When I woke up this morning and got ready to go vote, I was nervous. The same thing happened when I was getting ready for work. And I realized it was because of the magnitude of this moment and the buildup to it. After nearly two years of campaigning, this presidential race was finally coming to an end, and the outcome was going to be historic, no matter who won. I think it's always exciting to watch an election unfold, and even more so to get the chance to write about it... even if that excitement is fueled by a healthy dose of nerves.

Jordan Bienstock, Writer

Two years of politics, campaigns, and all the rest. I was ready for this to be over a while back. And tonight was the end of that. At 11p.m. CNN declared Barack Obama the winner.  We, as a nation, made history tonight. America elected a black president. My grandfather, who was a journalist writing about the civil rights movement in the South in the 1950's and 1960's, could probably never have imagined this day, and yet here it is. We have advanced a national conversation on race and relations between black and white far beyond what I thought we could two years ago.  Tomorrow, though is a new beginning.

As our new president declared, "This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change.  And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.  It cannot happen without you. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other."

So the president-elect has challenged you, the young people of America. What is your next step, what are you going to do?

John Martin, Curriculum Writer

The significance of the sticker I received today has never been so profound.  This is my third election yet my first time feeling like I was doing more than just my civic duty.  Let me explain, in the other elections I voted because my mom told me I needed to.  Mom always knows best, right?  Well this election was important to me not only from the historical perspective, but because I wanted to be educated on the candidates and the issues that affect Americans like me and you.  After walking out of the voting booth, I felt like I made a positive difference and felt even more patriotic.  My mom didn't call asking me if I voted this time, I called her!

How do you feel about this election?  Whether you voted or not, what were the feelings you had on the historical day of November 4, 2008? 

Tomeka Jones, Associate Producer

Believe it or not, this is my fifth presidential election here at CNN.  Things have come a long way from dot-matrix printers to the "Magic Wall," but it's always an exciting (and sometimes very late) night.  As a social studies teacher, Election Day would present a great "teachable moment" about voting and civic responsibility.   But wouldn't it be great if voters, young and old, maintained this level of interest in politics every day?  

Donna Krache, Executive Producer