obama’s victories.

“I voted for McCain because my ideals line up with the Republican Party’s, and I [believe he would have been] a strong leader for our country,” she said Tuesday night before the election results.