“Voting is important” and “I am more in an observing role”: Two US citizens in Appenzellerland approach the presidential elections very differently
It is currently the dominant topic in the media – the US presidential election. There’s no avoiding Appenzellerland either. The artist Mark Brandl and SP cantonal councilor Jens Weber from Trogen have a connection to the USA – but approach the topic differently.
The US election campaign is in full swing. Americans living abroad are also allowed to vote.
Image: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA
Artist Mark Brandl and canto teacher Jens Weber have a lot in common. Both live in Trogen, both were born in the USA and later moved to Switzerland and both are politically left-wing. Despite these similarities, a striking difference is becoming apparent in the run-up to the US presidential election on November 5th. Brandl will vote, Weber will not.
The question of who he would vote for is unnecessary when Mark Brandl opens his front door. The retired art teacher wears a beige “Kamala for President” shirt. Brandl, who was born and raised in Chicago, says: “Both of my parents have always been politically active their entire lives. This is how I became American politicized and stood up for my values at a young age.”
SP politician and dual citizen Jens Weber.
Image: zvg
SP cantonal councilor Jens Weber also sees Kamala Harris as a good candidate for the presidency. Like Brandl, Weber was also born in the USA. However, he spent most of his childhood not in his birthplace of San Francisco, but in Santiago de Chile. In 1981, when Weber was 13 years old, the family moved to Appenzellerland. “So I became politicized in Switzerland and was elected to the local council as a US citizen in 2006,” said Weber. He was only naturalized in 2012.
“Choice between democracy and fascism”
Although both are on the left of the political spectrum, Brandl and Weber take on different roles in the election campaign. While the artist campaigns for Kamala Harris from Switzerland and, above all, tries to convince voters who are still uncertain, Weber is following the elections from a certain distance.
As a teacher of economics and law and a dual citizen, he is very interested in the presidential elections and is deeply concerned with them: “But I am a Swiss politician, so I will not exercise my right to vote in the USA and am more in an observing role. »
US citizen and Swiss citizen Mark Brandl.
Image: Lukas Tannò
This is incomprehensible to Brandl. «It is important to vote. The democrat is certain that the result will have a lasting impact on world politics. Both agree on this point. Weber and Brandl believe that these elections are probably among the most important in recent decades. “It’s a choice between democracy and fascism,” says Brandl.
Weber emphasizes: “It’s exciting to see that even Republicans are speaking out for Harris because they are afraid that democracy will be lost.” Liz Cheney, daughter of former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney, has revealed that she and her father will vote for Harris.
That’s exactly why Brandl shows no understanding when US citizens don’t vote abroad. He believes that people in Europe and especially in Switzerland have the task of protecting democracy. Brandl does not accept the argument that it is complicated to vote abroad. “It’s an administrative effort, no question, but it’s not as difficult as it’s always made out to be,” said the artist.
He is part of “Democrats Abroad”, which supports US citizens in Switzerland in remaining politically active. But Weber says clearly: “I have decided to politicize in Switzerland, and that’s why I wouldn’t think it would be right if I cast my vote.”
A close result is expected
It is still important for him to inform his students about the elections. The main issue is the electoral system and who represents which points. There is great interest in this, says Weber. Many young people today would only see short videos about the elections via Tiktok or Instagram. It is important to understand the context correctly.
The electoral system in the USA
Citizens do not directly elect the president, but rather so-called “electors”. The population density of a state determines the number of electors for that state. These electors belong to either the Democrats or the Republicans and then vote for their party’s candidate. To win, a candidate must receive the vote of at least 270 of the 538 electors. Some states are very important because they have a lot of electoral votes. The so-called “swing states” play a major role in the elections. These are states that have not voted clearly Democratic or Republican in the past, but have wavered back and forth depending on the candidate. (lto)
Despite different roles in the US election campaign, it is clear to Brandl and Weber: If Trump wins, the USA, but also the rest of the world, will face major challenges. Making predictions is almost impossible. However, it can be assumed that it will be a close race on November 5th. Brandl will then sit in front of the television in his house and watch the elections with excitement. Weber will also be eagerly awaiting the result – and will then analyze it with his students at the cantonal school.
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