US President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden are fighting for the presidency in the deeply divided United States.
Trump has focused on “law and order”; Biden tried to strike a conciliatory note. The Black Lives Matter movement – and whether Trump will free his taxes – is one of the many topics Americans will consider when choosing their president.
As the hotly contested elections draw near, Al Jazeera has spoken to voters in the US and asked nine questions to help understand who they are supporting and why.
Katherine (Kati) Elizabeth Vera Chavez
Age: 29 years
Occupation: full-time student, writing teacher and intern in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Lives in: Rockland County, New York
Elected for: Hillary Clinton in 2016
Will vote in 2020 for: Joe Biden
Top choice problem: Treatment of migrants at the border
Are you going to vote Why or why not?
“Oh, 100 percent I’ll vote, and I’ll vote because one, I think it’s one of the most important civic duties we have as citizens, and two that are related to rights for any kind of lot on this vote is based on a minority. And I fall into many categories of it, so it will apply to me directly. “
What is your main problem?
“To be honest, although climate change is big, it will surely affect everyone. For me right now, I think it’s about migrants and the terrible things that happen to them at the border. The missing children, the abused women – all Latina. And history repeats itself in such camps. For me this is an immediate and ongoing problem that needs to be addressed. And climate change is great. Don’t get me wrong, we’re all doomed [with] it. But I’m kind of caught between these two. “
Who will you vote for?
“I will vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”
Is there a main reason you picked your candidate?
“Even though he wasn’t my first choice, I think this is still the winning horse. I think of every other opposing Republican party – as much as I disagree with democratic ideals and principles, I believe they have the money and the power and what is necessary to oppose the structure of the GOP. compared to other third parties – Libertarian, Green or whatever. It is the best choice even if you are not one hundred percent happy about it. “
Are you satisfied with the state of the country?
“I think most Americans would say no, and I would agree that there is much to be done.”
“However, I am studying to become a foreign service officer one day. And that means I have to go to other countries to further America and our national interests. The stance I took is that I am still worth saving this country and all that it gives to my immigrant family, even if I don’t particularly think that it is in good shape right now. “
What do you want to change?
“Reinforcing minority voices and strengthening the community through individualistic concepts.
“It’s very American, ‘pull yourself up by the boot strap,’ but the advantage of this medal is that we don’t care enough about your neighbor. And we have to make sure we take care of everyone, not just ourselves. And that will come from education, that will come from imparting kindness and open communication between all sides on every spectrum. I think communication and education are in the foreground of how we can heal as a country, as a people. “
Do you think the election will change anything?
“I mean, you can’t choose without a little hope that it will be.
“At least I don’t think the people, the majority of the people who vote for Biden think he’s going to make any radical change. I think they’re just hoping things will go back to normal … As much as the Democrats hated the Bush era, there was still some decency and respect for your fellow American citizen – the bipartisan American.
“And so I think that a lot of people – although they don’t expect radicals [Senator] Bernie [Sanders] Change – they want things to calm down somehow. It’s been a very tough year and I think everyone just wants to feel a little stable. “
What is your biggest concern for the US?
“To be honest, home healing. If I can think of the United States as one person, it must first determine what is inside of it – such as the dimensions of racism, the dimensions of minority rights, the dimensions of humanitarian rights that are not fulfilled for certain people in the EU Edge. Homosexual rights are also attacked. Climate change is definitely up there too.
“So we have to commit ourselves to the country first before we focus on our foreign policy because I mean, I just read the news. You know, our constant communication with China, Europe and the world – we shouldn’t be focusing on that now. We have to fix ourselves before we can do any good outside. And I feel like I’m not the only one who thinks like that. “
Is there anything we didn’t ask about the choice that you want to share?
“I would encourage people to stop playing up the presidential election because many of their decisions will not affect you directly. Look up your local elections – who represents your city, district, school board? These are the people who will directly affect how you get your water, your taxes on your city, how your children are raised, who is raising them. I wish there was more hype about it than any quarrels and debates going on at the national level.
“So when you vote, please don’t just think it’s Trump against Biden. Also, check with your locals to take care of yourself and your community where you can make the biggest change. “
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