What was your first election night?

[Orwell]

For me, the first election I watched seriously was 2016, though I was a bit of a dumb kid. The first election I was aware of was 2008 when I watched it with my dad and I remember Ohio being called for Obama. In 2012 I remember asking my mom after election day 2012 why Florida hadn't been called yet. 

[longtimelurker]

Although I remember things about the 1968 election (I was 5), the first election night I remember is 1972.  I remember my father shaking his head and saying despondently after SD was called for Nixon, "he (McGovern) can't even win his home state."

[WD]

The first major election night I actually watched was 2018 (not sure if this counts thought). I first got interested in politics in early 2017, so technically the AL Special election can can count as well. I remember staying up until 3AM on both of those nights.

[ProgressiveModerate]

I remember 2016 from when I was 11... but I had no clue how it worked other than Blue = Good, Red = Bad, and NY was gonna go for Clinton. I could tell things were going downhill for Clinton, even though I wasn't actively paying attention. I followed 2018 a little bit closer, mainly the senate because I couldn't keep up with all that was going on in the house, but 13 year old me had some bad takes. I'm paying very serious attention to the 2020 election. This is the first cycle where I actively check what's going on everyday, the first cycle I've made a fully functioning model, and the first cycle where I really understand how politics works

[Pessimistic Antineutrino]

2008, watched coverage until the 8 o'clock poll closings when like a hundred electoral votes went to Obama instantly. My parents turned off the tv and that was that.

I followed 2012 much more closely, but I didn't have power at the time following Hurricane Sandy so I had to listen by radio, and ended up going to bed before Ohio and the election were called for Obama.

[soundchaser]

I remember 2016 from when I was 11

Oh my god, what?

[Kleine Scheiße]

I remember 2000 happening but I don't remember watching the returns because I was too young to stay up that late. I do remember asking my father, "we're gonna know who the next President is tomorrow morning, right? They're gonna put your vote in that number too?" -- and of course, him saying that we would.

That's when I was radicalized, but I didn't know it for a while.

I do remember watching the 2004 election night actively.

[S019]

2016 is when I actually actively watched coverage for the first time, though I do have vague memories of watching the 8 PM poll closings in 2012

[Del Tachi]

I remember parts of the 2000 election, but 2008 was the first time I actively watched election night coverage (I was 13)

[libertpaulian]

2000.

[GeneralMacArthur]

Bush vs. Gore is actually my first political memory.  I remember my mother calling me down to the living room and telling me that this was history in the making.  I was just playing with my toy trucks and had no idea what was going on but I still have that memory.

[GeorgiaModerate]

I remember the 1964 election, but '68 was the first election I followed seriously and watched election night coverage.

[Cory]

2004, I still remember the bitter disappointment.

[Senator Spark]

2008.

[Tiger08]

2008- barely remember. Went to bed around 8:30 or 9. 2012: stayed up a little later. 2016: stayed up til 1 AM

[Darthpi – Anti-Florida Activist]

I have some memories of election night 2000 - specifically the call in Florida being withdrawn - but I didn't watch the coverage the whole night through until 2004. The first election campaign I can remember at all is 1996, because my elementary school did a mock election that year, but I don't have any memory of election night.

[YE]

2008 was the first I paid semi-serious attention to though I remember a little from 2004.

[Boobs]

I remember casting my ballot for Jack Kennedy back in 1960, although my first election memory was Truman's surprise victory in 1948. Gd bless him!

[Chips]

1992. I remember as Clinton was being called the winner in many states that had gone Bush in 1988 and my state being the state that put Clinton over the top.

[Ferguson97]

In 2008, I had to color in an electoral map for a class assignment (5th grade). In 2012, I kinda paid attention to the news coverage. My parents were watching it, and I was doing homework in the same room. In 2016, I fully paid attention.

[Bojack Horseman]

2008 having no idea what was going to happen, 2012 was the first one I watched from the Iowa straw poll all the way to election night.

[ηєω ƒяσηтιєя]

I remember 2016 from when I was 11

Oh my god, what?

LOL, I had the same reaction.

[Minnesota Mike]

F### your poll for making me feel incredibly old

First election I kind of remember is 72. I was 7 years old and didn't really grasp what was going on but I knew something important was happening.

First election I really remember was 76. I was for Carter/Mondale because Mondale was from Minnesota.

First election I voted in was 1984. I voted for Reagan because I was young and stupid.

Voted for Perot twice because F### both parties.

2000 was the last time I voted for a Republican. Hated both choices.

2008 was the first time I was really enthusiastic about my vote.

2016 was the most disappointed I have ever been over an election result.

[Holmes]

F### your poll for making me feel incredibly old

First election I kind of remember is 72. I was 7 years old and didn't really grasp what was going on but I knew something important was happening.

First election I really remember was 76. I was for Carter/Mondale because Mondale was from Minnesota.

First election I voted in was 1984. I voted for Reagan because I was young and stupid.

Voted for Perot twice because F### both parties.

2000 was the last time I voted for a Republican. Hated both choices.

2008 was the first time I was really enthusiastic about my vote.

2016 was the most disappointed I have ever been over an election result.

You were for Carter in 76 because of Mondale.... but then didn’t vote for him in 84? Weird.

[Catholics vs. Convicts]

I have the vaguest memory of 2000 election night and the confusion with Florida.

I have a slightly stronger memory of sitting in our "tv room" watching the 2002 midterms come in, but I really had no idea how it made that much of a difference since a president wasn't being elected.

2004 I have more of a memory of the primary results coming in than election night itself. But I was obviously watching. Just must have not stood out too much.

2006 I don't remember at all except a vague memory of realizing how huge it was for the Democrats.

2008 I remember watching results coming in while doing homework and celebrating with my parents with champagne.

2010 I remember watching the results coming in and being disappointed.

2012 I was in my dorm with my friends watching the results coming in, getting drunk, and running around campus picking up signs.

2014 was the same as 2012 but it was my apartment and I was disappointed.

2016 after 8:00 I blacked out of my memory. I remember loading up with beer and pizza at the beginning of the night, and I remember going to sleep late at night really sad and disappointed with living in this country.

2018 I really actually don't remember that much.