Every four years, the United States goes through the process of electing or re-electing a president to lead the nation. In each state, registered Americans cast their vote for who they believe should be the next president.
Electors in the Electoral College cast votes reflective of their state’s popular vote. There are a total of 538 electoral votes. Each state has electors that are determined by how many House Representatives and Senators they have. House Representatives are based on the state’s population. There are two Senators in every state. While all electoral votes are important, some stand out. Those that have a greater impact on the election are called swing states. This election cycle, swing states include Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina and Nevada. These states have a consequential impact on the outcome of the election.
The Democratic and Republican parties can often count on certain states to vote for their nominee. Swing states, on the other hand, often have a balance of Democratic and Republican voters. The majority vote is usually very close.
This year marks the end of President Joe Biden’s first term. He is not running for re-election. Instead, Vice President Kamala Harris has been nominated as the Democratic Party’s nominee for President. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is running alongside Harris as the Vice Presidential nominee.
Former president Donald Trump is running against Harris as the Republican Party’s nominee. Trump served as president from 2017-2021, but lost to Biden in the 2020 presidential election. His running mate is Ohio Senator JD Vance.
In order to gain support from voters, Harris and Trump have traveled across the country to campaign. They have held rallies in many states, with a focus on the swing states.
The 2024 presidential election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. The candidate who receives the most votes from the citizens of a state wins that state’s electoral college votes. Whichever candidate gets 270 electoral college votes wins the election.
Many politicians have stressed that voters should vote up and down the ballot. This refers to voting for not only the president, but for other public offices. These include, but are not limited to: House Representatives and Senators (both in national and local governments), mayors and judges. Of the 100 U.S. senators, 34 of them are up for election (these officials have six-year term lengths) and all 435 U.S. House Representatives are up for election (these officials have two-year term lengths).
To be eligible to vote in the 2024 presidential election, citizens must be 18 years of age and registered in their state. In Illinois, residents can register to vote online or at their local election office. Once registered, they can either vote by mail or in person at their assigned polling place. Niles West students and staff will not have school on Nov. 5 due to the election.
On January 20, 2025, the winning candidate will be inaugurated as the next president of the United States.
