It’s difficult to watch the fray of the Trump versus Biden race from my place here in France. On one hand, I love the people of my country and want the best for them. On the other hand, I’ve chosen to leave the US, possibly permanently, so I don’t know what right I have to influence the election from afar.
However, since I am legally able to vote from abroad by mail, I have made my voice heard. I am voting for a huge change from the past four years of the Republican party’s greed, inhumane treatment of immigrants and citizens, complete disregard for public health, and megalomania of its chosen leader.
Because of the two party system, I’m not voting for a candidate I truly believe in, a feeling I’m sure many French people remember from their last election! However, I am voting for a candidate that will hopefully guide the United States through an unprecedented time of sickness and uncertainty much better than the alternative.
I believe that whatever happens in the next election, the work is not over. Even if Joe Biden is elected President and Kamala Harris is elected Vice President, the time between November 3rd and inauguration day on January 20, 2021, will be a long battle against Trump and his supporters who are ready to call the election unfair if it doesn’t go their way. I fear for my country.
It doesn’t help that the confusing and antiquated electoral college system (see BBC explainer here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-53558176), can make this election even more complicated since it’s not just votes that Biden and Trump will be battling for, but for the votes made by the individual electors that represent each state. And now with a majority Republican Supreme Court, if this becomes a legal battle, I worry that it will not be a just ruling.
All in all, I’m crossing my fingers, reminding friends and family to vote and will be biting my nails until we know the results next week! Come what may, I look forward to discussing predictions and results with fellow Americans and interested French members via Zoom the night of the election (19h-20h on Tuesday November 3rd) and the morning after the election (6h30-8h30 on Wednesday November 4th). We can either celebrate or commiserate together!
By Liz
Election – The Night before
Zoom 1:
Topic: Election Prediction Party – Tuesday Nov 3 19h-19h40
Time: Nov 3, 2020 07:00 PM Paris
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76120086714?pwd=VUFwUVJ3TmhRK21VVEVpb3FUV2s5QT09
Meeting ID: 761 2008 6714
Passcode: 7GAeg0
Zoom 2:
Topic: Election Prediction Party Tuesday Nov 3 19h40-20h
Time: Nov 3, 2020 07:40 PM Paris
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/72200575522?pwd=RGNEaXJPSWVTdVY4TjQvQytXQXlWQT09
Meeting ID: 722 0057 5522
Passcode: 6gj3sU
Election Breakfast:
Zoom 1:
Topic: Election Results Breakfast Party 6h30-7h10
Time: Nov 4, 2020 06:30 AM Paris
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78201980164?pwd=YWdXT2tRMjc5amJRTmUvZHJCaDlCdz09
Meeting ID: 782 0198 0164
Passcode: 9usHyn
Zoom 2:
Topic: Election Results Breakfast Party 7h15-7h55
Time: Nov 4, 2020 07:15 AM Paris
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77301092637?pwd=MC80c3V2aDk2VXhtSmcvNUpxK0J6UT09
Meeting ID: 773 0109 2637
Passcode: 2fqb35
Zoom 3:
Topic: Election Results Breakfast Party 8h-8h30
Time: Nov 4, 2020 08:00 AM Paris
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77103879770?pwd=VjBuMEViMVhhdFBpc0JPQUVmT2x1Zz09
Meeting ID: 771 0387 9770
Passcode: 5kPPQ1
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