With the next president of the United States to be declared very soon, local American expatriates share their thoughts on the election campaign.
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As long lines of people take to the polls, many will be casting a vote for either former Richard Nixon campaigner, lawyer, First Lady, New York senator and Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, or the son of a controversial real estate developer, sister of a Senior United States Circuit Judge, former beauty pageant owner, former Democrat and reality TV personality, Donald Trump.
"It has been interesting to see people’s attitudes towards women and immigrants during the campaign, it shows sexism definitely exists in the society.”
- Sunara Hanzlik
Despite there being just two heavyweight contenders, a total of 1,780 candidates had filed a Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Election Commission by November 1.
Wapengo’s Sunara Hanzlik was born in the United States, before leaving at the age of three and returning for a brief period in 2013.
The 29-year-old said a Clinton victory would leave her with a feeling of relief.
“I would be very relieved to be honest, I haven’t always understood the level of vitriol she [Clinton] has received, but it seems gender based,” Ms Hanzlik said.
“I do tend to believe she has her heart in the right place.”
While Ms Hanzlik doesn’t consider herself a “political person” she said the US system does make it difficult for diverse voices to be represented in its parliament.
When asked how she would feel if Trump was declared victorious this week she would be in “disbelief”.
“I would be worried and interested to see how it all pans out,” she said.
“I hope their will be barriers to prevent Trump doing what he has said he will do, but I don’t think it will be apocalyptic like people are saying.
“It has been interesting to see people’s attitudes towards women and immigrants during the campaign, it shows sexism definitely exists in the society.”
Quaama’s John Ellard moved left the US 50 years ago, and has witnessed many elections from the comfort of the Australian bush.
“These two candidates are buffoons,” he said with a laugh.
“We will see the same sort of evasiveness no matter who wins.
“I think Clinton is probably more qualified to deal with the Senate and the House of Representatives because she’s been around Washington D.C. for years and so has her husband.
“All the other parties that have run in the campaign are on about two per cent of the vote, so they aren’t taken seriously except by fanatics.”
Mr Ellard said his family in the United States are so concerned they are refusing to even discuss the election.
“I’m lucky I am looking at it from a very comfortable distance,” he said.
Tanja’s Cayce Hill was born in California and has been living in Australia since 2009.
The 31-year-old feels no matter the result she will still have the same concerns she holds for friends and family living in the United Sates.
“If Clinton wins I will feel the same as I feel now, which is worried for the future of the planet,” she said.
“If Trump wins I will also feel worried for the future of our planet, but also reaffirmed as to why I feel worried.
“My dream for the US is that more people confront the systems in place to make real, tangible change because American politicians are too comfortable.”