Each presidential election offers American citizens the unique opportunity to fulfill a sacred civic duty. By casting ballots in this election, voters will make their voices heard and determine which leader will guide our country forward.
In a unanimous decision of 13-0, the Kentucky Kernel editorial board affirmed their belief that young voters should practice their civic duty by voting in the upcoming election.
In voting, you lose nothing. In failing to vote, you risk everything you take for granted.
Yet, come Election Day, many people
British Parliament that failed to provide them with the rights and representation afforded to British citizens. The nation only recognized America’s independence after years of battle
However, the fight for voting rights didn’t end there. While the Constitution guaranteed many rights, it did not ensure that all Americans had the freedom to vote.
Thus, in the following centuries, minority groups like African Americans and women were forced to endure violence and ridicule as they struggled tirelessly to obtain this right.
In the Women's Suffrage Movement, activists advocated for women's right to vote until the 19th Amendment was ratified. Through this amendment, the government could no longer exclude women from putting their political beliefs into action at the voting booth. Thanks to their courageous efforts, every American citizen can now exercise their civic duty by casting a
When Americans fail to perform this responsibility, they also overlook the vital role that voting plays in preserving our democracy and guiding our country
educate ourselves by engaging with the news, having civil conversations with those who hold differing views and seeking out any opportunity to improve our understanding of issues and the solutions needed to address them.
Our nation’s history should inspire us to utilize this election as a vital opportunity to guide our country into a brighter future.
Voting is a choice that allows every citizen to make their voice heard in the voting booths.
American settlers recognized this truth when they endured brutal policies and were silenced by the British Parliament. Civil rights leaders and suffragettes recognized this as they endured dehumanizing treatment from the government and its constituents.
Yet, both groups persisted in their fight to achieve the fundamental freedom which a healthy democracy is built upon.
The freedom to vote is the fragile line that separates a free democracy from a tyrannical government.
Upholding our civic duty by voting is much more than a task to check off the list. It’s a monumental responsibility that required centuries of courageous action to obtain. It’s an opportunity that countless Americans throughout history longed to fulfill. Furthermore, it’s a moral obligation as we help determine which leader’s policies will guarantee the betterment of our society.
The change we want can’t be found through inaction. It can’t be found through merely complaining or bickering about the problems we face. It requires immediate action from every single one of us.
So, when the time comes to vote, don’t disregard this civic obligation. Find the nearest voting booth and make your voice heard.
and 29 voted in the previous presiden tial election.
While some abstain from voting because of convictions against both candidates, others simply do so because they disregard their civic responsibility. The latter choice disrespects the courageous leaders who bravely secured this precious right and neglect the opportunity to make necessary change possible.
From the American Revolution to the modern civil rights movement, Americans have bravely risked or sacrificed their lives to obtain the freedom we take for granted today.
Our nation was founded by settlers who fled the oppressive control of the
It’s a choice that can determine where our nation sends American troops, whether or not the rights of minority groups are protected and whether a lower-class family can afford to pay when rent is due.
It provides Americans with the opportunity to act on the issues they care about most and hold their leaders accountable.
Each presidential candidate’s platform proposes vastly differing policies. The elected candidate will enact ones that impact the lives of people at the domestic and national levels.
To properly decide which candidate is worthy, we must enter the voting booth as informed citizens. We must
How to vote
By Isabella Sepahban news@kykernel.com
What should I bring?
Kentucky requires a form of photo ID to vote. This includes IDs like your driver’s license, military ID, college ID or Kentucky government ID.
If you don’t have a photo ID card, you are able to get a free one by visiting a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. If you cannot obtain a photo ID card but are registered to vote, you may sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and present any of the following IDs instead:
Social security card
Credit or debit card that shows your name
Any ID card with both your photograph and name
Any supplemental nutrition assistance card issued by Kentucky that shows your name, like a food stamp ID card
Any ID issued by a Kentucky county that shows your name and has been approved by the State Board of Elec
don’t have your voter ID with you.
Where do I go?
Election Day is on Nov. 5. Polls will open at 6 a.m and close at 6 p.m.
To find your polling location, visit the Commonwealth of Kentucky State Board of Elections website and select “Find my polling place.” You can also find your polling location by searching “polling locations near me” on Google.
Some places will allow you to vote in-person early if you have an approved excuse. This is called early voting.
Absentee ballot requests last until Oct. 22, and early voting starts on Oct. 31 and ends Nov. 2.
For early voting, you can go to any of Kentucky’s county polling locations without being turned away as long as you are a registered voter.
