DeKALB – Around 90 attendees filled the Huskie Den at the Holmes Student Center on Tuesday to watch the presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris and to participate in a panel discussion on topics such as abortion and student loans.
A panel and watch party for the presidential debate occurred from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Huskie Den at the Holmes Student Center.
Huskies Vote, an initiative at NIU that encourages student voter registration, hosted the watch party.
At the event, attendees were given a bingo card they could fill out during the debate based on what topics were discussed, including civil rights, transportation, social security and healthcare.
Attendees were able to fill out the bingo card for a chance to win prizes such as a NIU hat or Starbucks cup. Popcorn was also available at the event.
Prior to the beginning of the debate, a panel was available to provide their thoughts on what would happen during the debate and to answer questions from attendees.
The panel consisted of Cynthia de Seife, a representative for League of Women Voters, political science professor Matt Streb, political science professor Mitch Pickerill and Peter Medlin, an education reporter from WNIJ radio station.
During the panel discussion, de Seife said there are three things attendees should focus on when watching the debate.
“You’re looking for an answer, why that’s their answer and what’s their plan to make it happen,” DeSeife said.
Ethan Brown, a sophomore nursing major, said he enjoyed watching Vice President Harris have her moment to shine.
“I think Kamala is doing very good on basically making this her time to shine. I think Trump’s very angry and I think that it’s showing to a lot of people. I think she’s overall doing a pretty decent job,” Brown said.
The next event that Huskies Vote is hosting will be tabling from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 17 at MLK Commons, Holmes Student Center, dining halls and the Peters Campus Life Building for National Voter Registration Day.
