In 2024, voters once again find themselves choosing between former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden.
Even though these candidates are familiar, it is important to have an understanding of each candidate’s platform.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign is centered around unity. He is reminding voters of his administration’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including a successful vaccination campaign. His campaign also reaffirms his commitment to promoting racial equality, criminal justice reform, and LGBTQ+ rights, pledging to build a more inclusive society for all Americans.
In his campaign, former Republican President Donald Trump is focusing on putting “America First.” If he is elected, he promises to restore law and order by implementing reforms on security at the border and increasing penalties for assaults on law enforcement officers. He also hopes to protect American communities from both foreign and domestic threats, and to lower taxes and increase jobs for American workers by enacting universal baseline tariffs.
While a presidential rematch hasn’t happened since 1956, it was almost inevitable this time around. Nikki Haley, former Governor of South Carolina, announced her decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race on March 6 after winning only 89 delegates when an estimated 1,215 are required to win the Republican nomination. In her resignation speech, she said, “I wanted Americans to have their voices heard–I have done that. I have no regrets. And although I will no longer be a candidate, I will not stop using my voice for the things I believe in.”
Both candidates now face the challenge of winning swing, or purple, states, where the outcome of an election is uncertain. These include Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. To engage voters in swing states, campaigns must strive for positive media coverage, build diverse coalitions of supporters, and tailor their campaign messages to resonate with voter concerns and priorities. Both Biden and Trump are engaged in Get-Out-the-Vote Efforts, which aim to maximize voter turnout.
As seen previously in the 2020 election, Biden and Trump will be racing alongside each other, but it is up to the voters to determine the outcome of their battle.
