With less than two months to go until the election and just hours before Alabama begins sending out mail-in ballots on September 11, the recent debate offered a crucial glimpse into the contentious presidential race. In their first and potentially only debate before the election, Kamala Harris made a strong case against Donald Trump, sparring him on issues including abortion, immigration, the Israel-Gaza conflict, the Russia-Ukraine war and the state of American democracy, highlighting their starkly different visions for the country.
Here are the top 10 frequently asked questions about the 2024 US presidential election:
1. Who are the candidates and how are they nominated?
The two major political parties nominate their presidential candidates through a series of state primaries and caucuses, where voters express their preferences for who should lead the party in the general election. Within the Republican Party, former President Donald Trump secured his party’s nomination by a significant margin over his opponents, officially becoming the Republican nominee at the party’s convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On the Democratic side, Vice President Kamala Harris entered the race after the president Joe Biden She withdrew, with no other Democrats challenging her candidacy. In addition, independent candidates are running for president.
2. Who is Kamala Harris?
Harris is known for her advocacy on issues such as criminal justice reform, health care and immigration. (File)
On July 21, U.S. President Joe Biden announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s new nominee. Harris’ nomination for the upcoming November election would be historic, mirroring her achievement in 2020 when she became the first Black and South Asian woman to serve as vice president of the United States. Harris, who has been in office since January 20, 2021, previously served as the junior senator from California from 2017 to 2021 and as California’s attorney general from 2011 to 2017. She is known for her advocacy on issues such as criminal justice reform, health care, and immigration.
3. Who is Donald Trump?
Donald Trump, Republican presidential candidate and former US president (REUTERS)
Donald Trump is an American businessman, television personality, and politician who served as the 45th President of the United States from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021. For the 2024 election, he secured the Republican nomination. Prior to his political career, Trump was known for his real estate business and for hosting the reality television show “The Apprentice.” He is a key figure in the Republican Party, known for his unconventional approach and controversial policies.
4. When will voting take place for the 2024 US presidential election?
The election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The winning candidate will serve a four-year term beginning in January 2025. The president has the power to enact some laws independently, but must generally work with Congress to pass laws. Internationally, the U.S. president has wide latitude in foreign policy and in representing the country internationally.
5. What are the main issues that will dominate the 2024 elections?
The main campaign issues are the economy, health care, climate change, immigration, national security and social justice. The specific campaign focuses could change as the election date approaches.
Democrats are considered the most liberal party, advocating civil rights, a broad social safety net, and initiatives to combat climate change. Republicans, also known as the GOP or Grand Old Party, represent conservative values, advocating lower taxes, reduced government spending, gun rights, and stricter immigration and abortion policies.
6. How do primaries and caucuses work in the 2024 election cycle?
Primaries involve party members voting for their preferred candidates, while caucuses are gatherings where discussions and votes take place. Each state has its own unique process, and the results determine which delegates will support candidates at the national party conventions.
7. What is the Electoral College and how does it work?
The Electoral College is made up of electors from each state who officially elect the president and vice president. The number of electors from each state corresponds to its representation in Congress (senators and representatives). A candidate must receive a majority of the votes in the large electoral college to win the presidency.
8. What role do debates play in the presidential election?
Presidential debates provide a platform for candidates to present their policies and answer questions from moderators and the audience, giving voters the opportunity to observe candidates discuss and defend their positions on various issues.
9. What are the potential impacts of the 2024 elections on future policies?
The election results will have a significant impact on U.S. domestic and international policy. Depending on the winning candidate, major changes could occur in areas such as health care, economic policy, environmental regulation and foreign relations.
10. Who can vote in the US presidential election?
Most U.S. citizens aged 18 and over are eligible to vote in the presidential election. All states except North Dakota require people to register to vote, with each state having its own registration process and deadline.
