`

Tuesday night marked a historic turning point throughout the nation that could swing the world into new uncharted territory for the next four years. Despite the stakes, Election Day in Lower Manhattan was as calm as any weekday. Outside of polling stations and occasional “I Voted” stickers, life was going on as usual. Washington Square Park was still filled with art vendors, people were clustered into restaurants in the East Village, and workers cluttered the financial district on their commute back home.

A few hours later, Donald Trump would be announced as the 47th president of the United States. Throughout the traditionally blue borough, hints of disillusionment with the Democratic party and the two-party system could be felt amidst a hope for the future that would be squashed later in the morning.

“Who the president is doesn’t change a lot of things for a lot of people,” said Jibril Bachu, referring to New York City’s unhoused population. “I believe in voting, I believe in democracy as a system, but I can also recognize that if I had different experiences and challenges, I would not think that the government has my best interest at heart at any point.”

Voter Julissa Diaz reported balancing conflicting feelings regarding voting and the limits of the two-party system. “At least I voted for those that aren’t able to, like my parents. But it feels pretty limited because we only ever see two parties. I had to convince my sister to go vote because she didn’t want either candidate.”

Many Democratic voters did not seem to show sympathy towards this view. “It is so frustrating, especially because we’ve seen in the past couple of elections how close the voting margins have been,” said first-time voter and Tisch student Liam Rudford. Non-Americans also shared worries regarding the impact of American politics on their own countries. “What happens over here has such an impact on what the atmosphere is back home,” said British reporter Maya Williamson, having traveled from Wales to cover the election night. “It really feels like the backward sliding of women’s rights in this country has changed how people speak about them in our country, and people already feel like we have to be actively advocating for abortion rights in the U.K., despite having had those rights for so long.”

A second Trump term will very likely push the Overton window towards the right, both domestically and internationally, affecting issues such as abortion access, the human rights of undocumented migrants, and ongoing global humanitarian crises that cause worry, especially among Eastern European and Middle Eastern communities.

As of writing, 99% of New York County’s votes have been counted. Based on this data, there are almost 100,000 fewer Democratic voters compared to 2020, a 5.7% decrease in vote share that showcases a noticeable drop in Manhattan voter turnout for the Democratic Party.

It is very likely that Harris’ identity as a black woman played a negative role in her reception, especially among white men who largely voted red in key swing states. However, it seems reductive not to consider that Americans also feel failed by the Democratic party.

The disenchantment described by voters and non-voters alike points to an emerging national trend that incentivizes ballot casts for otherwise radically fringe candidates such as Trump. Meanwhile, others left feeling unrepresented by the status quo and by proxy, the Democratic Party, abandoned participation altogether— a sentiment that could very well have cost Kamala Harris the popular vote.

“It’s like choosing between sht and sht,” said art vendor Ricque-Lee Binns. “Which oppressor do you want? Which master do you want?”