Perhaps one of the most effective things in the United States is the election process. This is despite the fact that former President Donald Trump tried to distort the process to not recognize his defeat in 2018, says Luis Alvarado, political strategist and specialist in the participation of the Latin community in electoral processes.
“The system is strong enough to prevent attacks by politicians who don’t like the results,” Alvarado said, calling on the Latino community to actively participate in the electoral process.
“We always complain about the direction the country is taking, or about certain policies that are adopted that directly affect us,” said Alvarado, who resigned from the Republican Party earlier this year and now classifies himself as an independent. “But if we don’t participate, it’s like having a super power and not using it.”
No doubt for a few months you have heard a lot of political activity around you, and that is because the process of choosing pre-candidates for the presidency of the United States has begun with debates between the candidates of each Party. In this case, the first debate between the Republicans took place on August 23 and where 10 candidates participated, but former President Donald Trump, who until now is considered the favorite in the ranks of that party, was not present. Among the Democrats, President Joe Biden faced only two candidates, which, by the way, was seen as unlikely.
If everything continues as before, in November 2024, voters may find themselves with an election ballot similar to 2020, when the main opponents are Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
Complex process
Here we tell you nine things you need to know:
- Parties choose their candidates during the National Convention. Republicans will hold it in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from July 15 to 18.
- The Democrats will hold their Convention in Chicago, Illinois from August 19 to 22.
- American citizens vote, every four years, to elect a president and vice president in a general election.
- The Electoral College decides who will be elected president and vice president of the United States.
- The gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 7, 2023 in the states of Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi.
- You are eligible to vote if you are a United States citizen and over 18 years of age. Some states allow 17-year-olds to register to vote and/or participate in elections if they turn 18 before the general election.
- Aliens cannot register to vote, including legal permanent residents with a “Green Card.”
- Visit Vote.gov to register to vote.
- Each state has its own voter registration deadlines. Look up the dates in your state to make sure you can register in time to vote. In all states except North Dakota, you must register or register as a voter before you can vote. Some states close voter registration up to a month before Election Day. Others continue to register to vote until election day. Check the deadlines for registering to vote at the American Votes Foundation.
