Throughout 2024, Headway and Chalkbeat have been engaging with teenagers about the upcoming presidential election, asking them about their engagement, the issues that matter to them, and their questions about the election process. The major candidates, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump, have very different policies on key issues like abortion, climate change, crime, the economy, and more. The electoral process involves candidates declaring their candidacy, campaigning, primaries and caucuses, nominating conventions, debates, and ultimately, the Electoral College determining the winner.
The Electoral College was a point of confusion for many teenagers, especially after the 2016 election where Hillary Clinton won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College. There is ongoing debate about the system’s fairness and calls for its abolition. Polls play a role in determining public sentiment, but it’s important to consider the pollster, sample population, and time frame when interpreting results. Ensuring that the information consumed is accurate and unbiased requires verifying sources and tracing claims back to their original context.
Election results are counted from in-person and absentee/mail-in ballots, with the Electoral College ultimately deciding the winner. Foreign interference in elections is a concern, with countries like Russia, Iran, and China engaging in disinformation campaigns. Swing states play a crucial role in determining the election outcome, with seven states being particularly significant in this election. Third-party candidates face challenges in gaining prominence due to restrictive ballot access laws and concerns about vote-splitting.
If you have any questions about the election, you can email [email protected].