American national Janice Wood cast her vote for the US presidential election in Zonhoven (Limburg) from behind her computer. She has lived in Belgium for 26 years. Historian Peter Schrijvers, curator of the Liberation Garden Museum, studied and taught American History in the US for many years. How do they look at today’s political spectacle?
Janice Wood is originally from Washington state but has lived in Belgium for 26 years. Her job at Nike required her to come to Laakdal from time to time. She then took a flat in Hasselt. Her future husband, a Fleming, had a store in the same street. ‘I came for work, but stayed for love,’ Janice explains.
Two weeks ago, she cast her vote in the US presidential election. It was quite simple. She was able to do this from behind her computer in Zonhoven: ‘The different ways you can vote depend on your state. I lived in Washington state,’ Janice says. ‘You get an e-mail with a link to your ballot. You have to print that out, fill it in, scan it and email it back!’
Neck-and-Neck race
According to the polls, it will be a neck-and-neck race. ‘Unfortunately, I don't have a crystal ball,’ Janice says. ‘Nobody knows what the result will be, but of course I’m rooting for Kamala. But if Kamala wins, I expect Trump to stir up political violence.’ And if Trump wins? ‘He says what he is going to do: immediately throw all immigrants out and that he wants to be a dictator. People apparently don't believe that. I do.’
Effects felt outside the US
Janice did not have to think long about her choice: ‘If you live in Europe, it is obvious that you vote for Kamala Harris,’ the American believes. ‘Trump is not only a danger to America but also to Europe. Just think of his contacts with Orban, Putin, Kim Jong-un and his support for Netanyahu. He doesn't care what happens in Gaza, while Kamala Harris, I think, is more open to supporting Gaza.’
America expert and professor of American history Peter Schrijvers also thinks it will be unusually exciting. ‘That is clear. The polls are so close that it is difficult for anyone to predict who will win.’
Three hot topics
Prof Schrijvers also believes that these elections could be pivotal. ‘It’s about domestic policy but also about the international world order. Depending on who wins, not only America, but also the rest of the world could look very different.’
Asked about hot topics, the US History prof identifies three: ‘First, it's about the economy, and certainly inflation. After the pandemic, Biden had to contend with the high inflation we have seen worldwide. Americans dare to think that it is only affecting them, and that Biden is the culprit. As a result of this inflation, they are more likely to be in worse shape economically.’
‘Secondly, immigration is a big issue,’ Schrijvers continues. ‘Sometimes, when it comes to their jobs, Americans feel threatened by it. Actually, it's mostly to do with identity anyway. Immigration comes mainly from Latin America. Anyone travelling through the US today will see how Spanish is emerging as a kind of second language. That worries a lot of Americans.’
Thirdly, it is also about democracy itself. ‘Trump says that if he wins, he will crack down on internal enemies. So, are those the people who have disagreed with him during this campaign or is it mostly the media? Whoever it may be, this is how you undermine a pillar of democracy. What will happen if he loses? Will there be a second storming of the Capitol? That sounds like science fiction, but we saw it happen four years ago,’ Prof Schrijvers concludes.
Staying awake or not?
Janice is not going to stay up all night watching the election results. ‘Tuesday night I'm going to sleep,’ she laughs. ‘I will probably get up at 4 or 5 on Wednesday morning and start following it. Hopefully we will be able to see the beginning of the results by then. Although I suspect it will be another 2-3 days until we know for sure who has won. I also expect a lot of lawsuits. It will be chaos.’