The tale of two voters: Americans tell who’s got their support and why

AS Americans prepare to head to the polls, here’s a look at the voters whose decisions will sway history.

Republican supporters Leanna Leavitt and Chelsea Gallacher of Boulder City, Nevada. Picture: Glen McCurtayne/Coleman-Rayner

AS Americans prepare to head to the polls, here’s a look at the voters whose decisions will sway history.

TRUMP VOTER

Chelsea Gallacher is proof that Donald Trump’s comments about women aren’t a deal breaker for the young female vote.

The 29-year-old hairdresser from Boulder City, Nevada, shrugged off remarks Mr Trump had made about grabbing women by their genitals and accusations of sexual assault and will vote for the billionaire because she can’t stand Hillary Clinton.

Nevada hairdresser Chelsea Gallacher will vote for Donald Trump. Picture: Glen McCurtayne/Coleman-Rayner

“Trump takes responsibility for the worst things he’s ever done. It doesn’t make him liked but at least it makes him honest. He’s candid — what you see is what you get,” Ms Gallacher said.

“You can’t say the same for Hillary. She just says what she thinks needs to be said.”

Ms Gallacher sees the support for Mr Trump as somewhat of a social uprising, saying: “Today is November 5 and I can’t help but think about the film “V for Vendetta” about social anarchy and the people taking back the vote. Makes you think!”.

This view is precisely the type of anti-establishment sentiment that Mr Trump has ridden on — a deep dissatisfaction with the traditional politics of which Ms Clinton is a creature.

Three weeks ago, Ms Gallacher was an undecided voter. She had a deep disdain for Ms Clinton — “we’ve had her before and she’s dangerous” — but also worried about Mr Trump’s foreign policy nous.

But in the week before the election she settled on Trump, citing the new probe on Ms Clinton’s emails.

“My biggest concern with Trump is that he’ll be heavy handed and get us into war. But I like his Vice President (Mike Pence). I believe our system doesn’t fail us and Trump will surround himself with good people and make good choices,” she said.

“Honestly I don’t like Trump as a person. I wouldn’t want to hang out with him but Clinton is sneaky and deceitful and has done a lot of bad things.

“Say what you want about Trump but Clinton isn’t exactly pro women either.”

HILLARY VOTER

Wilisha IDaniels is the type of voter who could carry Hillary Clinton to the White House — young, educated, and satisfied with the Obama era.

“Obama brought us together and we need to stay together,” the University of Nevada student said.

Ms Daniels is typical of the college-educated voter that makes up large swathes of the former first lady’s most active support base. They see Mr Trump as a risk to liberal values like abortion, gay marriage and racial inclusion.

While Ms Clinton has struggled to stir up enthusiasm in the electorate — and many will vote for her despite not actively liking her — middle-class female voters at universities have defied this trend, lining up passionately behind the Democrat.

“I’ve always admired Hillary,” PhD student Ms Daniels said.

“I like what she stands for — she wants to help the middle class, she wants to make college affordable and accessible, she believes in good health care, good education, she is a good role model.”

Nevada elected President Obama twice, but before that the state had voted Republican in the prior two elections.

It has emerged as a key battleground state and even on the university campus — a traditionally liberal ground — opinion is split.

Ms Daniels has been surprised by the support for Mr Trump, particularly among women.

“I do think people are starting to listen but for so long people were swept up in the glamour of Donald Trump. I honestly don’t believe they comprehended the risk of his presidency. He risks dividing this nation — dividing it based on race, religion and gender.

“We are stronger together.”