Viveca Stucke’ 26
Opinions Editor
With the 2024 election rapidly approaching, I have had mixed feelings about the current frontrunners. As a political science major, my excitement and interests have always been driven by American politics, especially with my introduction to our political sphere being the 2020 election. However, as we edge nearer to 2024, my initial excitement and eagerness have waned, overshadowed by the looming prospect of a Trump versus Biden rematch.
Typical lack of interest in voting is driven by a multitude of factors: distrust in the system, instances of voter suppression, accessibility issues, lack of information, or even complacency. These factors are expected to play a significant role in the forthcoming election, especially considering the controversy regarding the legitimacy of the 2020 election, Joe Biden’s tanking job approval ratings, and Donald Trump’s ongoing legal battles.
As a fundamental democratic right, voting has served as an outlet for Americans to ensure a representative government. It provides a platform for everyday people to voice their concerns and help influence the direction of their country, ensuring that views and interests of all backgrounds are considered.
But in the upcoming election, I have truly struggled to feel that sense of urgency or importance. The polarization and division of the 2020 election broke the unity of our nation, furthering a schism between parties, and the people within them. I fear that a rematch would only further exacerbate this, causing our country to move further apart, rather, than closer together.
In addition, I was already dissatisfied with the governance of both Trump and Biden. During his tenure, President Trump garnered an average job approval rating of 41%, and President Biden’s average currently stands at 44%. This perception of ineffectiveness in addressing crucial matters is not unique to me but is shared by many fellow Americans. The absence of fresh, innovative voices in the political arena deepens my concern that our nation’s pressing challenges may not receive the effective solutions they require.
The yearning for new faces and approaches is a common sentiment in politics, especially during times of significant change or challenges. There is always a desire that new leaders may bring innovative solutions; especially in our current political climate where we need to foster unity and bridge the partisan lines of our nation. But, Biden and Trump appear to be the only favored options, with Williamson and Kennedy barely gaining traction with the Democrats, and on the Republican side, figures such as Haley, Ramaswamy, DeSantis, Pence, Scott, and Christie are locked in a fierce battle to secure greater favor among Republican voters.
The division between the Republicans is causing voters to struggle to decide where their support will best lay, and the tight hold that Donald Trump has on the party is the only current source of hope for a solid Republican run at the Presidency.
And with Biden, it is rare for a sitting President to face significant challengers within his own party during a re-election bid and as an incumbent he provides the most hope for the maintenance and continuation of Democratic control of the White House.
For me, this potential rematch has sparked complex emotions about my first chance to vote in a President election; something that is very sacred to me. President Biden has lacked any real willpower or ‘presidential voice’, and I am not impressed by his subpar performance and policies, especially when he has structured the narrative of his Presidency around his regality. With President Trump, I have had many trust and integrity concerns that are only further backed by his divisive policies, which have caused further polarization within our nation. When I hear their names and see the polls, I only feel disappointment. My usual giddiness over politics has disappeared, and I have felt complacency and a lack of a need to cast my vote because I feel like it will only contribute to the merry-go-round of divisiveness in our nation.
Features image courtesy of media library
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