Iain Lundy, 68, is a journalist and author from Largs who now lives in Chandler, Arizona with his wife Be.
After working across a range of Scottish newspapers he moved to the US in 2015 where he now works as a freelance writer and genealogist.
Although not eligible to vote in the US election he’s observed the mounting tensions across the country in the final weeks and months of the campaign.
The headlines and billboards scream dire warnings. Vote as if it is your last time. Vote to save US democracy.
In a nation that styles itself as a bastion of democracy it seems other-worldly. But there is a genuine feeling here that this week’s election, whichever way it goes, could change the face of the United States forever.
The country is in the grip of apprehension and fear. A genuine concern that the growing political divide in society will morph into violence.
Many observers here are nervous that after 2024 free elections in the US will be a thing of the past. They fear the looming shadow of Donald Trump. They fear how he, his advisers and his followers will react, win or lose.
Already there have been outbreaks of violence and intimidation.
* Hundreds of votes were destroyed after ballot boxes were set on fire in Oregon and Washington.
* In Florida this week a teenager was arrested when he brandished a machete at elderly Harris supporters at a voting site.
* Immigration lawyers say a record number of clients plan to move overseas, fearing social unrest.
The result is going to be close, that is the only certainty. Trump is already declaring himself the winner even before most votes have been cast. He has made it clear he will not accept a close Harris victory.
It’s been almost four years since the January 6 riot.
Plenty of time to plan if Trump loses narrowly this time. Could January 6 pale into insignificance this time around?
There has never been a moment like this in recent American political history. The prospect of the election loser declaring himself the winner and attempting to seize power by force is very real.
There are of course plenty of built-in safeguards. But we are dealing with a man who has repeatedly declared his admiration for dictators and who has a following of tens of millions of Americans.
And let’s not forget this is a nation awash with guns.
Whatever the result this week it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the US will become a more divided, more hateful place.
And if the losing candidate gives the nod to his followers to pick up their weapons? Then what?
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