Kiwis in the United States Tell Us About Living Through Election Results

If you're a human on planet earth right now with a pulse you are talking about the election right now, this second. I'm not even going to tell you which election, in which country, because you already know.

Although we have no real right to weigh in at all, Australians and New Zealanders find orange cookie monster in a toupee Donald Trump as the leader of the free world a terrifying concept. We asked some New Zealanders living in the States what it's like there right now and if a Clinton loss means booking a flight home.

Tayla, what's the election like?
Well I'm in a bar now and every time Hillary wins a state everyone cheers. Everyone is definitely behind Hillary, so the lead up was chill. Everyone is stressed now that Trump is close to be honest.

What are your thoughts on living in a country led by Trump?
Well I know no action will be taken straight away, it's stressful. I guess where I am right at this time, at this pub watching a livestream of the election, everyone feels similar.

Have you spoken to anyone about their vote?
Not really, it's not something you talk about here if you know what I mean. Like everyone kind of has their own opinions and they keep it to themselves. I mean I've spoken to a few and they won't directly tell you what or who they support.

What's it like not being able to vote?
It sucks. Definitely a weird feeling.

Hey James, is it crazy in Seattle right now?
Yeah man, most of Seattle is freaking out right now. People are looking into flights to New Zealand and Australia.

Americans are looking into flights?
A few yeah. I probably should've booked my flight home before the election.

Is there anyone you know of who is totally indifferent?
No one is indifferent that I know of. People are snapchatting saying they're going to throw up or leave to Canada, pretty much everyone is invested in this. My flatmate just told me the Canadian immigration website has crashed.

What's it like talking politics over there?
I generally avoid it unless they bring it up, and it's so intense that I have to say a disclaimer about not being allowed an opinion so they don't get mad at me. They treat their politics like religion, it's very intense.

Apparently, 76 percent of Kiwis and Australians would vote Clinton, how do you feel?
I'm physically repulsed by the idea of a Trump presidency, a lot of people here are feeling like that. I'm glad I get to come home after this that's how I feel.

I can't believe how far he's risen.
I'm so scared.

Chelsea, talk to me. What's the vibe like in Cali?
It's just super tense. Everyone is out getting drunk. A lot Hispanics at my work are worried if Trump wins, but most of them didn't even vote which I think is crazy. I spoke to a marine who voted for Trump today and he thinks this will be one of the most iconic elections ever.

You're the first person I've talked to that met a Trump voter.
He was just super intense and into it. Funnily enough he thought the media was pretending that Trump was winning so everyone would believe he had a chance.
He said that Hillary will cause the next World War so he voted for Trump.

That is literally beyond comprehension.
It's insane. Would a Trump victory make you think twice about living in the states?
Fuck yeah! LA is on lock down at the moment because people are going around shooting people at polling booths. There are going to be riots and mass rebellions if he wins.

Abbey, what's the election vibe like over there in New York?
Oh my god, I can't even begin.

Please begin.
Trump almost has Florida, like I want to puke. Texas was blue for a minute but it's not anymore. I'm at a liberal arts school so obviously I am in a bubble and New York is sort of a bubble in itself, but like this is insanity. All my friends from drama school are all messaging like "what the fuck?!?" and today I was so pissed at a girl in my class who didn't vote. She messaged our group chat this morning all "happy election day guys!" I was like "you didn't vote, this isn't a pop culture moment to laugh about?"

Why didn't she vote?
She didn't like either option. That's how bizarre America is.

What the fuck.
It's insane. Either way it'll be hectic. If Hillary wins then all the violence that Trump and his supporters have been talking about will unfold somewhere and all this stuff about how it's unfair. Trump hasn't agreed to like let it go if Clinton wins. If Trump wins it'll be insanity because liberals will be outraged and Trump supporters will once again be violent, his whole campaign is about like vigilante justice and other scary things.

Have any of your friends talked about leaving the country?
Everyone is. Everyone. My roommate is on the phone to my other roommate saying "can I come to Canada?" The international students in my class are messaging back and forth like "what the fuck do we do?" My friend is saying "Trump is a cartoon character. How is this happening?" Everyone is genuinely so depressed.

What about you?
Depending what happens and what happens about what happens I might consider not returning for second year.