Many seniors next year will experience the 2024 presidential election as first time voters, and in a confusing political time, a quick overview might be helpful to see the potential candidates and what options they present for the many new to this privilege. Because  United States (US) politics are locked in a two-party system, a look at the Democratic and Republican nominees appears to be the most logical approach.

Front-running presidential nominees for each party at this point are Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump. Popular competitors likely to challenge the favored nominees include author and advocate Marianne Williamson for the left and Florida governor Ron DeSantis for the right. 

Trump and Biden stand at odds in many ways. Trump is known for his protectionist economic policy, favoring domestic producers, as his previous administration placed high tariffs on foreign countries’ goods. Trump additionally appeals to the evangelical right of the country, attracting those with traditional views of the world over those who are more progressive.

Biden is, in many ways, the opposite of this. He repealed many tariffs by the Trump administration and took a different approach on foreign economics. Additionally, Biden stands for a more modern social approach to the world, attracting younger voters to his side.

Williamson is to the left of Biden, supporting concepts such as universal healthcare and higher taxes on the ultra rich. Williamson is also focused on the environment as a key issue, wanting to better regulate fossil fuel companies and incentivize better alternatives.

Ron DeSantis is similarly to the left of his Republican colleague. Yet to announce but still favored to run, DeSantis has focused heavily on immigration and transgender rights. DeSantis appears to be highly concerned with a change in US culture and has promoted bills in his state of Florida that align with the views of the traditional Christian right.

The options voters are faced with in this upcoming election have been called inadequate. Senior Nicolas Sammond is dissatisfied with the choices at this point. 

“I don’t really know how much I trust any candidate. There aren’t a lot of good options, and the ones we do have might not make it that far.”

The concern is mirrored in many other seniors’ analysis of their choices, with few prospective voters fully happy with just one of the presented candidates.

As the election approaches, however, many are optimistic, hoping new information comes out to make their choices more clear.