Early voting can be helpful if you are unable to vote in person on Election Day.
For those planning to vote in Lexington, all Fayette County public libraries will be open to vote between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 through
What about early voting?
Although the deadline to register to vote has already passed, Kentucky does still allow eligible voters to request a
To request a ballot, visit the Commonwealth of Kentucky State Board of Elections website and select “Absentee Ballot Request” to see if you qualify for one. Once you fill out the information needed, you should receive your ballot in the mail relatively soon.
The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot expires on Oct. 22 at 11:59 p.m.
What will my ballot look like?
If you are a Kentucky voter, visit the Kentucky Secretary of State website and click on the county you will be voting in. An example ballot will be shown to you and will vary depending on the county you will be voting in.
Voting FAQs
WHAT IF I FORGET MY ID?
If you forget your ID, you should ask one of the working pollers for a provisional ballot.
You will be asked to verify a few things in order for the provisional ballot to count, so don’t stress out if you do not have your ID.
You can also call or text the Voter Protection Hotline and ask for help at 866-OUR-VOTE or 866-687-8683.
Akhila Nadimpalli, designer Kaci McCarthy, social media & newsletter manager Giana Gallo, broadcast & podcast manager Bryce Towle, TikTok manager
KENTUCKY KERNEL OFFICE
9 Blazer Dining University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40506 On the front cover:
Kamala Harris Tim Walz
By Abbey Cutrer features@kykernel.com
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, born on Oct. 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, is the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India and has achieved several firsts in her career, according to NPR.
She was inaugurated as the first Indian American senator in the U.S. in 2017 and served as California's first female and South Asian attorney general, according to The State of Cal
partment of Justice.
In 2021, she made history again by becoming the first woman to hold the vice presidency, as well as the first Black or Asian American in that role, according to the Associated Press.
Harris graduated from Howard University and earned her law degree from UC Law San Fransico, formerly known as UC Hastings, according to USA Today.
When Harris began her career as a prosecutor in San Francisco, she eventually became the city's district attorney, according to The Times.
When she served as California's attorney general, she gained national recognition for her policies on criminal justice reform and advocacy for women’s rights, according to The Guardian.
In 2016, she was elected to the U.S. Senate, where she continued to champion issues such as healthcare, immigration reform and climate change.
Her 2020 presidential campaign focused on building a more inclusive economy and reforming systemic injustices, though she ultimately suspended her bid and was selected as Joe Biden's running mate.
As the election approaches, Harris continues to play a pivotal role in the Biden administration, advocating for key policies and engaging with communities in key battleground states across the nation with a focus on the middle class.
By Lilly Keith features@kykernel.com
Kamala Harris’s running mate for the 2024 presidential election is the current governor of Minnesota.
Tim Walz is a 60-year-old Nebraskan, retired U.S. Army non-commissioned officer and former National Guard member.
Walz joined the Army National Guard when he was only 17 years old, entering as an infantryman, according to the Associated Press.
According to his official website, Walz served in the Army National Guard for 24 years: “Com mand Sergeant Major Walz retired from the 1-125th Field Artillery Battalion in 2005.”
Walz won his first election to the United States House of Representa tives in 2006. He was elected as gov ernor of Minnesota in 2018 and “was re-elected for another five terms serv ing Minnesota’s First Congressional District in Southern Minnesota,” ac cording to his official website.
Walz graduated with his Master of Science in educational leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato, according to Politico.
According to NBC News, about two decades ago, Walz was a high school geography teacher and foot ball coach in Minnesota. During his time as an educator, Walz helped his students launch Mankato West High School’s first Gay-Straight Alliance.
In the same NBC article, Walz once told Minneapolis’ Star Tribune that “it really needed to be the football coach, who was the soldier and was straight and was married” who helped run the GSA. He also signed a “trans refuge” bill in Minnesota that “pro hibits outside authorities to enforce other states’ laws banning gender-af firming care.”
According to the website of the
Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, his accomplishments as governor include “universal free school meals for students, protecting reproductive freedom, strengthening voting rights, laying the groundwork to get Minnesota to 100% clean electricity by 2040, cutting taxes for the middle class and expanding paid leave for Minnesota workers.”
During the first and only vice presidential debate on Oct. 1, Walz discussed his beliefs for issues in America: such as the Middle East, climate change, immigration, abortion, reproductive rights, gun violence, inflation
Donald Trump
By Gavin Cooper features@kykernel.com
Former President Donald J. Trump has, for the third consecutive time, thrown his name in the race to become the next president of the United States.
