Belfast in Pennsylvania divided as US election polling day arrives

If Belfast has a reputation for divisive politics, it is one that is shared across the Atlantic.

Belfast, Pennsylvania, is a small township named after Northern Ireland’s capital.

Its position in the swing state puts it at the centre of this United States election battle and it is clear from the many signs outside homes here that people have picked sides.

“I’m wearing my Trump apparel,” says Patty Bowman when I meet her in the petrol station.

Those clothes include a stars and stripes hoodie, a Make America Great Again baseball cap and a T-shirt emblazoned with a photograph of Donald Trump after his recent assassination attempt.

The T-Shirt is emblazoned with the slogan: “This is my President”.

The words are decorated with what appear to be cartoon bullet holes.

“I love everything about him,” says Ms Bowman.

“I’ve got so many shirts and so many hats.

“I even have the hat with the Donald Trump hair.”

In the local diner, Petey’s Eateys, they are very welcoming but initially also careful with their words when I ask about politics.

“It’s a little one sided around here,” says Nikki Ebner, the manager.

When I ask whether that is for Trump or Harris she just laughs.

But it quickly becomes clear that many of the staff want a change in the White House, and are supporting America’s 45th President to become its 47th.

They say their personal financial concerns top any worries about the controversies that surround Donald Trump.

“Both sides have a lot of issues and there’s a few things that he says that I could do without,” says Kim Detrick, who is of Irish descent.

“Quite a few of us are on board because our economy has gone to the toilet.”

Others have had enough of the long-drawn out election contest.

The gas station is attached to the diner. In its shop the local newspapers all have headlines about the election with details of visits by candidates.

The constant appearances in Pennsylvania only emphasise the views of pollsters that winning this state is necessary to win the White House.

All that constant attention is starting to turn some voters off.

“I wish it was over,” says Ryan Genua.

“Two people knocked on our door yesterday, one for Trump and one for Harris.

“We need a break from this.”

But as befits a place called Belfast, this is a political place with many news-hungry residents.

“My husband says how do you watch that day in and day out?” admits Patty Siegfried.

“I said because it’s news and I want to hear everything on both sides.

“It’s so divided here in Northampton County – they say it’s almost neck and neck.”

Patty might listen to everyone but she leaves me in no doubt about who she is supporting.

At one stage, when I ask questions about Donald Trump’s past actions she gets close up to my face and tells me, in no uncertain terms, how she sees it.

“Donald Trump is like me. Tell it like it is. Don’t beat around and just get rid of the bull,” she says.

“I like his rhetoric. I don’t care about his personal business.”

In the Belfasts on both sides of the Atlantic, politics can seem ingrained.

The last few weeks have seen frantic campaigning here in Pennsylvania but winning people over, at the last minute, could be difficult when so many have very clearly made their minds up.