From an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump to President Biden stepping down from the campaign trail, the 2024 Presidential Election has been unprecedented in many ways. Campaigns have seemingly been going on since the last election ended. 

“This campaign did start earlier and it included two candidates who had run against each other previously. One incumbent president, one former president, and they were more senior than any presidential candidates we had before,” said University of Minnesota-Duluth Department Head of Political Science Cindy Rugeley, Ph.D. “There was a total lack of voter enthusiasm.”

Since President Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, the atmosphere of this election season has started to change.

“I think that when she got in the race, all of a sudden it was somebody younger, you know, kind of a jolly person, and it generated a lot of interest,” said Rugeley. 

Ashlie Castaldo is one of four people from the Duluth area who will be a delegate at the Democratic National Convention in August. She is supporting Harris for the nomination. 

“I think, especially from what I’ve discussed with a couple of people at least, there feels like there’s a little bit more energy and momentum and at least a kind of clarifying moment of what people are looking for,” said Castaldo. “At the very least, I think it’s going to give a pause and kind of unite either us directly as one whole, or else it’s going to at least unify the camps, Republican or Democrat, to kind of coalesce around whatever their values are.” 

Regardless of political affiliation, many expect voter turnout to be high this election.

“I think a lot of people feel that this is a very important election for different reasons. I think now, especially to know that there’s a potential that it could be the first woman president or the first Asian-American president, I think those things really help create support and a sense of pride and that will help those demographics especially show,” explained Castaldo. “But I think anytime that there’s a matchup between Donald Trump or any sort of opponent, I think it kind of makes people feel that there’s a sense of urgency on both sides of the aisle.”

When it comes to election results, however, nobody knows what to expect. 

“It’s weird across the spectrum. I mean, I really can’t tell you what’s going to happen. Nobody else can either,” said Rugeley. “Fortunately, one thing I could say about voters this cycle is they seem to be paying attention.”