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When is the US presidential election? -

The 2024 US presidential election is on Tuesday, November 5. Whoever wins will serve a four-year term and take office in January 2025.

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Who are the candidates? -

The Republican party is represented by former president Donald Trump. As for the Democrats, Vice President Kamala Harris entered the race when President Joe Biden suddenly dropped out.

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How are the candidates nominated? -

US presidential candidates are usually nominated through a series of state primaries and caucuses where party members vote for their preferred candidate. Whoever secures the majority of delegates in this process is then nominated.

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What do Democrats stand for? -

Democrats are considered to be liberals who push for civil rights, a broad safety net, and measures related to climate change.

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What do Republicans stand for? -

In the US, the Republicans are the conservative party. They are also known as the GOP or Grand Old Party and stand for lower taxes, gun rights, and tighter immigration and abortion restrictions.

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Who can vote in the US presidential election? -

Most US citizens who are at least 18 years old or over can vote in the presidential election. Every state aside from North Dakota, requires people to register before they can vote.

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Who else is being elected in November? -

Voters will also be choosing new members of Congress in this election. Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and all 435 seats are up for election while 34 seats in the Senate are being voted on.

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Who is in charge currently? -

Currently, Republicans have control over the House of Representatives and Democrats are in charge of the Senate.

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Economy: Harris -

Kamala Harris says that her "day-one priority" will be working to reduce food and housing costs for middle-class, working families in the US.

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Economy: Trump -

Trump has said that he will offer lower interest rates and that he wants to end inflation and make America affordable once again. He also said deporting undocumented immigrants will reduce pressure on housing. 

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Abortion: Harris -

Harris is a strong advocate for nationwide legislation that would protect the right to bodily autonomy and choice for women. 

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Abortion: Trump -

Trump hasn't had a very consistent message about abortion. However, when he was president he appointed three conservative judges to the Supreme Court who were instrumental in overturning Roe v Wade.

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Immigration: Harris -

Harris is working to address the root cause of migration and advocated for the humane treatment of migrants. Additionally, she supports comprehensive immigration reform and pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

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Immigration: Trump -

Trump has discussed building a wall and increasing enforcement against immigrants. He also promised a mass deportation of undocumented migrants.

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Taxes: Harris -

Kamala Harris wants to raise big business taxes and those for Americans earning more than US$400,000 a year. However, she plans to ease the tax burden on families and has mentioned an expansion of child tax credits.

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Taxes: Trump -

Trump has proposed tax cuts worth trillions of dollars. He mentioned that he would pay for them by imposing higher tariffs on imports.

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Foreign policy: Harris -

If elected, Harris plans to ensure the US and China win "the competition for the 21st century." She is an advocate for a solution between the Israelis and Palestinians and wants an end to the war in Gaza.

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Foreign policy: Trump -

Trump has an isolationist foreign policy and plans to separate the US from worldwide conflict. He stands in support of Israel but said little about how he would actually end the Gaza war.

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Trade: Harris -

Harris criticizes Trump's plan to put tariffs on imports. She says that it could cost each household US$4,000 a year. Her approach is expected to be more targeted regarding taxing imports.

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Trade: Trump -

Trump has promised new tariffs ranging from 10-20% on most foreign goods and even higher tariffs for goods from China.

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Climate: Harris -

As vice president, Kamala Harris helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act which has helped funnel hundreds of billions of dollars to renewable energy.

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Climate: Trump -

Trump has vowed that if elected again he will expand Arctic drilling. Additionally, when previously serving as president, he rolled back hundreds of environmental protections. 

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Healthcare: Harris -

As vice president, Harris helped to reduce prescription drug costs and limited insulin prices to US$35.

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Healthcare: Trump -

Trump said that he will not continue his attempt to dismantle the Affordable Care Act which helped millions of people get insurance. He has also called for taxpayer-funded fertility treatment.

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Crime: Harris -

Harris has a balanced approach to crime and advocates for public safety and criminal justice reform. She is a big proponent of addressing the root causes of crime while also ensuring accountability.

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Crime: Trump -

Trump has promised to eliminate drug cartels, end gang violence, and rebuild the Democratic-run cities that he claims are now filled with crime.

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Guns: Harris -

Harris has pledged to reduce gun violence and aims to expand things like background checks to purchase a gun or assault weapons in general.

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Guns: Trump -

Trump is a big supporter of the Second Amendment and supports the constitutional right to bear arms. He once spoke at the National Rifle Association and said he was their best friend.

Sources: (BBC) (Britannica)

See also: Things you might not know about US election history

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