More than 240 million Americans are expected to vote in the coming hours to choose Joe Biden's successor, even if a third of voters have already been able to make their choice, by mail, or by early voting. An election that seems unpredictable. The polls, at this stage, cannot decide between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
But what will the result change for the most precarious American citizens? In Washington, the federal capital of the United States, franceinfo asked some of them, during a soup kitchen distributed two streets from the White House.
A chickpea and potato curry, with fragrant rice. Dequan just ate a whole plate of it in this pretty park in Washington, despite the cold of the morning. This native of the American capital now lives in a tent and is not sure whether to decide between Trump or Harris: “I don’t really know who I prefer… I think one or the other is a bit the same thing. My goal, at the moment, is more to get off the streets than to vote”he slips.
Like him, in this park, around a hundred homeless people queue to have a hot meal, distributed every week for five years now by this Muslim association. The symbol jumps out at Sayed, one of the volunteers, who is located just 400 meters from the famous Oval Office: “The United States is a great power, eh? A very rich country. And there you have it: yet, a few steps from the White House, we find all these people who are hungry and sleeping outside.”
“I think this election marks a turning point in American history”says Nerba who has been living on the street for four years. He proudly assures: “I already voted! In the first ten minutes after early voting opened!” This fervent citizen believes that only Kamala Harris and the Democratic camp can change things, but that is not the opinion of everyone here.
Kelly is wrapped in a large blanket, sitting on a bench: “I will not vote for…CWhat is the woman's name… Melana? Oh, Kamala…”
“I'm not going to vote for her. Because she's a woman! And I think the world should be led by a man who is supported by a strong woman. Like Obama and Michelle!”
Kelly poursuit : “I don't like Trump, but he has already been in this position, he has experience… He has already had to talk with Russia. What is she going to say to the Russians ? Or to China? Tuesday, she “will pray for the world”. And if she decides to vote, she says, “it will be for Trump.”
