After former President Donald Trump was declared president-elect Wednesday, Iowa State students weighed what a second term could mean for them and the country. 

Caitlin Bellingtier, a psychology alum, voted early in the general election and said she felt “very disheartened” by the results. 

“It is embarrassing for what the U.S. reflects among its highest officials, and I think this will also cause a lot of division between the U.S. and other countries,” Bellingtier said. 

A recent Iowa poll conducted by Seltzer & Co. from Oct. 28 to 31 showed Harris with a 3% point lead over Trump in Iowa. Because of this, Bellingtier had hoped that the state would flip to blue. 

“Be well-educated before you go to vote so you know what you are voting for and how it will affect others,” Bellingtier said. “I just feel unprotected and uncared for as a woman in this country.” 

Jacob Gottschalk, a senior in animal science, said he was surprised that Harris did not win a swing state. 

“I knew the polls were so close that marginal improvement by any candidate could mean that they sweep the swing states,” Gottschalk said. “I am somewhat worried that if Democrats were to win the house that would slow Trump’s ability to pass legislation. He might feel the need to strengthen the executive and judicial branch.” 

Gottschalk also voiced concerns over deregulation that could impact the environment, the weakening of accountability for companies and the possibility that Trump may appoint new justices to the Supreme Court. 

Adam Brimeyer, a junior in mechanical engineering, voted in the election by absentee ballot for his home state of Illinois. He is satisfied with the outcome as he sees the victory as a sign that the system worked as intended. 

“With Trump winning the electoral college as well as the popular vote, it shows our system worked as it was designed to do,” Brimeyer said. 

As an Illinois resident, Brimeyer said he feels represented at the local level but expects the national policy changes to impact everyone. He urged others to approach politics thoughtfully. 

“Never just fall in line,” Brimeyer said. “You should always challenge your opinions to either change them or make them stronger,”