A Quebecer living in Georgia has already voted in person this fall to ensure that his choice will be counted in this key state, which could determine the outcome of the American election.
“Georgia is at stake,” says Jean-Pierre Jobin, who has lived in Atlanta for 28 years. A former IT consultant who left Quebec for his work, he now works in business mergers and acquisitions.
After the 2020 election, the 78-year-old man discovered that his vote, sent by post, had not been counted in the victory narrowly snatched by Democrat Joe Biden.
However, this ex-Montrealer had received and sent his duly completed ballot in less than 24 hours, well before the deadline. But, he wouldn’t have arrived in time, according to his state’s election website, where he checked six months later.
“They are stifling the vote,” he notes, pointing out that the post office had cut employees, causing delays. “He was a person assigned by Donald Trump to head the post office.”
This time, with his wife Carolle, also from Quebec, they voted in advance, in person.
Polarized state
Georgia, located north of Florida, is a swing state, or a pivotal state that can be won by either party.
The state’s governor is a Republican, but its two senators are Democrats. And among the representatives in Congress, there is the controversial Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, fiercely pro-Trump.
This polarization between Democrats and Republicans is felt in Georgia. “It’s worse now than when I arrived here,” remarks the father of two daughters and grandfather of four grandchildren, adding that it pollutes the social climate.
Founder of a social group, called the Marmitons, he must ban all political discussion to prevent tempers from getting heated.
Mr. Jobin will vote for Kamala Harris, he confides. But above all it is a vote against Donald Trump, deploring his chaotic impact on the country.
Expatriate in election
- Jean-Pierre Jobin
- 78 ans
- Atlanta
- Specialist in business mergers and acquisitions
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