'Consternation' in Hamilton and Niagara on an 'anxiety-ridden' U.S. election day

There was a nervous energy in a Hamilton pub on Tuesday night as members of the Hamilton and Burlington, Ont., chapter of Democrats Abroad gathered at The George Hamilton pub to watch as election results started coming in.

"I believe this is my 14th presidential election since I reached voting age, and I've never been more anxiety-ridden," chapter chair Ron Barrett told CBC Hamilton. He came to Canada from Illinois 14 years ago and has a property in Michigan, where he votes.

Many U.S. citizens abroad, as well as their children, can vote in that country's elections. The mission of Democrats Abroad is to encourage voting, Barrett said, no matter who it's for.

This year, he said, the "consequences are tremendous." 

Pointing to statements Donald Trump made about seeking revenge on his political opponents, Barrett said he worries about what could happen if the Republican presidential candidate wins.

"Most people I know just want this to be over and are hoping for a blue win."

But in the early hours of Wednesday morning, the race was called not for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris but for Trump. He will become the 47th president of the United States.

In the days leading up to election night, the uncertainty of the results and its eventual policy implications have caused "consternation," in the border city of Niagara Falls, Ont., Mayor Jim Diodati says. Residents feel on edge.

In his community, "going over the river" is synonymous with going to Niagara Falls, N.Y., he said. "We're one big city divided by a border."

Speaking to CBC Hamilton on Tuesday afternoon, Diodati said he's heard from plenty of people in Canada who are "watching [the election] closely with bated breath."

A Harris victory might've meant more of the same, he said, but a Trump win could have policy implications on the border and trade which would be deeply felt in Niagara.

Diodati said some business leaders he knows of are opening offices across the border in an attempt to get ahead of possible buy-American policies. 

In Hamilton, expat Georgie Kearns said she's struggled with not fitting in with Republicans or Democrats. 

"It's a very difficult place to be because both sides are trying to convince you of their argument," she told CBC Hamilton.