2024 Election survey results
Immigration:
Harris: Wants to examine the root causes of immigration more closely and is opposed to separation of families. She is in favor of a bipartisan bill that will raise the bar for asylum seekers and give the president more power to turn away new arrivals depending upon the circumstances.
Trump: Promises crackdown on immigration. He plans to end “catch and release,” restore “Remain in Mexico,” and deputize National Guard and local law enforcement to assist with removing illegal immigrants in cooperative states.
Israel-Palestine:
Harris: Backed Biden Administration's approach of pushing de-escalation and cease-fire (including the return of the hostages). She also defends Israel’s right to self-defense.
Trump: Pushes for a quick end to the war and believes the October 7 attack on Israel wouldn’t have happened if he were president.
Ukraine:
Harris: Will support Ukraine for “as long as it takes.”
Trump: Wants the US to be less involved in conflicts elsewhere in the world. He plans to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours through negotiating a settlement with Russia.
NATO:
Harris: Plans to continue Biden’s strong support of NATO.
Trump: Is skeptical of NATO and feels other countries aren’t contributing enough of their own money. He has made threats to withdraw the US from NATO.
Taxes:
Harris: Wants to raise taxes for big businesses and Americans who make more than $400,000 a year. She supports a moderate rise (23.6-28%) as opposed to Biden’s 44%.
Trump: In favor of a number of tax cuts worth trillions of dollars, aimed mainly at wealthy business owners. He plans to make up for it through higher growth (producing more goods) and tariffs on imports.
Abortion:
Harris: Abortion rights are central to her campaign and she advocates for legislation that would preserve women’s reproductive rights nationwide, under any circumstance (their body, their choice) by returning to Roe v. Wade.
Trump: Proudly takes credit for overturning Roe v. Wade. However, he says he supports exceptions for rape, incest, and the life and health of a woman. Believes states should decide the question.
Climate:
Harris: Helped pass Inflation Reduction Act as Vice President, which invests some 300 billion dollars in renewable energy and electric vehicle tax credit and rebate programs, which has expanded the availability of clean energy.
Trump: During his previous presidency, he discontinued hundreds of environmental protections, including limiting the carbon dioxide emissions of vehicles and power plants. In his current campaign, he’s expressed support for the expansion of Arctic drilling to create American energy independence.
Healthcare (Affordable Care Act):
Harris: Has a history for taking aggressive positions on healthcare; she has made efforts to preserve and said she will fight for a future where everyone can afford healthcare in her campaign launch video (July 25, 2024).
Trump: After receiving disapproval from members of the Republican party, Trump now plans to improve rather than terminate the Affordable Care Act, but has not explicitly shared how.
Gun Laws:
Harris: Plans to require background checks and ban assault weapons. She emphasizes the fact that she is a gun owner and rejects claims from Trump that she would ban guns entirely.
Trump: Strongly defends the Second Amendment, even after an assassination attempt involving an AR-15 style rifle. He is against gun bans but promotes making it harder for those suffering from mental illness to purchase guns.
Education:
Harris: Calls for increase in teacher pay, and hopes to “guarantee that right with universal pre-K and debt-free college.”
Trump: Wants to let local areas and states handle education. Released a ten point plan, including “restoring parents rights” regarding the gender identity of students.
Student Loan Debt:
Harris: Supports Biden Administration’s efforts to provide 100 billion dollars in student-debt relief.
Trump: Wants to cut programs assisting in student-loan forgiveness as he believes it is unfair to those who had to pay off their debts through years of hard work.
Transgender Rights:
Harris: Supports transgender rights and in favor of Biden’s expansion of Title IX, which protects transgender people from discrimination.
Trump: Opposed to expanding transgender rights. He feels Biden’s Title IX expansion is “insane” and “going to ruin women’s sports.”
Sources:
Survey Results:
In an effort to collect data on the political standing of Oshkosh West students and staff, a survey was sent asking various questions about which political party Wildcats support, who would have their vote in the upcoming election, and if they are planning to vote (if of age to do so). Here are the results!
Q: Do you consider yourself Democratic, Republican, or neither?
Of 303 participants, the majority (128 people) consider themselves to be Democrats, 113 people do not identify as either, and 62 people consider themselves Republican.
Q: Who do you plan on voting for in the upcoming election/who would you vote for if eligible to do so?
Of 303 participants, 62% (188 people) would vote for Harris/Walz, 28.7% (87 people) would vote for Trump/Vance, and the remaining 9.2% (28 people) would opt to vote for a third-party candidate.
Q: If you are eligible to vote, please answer the following concerning your plans for the upcoming election
The results are faulty as in the previous question, participants were asked if they are of age to vote. 90 people selected “yes,” however, 109 participated in this question. Assuming the 19 participants who are not eligible to vote selected “I do not plan on voting in the 2024 election”, ⅔ of eligible participants are already registered to vote. Under the same assumption, only 12% of those of age to vote do not plan on voting in the 2024 election.
Attention Oshkosh West students and staff whose survey got lost in the abyss of their inbox, a second mock election will be held November 4th and 5th, this time in a more similar fashion to attending the real polls. Social studies classes can make a trip to the LMC during class time, and students will present their student ID to the “poll workers” (LMC staff) before filling out a ballot in a voting booth. “I Voted” stickers will be given to participants provided by the Women’s League of Voters. This is the perfect time to let your voice be heard, Wildcats!
by Jazmine Blustin
Published November 4 2024
Oshkosh West Index Volume 121 Issue II