The Nov. 5 general election is nearly upon us, and the two main candidates – Kamala Harris and Donald Trump – have spent the campaign season outlining their proposals and ideas and garnering the support of their respective parties. 

This election has been especially characterized by great polarization and the current global situation.

The war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East have upset the geopolitical concept and made diplomatic relations between countries around the world tense.

But this election is also historical internally. Liberal and conservative voters are clashing over issues such as the economy, internal security issues, immigration, health care and the Supreme Court appointments, as pointed out by the Pew Research Center.

In today’s poll, what is the most important topic for you in the upcoming United States presidential election? 

ECONOMY 

Inflation and rising prices are a common phenomenon throughout the country. 

Everyone has seen how prices for household items and gasoline have risen, the inflation in 2023 is 4.12%, lower than in 2022, but is one of the highest since 1990, according to Macrotrends, and while the economy in general is growing, this growth is focused on large corporations. 

The economy is a top issue of concern on both sides of the political spectrum, but especially among conservatives, according to the Pew Research Center’s study. 

IMMIGRATION

South America has been experiencing significant crisis in Venezuela, Cuba and Haiti, among other countries, leading to a crisis of insecurity. These challenges may lead to an influx of migrants across the U.S. Southern border.

Many conservative voters view immigration as a threat, and conservative leaders often argue immigration brings an increase in criminal rates and the loss of jobs for U.S. citizens in favor of more qualified immigrants.

But extreme xenophobia is causing the spread of harmful misinformation and disinformation, such as former President Donald Trump’s false claims that Haitian immigrants are eating pets. Many liberal voters feel the U.S.’s management of the border is unethical.

SECURITY

Whether it’s the carrying of weapons, terrorism, armed robbery or shootings, it is clear that today the U.S. is not the safest country in the world, according to World Population Review. 

This topic and its derivatives commonly appear in the top five issues, according to the Pew Research Center’s study. For Republicans, it is more important to address this topic from a security point of view, while the Democrats view a need for gun control as the main concern.

HEALTH CARE 

The issue of public health in the U.S. has always been difficult to confront. 

In terms of infrastructure and service, the U.S. spends more on health care than any other high-income nation, according to a 2023 study by the Commonwealth Fund. 

However, the very high costs to citizens of accessing this health service make it unpopular among the middle and lower classes, who do not have enough money to afford many treatments. 

Additionally, U.S. life expectancies are lower and mortality rates are higher compared to the same nations, according to the same 2023 study. 

Health care is an issue of more concern for Democrats than for Republicans, according to the Pew Research Center’s survey.

SUPREME COURT SEATS 

The Democratic electorate is also worrying about who will be the new president because the winner will likely be responsible for new appointments in the Supreme Court. 

As is well known, the Supreme Court is the highest judicial body in the U.S., the only one established by the Constitution. Supreme Court judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. 

Many future judgments concerning the legal status of many entities – such as abortion – could be determined by these appointments. Abortion and bodily autonomy remains a high-importance issue among liberal voters. 

This is why the election of the president is so important in this respect; the candidate elected will be able to nominate judges who are of their party’s interests.

OTHER

There are a multitude of other issues concerning voters in this election, including international conflicts, climate change, civil liberties, racial and ethnic inequalities and more. 

Four days out from election day, what issue is of the most importance to you this election?

Results of last week’s poll: If you were taking a remote class in outer space, which planet would you choose?

Mercury — 0%

Venus — 0%

The Moon — 38%

Mars — 23%

Gas Giants — 31%

Other — 8%