The 2024 presidential election for the United States took place on Tuesday, Nov. 5, as Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump ran against each other for the next term in office.
The Republican candidate, Donald Trump, won the election, improving from his performance in 2020. He easily gained the majority of 270 electoral votes by winning all of the swing states in the electoral college.
Students at Hinsdale Central were involved in the election by watching the polls come in on Tuesday night.
“Me and my dad were sitting at the TV, watching the news, to see all of the polls come in,” said Penelope Pollitt, senior.
Seniors who are 18 years old were involved by practicing their right to vote as a citizen.
“It was really exciting to be able to go and vote and have my name on the ballot,” Pollitt said. “Everyone congratulated me because it was my first time ever voting.”
Other students felt different emotions while voting for the first time.
“I was nervous to vote, but when I told them it was my first time voting everyone started cheering for me,” said Aubrey Washburn, senior. “It was a little bit embarrassing but I thought it was really cool.”
Students at Hinsdale Central have different opinions on the issues that the president of the United States should be addressing.
“Immigration in this country is a big issue to me, and I also think that there are too many young kids dying, and we need to have our police system stronger so [the country] can be safer as people enter and leave,” said Christy O’Malley, junior.
Other students had different outlooks to what problems a strong president should improve in their term.
“I feel like the economy needs improvement now that I am 18 and have my own credit score. Everything is so expensive,” Pollitt said.
More students had similar responses.
“The economy, foreign affairs, and abortion are issues in the United States that I am most concerned about,” said Franklin Chemmachel, junior.
Students want a strong political leader to lead this country and look for certain characteristics in a presidential candidate.
“A good political leader needs to not only be empathetic but strong. They need to be able to show their feelings without showing their weaknesses, and they need to be someone that we feel can protect our country,” O’Malley said. “They need to be intelligent and a good role model for the younger generation.”
Students give their insight on if there’s tension between students with varying political opinions at Hinsdale Central.
“There may be a little bit of tension because everyone is entitled to have their own opinions, but it is not impeding on you,” said Gabby Chillo, freshman.
The Inauguration Day, when Donald Trump will officially take office, is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2025.
Here is a link to the electoral college map https://www.270towin.com/
