We Asked Young Irish Expats How They’re Voting In Next Week’s US Presidential Election

  

A massive 120 million Americans are expected to cast their vote in the US Presidential election on November 8th, and the mark they make on the ballot paper will affect billions more people the world over.

Unlike Ireland and most of Europe, the US Presidential election is a long running process that involves months of nominations, candidate selections and campaigning.

 

While there are technically four candidates on the ballot – Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson and Green Party candidate Jill Stein are in the running too – this election has mainly focused on the Republic and Democrat candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Their opposing views and strongly divided supporters have made this one of the most hotly contested campaigns US politics has ever seen.

The latest overall poll results show Hillary with a marginal lead, but the real result will come next week after the polls close.

We asked two young Irish expats what the atmosphere is like Stateside in the run-up to polling day, how they plan on voting, who they’re supporting and how confident – or indeed, terrified – they feel about the results.

Lyndsay, 29, New York

What are your feelings on Hillary’s potential to win?

Who are you supporting in the run for President? 
I voted for Hillary Clinton and have been a supporter of hers for a long time. I lived in New York while she was serving as Senator and have always respected her hard work on policies to improve the lives of women and children in the US and around the world as First Lady and Secretary of State. She is, by far, the most qualified candidate for the job and I believe that she has the best interests of American families at heart. She also has a level of international experience we rarely see in a Presidential candidate. Her global world view and relationships with various world leaders will serve the US well.

Polls have shown that some voters don’t trust Hillary Clinton, or think she is dishonest. To this, I say, take a look at the issues she has fought passionately for when she was starting out in politics as a college student. They are the same issues she still fights for today. That says trustworthy leader to me.

How confident are you in Hillary’s potential to win?
Thankfully, polls show Mrs. Clinton with a slight lead right now, following three excellent debate performances against Donald Trump. However, this election cycle is unlike any other we’ve ever seen, so part of me is still a little nervous that there will be a twist ending. It’s really important that people turn up to vote or a Clinton victory could be in jeopardy.

Among your friends and family in the US, what’s been the general view on Trump’s run so far? 
Most of my friends and family are based in New York or Washington D.C., both of which tend to lean Democrat, so Trump’s run has really been met with a mix of disbelief and dismay. I can remember talking to colleagues about his campaign over a year ago and we were totally sure he would never even get the nomination.

Republicans that I’m friends with are in a really tough spot because this candidate doesn’t really represent their party views, yet they’re inherently against the things that Hillary Clinton stands for. It has left a lot more undecided voters than I can remember in the past.

What’s your own view of Trump’s candidacy?
I’ve been closely watching US elections for years and a candidate like Trump is really unprecedented. He constantly plays on people’s extreme fears and xenophobia. US voters that watched what happened with the Brexit vote are worried that the same right leaning sentiment may result in a Trump Presidency here.