Well, the people of America have had their say…. and now we know that President Obama is back in the White House for another four years.
You’ll have your own views on whether or not you wanted this.
But leaving aside individual preferences, I was struck by another aspect of the US election – the sheer enthusiasm of the people for the democratic process.
I don’t yet know how many voted for a new President, but it seems clear from the news reporting over here that the election gripped the country.
Volunteers rolled up in droves to help their man and the voters were ready to queue for hours if need be to make their choice.
It’s hard not to compare such enthusiasm with the elections turn-out we sometimes get on this side of theAtlantic.
And I am left wondering what the turn-out’s going to be for police and crime commissioner elections coming up on November 15.
Again, we’ll all have individual views, both on the election itself – it’s the first ever for such a position – and the various candidates.
There’s already been speculation that turn-out will be low for a variety of reasons.
But one thing is clear to me. We all have a democratic duty to go to the polls and make our choice. I urge you all to do so.
Turnout in the US Presidential election was much lower than in a UK general election. Around 58%, so no real need to queue around the block.