A funny phenomenon has started as we near the election: I’ve been cast as a token American in many social situations and am asked more about who I’m voting for than where I live. I knew living in Denmark during the 2008 elections would be fascinating, but I never thought it would effect me so personally.

Many in Europe talk of the upcoming election as if it’s already done - Obama will win and America will stop being such a goddamn bully. When I first encountered these statements, I’d skirt their assumptions with tact and gently remind people that the polls don’t reflect such an overwhelming win and explain the Bradley Effect. Now, I just bring up the 2004 elections. No one thought Bush would be re-elected. His popularity was low, the Iraq war was/is a clusterfuck, Cheney was linked to scandalous contracts and Haliburton, etc etc. But he won. I learned a valuable lesson in 2004. I learned to never assume an outcome of an election. Well that, and never underestimate the fear of gay marriage. I’m convinced Kerry would have won if so many states did not run propositions legalizing the continued mistreatment and prejudice against the gay community.

With the memories of 2004 and my disgust over the results looming like a dark cloud on my horizon, I went to the post office today to send off my absentee ballot in time to ensure timely delivery. Federally, my single vote means very little, as King County is so blue it cries in its cold coffee cup every election cycle. But a very close gubernatorial race and a few heated propositions make me feel very democratic making the effort to make my voice heard from Europe.

Dropping off my ballot was the final act in a story that started last week when I happened to have my ballot with me during my project group meeting. My European group members (two Danes and two Germans) found my ballot and voter pamphlet interesting. The socialist and independent party candidates were an interesting discovery for them, and we all began to critically discuss the merits of multi-party systems. I’ll omit the details of the conversation, but my voter paraphernalia was an interesting token to get the talk started.

In addition to ballot discussions, I’ve also been invited to a few election parties where people are planning on planting themselves in front a screen updating state results starting at 3 am on November 5th (which is 6 pm Pacific time). I’m nervous about this election, and am not at all prepared to handle the barrage of questions and outrage if McCain wins. Part of me wants to hole up in my room, nervously pacing and frantically updating CNN.com as I watch the future of my country unfold. But I know that part of being abroad is participating in this exact moment, where the world gets smaller through a singular event - an event that carries significance in the context of a global economic crisis and wartime fear mongering.

I really hope my European friends are right. I hope the American people vote for change. I want to live in a country where ‘The Dream’ can be a reality. I feel change in the air, and I cannot wait until Election Day to see if others are on the same page.