The
absentee ballots will have been sent. All that’s left to do is watch and wait
for the results of one of the most anticipated political events this autumn:
the announcement of the next president-elect of the United States of America.
Will
it be incumbent U.S. president, Barack Obama, for the Democratic Party, or Mitt
Romney, for the Republican Party? With both candidates even in the polls,
whether you are a U.S. voter or not, watching the election returns night will
certainly be exciting.
On
the evening of Tuesday, November 6 (and into the wee hours of November 7),
Florence will be watching and waiting with the rest of the world. Several local
associations have organized non-partisan events in the city, open for all to
attend.
The
Tuscan American Association and Filippo Mazzei Association have
organized a festive election night at Otel Varietè (lungarno dalla Chiesa,
Florence). The evening opens with a dinner (8pm, 35 euro, reservations
required: write to segreteria@taaonlus.org or info@mazzeifoundation.org).
Entrance is free after dinner to watch the election results on giant screens,
with updated results through live video connections (in addition to live music
and DJ sets), as well as stations for food and drinks. Various local public
officials are expected. See www.tuscanamerican.org for details.
Democrats Abroad Florence welcomes
Americans of all political persuasions and anyone else interested in U.S.
politics for a fun-filled evening at the Rifredi Theatre. There will be live
satellite coverage from CNN, as well as live streaming coverage from MSNBC and
Democracy Now. Attendees can also participate in a mock presidential election
and other political games, and enjoy live entertainment (TBA). A specially
priced catered buffet serving themed American snacks and sweets, provided by
American Salad Co. and Mama’s Bakery, will be available, and a cash bar will be
open through the night. All are welcome to attend, but as space is limited,
only those who have reserved at http://event.pingg.com/ElectionFlorence will be guaranteed entrance. Call 349/2459298 and see http://tinyurl.com/8kd8oyb for more
information.
The
RFK Training Institute of the RFKC/Europe (find out more on page 15)
will hold a special training course for American and Italian students on
Novemer 5 and 6, which will be followed by a discussion on election night,
November 6, among politial experts, students, representatives of the Republican
and Democratic parties, journalists and others (in person and via Internet) of
the election returns. Those interested can follow the discussion via live
streaming at www.rfkennedyeurope.org.
Both events, organized in collaboration with the U.S. Consulate in Florence,
are being held at the Auditorium on via Folco Portinari, made available by the
Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze.
As
event organizers await confirmation, more details on these events will be
available online in coming days. Continue to check the websites above for details.
Election night events will also be held in other major Italian cities.
The Rome chapter of Democrats Abroad invites all U.S. citizens to a special ‘election watch’ night on November 6 at
the Roadhouse Grill in Testaccio, on Via Galvani 71-83 (Just before
MACRO at the new Testaccio Market; tel: 06/5744696). Entrance is free (must show photo ID upon entrance) and there will be a cash bar and a paid buffet featuring American-style snacks available. A breakfast buffet will be served from 2am on November 7 onward, which will include pancakes, scrambled eggs, turkey
sausages, bacon, juice and coffee. Reservations are required by November 1 via this website: daitaly-rome-events@democratsabroad.org. Guards will be on duty all
night. Paid parking available. Non-Americans are
welcome if accompanied by US citizens.
Also in Rome, the American International Club of Rome (AICR) had planned an Election Night party, but have now cancelled in the wake of the hurricane Sandy and the damage done. See www.aicrome.org for more news.
The Consulate General of the United States of America in Milan and English-language publication, Easy Milano, will host a special
non-partisan event on November 6, 2012 (from 9pm to 6am the next
morning). Expect large screens broadcasting live from the U.S., a party
room, refreshments, live interviews with numerous media channels, panel
speakers, unlimited coffee and breakfast snacks. The location is yet to
be announced, but those interested can check www.uselectionmilan.org for more information. It is open to all American citizens and
international friends in the city of Milan. Submit an attendance request
no later than the extended deadline of October 31.
[This article was updated on November 6, 2012]
