Election Night

On the evening of November 5, 2024, the highly anticipated Election Night for the 2024 U.S. presidential election took place at Chemnitz University of Technology. The event was organized by the Professorship for European Government Systems in Comparison, represented by Acting Professor Dr. Benjamin Höhne, in collaboration with the Institute of Political Science at the Faculty of Humanities. The Election Night received generous financial support from the Hanns Martin Schleyer Foundation as part of its funding initiative "Dialogue Between Science and Practice."

The Election Night not only provided exciting insights into the American party and electoral system but also offered students, researchers, and other members of Chemnitz University of Technology, as well as interested members of the local community, the opportunity to follow the election night’s events live. The event began at 6 p.m. in the university’s Audimax with a warm welcome by the Executive Director of the Institute of Political Science, Prof. Dr. Alexander Gallus.

Following this, Courtney Mazzone, Consul for Political and Economic Affairs at the U.S. Consulate General in Leipzig, delivered the evening’s first lecture. She provided the audience with an in-depth overview of the key conditions shaping the U.S. election and the role of the media in a highly polarized campaign that profoundly influences the political climate in the United States.

As the event progressed, two insightful keynote lectures by election researchers from the Institute of Political Science followed. First, Prof. Dr. Eric Linhart explained the complex U.S. electoral system, which plays a crucial role in every presidential election and remains a subject of ongoing debate. Junior Professor Dr. Arndt Leininger then examined election forecasts, exploring how they shape public perceptions of the election outcome.

After a short break, during which participants enjoyed American snacks (doughnuts and bagels), drinks, and informal discussions, political scientist Benjamin Höhne shared insights from his DAAD research stay in Washington, D.C. In 2022, he examined the polarization of the American party system, focusing specifically on anti-feminist rhetoric in congressional speeches. His analysis reconstructed the discourse of Republican politicians Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Another highlight of the evening was the lecture by Prof. Dr. Kai Oppermann, representing the political science field of International Relations. He shared his experiences as a Senior Research Fellow at the American-German Institute in Washington, D.C., offering valuable insights into the foreign policy priorities of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

After another short break, the interactive part of the event began: a quiz where participants could test their knowledge of U.S. history, the political system, and the presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Attractive prizes worth a total of 500 euros were up for grabs, including book and restaurant vouchers as well as TU Chemnitz merchandise. The first prize was awarded to a colleague from the field of political theory, who impressed with extensive empirical knowledge.

Later in the evening, the central part of the event took place: the live broadcast of the election night. Political science students from TU Chemnitz, Katharina Berners and Maximilian Dechant, who had firsthand experience in the U.S., provided live commentary and expert analysis of the results. Their insights, combined with background information on developments in each state, created an engaging and entertaining atmosphere, enriching the audience’s understanding of the unfolding election night.

Although the election results that emerged the following day led to both disappointment and lively discussions, one thing is certain: The 2024 Election Night at TU Chemnitz was a remarkable event, attracting around 450 participants and offering a unique break from everyday university life. Beyond providing an in-depth exploration of the U.S. election and its significance, the event also served as an excellent networking and exchange opportunity.

The combination of expert lectures, interactive activities, and the thrilling live broadcast of the election made the evening an unforgettable experience for all attendees. The Election Night not only underscored the global relevance of the U.S. election but also highlighted TU Chemnitz's commitment to presenting academic topics in an engaging and accessible way. We extend our gratitude to all organizers, volunteers, and the many interested visitors who made this event a success.

Press reports: Blick.de, Sachsen Fernsehen.