By: Sofia Ionescu | Voting |
As the forthcoming primary elections are approaching fast, on March 5, 2024, voters, regardless of age, need to consider some factors when they perceive the ballots with the candidates. The upcoming date that every constituent should mark in their calendars is February 20, the deadline for registering as a voter, in order to be able to vote, either at a polling place or by mail. Even if you do not have the age to vote yet, it is resourceful to acquire this information as well, because in the future, you will get to choose the president that will represent your country.
How do the elections work?
Us primaries are meant to designate the state candidates that will be competing for the presidential elections in November 2024. The primaries take place in all 50 states, but they are conducted in different manners. California uses a “top-two’’ election where all registered voters need to fill out their preference using a secret ballot and after that, the nominee with the majority of votes will represent the state in the general elections. In other states, such as Iowa or Nevada, the procedure is different because it involves caucuses, meaning that citizens will gather in an open debate where they conclude by choosing their candidate.
Secret ballots will have you to opt between
Closed presidential primary- Voters indicating a preference for a party may opt for choosing the party’s presidential candidate.
Modified-closed presidential primary-Voters who did not state a party preference may opt for a candidate who is nominated as “no party preference”.
Political parties are the next criteria that should concern any registered voter. When selecting a party, make sure that you have done previous research about the values that they promote and how they align with the ones that you believe in. Remember that a candidate will be a symbol for the party’s doctrine, while pursuing interests and political tactics that they all think would be efficient. Therefore, when you perceive a candidate that you consider to be fitting your standards, but you are unsure about what they will bring to the table in the future, try to find similarities between them and former candidates from the same party, especially regarding the improvement they made in the society. In 2024 the parties running will be:
American Independent Party- Robert J. Walters, State Chairperson website: www.aipca.org
They believe in a strict adherence to the written law (U.S. Constitution) by opposing illegal immigration and protecting families rights and safety.
Democratic Party- Rusty Hicks, Chair California Democratic Party website: www.cadem.org
They promise to provide equal chances for every person in the U.S., and a better quality of life for the vulnerable communities. They want to overcome systemic discrimination and show support for immigrants and they took measures in order to help the recovery of small businesses after the pandemic.
Green Party- website: www.cagreens.org
They believe in building an ecologically sustainable and peaceful country. They promise to eliminate corporate bribes, to take bold climate action, make the health care universal, and the high-education free, while taxing the super-rich and closing corporate loopholes.
Libertarian Party- Adrian F Malagon, Chair , website: http://ca.lp.org
They strive to reduce the use of force, while ending wars overseas and placing liberty and freedom first when regarding socio-economic issues.
Peace and Freedom Party- website: www.peaceandfreedom.org
As a working class party, they set the following goals: social justice and equality, free universal healthcare, education, end racism and oppression for LGBTQ and women, reverse the climate change, end homelessness, abolish the death penalty, no foreign U.S. bases and repeal the ‘top-two’ election law for California.
Republican Party- website: www.cagop.org
Their purpose is to rebuild California’s economy for better public schools, and for a state that is affordable for everyone. While claiming that another party had made the wrong decisions when ruling Sacramento, they promise to ensure a successful future for the young generation.
After going through each party’s resolution list for the next four years, you can navigate on the Official Certified List of Candidates for Presidential Primary Election that you can access by clicking on the title of the document. Always keep in mind that, as soon as you turn 18 you have the right to vote if you meet the eligibility criteria. Even though you may think that one vote does not make much of a difference, imagine 39 million of citizens having the same perspective as you. Therefore, having the chance to choose a presidential candidate from your state does not only have a great impact on the United States, but it influences the whole world, as the president will represent an important global power in foreign affairs. If it seems like there is a lot of weight on your shoulders after reading this article, it means that you understood how meaningful your vote is.
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