WHILE THE world eagerly awaits the result of the US presidential election, a young Fife couple have taken a more hands-on approach in determining today’s outcome.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (31), originally from St Andrews, and his wife Gill (31), originally from Dalkeith, have travelled to the ‘battleground state’ of Virginia to help campaign for Democratic candidate Barack Obama.

The couple, who live in Edinburgh, have been busy canvassing, attending rallies and going door to door since arriving in the US 10 days ago.

Focusing mostly on Williamsburg and the Richmond area of Virginia, the couple are hoping to help Mr Obama (47) secure the votes he needs to clinch an historic victory.

“The US presidential election is an event of global significance and will affect the economic and strategic stability of the entire planet so everyone in the UK has a stake in this election,” said Alex, who is the Liberal Democrat Holyrood candidate for Edinburgh North and Leith and top of the party list for Mid Scotland and Fife.

“We’ve been following Obama’s campaign since he declared his candidacy in early 2007.

“Having been bitterly disappointed when Kerry lost to Bush in 2004 we resolved to do our best to help the Democrats this year.”

The couple have travelled to the US with Lib Dem Kevin Lang, candidate for Westminster in Edinburgh North and Leith, and party vice-convener Jenny Lang.

They believe so strongly in the Illinois senator that they have self-financed their trip.

“We have been welcomed very warmly by the local Democratic Party—people are excited to see how much interest there is in this campaign around the world,” said Gill, who was the Lib Dem Holyrood candidate for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh in 2007.

“They are delighted that their candidate has such appeal to the global community that people are willing to travel thousands of miles to help out.”

The couple decided to campaign in Virginia because it is one of the most tightly contested states.

Like much of the south, Virginia was Democratic from the end of the Civil War until the 1970s, when it became a Republican stronghold.

The Republicans have won Virginia in the last three elections. However recent Democratic success—the last two governors have been Democrats—has seen pundits call it a battleground state’.

There are 13 electoral college votes up for grabs in Virginia, with 270 needed to secure the presidency.

“We chose to come to Virginia as it represents one of the most marginal states and could decide the outcome, so we felt our efforts could have the most impact here,” said Alex.

Some 130 million Americans are expected to vote today, with officials braced for record numbers.

“The atmosphere over here is electric—everyone is talking about the election,” said Alex.

“Actually seeing Obama in the flesh at a rally in Norfolk, Virginia, reminded us as to why we are here—he has integrity, eloquence and a fierce determination to bring about change.”

The latest polls show Mr Obama holding a 5-11% lead over Republican John McCain.

Voting closes in Virginia at 0000 GMT.