The main candidates are Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. To win presidency, a candidate needs to get 270 out of 538 electoral votes.
Kamala Harris is hoping voters will re-elect a Democrat, focusing heavily on climate change. She wants to invest in renewable energy, aiming for the US to reach 'net-zero carbon emissions' by 2050. Harris supports international agreements, like the Paris Agreement. In addition to this, she wants to make healthcare more accessible by offering public options and lowering prescription drug prices.
Harris also prioritises social justice. Her plans include reforms in the criminal justice system and increasing funding for education and social services in communities that she believes need it most. She supports raising the federal minimum wage, investing in infrastructure, and creating jobs in green technologies. She aims to make tax changes that would benefit middle-class families and small businesses.
Donald Trump is campaigning to return to the presidency with a focus on economic nationalism. His "America First" approach includes putting tariffs on imported goods, and reducing regulations to encourage business growth. Trump’s immigration policies call for stricter measures, such as building barriers at the U.S.-Mexico border and limiting the number of asylum seekers, with a strong focus on border security.
In terms of foreign policy, Trump prefers making trade deals with individual countries rather than participating in larger agreements. He emphasises having a strong military and prioritises national security. He also advocates for increasing fossil fuel production and reducing regulations to achieve energy independence.
The voting process in the US is complex and varies state by state. Many Americans can and have voted early, or by mail, with some states allowing same-day registration. This flexibility means that results may take time to finalize, as mail-in ballots are counted and all votes are verified. The official election day is just one part of a broader electoral timeline that includes primaries, conventions, and debates leading up to the final vote.
As the election progresses, the policies of both candidates will be closely watched for their potential effects on US and New Zealand relations. A clearer understanding of the results may begin to emerge for kiwis by late afternoon NZT on November 6.
For the latest polling data: FiveThirtyEight's election polls
For more info:
Federal minimum wage https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/wages/minimumwage
Paris agreement https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement
Economic nationalism https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/economic-nationalism
