The upcoming 2024 presidential election sparks conversation among University of Minnesota students who plan on voting in November. 

With President Joe Biden dropping out of the race on July 21, Vice President Kamala Harris became the presumed Democratic nominee. This, coupled with former President Donald Trump’s candidacy as the Republican nominee, makes the road to election day nothing short of tumultuous. 

Benjamin Lindeen, a fourth-year student at the University, said he was disappointed Biden decided to run for a second term and was excited to see him step down, though it was far overdue. 

“I think he mentioned himself that he was looking to be a bridge to the next generation of politicians and leaders, which he did not follow through on because he decided to box out any Democratic primaries and then continue to run even though many speculated his health was in decline,” Lindeen said. 

Andrew Palik, a third-year student, said he was surprised Biden stepped down this late in the race.

“I would say Trump has an advantage because of Harris coming in so late,” Palik said. “Also, just as a Black woman in the United States, she has a disadvantage that Trump does not have.” 

Brandon Price, a fourth-year student, said he believes Trump has an edge with voters because he feels people want someone more outside the political sphere. However, he said he is excited to have Harris as an alternative to Biden in this election.

“I feel like she will be able to inspire the youth a bit more, and she will be able to put a little bit more pep in the step of the younger audience,” Price said.

Price, Palik and Lindeen said they will vote for Harris in the upcoming presidential election.

Price said one of his concerns in this election is the rise of anti-democratic values, such as both sides trying to disqualify each other and not trusting the rules of democracy. 

“I think we’ve been seeing a rise in anti-democratic values, especially the Jan. 6 stuff with storming the Capitol, and even in the left wing, we saw a push toward not allowing Trump to run,” Price said. 

Lindeen said he does not think democracy is on the ballot, and the whole idea is an overplayed narrative. 

“I think our institutions are strong enough that there will be checks and balances on the executive office, so I don’t worry too much about that,” Lindeen said. 

Price said he is worried about foreign policy.

“I am very concerned about the upcoming years of China’s relationship with Taiwan,” Price said. “There’s also a lot of tension in the Middle East right now with the Israel-Palestine conflict, along with the war in Ukraine right now.”

Palik said he is most concerned about environmental issues like climate change. 

“For example, when Donald Trump was president, he severely cut funding for anything related to climate change and research related to international efforts towards climate change,” Palik said. “For me personally, that is a big deal.” 

Palik said the Biden-Harris administration has been focused on environmental issues and takes them seriously, which is a positive for him. 

Lindeen said he is concerned for women’s reproductive rights if Trump wins the election. 

“As a result of Trump’s direct action, three hardcore ideologues were put onto the Supreme Court, all of whom are in their 40s and 50s, so they are very young and will be around a long time,” Lindeen said. “Over the past few years, they have enacted many sweeping decisions that really roll back the clock in terms of the progress the United States has made over the past few decades.”

Palik said the president of the United States is not just a political figure, but a cultural figure as well.

“When Donald Trump was president, it was a different climate,” Palik said. “I think there’s a lot of merit towards the idea that when he was president, he promoted and pushed hateful rhetoric.”

Palik said the Harris administration would be more culturally positive and progressive, but the political landscape will change no matter the outcome.

“When Donald Trump was elected in 2016, there was massive unrest from the Democratic side, but when Joe Biden won in 2020, Trump did not want to concede, so it will be crazy and a lot of unrest no matter who wins,” Palik said.