Wessex Wire Student Poll Results:
The Wire took a poll of 165 students in early October, asking students if they were eligible to vote, which candidate they would pick, among other election related questions. Below are the poll results.
1. If you were eligible to vote, which candidate would you choose for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election?
2. Regardless of who you would vote for, in your opinion who do you think will win the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election?
3. What are the top issues that you feel are personally most important to you in this upcoming election? (Choose all that apply)
4. How much would you say you have been actively paying attention to reporting and media coverage about the U.S. Presidential Election?
Candidates’ Policy Breakdown
A presidential candidate’s personality and demeanor are crucial parts of their appeal to voters, but a politician’s true worth is their position on the issues that affect Americans directly. Each voter is going to have a different set of priorities, but here is a quick look at what Harris and Trump have said publicly about their positions on key issues:
Economy:
Trump: He’s often complained about the high inflation rates in the Biden administration and how people can’t afford basic goods. Some examples of Trump’s economic plans, if he gets elected, are to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits, lower the corporate income tax to 15% and eliminate tax on tips, according to a Penn Wharton article from Aug. 26.
Harris: She has formulated a plan on what her economic policies are going to be if she gets elected in this upcoming presidential election. Some examples of her economic policies are to increase the tax credit for new small businesses, provide $25,000 down payment assistance for first-time home buyers, raise the minimum wage, lower prescription drug prices and extend paid leave, according to a Forbes article from Sept. 25.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights:
Trump: He has switched his views on abortion many times throughout his career. While president, he appointed the Supreme Court justices that were instrumental in overturning Roe v. Wade and allowing the states to make their own determinations on the legality of abortion. However, his Vice Presidential nominee, J.D. Vance, said the Trump administration would not support a national abortion plan, according to a Washington Post article from Sept. 10. Trump has frequently changed positions on whether he supports a 6 week abortion policy or not, but he said that he supports Florida’s abortion legislation to ensure that women can’t get an abortion past 6 weeks, according to a CBS News article from Aug. 30.
Harris: She supports a nationwide protection of all reproductive rights and believes that Roe v. Wade should be reinstated, which protects abortion up until the time of fetal viability or about 22 weeks. She wants congress to pass a national law securing the access to abortion of women, according to a Washington Post article from Sept. 10.
Immigration:
Trump: He believes in very strict immigration policies, and during his presidency, he enacted a zero tolerance policy. He wants to reinstate his “remain in Mexico” policy and wants to drastically increase border security, according to a Reuters article from Sept. 10. He stated that he wants to deport illegal immigrants that are currently residing in the United States. He often criticizes the Biden administration on border security, including naming Harris as a “border czar,” despite that not being a formal title she took.
Harris: She supports increasing border funding for a stronger border, though blames Trump for influencing the border funding bill to not pass since he denounced the prior bipartisan border bill that increased border funding and gave more resources to border control. She supports an earned pathway to citizenship for those who are in the country illegally, according to a Washington Post article from Sept. 10.
Health care:
Trump: He has been a major critic of Obamacare and wants to repeal this healthcare program, though he does not have a formal plan on what he would replace the current healthcare system with, according to an ABC news article from Sept. 11.
Harris: Harris wants to keep Obamacare and wants to expand already existing health care programs under the Biden administration. She stated she wants to cap the prices on insulin and drugs. She explains how it is necessary to lower medical bill prices and that the pharmaceutical industry is responsible for the economic suffering of many over medical bills, according to an article from The Hill on Aug. 16.
Foreign Policy:
Trump: Israel-Gaza: He advocates for the immediate release of hostages and wants to end the wars between Israel and Gaza as soon as possible. He is willing to give as much aid to Israel as they need in order to “get the job finished.” He believes that the United States should not be dictating what the Israeli government can or cannot do. Trump told reporters in Georgia that “any Jewish person that votes for a Democrat or votes for Biden should have their head examined,” which caused controversy, according to an article from The Guardian.
Ukraine-Russia: He is critical of the amount of aid the United States has provided to Ukraine and vows to see this war come to an end as soon as possible, though he has not clearly specified on how he plans on getting this done, according to a Politico article from Sept. 11.
Harris: Israel- Hamas War: She is advocating for an immediate ceasefire and a return of the hostages in the war between Israel and Hamas. She continues to be willing to send aid to Israel, but many think that she is not willing to send as many supplies as Trump to the region. Harris believes that Israel has a right to go after Hezbollah, Hamas and other terrorist organizations but does not want this to cause a wider escalation of the war, according to a Washington Post article from Sept. 10.
Ukraine-Russia War: She is willing to provide aid to Ukraine and wants to end the war, but she believes that the compromise should not cause Ukraine to lose land. Harris pledged America’s full support for Israel though has not given details on if she would set conditions or limits on these supplies, according to a Washington Post article from Sept. 10.
