Clash of the Election Nights

The most divisive US presidential campaign in living political memory has crossed the Atlantic.

YUSU, titan of York student politics, has all the weight of York’s gastronomic establishment behind it. Their election night boasts not one, but two, venues; the Glasshouse and the Courtyard. Hendrix Hall will also be opened up broadcasting the results on either the four largest HD TVs on campus or it’s giant projector. The decision will be made on a popular vote, which isn’t exactly in the spirit of the night.

Then there’s the drinks. Themed cocktails “The Republican” and “The Democrat” are two for £5 while house pints are being served at the knockdown price of just £2. There’s no need to call up Efes or Vikings when it gets to about 3am either – 12’ pizzas (“The Wall” and “The Deplorables”) are available until late for £8.50.

Where else could you possibly spend election night?

The University of York Politics Society, or PolSoc, is one of some myriad departmental societies on campus. Like all departmental societies they get no funding from YUSU and rely on the good graces of their academic department to keep running. Departmental societies serve a useful function. They organise meetups for passionate students to geek out about their subject without fear of alienating themselves. Sometimes they have socials, again for the type of people who love their course so much they study up after hours. Occasionally, if you’re very lucky, they will have socials at venues that serve alcohol. And that’s it. Ordinarily no one expects anything more from a departmental society.

This is no ordinary election cycle, though.

Emerging from the ether of departmental societies PolSoc is rising up to challenge the monopoly of the YUSU elites and hosting their own election night in D bar. It has a smaller projector. Their cocktails are two for £6. They only have one venue. YUSU are also resoundingly beating them in terms of numbers on their Facebook event page. “None of that matters,” says PolSoc President Sean Fullerton. “We’re going to have the best night.”

Can Fullerton back up this bold election night pledge? His night certainly promises to get into the spirit of the evening. PolSoc committee members will arrive in full Yankee get-up and imaginative drinking games guarantee the atmosphere will be maintained throughout the night. PolSoc’s themed cocktails, “The Trump” and “The Clinton” contain tequila and absinthe respectively while YUSU’s slightly cheaper offering contain only Archers Schnapps and vodka. PolSoc also win on variety, including an “Abstain” rum based cocktail in their arsenal. They may not have themed pizzas, but food will be served until 2am. Pitchers (4 pints) are £8 each, matching YUSU, and house doubles, useful for when we know the result and want to forget the whole evening, are £2.20.

“We’re the insurgents,” Fullerton admits, “and tonight’s going to be great. So great in fact that my successors will be promising to make future election nights great again.”

YUSU may have two venues, but one of those is the Glasshouse so does it really count? PolSoc similarly has its own problems. Originally it promised cheaper drinks than YUSU, but had to renege on that pledge when the highly reduced YUSU prices were revealed. Ultimately it’s up to you, the people. Will you go for the safe pair of hands, or take a risk on an unconventional pitch?

Follow @YorkVision for our live tweet of the clash of the election nights.