Virginia: A red state turned blue

SBS US Election Correspondent reports: In 2008, the people of Virginia voted for a Democratic presidential candidate, for the first time in decades. It's a state divided in two - the blue north and red south. But in 2016, which way will the state swing?

Olu Rhodes-Vivour isn't voting in the 2016 US Presendential election because he's disillusioned by the two candidates. Source: Sarah Abo

President Barack Obama signalled a shift in the state of Virginia.

In 2004, he won the state's 13 electoral votes, the first time a Democratic presidential candidate succeeded there since 1968.

President Obama won again in 2012, affirming the Democrat's stamp on the state that had given its votes to Republicans in 11 out of 12 general elections between 1948 and 2004.

Virginia was one of America's 13 founding colonies with Jamestown in its south, established by English settlers in 1607. It was long a politically southern, conservative state, but grew more urbanised and moderate. Over the years, the state has been increasingly divided and the south remains more conservative than the north.

Gina and Jeff Fisher will be voting for Hillary Clinton Source: Sarah Abo

But this year, in such an unprecedented election, contended by two of the most unpopular candidates in political history, how will Viriginia vote?

We profiled some locals to get their opinions.

In Alexandria, northern Virginia, Leslie Jenkins is sticking with the status quo, but is not happy with the way the political battle has been playing out.

"The campaign has been so terrible, and I think disrespectful to our country because Trump isn't taking it seriously except for his own ego. I mean, he wants to win this for his own self."

Ms Jerkins is 39-years-old, in a same sex relationship, with a one year old daughter, Josie.

She doesn't want to raise her under a Donald Trump presidency.

"He is such a poor representation, and our country looks archaic and terrible and discriminatory when the vast majority of us are not."

"And he absolutely is an embarrassment. And the fact that so many people in our country want him to win, it's so awful and appalling."

"Clinton has her own concerns, but there's zero anxiety about her flying off the handle and making decisions that can put our country at risk."

Parents Jeff and Gina Fisher are expecting their second child. Their son has only known a Democratic president, and they believe it will stay that way for at least the next four years.

"I think Virginia will continue down the pattern of Obama on the past two elections and stay blue."

But perhaps not forever.

"I think beyond that you could see it change back to red, and I think a lot of people consider it a purple state in that it could go either way depending on the candidates."

Virginian Women, Laura Morris, will be voting for Donald Trump Source: Sarah Abo

"I will be voting for Hillary. I think her beliefs more line up with my values.  And I think that, overall, Donald Trump is not a good representative for the office of President."

Mrs Fisher, who works in the corporate sector, is voting blue too.

"We have a two year old and we’re about to have another one, and just to think that, you know, he would have the first President of his lifetime was African American, and then the second could be a woman to me is amazing"

"And that’s not the only reason, of course. I don’t think Trump’s personality represents our country.  Regardless of policy and anything else, I would be embarrassed for my son to hear the things that come out of his mouth."

Father of one, Olu Rhodes-Vivour, is sitting out this election. Disillusioned by both candidates, he's not voting, out of protest.

"This has been the most divisive race I think we’ve ever seen for both parties. My hope is in the next four years."

He used to be a Hillary Clinton supporter, but lost respect for her during the 2008 race for the Democratic nomination.

“That got really really nasty toward the end. She thought she was going to be the candidate for the Democratic party. Things took a turn for the worse for her, for her candidacy, and she said some really nasty things. So it made me look at her in a slightly different light."

But he is not a fan of her Republican opponent either.

“I’m not voting for Trump. I’m actually not voting for anybody. And when I tell people that I get a lot of criticism because they say ‘well, you have an obligation to vote’."

"I have an obligation to vote for the person that I think is going to do the best job. And if I don’t think either one of those candidates is going to do a great job, then I don’t have an obligation to vote for anybody."

Sixty one year old Laura Morris, however, is voting.

And the lifelong Republican is backing her party's candidate.

"He's making us all feel like we have a voice again."

“I think Donald Trump is the best candidate who truly articulates the frustration and the anger that Americans have felt during this last eight years of the administration of the Obamas."

Mrs Morris likes the fact Mr Trump is a businessman, and not an established politician. She says the hot-mic tape is an example he's imperfect, "as we all are," but is looking at the bigger picture.

“There’s no hidden agendas. He’s completely transparent. What you see is what you get with Donald Trump, and I like that.”