The 2024 U.S. presidential election, taking place on November 5, is set to determine the nation’s 47th president and 50th vice president. In a deeply divided political landscape, this election is being called one of the most consequential in American history. Major candidates include Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, each promising divergent paths for the country’s future. Beyond the presidential race, every seat in the House of Representatives and a third of the Senate are also contested, making this a pivotal moment for U.S. governance.
Key Phases of the U.S. Presidential Election Process
Eligibility and Initial Registration: Candidates for the presidency must meet specific requirements: they must be natural-born U.S. citizens, at least 35 years old, and have resided in the U.S. for 14 years. Additionally, any candidate who raises or spends over $5,000 is required to register with the Federal Election Commission.
Primaries and Caucuses: Once candidates announce their intentions, primary elections and caucuses determine each party’s nominee. In primaries, state-run elections allow voters to choose candidates by secret ballot, while caucuses are gatherings run by the political parties where voters discuss and select candidates. Caucuses can be open, closed, or semi-closed, depending on whether they allow any voter, registered party members only, or a combination to participate.
National Conventions and Nomination: Each party’s national convention formally nominates its presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Delegates, who are either pledged or unpledged, vote for their party’s nominee. If no candidate receives a majority, additional voting rounds occur until a nominee is chosen.
General Election and Voting Options: The general election includes various voting methods. Early voting, mail-in voting, and absentee voting have become widespread, allowing voters to avoid potential election day issues like long lines or adverse weather. In most states, these ballots are counted only on election day, which can delay final results.
The Electoral College: A Unique Voting System
In the United States, the president is not elected by direct popular vote but by the Electoral College. A candidate needs 270 out of 538 electoral votes to secure the presidency. Each state has electors based on its Congressional representation, totaling the number of House and Senate members.
- Elector Selection: Voters choose electors who, in turn, cast their ballots for the president in December based on the state’s popular vote outcome. Most states use a “winner-takes-all” approach, awarding all electoral votes to the candidate who wins the state’s popular vote.
- Faithless Electors: These are electors who do not vote according to their pledged candidate; however, some states penalize this action, and it rarely impacts the election results.
- Tie-Breaking Measures: In the event of a 269-269 tie, the House of Representatives decides the president, with each state delegation casting one vote. A candidate must secure 26 votes to win.
Major Issues Influencing the Election
Several pivotal issues are shaping voter opinions and candidate platforms in 2024:
- Abortion Rights: Since the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, abortion has become a core issue. Kamala Harris advocates for reproductive rights, proposing a national law to safeguard abortion access. Donald Trump, however, suggests that abortion regulations should be state-decided, rejecting a national ban.
- Democracy and Governance: The integrity of American democracy is a central theme. Harris has criticized Trump, alleging he threatens democratic principles, referencing the January 6th Capitol insurrection. Trump, conversely, accuses Harris of endangering democracy through censorship and alleges election fraud without evidence.
- Economic Policies: While the U.S. economy has shown resilience, economic concerns persist. Harris’s policies emphasize tax cuts for middle-class families, housing affordability, and domestic manufacturing support. Trump promises broad tax cuts and tariffs, aiming to reinforce social security and Medicare.
Voting Methods and Election Day Protocols
Modern U.S. elections go beyond a single day, with numerous ways for Americans to cast their votes:
- Early and In-Person Voting: Many states allow early in-person voting, minimizing congestion on election day. States such as Georgia and Wisconsin have recorded unprecedented early voter turnout, with both parties actively encouraging early voting.
- Absentee and Mail-in Voting: Absentee voting remains an option for voters unable to attend in person. Eight states, including Oregon and Washington, conduct all-mail elections, mailing ballots to every registered voter.
- Military and Overseas Voting: Federal law mandates absentee ballots for military and overseas voters, ensuring their participation despite geographical constraints.
Candidates and Their Paths to Victory
With both major candidates holding distinctive platforms and strategies, several battleground states could tip the balance:
- Kamala Harris: As the current vice president, Harris seeks to make history as the first female president. Her focus is on mobilizing urban Black voters and advocating for expanded social and reproductive rights.
- Donald Trump: Running for the third consecutive time, Trump’s appeal to rural, blue-collar voters remains strong. His campaign targets voters in pivotal states such as Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Georgia, where margins could be tight.
- Other Candidates: Additional contenders, such as Libertarian Chase Oliver and Green Party’s Jill Stein, though unlikely to win, could influence swing states by drawing votes from the major party candidates.
Election Day and Result Announcement
If one candidate wins by a significant margin, the result might be evident within hours. However, if the race is close, as in 2020, final results could take days, potentially extending into court disputes. For example, in 2000, the election between George W. Bush and Al Gore was decided over a month after polling day, with the Supreme Court’s intervention.
Exit Polls and Projections: Exit polls, gathered by networks such as CNN and ABC News, give early insights into voter preferences. These surveys, however, are subject to revision as vote counts are finalized. Media outlets traditionally avoid releasing exit poll data before all polling stations close to prevent influencing the outcome.
This election encapsulates a crossroads for American governance, with democracy, social issues, and the economy at the forefront of debate. The stakes are high, with both major parties laying out sharply contrasting visions for the future of the United States. While polling suggests a tight race, the electoral process’s structure and numerous factors, from voter turnout to swing-state dynamics, mean that the final outcome remains unpredictable until every vote is counted.