Twenty-year-old Nina Engerman, a second-year student at University College Maastricht (UCM), mailed in her ballot in early October. “To make sure it arrives on time. This is my first time voting, and I think it’s important to vote.” Not all her friends in the US feel the same way, though. “I hear a lot of pessimism. Even though we talk a lot about politics, they don’t see the point in voting. I grew up in Massachusetts and later lived in Connecticut, both strongly Democratic states. ‘One vote won’t make a difference’ is something I hear a lot.”
Things are different in the swing states, where relatively small groups of voters are likely to decide the election. Isaiah Smith (21), a third-year European Studies student, is eligible to vote in a state all eyes are on – Pennsylvania, perhaps the most crucial battleground this election. But he has chosen not to vote. “The absentee voting process is so complex, it almost feels like they’re actively discouraging voters from abroad. Plus, I don’t feel like I have the right to vote in this election. I don’t live there anymore, and I don’t plan on ever moving back to the US.”
"Bad" candidates
Most of all, Smith – who is religious and describes himself as “moderate, somewhere in the middle” – is of the opinion that both Harris and Trump are “bad” candidates. “As for Trump, I think it goes without saying. He’s a horrible person, a narcissist with no values. Even though I agree with him on some points, I couldn’t in good conscience vote for him. Harris, on the other hand, is a normal and decent person, but I disagree with her on some key issues. It’s so frustrating. I’d much rather have multiple parties to choose from, like here in the Netherlands.”
Ella Leffler (20), another second-year UCM student, is eligible to vote in Maryland, a ‘Democratic’ state. Although she’s “not necessarily Harris’s biggest fan”, she still marked Harris’s name on her ballot last weekend. “Her support for Israel in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict really bothers me. But every option is hopeless on this issue – Israel is a US ally, and Trump would only back them even more strongly.” Engerman also disagrees with Harris on this issue, but it didn’t stop her from voting for the Democratic candidate either. “This vote feels right. I like that she’s younger, a woman and a child of immigrants.”
Violence
For both Leffler and Engerman, there really is no other option. A vote for Harris is also a vote against “anti-democratic, sexist, xenophobic” Trump, who has promised to stage “the largest deportation in US history” if elected. “It’s incredibly frustrating to hear all his fake news about immigrants”, sighs Engerman. “I really value immigration; I grew up in a very diverse environment.” Leffler is worried about Trump’s “dangerous policies” for women, gay people and transgender people. “A lot of my friends in the US are part of these groups. It’s not looking good if Trump is elected.”
Engerman is also deeply concerned about the future of “the democratic system, especially as it’s already been weakened and undermined by Trump’s cult.” She’s worried about potential violence around the election. “It feels like a real threat after January 6 [the US Capitol attack by Trump supporters]. It’s a strange feeling, because I always felt safe in the US. Now, I can’t even imagine where we’re headed.” Leffler shares her concern. “If Trump loses, he’ll likely claim victory anyway. His rhetoric has only grown more extreme. I have no idea what might happen.”
Limited power
Smith, however, doesn’t think it’ll get that bad. “Our political system is robust. The president’s power is limited; they can’t just become a dictator.” Not even if the president is someone like Trump, who calls his political opponents “enemies from within” and suggests that the military could be used against them “if really necessary”? “There are enough Democrats and competent Republicans to keep him in check… I hope. Actually, I’m a bit nervous too. I’ve never heard such far-right rhetoric in the US before. And some people say they’re prepared to use violence to support Trump. Even a family member of mine feels that way. It’s scary.” Whoever wins next week, Smith hopes the result will be clear enough to leave no room for doubt. “Trump in particular might do some crazy things if he lost by a narrow margin… You know what, if I still lived in the US, perhaps I would have voted for Harris.”