UPDATE (as of November 11, 2024): Americans have made their choice! Donald Trump will be the 47th president of the United States, as he has won both the electoral college, including all seven swing states, and the popular vote. The Republicans have won the Senate Majority as the House is still up for grabs as of today’s date. Kamala Harris has conceded the race as President-Elect Trump prepares for the transition of power.
It is election year again! Election day is on Tuesday, November 5, and there is no school that day. Students who are eighteen or will turn eighteen on Election Day can still register to vote up to and on Election Day itself. This election season we have Kamala Harris, running as a Democrat, and Donald Trump, running as a Republican. Here are their stances on important issues.
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris is currently the Vice President of the United States, serving under President Joe Biden. She became the main candidate for the Democrats earlier this year when Joe Biden dropped out of the Presidential race due to concerns over his health and ability to serve as president. Harris has been campaigning on major issues like the economy, immigration, abortion and foreign policy.
On the economy, she has promised to ban price gouging at grocery stores to combat high inflation. She even said her biggest priority is to support the middle class.
Regarding immigration, Harris supports the bipartisan border security bill, which includes fast decisions on asylum cases and expanded authority to deport migrants. She hopes to revive the bill after the bill was blocked by Republicans earlier this year.
Harris has also supported abortion rights for women for a long time and has made it a major point in her campaign. On top of that, she has repeatedly said that she would never allow a national abortion ban.
When it comes to foreign policy, Harris has pledged full support to Ukraine and focused on a ceasefire deal in the Israeli-Palestinian War.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump was the 45th president, and this is his third time running for president. He lost to Joe Biden in the 2020 election and even claimed that the election was stolen. Trump has also campaigned on the economy, immigration, abortion and foreign policy.
Regarding the economy, he has promised to “end inflation and make America affordable again.”
On immigration, Trump has vowed to complete the wall on the Southern Border and promised mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.
When it comes to abortion, he has had an inconsistent message. While Trump has said that the issue should be left up to the states, he previously bragged about his role in overturning Roe v. Wade.
When it comes to foreign policy, Trump has taken an isolationist stance and has pledged to end the war in Ukraine “within 24 hours” of taking office with a settlement with Russia. Democrats have criticized it by saying this would enable Russian President Vladimir Putin to be more aggressive. For the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Trump has strongly supported Israel and criticized the Pro-Palestinian supporters on US college campuses.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
RFK Jr. was an independent candidate until he suspended his campaign earlier this year and endorsed Donald Trump for president. Despite suspending his campaign, he is still on the Illinois ballot. Considering the economy he has promised to lower housing costs and eliminate tax deductions that he claims benefit corporations and the wealthy and provide relief for student loan borrowers. When asked about abortion, he wants to reduce abortion by expanding the social safety net for mothers and pregnant women. About foreign policy, he wants to “end the forever wars” as in ending U.S. involvement in Ukraine. He is also a strong supporter of Israel and believes it has the right to defend itself.
It is important to vote in this election since your vote counts and it counts towards the future of this country. Make sure you vote and also encourage your peers to vote!
Who do you want to vote for? Vote for your candidate here by filling out the North Current’s anonymous “ballot.” And be sure to check out our follow-up article after election results are announced to see if Glenbard North’s choice in the 2024 presidential election matches that of the nation.