His daughter saved a can of ‘Election Spam’ for 3 years. They’re eating it tonight.

In 2017, John Galaudet was shopping at the Cross Creek Commons Publix near his home in New Tampa when his 12-year-year daughter, Allison, brought over a can of Spam.

She pointed to the canned meat product’s “Best By” date: November 2020. It was Election Night Spam, she joked, and suggested they hold on to it until the next presidential election.

Three years later, Election Day is finally here, and Galaudet and his daughter are about to find out what nearly expired Spam tastes like.

“She’s been looking forward to this for weeks,” Galaudet laughed.

Galaudet, who last year moved his family to Ames, Iowa, grew up eating the canned meat staple and said he would have bought it anyway — it just probably wouldn’t have lasted as long as it did had his daughter not pointed out the fateful date.

“My kids and I like Spam, but my wife hates it,” he said. “It’s simple, but it’s something that my mom and dad used to fix for me and my siblings as a kid.”

Now, he often makes it for his own children.

Galaudet said he isn’t so much worried about the effects of eating the possibly past-its-prime pork product as he is about the outcome of tonight’s presidential election. He sees the Spam as an auspicious metaphor of sorts — he hopes the can’s expiration date will coincide with the expiration of President Donald Trump’s time in the oval office.

“This can has actually lasted almost as long as this guy’s presidency,” he said.

Galaudet, 54, said he recently cast his vote for the Democrat and former Vice President Joe Biden. In 2016, he voted for Hilary Clinton.

For dinner tonight, Galaudet said he plans on dicing up the Spam and pan frying it with some rice and a fried egg. He’s not sure if his family can stomach the polling results over dinner — they’ll watch season four of Arrested Development while they’re eating and then later watch the results.

Galaudet said he is grateful he had the chance to vote, while some others did not.

“I voted out of love for my family, love for my country, and love for my planet, where I hope it’s not too late to reverse what’s been done,” he said on Twitter.

“I am just hoping that we can move forward into a future of decency."

Tampa Bay Times elections coverage

FLORIDA’S ELECTION NIGHT — AND BEYOND: Here’s what you need to know.

DECLARING WINNERS: How the Associated Press makes election calls, a Q&A

WHAT TO WATCH: What’s on TV for election night, from news to comedian commentators

We’re working hard to bring you the latest news on the elections in Florida. This effort takes a lot of resources to gather and update. If you haven’t already subscribed, please consider buying a print or digital subscription. Or click here to make a donation to the Tampa Bay Times Journalism Fund.