The presidential race is a multistage process that culminates in Election Day, which has been set since 1845 as the first Tuesday after November 1. Learn more about the election process.
In addition to choosing the president, voters also choose new members of Congress (the House of Representatives, with 435 seats, and the Senate, with 34), who vote on laws and can act as a check on the White House. While much of the attention is focused on the contest between Democrats and Republicans, it’s important to note that third party candidates, such as Ross Perot in 1992 and George Wallace in 1968, have occasionally won electoral votes.
By the summer of 2024, Harris was a top contender for the Democratic nomination, having secured large numbers of donors and enthusiastic support among liberal interest groups and activists. However, some observers were worried that her campaign had not been sufficiently focused on specific policies, such as reducing inflation or boosting domestic job growth.
On August 5, Harris won a virtual vote of Democratic convention delegates to officially secure the party’s presidential nomination. Shortly thereafter, Biden suspended his campaign and endorsed her.
Harris faces fewer challenges to her candidacy than Biden faced to his in 2024, and has a strong advantage over Trump in polls. Still, some voters are dissatisfied with her stances on issues such as immigration and gun violence. Her debut campaign ad featured Beyonce’s song “Freedom,” which has become her theme.
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