For some people, politics and campaigning is as interesting and competitive as following a sports team. The culmination of a candidate's hard work, as well as that of his or her party, is Election Day, when voters head to the polls to make their choice. Whether you are following a presidential election or your state representatives are being decided, you can track all the latest results with an Election Day party.
Election Day is always the first Tuesday in November that follows the first Monday of the month. Check out the calendar for the actual date of Election Day and send out the invitations. Most polls close in the early evening and election results trickle in throughout the rest of the night. Make sure to invite like-minded friends and family members, those who will be interested in the Election Day outcome.
Decorate your home in red, white and blue to celebrate Election Day and the democratic process of choosing leaders. Go folksy with traditional striped bunting, stars and stripes streamers and tri-colored balloons. Or, choose to be chic and cosmopolitan with primarily red decorations accented with white and blue. If you've campaigned heavily for a particular candidate, use their campaign signs as part of the decorations. Make sure that everyone has a comfortable seat and that each place has a good view of the television.
Since election results are reported live on the evening news, you and your guests will want to eat while watching the results unfold. This means that buffet style service with delicious finger food is the best choice for an Election Day party. Consider using as many red, white and blue foods as you can-for example, make fruit cups with sliced strawberries and blueberries with layers of plain yogurt or sweetened cream.
Decide whether or not you want to serve alcohol. Many people choose to play drinking games with Election Day coverage. For example, drink every time a newscaster announces final results from a district or state or every time a certain candidate's picture is put up on the TV. Remember that as a party host, you may be liable for the condition and behavior of intoxicated guests, even if they leave the party. Regardless of whether drinking games are played at your Election Day party, plan on having activities and games to play during the long and often uninteresting coverage between results.
Election Day can be a wonderful way to get friends together and celebrate a new beginning in the political scene, whether it is for your own state offices or a national presidential election where the results mean a new political era for the country.
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