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By Gabriella Pilat
The 2024 elections may seem a ways away, but the campaign trail has already begun. As a student, it can be very difficult to decipher each event that takes place. Please feel free to use this section of the newspaper as your Guide to the 2024 Election. Linked below there are numerous reliable websites that are following the campaign if you would like to do more research for yourself.
Happening Now
The current campaigners are slowly making their way through each state in an attempt to win their party's candidate spot. This is done differently in each state through either a primary or a caucus.
Primary - Voting process by which voters indicate their preference for their party’s candidate in the upcoming election
Nuances -
To vote in a primary you must be registered with that specific party (Democrat or Republican)
In most Primaries you don’t win the entire state, you win the percentage of votes in the state
Works best in larger states because not all voters have to be present
Caucus - Meeting of supporters or members of the political party where voters informally choose their preference
Nuances -
All voters must be present
After discussion and debate take place (between voters), voters choose what they think would be the best candidate
Works best in smaller states
Was the original method for selecting candidates but has decreased in size since primaries were announced in the 1900s
There are many more differences between primaries and caucuses, but this is the basis. You can read more about each specific state and its distinctions here.
What is influencing voters?
Many things go into a person's mind when choosing who will represent them best. but after much research, I have found that these four will be the most pressing issues in the 2024 election.
Immigration
Although prominent throughout other elections, due to the recent influx of illegal citizens in America, many at home will be voting based on the politician’s stance on this issue. The issue is not black and white though; many factors will play into this including state vs federal funding, housing, and the court system.
Abortion
In June 2022, Roe Vs. Wade was officially overturned by the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization which ruled that the constitutional right for a woman to have an abortion no longer exists. The case gave the states control of regulating and restricting abortion if they choose to do so. 21 of our 50 states have banned or restricted abortion based on the duration of a pregnancy. You can read more about those restrictions here.
Economy
Although the unemployment rate is at a historical low of 3.7%, voters are still leery of the rising prices. Economist Dr. Caroline Fohlin told CBS News that there is a disconnect between positive indicators and the reality of the working people. She says that the working class actually isn’t better off and that prices will never go down again. Voters are interested in how candidates feel about taxes and unemployment and what will be done if they get into office.
International Affairs
In a time of political uncertainty, everybody has varying opinions on who America should ally with and who we should stay away from. In the up-and-coming primaries, caucasus, and debates, questions about international conflicts arise and it will be up to the candidates to decide how America should feel about the situation.
The Candidates
Democrat
Joe Biden https://joebiden.com/
Running for reelection at age 81, Biden is running with both the slogan, “Together we will defeat Donald Trump again.”and “Let’s Finish The Job.” Throughout his presidency, Biden oversaw the execution of the Recovery Act, created under the Obama Administration which is the largest economic recovery plan in our nation’s history with a focus on renewable energy. He has called for action against racial injustice and is an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
Republican
Throughout the campaign trail, the number of Republican candidates has dwindled from 5 to 2.
Donald Trump https://www.donaldjtrump.com/agenda47
Also running for reelection, at age 77, Trump is running with both the slogans “Never surrender.” and “Make America Great Again” He is running with the goal of “restoring” the pillars of American society: liberty, freedom, and faith. Some of his main promises in his campaign are to work to end human trafficking, end pharmaceutical shortages, and end federal funding for “illegal aliens.”
Nikki Haley https://nikkihaley.com/record-of-results/
At age 52, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley is running for election with the slogan “Make America Sane Again.” In her campaign, she talks about her track record as the former governor of South Carolina. Haley turned the SC economy into a powerhouse nicknamed, “The Beast of the Southeast,” and she vows to do the same for America. As governor, she signed many strict laws into place regarding abortion and immigration.
Conclusion
Although most of the readers here are unable to vote, it is still important to be educated on what is happening. The beauty of America is our freedom to speak our mind, even in our own school. I encourage you to start up conversations with your teachers and fellow peers. Just because a topic is difficult to talk about doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be talked about. When having difficult conversations be sure to listen to understand, not listen to respond. From respectful conversations, true knowledge and wisdom can be earned.
Come back next month for updates on the 2024 election.
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