2012 election

OPINION: Why the youth vote matters

In 2008, political analysts found that, while the youth vote—those under 30--broke overwhelmingly for Barack Obama, it did not singularly tip the election in his favor. Exit polls from the 2012 election show Obama once again won the youth vote, this time by 67 percent nationally and 61 percent in swing states. Not only was the breadth of the youth vote integral to this election, but the depth, too, played an important factor. Exit poll data suggests that one in five voters on Tuesday was under the age of 30, with half of eligible voters ages 18 through 29 casting a ballot.

NoVa plays critical role in Obama victory in Virginia

After numerous candidate visits to George Mason University and the surrounding area, Mason students and the nation voted to reelect President Obama to his second term in office.

Nationally, media outlets projected Obama as the winner around 11 p.m. after projecting that he won Ohio, a key swing state in the campaign.

Obama went on to win Wisconsin, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Iowa,  Wisconsin and Virginia, all of which were considered swing states throughout the election. Romney won North Carolina, another swing state focused on during the campaign.

LIVE BLOG: 2012 Election

This live blog will cover the 2012 election on campus.

11:46 p.m.: CNN is reporting that Obama has won reelection.

11:18 p.m.: Media is projecting that President Obama has won reelection.

11:07 p.m.: With 88.91 percent of precincts reporting in Va, Romney is leading at 49.33 percent. Obama has 49.07 percent.

10:55 p.m.: Republican senate candidate has conceded to Democratic senate candidate Tim Kaine. 

Election Day 101

The long-awaited 2012 Election Day will finally arrive tomorrow, Nov. 6. Before you cast your vote, here's what you need to know:

When to vote
The polls will be open on Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is advised that voters visit the polling locations during the day to avoid the morning and evening rushes.

Where to vote
To verify your voting location, visit here.

Mason students and professors speculate on back-to-back Obama rallies

In the final month of the 2012 election, President Barack Obama held two campaign rallies within a two-week period at George Mason University. Obama has visited Mason a total of six times since first announcing his campaign for president in 2007. As the election season comes to a close, Mason students and professors speculate on Obama’s northern Virginia campaign strategy.

Obama talks to students about economy, women's healthcare at Mason

President Barack Obama held a campaign rally in the Center for the Arts at George Mason University on Friday, Oct. 5.

“One month. Just one month from tomorrow, Virginia, you are going to step into a voting booth and going to have a very big choice to make,” Obama said to the Concert Hall crowd of about 2,000.

Former Virginia governor Tim Kaine showed his support for the president and spoke about his own campaign for senate.

Romney appeals to women, small business owners, in local rally

Video Shot by Trevor DeSaussure and Jake McLernon

Video Edited by Trevor DeSaussure

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney held a rally in Fairfax on Thursday, September 13.

The rally took place in Van Dyck Park, two miles north of the Fairfax campus. Over 2,000 people attended.

“Northern Virginia could well determine who wins the election,” Romney told the audience.