Americans in Canada cast ballot ahead of U.S. election
Stephen Winters says watching the U.S. election campaign from Canada as a dual citizen is like a parent watching their kid play sports.
"When you're on the sideline it makes you more nervous than when you're in it," Winters said in an interview from Calgary.
"My friends and family at home are like, 'Don't worry that much' because they're there and they know things are going OK. When you're outside, it can look worse than it is."
Winters, from Minnesota, teaches linguistics at the University of Calgary. He is one of about 600,000 eligible voters in Canada able to cast their vote in Tuesday's election.
Winters said he has cast his absentee ballot but has taken a step back from reading political news because of how helpless he feels afterwards.
"I voted for Kamala Harris and the Democratic representative for Congress," he said.
"I don't think she's the greatest candidate but she's definitely the best option."
He says he chose not to vote for former president and Republican nominee Donald Trump because of his foreign policy and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"My wife is Ukrainian, and Trump's relationship with (Russian President) Putin, whatever the heck it is, that's really a problem.
"We have friends and family in Ukraine who are in danger because of that war and I don't think Trump supports the Ukrainian cause."
Dual citizen Georganne Burke said she has also submitted her absentee ballot from Toronto.
A political consultant who moved to Canada from New York State in 1987, Burke says she cast her vote for Trump because he would help the economy, and she agrees with his foreign policy.
"I was a diehard Democrat, worked very hard for the Democratic party when I lived in the United States. The party left me. I did not leave the party," said Burke, who is also the head of the Canadian chapter of Republicans Overseas.
She rejects opposition accusations that another Trump presidency would not respect the checks and balances of democracy.
"Donald Trump is not a menace to society. Donald Trump is not Hitler. He's not a dangerous man. He has the best interests of the United States at heart."
Burke said watching the U.S. election from Canada has been difficult mainly because she can't help recruit voters to Trump's campaign in the U.S. as she did in the past working as a consultant south of the border.
"It's hard to watch it from here (for) somebody like me who's a complete, total political junkie. I would love to get down there and get my hands dirty and do stuff, but I can't."
The best she can do, she said, is ensure relatives and friends in America and Canada mark their ballots.
"We have to be sure that the United States that their economy is healthy, that there is security there, because if things go bad for them, it's a hop, skip and a jump to us both economically and actually physically," she said.
Jacob Wesoky, executive vice-chair of Democrats Abroad and a 20-year-old American student at Montreal's McGill University, said every vote counts.
"The voters in Canada could decide this election," Wesoky said.
"I voted for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, and then Democrats down the ballot.
"Everybody here is extremely invested in this election. Everybody's watching it closely.
"A lot of people are very nervous."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 2, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Post presents union with 'framework' to reach deal as strike continues
Canada Post says it has presented the union representing some 55,000 striking postal workers with a framework to reach negotiated agreements.
'Devastating': Missing Surrey, B.C. teen found dead, family says
The family of a missing 18-year-old, who was last seen in Surrey over a month ago, says there has been a tragic end to the search.
The best tips to prepare your car for the winter
Slippery or snow-covered roads, reduced visibility and bitter cold are all conditions that can make driving difficult and even dangerous during cold weather months. CAA spoke with CTV Morning Live this week on some of the best ways you can winterize your car.
PM Trudeau 'surprised' provinces unanimous on accelerated defence spending: Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his fellow provincial leaders are united in pushing for Canada to meet its NATO defence spending targets ahead of schedule, and that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was "surprised" to hear it.
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares resigns as carmaker continues to struggle with slumping sales
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares is stepping down after nearly four years in the top spot of the automaker, which owns car brands like Jeep and Ram, amid an ongoing struggle with slumping sales.
Poilievre calls for asylum seeker cap, border plan as U.S. tariff threat looms
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has demanded the federal government present a plan before Parliament to beef up border security as U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatens to impose stiff tariffs on Canada.
'Wicked' star Marissa Bode speaks out against 'harmful' ableist comments made about her character
'Wicked' actress Marissa Bode posted a video on TikTok asking for kindness after receiving ableist comments on social media.
Emergency crews battle large fire at Kitchener, Ont. townhouse complex
Waterloo Regional Police say Kingsway Drive will remain closed as emergency crews continue to battle a large blaze at a townhouse complex.
One man dead after shooting at Kitchener's 'A Better Tent City'
One man is dead after an afternoon shooting at 49 Ardelt Ave. in Kitchener.
Local Spotlight
Auburn Bay residents brave the cold to hold Parade of Lights
It was pretty cold Saturday night, but the hearts of those in a southeast Calgary neighbourhood warmed right up during a big annual celebration.
Three million grams of cereal collected to feed students in annual Cereal Box Challenge
The food collected will help support 33 breakfast and snack programs in the Greater Essex County District School Board.
Regina's LED volume wall leaving Sask. months after opening
Less than a year after an LED volume wall was introduced to the film world in Saskatchewan, the equipment is making its exit from the province.
Temperature records broken, tied following latest snowfall in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan received yet more snow as winter continues to ramp up on the prairies. With the increased precipitation, communities have recorded dipping temperatures – with a handful breaking or tying longstanding records.
'My dear Carmel': Lost letters returned to 103-year-old Guelph, Ont. woman
A young history buff was able to reunite a Guelph, Ont. woman with letters written by her husband almost 80 years ago.
'We have to do something': Homeless advocates in Moncton reaching out for help over holidays
Twice a week, Joanne and Jeff Jonah fill up their vehicle full of snacks and sandwiches and deliver them to the homeless in downtown Moncton, N.B.
100-year-old Winnipeg man walks blocks to see his wife
It's considered lucky to live to be 100, but often when you hit that milestone, you're faced with significant mobility issues. Not Winnipeg's Jack Mudry. The centenarian regularly walks five blocks to get where he wants to go, the care home where his wife Stella lives.
Video shows B.C. cat bursting through pet door to confront raccoons
Several hungry raccoons were chased off a B.C. couple’s deck this week by one over-confident house cat – who was ultimately lucky to saunter away unscathed.
Trailer Park Boys host Canadian premiere of new movie in Dartmouth
Sunday night was a big night for the Trailer Park Boys, as Ricky, Julian and Bubbles hosted an advanced screening of their new movie in Dartmouth, N.S.