Students of Brookfield Central might remember November 5 as another day off from school, but in reality, it was a consequential moment that changed the course of this country’s history. The 2024 Presidential Election was held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, with former Republican president Donald Trump running against Vice President Kamala Harris of the Democratic Party. With both candidates being familiar faces to the country as well as their highly contrasting ideologies, the stakes of this election were high.
Harris has already broken barriers as the first woman and first woman of color to serve as vice president. She became the official Democratic Party’s presidential nominee after President Biden withdrew his candidacy and endorsed her. Harris’s campaign focused on the continuation of some aspects of the Biden administration, along with reforms in areas including healthcare and climate change. Her running mate was Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and together they ran a campaign grounded in inclusivity and equity. On the Republican side, Trump ran for his second, non-consecutive term in partnership with Ohio Senator JD Vance. His platform focused on economic growth and border security. Trump and Harris have disagreed on a multitude of topics––Harris advocated for stricter environmental regulations while Trump’s affinity for energy independence means the continued use of fossil fuels; Harris supported the Affordable Care Act while Trump opposed it; Harris backed the implementation of stricter gun control regulations while Trump vouched for more leniency to protect Second Amendment rights––showcasing the ideological divide between the candidates.
In the United States, the president is not elected by popular vote, meaning the majority vote does not determine the presidency, rather, the Electoral College does. The Electoral College consists of 538 electors distributed to every state relative to population size; for example, Wisconsin has ten electoral votes. Thus, a majority of 270 electoral votes is required to elect the president. An individual vote cast on election day technically goes toward the voter’s preferred candidate’s group of electors, known as a slate. Most states have a winner-takes-all system in which all of the electoral votes go toward the candidate that receives the State’s popular vote. The Electoral College system typically results in an emphasized campaign on swing states, as the uncertain outcome of swing states makes for a closer race. Additionally, if neither candidate receives 270 electoral votes, it is decided by the House of Representatives. Thus, the importance of voting cannot be understated.
Trump emerged victorious and is set to be inaugurated on January 20, 2025, for his second, non-consecutive term as President of the United States. He received 312 of the electoral votes and about 50% of popular votes. As the country will be transitioning political parties regarding leadership, there will likely be shifts in economic and political policies, such as reduced government intervention and stricter immigration. In her concession speech, Harris spoke on the importance of Americans being engaged in democracy. For some, the outcome of this election reflects the political divide of a polarized country, while for others it could serve as an opportunity to move in the direction that they believe is in the country’s best interests.
Regardless of the results, the key takeaway from this election should be that political engagement and respect for diverse viewpoints are essential to navigate future challenges. Political participation, especially for the younger generations that are the nation’s future, is paramount for the progression of American politics. A pivotal moment in history, the results of the election reveal the deeply ingrained divisions within the country. Every citizen has a responsibility to thoughtfully consider the issues and make their voice heard, so that we can come together and work toward a better future.
