2024 Election Issues

The 2024 Presidential election has seen a number of historically unprecedented events: a pre-convention debate, the assassination attempt on former-President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden announcing he would not seek a second term and more. Election experts at The University of New Mexico are available to speak on these historical events.

The media play an indispensable role in the proper functioning of a democracy. In a world dominated by mass communications, it is increasingly the media that determine the political agenda and narrative. Discussion of the media's functions within electoral contexts, often focuses on their role as a watchdog through the scrutiny and discussion of the successes and failures of candidates, governments, and electoral bodies. The media can inform the public of how effectively politicians have performed and help to hold elected officials accountable. How will media coverage affect the 2022 general election? Does media coverage on certain topics sway voters? What impact do attack ads have on voters? Is it normal to see multiple ads from multiple candidates? Why are some attack ads more ruthless than others?  

Immigration to the U.S. has become a major talking point during the 2024 Presidential election. How have conversations around immigration changed in the last decade? What do people get wrong about immigration? How much does the topic matter to voters? How do New Mexicans think about the issue?

Elections can be stressful, especially as election seasons seem to grow longer and the 2024 Presidential election has already seen numerous unprecedented events. How can people stay calm during an election season? What can they do when the elections and political news cycles begin to feel like too much?

While economists see the U.S. economy as largely being in a decent spot, everyday Americans feel lower consumer confidence about spending money. The 2024 Presidential election will be one of the first in decades where voters are thinking about the impacts of inflation. UNM Election Expert Reilly White explains how inflation impacts the economy, how consumer confidence could impact the election and how the President influences the economy.

As conversations around climate change continue to grow louder, voters must decide which candidates tout the policies that matter most to them. How much does climate change policy matter to voters? How does it impact their choices at the polls? How does the impact of oil and gas in New Mexico shape voter attitudes toward climate change policies?

Money spent on campaign ads can play a major role in the outcomes of an election, but there are specific limits on who can spend money on campaigns and how. UNM Election Expert Michael Rocca explains how campaign spending translates into election outcomes, what U.S. Supreme Court Case changed spending in elections, how ads impact voter behavior and more.