Dozens of U of I students gather Tuesday night for VP debate watch party

Nearly 50 students gathered at the Illini Union Tuesday night to watch the Vice Presidential debate between Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. NPR reports the candidates discussed issues including the economy, immigration and health care, keeping a tone that was largely collegial.

The event was hosted by the Office of Civic Life at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign — the group’s second debate viewing party of the election season, complete with ice cream and bingo. 

Technical difficulties with the overhead projector meant that the debate was broadcast 15 minutes behind real time, wrapping up just minutes before 10 p.m., but that didn’t stop some students from staying until the end.

One such student was U of I freshman Cailan Scire. 

“I thought it was a pretty good debate. It was better than the Trump and Harris debate,” Scire said. “It felt more cordial, I guess. They made more solid points.”

Fellow freshman Rory Rudden found some of the candidates’ points lacking. 

“I was a little bit disappointed for both candidates on their stances on domestic energy and immigration, " Rudden said. “I think that they were trying too much, trying to play both sides, and I think that they could've really firmed up their stances a little bit more.”

First-time voter Andrew Lemke, who said he’s still undecided, had contrasting views on different parts of the debate.

“I think that the debate was pretty good in some parts,” said Lemke. “But I think that there were a couple of parts where [Vance and Walz] kind of digressed and avoided topics, and I think that both parties need to work on that.”

Early voting in Illinois began on September 26th. Election Day is November 5th. 

Find election information and resources from IPM Newsroom online: Your Voice. Your Vote. 2024 Election Guide