Americans in Canada urge fellow expats to vote in high-stakes midterm elections

In Ottawa, American Democrats living in Canada are ready to vocalize their political choices prior to the upcoming midterm elections in November. However, some Republican supporters are hesitant to make their political stance public, fearing potential backlash from their neighbors. Tammy Wilsker Mermelstein, a Texas resident who recently moved to Toronto, plans to cast her ballot in a U.S. election from Canada for the first time.

Although she used to identify as a Republican until 2016, she has never voted for President Donald Trump and emphasizes the importance of voting this year, as "Texas is in play," with Democrats having not won a high office in Texas for at least two decades.

The midterm elections, scheduled for November 3rd, could potentially lead to Democrats gaining control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, which could significantly impact Trump's presidency, potentially triggering impeachment proceedings and investigations into some of his allies and agency heads. While voter turnout in U.S. elections is typically low, with about 10% participation among Americans in Canada during the 2024 general election, the Federal Voting Assistance Program estimates there are over 430,000 eligible U.S. voters in Canada as of 2024.

Georganne Burke, a chapter lead for Republicans Overseas in Canada, notes that the past year has been contentious due to the tensions between the two governments over trade, resulting in increased engagement among American expats in Canada. Despite this, Burke also explains that most Republicans are motivated to vote but do so quietly due to the unwelcoming environment in Canada.

On the other hand, Democratic voters, particularly those in closely contested states like Michigan, are also highly motivated to cast their ballots. The Canadian Press reached out to American voters on social media and forums, finding that most were Democrats. However, no Republicans responded. Some Republicans, like Burke, acknowledge Trump's actions but focus on his positive contributions, such as reshoring American industry.

Meanwhile, Trump's escalating trade war with Canada has become a significant issue in certain states ahead of the midterms, with the president renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America and imposing tariffs on Canadian goods. Dual citizen Jessica Matwick, who lives in Ottawa and is involved with Democrats Abroad and Indivisible Ottawa, urges every eligible voter to participate in the elections to halt the administration's actions and restore checks on the executive branch.

She highlights the damage caused by the trade war, which might take years to repair. Canadian expat Cody Littlefield, a California resident living in Calgary, aims to vote in every election and believes this election presents an opportunity for voters to express their disapproval of current U.S. events. He emphasizes that the future of the country is a matter of great importance to him.