How Are Campaigns Funded? Top 10 Election Questions Answered For Teens

As the United States approaches Election Day on Tuesday, anticipation mounts both domestically and internationally over whether Kamala Harris will make history as the first female U.S. President or if Donald Trump will achieve a dramatic comeback after his tumultuous and sometimes violent campaign to challenge his 2020 defeat by Joe Biden.

Both candidates have made efforts to sway voters, focusing heavily on key swing states in a last-minute push to secure support before the high-stakes presidential vote. If you are a teenager and have some queries about the election, scroll down to know it all.

Top 10 Election Questions Answered For Teens

1. What are the policies of the candidates?

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump have significantly different political records and proposed plans. Maggie Astor, a reporter for The New York Times, analyzed both candidates’ policy positions by reviewing campaign materials, statements, policy documents, and interviews. This guide covers their views on key issues such as abortion, climate change, crime, democracy, the economy, foreign policy, immigration, and the Israel-Gaza conflict.

2. How does the electoral process work?

Elections follow a general series of steps, though details can differ. Initially, candidates declare their intention to run, sometimes years before Election Day. They then campaign through rallies, town halls, debates, and media interviews.

Primary elections and caucuses determine party nominees. Primaries are straightforward voting processes, whereas caucuses involve group discussions and realignments if a candidate does not meet the required support threshold. Once nominees are chosen, they select vice-presidential running mates and are formally confirmed at national conventions. Afterward, campaigning continues until Election Day. Voting may start early in many states, and the ballots are tallied once polls close. The candidate with at least 270 out of 538 electoral votes wins the presidency, taking office on Jan. 20 at noon.

3. Why does the Electoral College still exist?

Many teens are confused by the Electoral College, especially since a candidate can win the popular vote but lose the election, as happened in 2016. Despite public support for moving to a popular vote system, such a change would require a constitutional amendment, which is difficult to achieve. An alternative is the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, in which states agree to give their electoral votes to the popular vote winner once enough states join to reach 270 electoral votes.

4. How reliable are polls?

Election polls provide snapshots of public sentiment but should not be viewed in isolation. Kaleigh Rogers of The New York Times suggests examining polls in aggregate for accuracy. Key elements to evaluate include the pollster’s credibility, the sample size and demographics, and the timeframe of data collection.

5. How do I know if the information I’m seeing is unbiased and accurate?

To discern credible information, using tools such as the SIFT method—Stop, Investigate the source, Find better coverage, and Trace claims to their original context—can be valuable. This strategy helps students and readers verify facts and identify bias.

6. How are election results counted?

Votes are cast in-person or through absentee/mail-in ballots. Each state has procedures for counting and verifying ballots. Mail-in ballots involve additional security measures like signature verification. It may take days to finalize election results, especially when mail-in voting is widespread.

7. How are campaigns funded?

Presidential campaigns are funded through individual donations, PACs, super PACs, and sometimes personal funds from the candidates. Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited amounts, provided they do not coordinate with the campaign directly. The New York Times explored campaign financing in 2023, explaining how candidates secure funds.

8. What role does foreign interference play in elections?

Foreign interference remains a concern, with countries like Russia, China, and Iran engaging in cyberattacks and misinformation campaigns. Their aim is to create division and undermine trust in the electoral process. U.S. officials continue to strengthen election security to counter such threats.

9. Why are swing states important?

Swing states play a critical role in presidential elections due to their potential to tip the scales. This year, states such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin are seen as pivotal. Polls indicate tight races, making these states crucial battlegrounds.

10. Why do third-party candidates have limited influence?

Third-party candidates often face difficulties due to restrictive ballot access laws and concerns about vote-splitting. These laws vary by state and can require extensive signatures or other challenging conditions. Although reforms such as proportional representation could improve third-party viability, they face significant obstacles.