Should we be afraid? The United States is preparing for its presidential election. Some believe that the result will shape the future of democracy.
Nine days that will change the world
Should we be afraid? The United States is preparing for its presidential election. Some believe that the result will shape the future of democracy.
There are eight days left until the United States of America goes to the polls. On Tuesday 5 November, tens of millions of Americans will cast their vote.
They have to decide who they want to lead their country for the next four years: DemocratA member of the Democratic party, the left-leaning US political party. Kamala Harris or Donald TrumpAn American television personality who became US president from 2016 to 2020. He is running to be president again in 2024. , from the Republican Party. Whoever wins will shape the world.
The American presidentIn some countries, the leader is called the president. leads the richest and most powerful country on Earth. Their actions can affect the whole world.
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have very different ideas. Trump wants a small governmentThe group of people who govern - or lead - the country. and to send immigrantsPeople who have moved into one country from another. away. Harris wants to act on climate changeLong-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change., make sure all women have access to abortionsThe deliberate ending of pregnancy. and help America's friends.
Many Americans and most states lean heavily towards one party. The election result depends on how people vote in seven swing statesIn the USA, states that sometimes vote for Republican presidential candidates and sometimes vote for Democrats. Which way the swing states go will decide who wins an election. .
This year, the race is very close. Nobody can say who will win.
Many are worried about a Trump win. He has told lies and promoted false ideas while campaigning. He says he would be a "dictatorA ruler who has total power, and has often taken power by force. on day one". Some think he puts democracyA system of government based on the idea of rule by the people. at risk.
Others say people are worrying too much. The president does not hold all the power in the USA. They do not make most of the country's lawsRules that everyone must follow.. And Trump may simply be exaggeratingDescribing something as being better, worse or bigger than it really was. to win votes.
Should we be afraid?
Yes! Trump has already spent four years as president. This time, he will know how the job works and what he wants to get done. He could change America very dramatically and very quickly.
No! The country survived four years under Trump from 2017 to 2021. Democracy survived too. He will probably not do half the things he talks about.
Keywords
Democrat - A member of the Democratic party, the left-leaning US political party.
Donald Trump - An American television personality who became US president from 2016 to 2020. He is running to be president again in 2024.
President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
Immigrants - People who have moved into one country from another.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.
Abortions - The deliberate ending of pregnancy.
Swing states - In the USA, states that sometimes vote for Republican presidential candidates and sometimes vote for Democrats. Which way the swing states go will decide who wins an election.
Dictator - A ruler who has total power, and has often taken power by force.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Laws - Rules that everyone must follow.
Exaggerating - Describing something as being better, worse or bigger than it really was.
Nine days that will change the world
Glossary
Democrat - A member of the Democratic party, the left-leaning US political party.
Donald Trump - An American television personality who became US president from 2016 to 2020. He is running to be president again in 2024.
President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
Immigrants - People who have moved into one country from another.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.
Abortions - The deliberate ending of pregnancy.
Swing states - In the USA, states that sometimes vote for Republican presidential candidates and sometimes vote for Democrats. Which way the swing states go will decide who wins an election.
Dictator - A ruler who has total power, and has often taken power by force.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Laws - Rules that everyone must follow.
Exaggerating - Describing something as being better, worse or bigger than it really was.