Waterloo Region politicians, business owners and chambers of commerce are closely watching American voters cast ballots to elect their next president.

Many polls taken before the election showed that Kamala Harris and Donald Trump were neck and neck in support.

Regardless of the outcome, local experts say the election is important for Waterloo region residents.

“It surprises me that more Canadians aren’t paying attention to the U.S. election because our trade between the two countries is $900 billion a year,” said Greg Durocher, CEO of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce.

Durocher mentioned that many American companies have a presence in the Kitchener-Waterloo area or employ American or dual nationals. He said the elections could have a direct impact on these companies and their future business opportunities.

“In 2026, we must renegotiate the Canada-United States-Mexico trade agreement. So why are today’s U.S. elections so important to Canadians? It’s our future economy that is at stake.”

Durocher said their jobs could even be at risk depending on how this deal plays out.

“In fact, on my way to work this morning, I was thinking maybe we should even vote. Because it’s so important to the Canadian economy,” he said.

Dual citizens participate

Some dual citizens living in Canada have exercised their right to vote in American elections.

For other dual citizens, like Timothy Flannery, president of the Grand River Democrats Abroad chapter, who lives in Elora and wanted a more hands-on approach. He spoke to CTV News from Lansing, Michigan on Tuesday.

“I have already gone through the ballot challenge process and have also responded to any Republican challenges to the validity of the ballots,” he said.

Flannery said he was prepared to stay in the United States for a few days after the election in case he needed affidavits or depositions.

Meanwhile, other dual citizens will be closely monitoring the situation north of the border.

Georganne Burke, head of the Canadian chapter of Republicans Overseas, lives in Ottawa but was born in upstate New York.

She said she voted by mail and her family dynamic when it comes to politics is unique.

“My husband is currently in Florida. He actually resides there full-time, so he voted too. He is the only Democratic voter in our family. Everyone voted for Trump,” she said.

Despite differences in political opinions, she said they could agree on one crucial thing: the importance of voting.

“I can tell you the turnout rate is historically terrible,” she said. “Eight percent is the average turnout rate in a U.S. election among Americans living in Canada. »

About 600,000 people eligible to vote in U.S. elections live in Canada.