THE moment someone detects Jacob Opatz’s American accent, the Minnesota native braces for another conversation about the Republican nominee for US President.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“About the second thing they ask you is, ‘what do you think about Trump?’”
Mr Opatz, from St Cloud in the northern state where Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is favoured to win, has been in Newcastle on a working holiday since July.
A supporter of Senator Bernie Sanders during the Democratic primaries, he has found himself disengaged from the election in his home country.
“It’s one of the reasons I’m dreading going back to the States, this feeling like we’re having to choose from the lesser of two evils,” Mr Opatz, 23, said.
“I think it’s ridiculous that we would have a candidate like Donald Trump, or either of them, obviously.”
Tim Wills has lived in Newcastle for 10 years, and voted early in his former home state of Alaska.
“I haven’t missed a vote since ‘74,” Mr Wills, 60, of Maryville said.
“This is the most critical election I’ve voted in since the close of the Vietnam War.”
The dual US-Australian citizen voted through Alaska’s secure online polling, and said Republican friends were “voting for Hillary”.
“I’m not really concerned Donald Trump will get elected, but I’m concerned about the toxic level of public discourse,” Mr Wills said.
“At this point it’s about making sure the right person gets elected President and I’m hoping Americans will rise to the occasion. Hopefully I’m not drinking heavily this time tomorrow.”
Follow the Newcastle Herald live US Election blog on Wednesday, with polling, reports, photos, video and the latest from social media, at theherald.com.au
