Texas showdown
It is Sonya Curciev's first election stateside and she is finding the blanket coverage overwhelming.
"We have just moved house and have chosen not to get a television just because at the moment it is saturating TV," the 33-year-old attorney said.
Originally from Melbourne, Ms Curciev now lives in Houston, Texas, with her partner and their one-year-old daughter.
Sonya Curciev and her partner Max Boland have been following the presidential election campaign from Texas. Source: Supplied
She finds the celebrity status of the candidates and the protracted length of the campaign remarkable.
The political season in the US lasts well over a year, while in Australia it is traditionally over in just six weeks.
That the US presidential election will take place on a Tuesday also surprises Ms Curciev, as Australian federal elections are always held on a Saturday.
"If people are working normal working hours and cannot get away at lunchtime to get to a poll booth then they are effectively not able to vote," she said.
"There are opportunities to cast votes beforehand, but it really requires people to make a special effort and go out of their way to be able to do that."
Election night will be an opportunity for Ms Curciev and her family to catch-up with friends.
"I am sure a friend will having an election party, so we will head over there to watch it," she said.
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California dreaming
Joshua Anderson lives in San Diego, California with his wife and two-year-old daughter. Source: Getty Images
"Even though I am not a citizen I feel very passionate about [the election] myself," the San Diego resident said.
"It is impossible not to be part of the news cycle here. It is in your face 100 per cent of the time."
The prospect of billionaire Republican Donald Trump becoming president scares the 30-year-old.
"Frankly it is intimidating," he said.
Unlike in Australia voting is not compulsory in the US, and Mr Anderson is struck by the apathy of some voters.
"To hear people say that this time around they do not like the candidates they might just stay home - it is very frustrating because I do not have the option to vote," he said.
"It does make me feel powerless."
"Frankly it is intimidating."
Joshua Anderson and his family (SBS) Source: SBS
Its delegates do not vote until June 7, but they could play an important role in the contest if by then there are no outright winners.
Mr Anderson's wife Kate is expecting their second daughter that month. Because she will be born in the states she will automatically be a US citizen.
Whether the young family stays put or ups sticks could hinge on the outcome of the presidential poll.
"If there is a massive change my only choice will be to return home," he said.
The Big Apple
Australian Ed Coper said election night would be an excuse for a party. Source: Supplied
The 34-year-old, who moved to the US from Sydney six years ago, said the hype surrounding the 2016 election exceeded what he saw during the contest between President Barack Obama and his Republican rival Mitt Romney in 2012.
"It [is] more extreme, more inflammatory, more sensationalised and more hyped," he said.
"People do not feel like the economy is doing so well. They are feeling generally less safe and secure.
"I think that is why you are seeing this increase in inflammatory rhetoric and extremism on both sides."
"This is the Super Bowl of elections."
The term "New York values" has been bandied around a lot during the election after Texas Senator Ted Cruz used it in an attack on Mr Trump during a debate in January.
"Everyone understands the values in New York City are socially liberal, pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage and focus around money and the media," Mr Cruz said.
"That is really shorthand for liberal values," said Mr Coper.
New York is considered a safe Democrat state.
For that reason Mr Coper said it had been spared the blanket campaign advertising seen in swing states or important primary states.
"New York is where a lot of the money for the election will come from, so you do get the candidates coming here often," he said.
"But that is really to raise money, not to convince anyone because it is such a safe state."
