# American Expatriates in Sweden Celebrate Democratic Election Wins

US citizens in Malmö gather to mark significant Democratic victories in midterm elections.

- **Source:** [The Local Sweden](https://www.thelocal.se)
- **Published:** 2026-11-04
- **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics)
- **Original article:** <
            https://www.thelocal.se/20261104/i-was-crying-two-years-ago-americans-in-sweden-celebrate-democrats-election-victory
        >
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/7ea1058c-6217-4a6b-b52d-c971924cae22

## Expatriates Gather in Malmö

On November 4th, approximately 30 American expatriates gathered in Malmö, Sweden, for a breakfast vigil to celebrate Democratic victories in the US midterm elections. The event, organized by Democrats Abroad, featured traditional American breakfast foods like pancakes and bacon, providing a communal space for citizens to process the significant political results from abroad.

## Contrast With Previous Trauma

Sharrilyn Helgertz, secretary of the local Democrats Abroad chapter, contrasted the current jubilation with her experience during the 2024 presidential elections. Having moved to Sweden with her husband, she described the previous election as a traumatic event that left her in tears, noting that this year's results exceeded her cautious expectations for success.

## Shift in Voting Allegiances

Carolyn Jurns, a former Republican voter for four decades, expressed relief at the election outcome. Having formally switched her party affiliation to the Democrats in 2020, she highlighted the reelection of Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown and Governor Amy Acton as particularly positive developments for her home state, reinforcing her satisfaction with the current results.

## Confidence in Election Integrity

John Jurns, an engineer who previously worked at the European Spallation Source in Lund, expressed strong confidence in the American electoral system. He noted that numerous legal challenges aimed at disrupting the process were dismissed by courts, suggesting that the system remained robust despite concerns regarding potential political interference or widespread voter fraud.

## Surprise at Election Margins

Chris Brandon, a student at Lund University for 11 years, expressed surprise at the scale of the Democratic victory. He noted that while polls were generally accurate, the party's success in traditionally challenging regions, such as the Texas gubernatorial race, exceeded his expectations, indicating a broader shift in voter sentiment across the United States.

## Acceptance of Election Results

Volunteer Claire Yockey noted that a significant highlight was the apparent willingness of the opposition to accept the election outcome. She expressed shock at reports that Donald Trump indicated he would accept the results regardless of the outcome, suggesting that the sheer volume of the Democratic victory made the results impossible to deny.

## The Surreal Nature of Exile

Participants described the experience of watching American politics from Sweden as surreal and isolating. Helgertz expressed frustration at being unable to support her community in Minnesota during local crises, such as ICE border police operations. This distance creates a sense of estrangement, as expatriates feel disconnected from the daily realities of their home country.

## Reflections on Political Engagement

While the group celebrated the immediate electoral success, they acknowledged that this victory represents only the first step in a long political process. The event underscored the unique perspective of Americans living abroad, who remain deeply invested in domestic policy despite the physical distance and the challenges of participating in the democratic process.

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._