Saturday morning, the 2020 election was stretching into a fifth day of counting ballots. Across the country, people were beginning to feel like the official result could take a very, very long time.
Then, just before 8:30 a.m., the Associated Press called Pennsylvania for Joe Biden. That put him over 270 electoral college votes, making him president-elect of the United States.
Across Oregon, people were waking up to the news.
Isabella Airoldi captured the sound of celebration outside of her home in downtown Portland.
screaming and celebrating in Downtown Portland on Saturday morning after news stations call the race for (President Elect) Biden pic.twitter.com/JX6LTGPJo3
— beelluh (@savethebeellas) November 7, 2020
In Northeast Portland, Lillian Mongeau saw her neighbor offering a musical salute: trumpet in one hand, glass of champagne in the other.
Happy supporters of the Biden-Harris ticket flooded downtown Portland for hours Saturday. Blocks near Pioneer Courthouse Square were flooded with honking cars and people dancing, singing and waving signs and banners.
And not everyone was celebrating — 40% of Oregon voters voted for Donald Trump.
“Stop the steal” rally in Salem, Oregon pic.twitter.com/bT3vZVl66Y
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) November 7, 2020
In Salem, people gathered to support President Trump, and to deny Biden’s victory. Tensions were high with demonstrators on both sides of the election contest.
The Oregon State Police reported four arrests connected to the Salem rally. The police agency says it is aware of other criminal behavior overnight Saturday, and will continue investigating those incidents.
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