Today, America faces a choice that will shape the future of the country, perhaps even beyond the four years represented by the next presidential term. Incumbent president Joe Biden has stepped aside, leaving the vice-president Kamala Harris to represent the Democrats against the Republican candidate – former president Donald Trump.
This election is being framed as a truly pivotal choice. Many progressive voices are worried by noises Trump has made about referring to himself as a "dictator", particularly in the wake of what happened on 6th January 2021 when his supporters stormed the Capitol. Just last week, Trump's former chief of staff said in a series of interviews that Trump fits "into the general definition of fascist” and "certainly prefers the dictator approach to government". Harris, meanwhile, has been criticised around her involvement in the current US government's response to the conflict in the Middle East as well as the general malaise around Biden's presidency. If the American people want change, it might seem odd to vote for someone so intimately involved in the current establishment.
It now falls to the American people to unpick all of this, with polls suggesting the race is too close to call in key battleground states. Ahead of the big result, we gathered some members of the Voice Community to discuss what this election means to them.
"When the world's most powerful country sneezes, we all catch a cold. That's why we should all be paying close attention to what's happening on the other side of the Atlantic. If Trump wins a second term, it sends a very worrying message. His comments about women don't matter. His racism doesn't matter. His apathy towards the climate emergency doesn't matter. His stated desire to erode democracy doesn't matter. January 6th doesn't matter. His criminal convictions don't matter. That sends a worrying message to extreme voices across the rest of the world about what voters are willing to forgive.
Kamala Harris isn't perfect. Few politicians are. But the alternative to her victory is a very unpleasant one. It's not just bad for America. It's bad for us all."
Tom Beasley, 30, Voice Editor
"Both candidates have leaned into social practices to appeal to the vote of media users, from Trump's character-building interviews to Kamala's celebrity-focused public engagement. But besides the noise, I think both candidates have made promises in faith of the people. Both parties have made strong stances on pulling away from funding war efforts, taking positive global action and providing support for US citizens.
However, in the eyes of the observer, America – once the powerhouse of moral leadership – has slipped in front of our eyes over the last few years or longer. This election and the choice of the American people will dictate the impact on how it's viewed as a leading decisions maker worldwide. And leadership in politics means business, not only in maintaining positive overseas relationships, but cultivating trust from citizens. And the effectiveness of this choice won't be realised until later on when policies are put into motion and we see their effects on the global economy."
Andrietta Simbi, 25, Voice Contributor
"Without wishing to catastrophise, a second Trump term could be destructive to society and democracy. His first term saw the undermining of the rule of law, the erosion of bodily autonomy, and truly hateful campaigns against trans people and immigrants. This toxic rhetoric infiltrated global politics, and in the UK, we're only just recovering from this wholesale detachment from reality.
A second Trump term could leave his whims unchecked and I fear that we, as a society, haven't yet developed the immunity for this poison."
Tom Inniss, 30, Voice Managing Editor
"The US elections scare me. Each party sells their ideas to voters about what they would do for their country, whilst also omitting how they would do these things they 'promise' will 'make America great again'. It must be difficult for the candidates to appeal to a wide demographic of voters, knowing full well some of the 'promises' they are expected to deliver on are close to impossible. Chances are the voters know this too.
Voting is an example of democracy. But 'democracy' is only democracy if what is being voted on is representative of what the voters want and can have."
Primrose Jarvis, 17, Voice Contributor
"Living in Britain, one would think that the upcoming US election to determine the next president would not have an impact on my life or my country. However, as the global super power of the world, and the leader of the so-called ‘free world’, I feel that it’s important to look at the role of the US and how they lead the way towards racial equality, women’s rights, and so on.
Whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris wins, I would like to see if things change for the better or worse for the American people."
Faron Spence-Small, 24, Voice Reviewer
America goes to the polls on Tuesday 5th November. Keep an eye on Voice for more great writing by young people on politics and culture, in both the USA and the UK. You can also read the latest articles written by our current crop of brilliant Voice Contributors.
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