If Trump is elected, he will be only the second president in United States history to hold office in non-consecutive terms, joining former President Grover Cleveland.
Former President Trump’s first term in the Oval Office was plagued by scandals, drama, controversies and clashes with various political figures both foreign and domestic.
From 2016 to 2020, the former
ments, attempted a travel ban for Muslim dominant countries, issued immigration enforcements on the southern border, started a trade war with China, passed tax legislation and oversaw the beginning of the COVID-19 response.
The first run in the White House ended with an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, a mass exodus of members from his cabinet and a failed impeachment effort by congressional Democrats.
Following the loss of the 2020 election, it was thought that perhaps Trump’s version of the Republican Party would fade into the background, and let new frontrunners vie for the mantle.
However, given that the former commander in chief continues to assert that he did not lose the previous election, this could not have been further from the truth. President Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election with 306 electoral votes and Trump earned 232 electoral votes, according to the National Archives,
Former President Trump remained so popular among his base, that he chose to not attend the first of the Republican Party debates. This shows his control over the
By the beginning of the summer, Trump had easily dominated the Republican competition, and taken the nomination to run for the party.
His strong and seamless takeover of the nomination process shows that the Republican Party is Trump’s party – ready to, once again, follow him to the polls.
Trump started the path to the general election inside courthouses from Manhattan to Georgia. Facing 91 felony charges, the former president has not let this slow his campaigning.
JD Vance
By Casey Sebastiano features@kykernel.com
JD Vance was born on Aug. 2, 1984 and raised in Middletown, Ohio, according to his website. He currently serves as a senator for Ohio.
He is the author of “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis,” a No. 1 New York Times bestseller that details his upbringing, according to the book’s website.
Vance served as a Marine in the Iraq War before earning his bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University in 2009 and his law degree from Yale in 2013, according to the Associated Press.
Vance was elected as a senator for Ohio and has held the position since being sworn in on Jan. 3, 2023.
In 2016, Vance released “Hillbil ly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture is Crisis.” According to the Associated Press, in his book, Vance talked about growing up in a work ing-class family in Appalachia which garnered attention from people who both support and condemn the literature.
In 2022, Vance was elected as a senator for Ohio and has held the position since being sworn in on Jan. 3, 2023.
Vance spoke ill of both Trump and Hillary Clinton, the 2016 presidential democratic candidate, in an interview with Terry Gross of NPR in 2016. He joked that he might write his dog in “Because that’s about as good as it seems.”
“I think that I'm going to vote third party, because I can't stomach Trump,” Vance said. “I think that he's noxious and is leading the white working class to a very dark place.”
In 2022, during his successful race for Senate, Vance was “defending him as a ‘great’ president,’” accord ing to the Washington Post.
Vance said he would not vote for Clinton as they do not share the same politics.
On July 15, 2024, Vance was selected as Trump’s running mate for the 2024 presidential election.
Since being named Trump’s running mate, according to NPR, Vance has made campaign stops in swing states such as North Carolina, Georgia and Pennsylvania.
At a campaign event in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on Oct. 16, 2024, a reporter asked Vance if he believes Trump lost the 2020 election to which he replied, “no,” according to NPR. Vance said there were “serious problems” in the 2020 election.
Candidates' promises on key issues
ABORTION
By Lilly Keith news@kykernel.com
During Donald Trump’s presidency, he moved abortion to the decision of the states.
“But what I did is something, for 52 years, they've been trying to get Roe v. Wade into the states, and through the genius and heart and strength of six Supreme Court justices, we were able to do that,” Trump said.
Trump said he believes strongly in exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother.
“I did a great service in doing it. It took courage to do it, and the Supreme Court had great courage in doing it, and I give tremendous credit to those six justices,” Trump said.
Kamala Harris criticized what Trump did to Roe v. Wade during the debate.
“Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade, and they did exactly as he intended,” Harris said. “And now in over 20 states, there are Trump abortion bans, which make it criminal for a doctor
ECONOMY
By Gavin Cooper news@kykernel.com
The Trump 2024 campaign has laid out an economic plan involving a myriad of tax-related proposals.
The campaign states that they plan on extending previous provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) as it will expire after 2025. The campaign also proposes eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits and proposing a cut to the corporate tax rate to hit 15 percent.
Individual Income Tax of TCJA
Extending the TCJA would keep seven ordinary tax brackets with TCJA rates. The Child Tax Credit (CTC) would remain at $2,000, the amount refundable at $1,400 and begin to phase out at
$400,000 of income. Married filers would be able to deduct 20% of the first $315,000 in income from pass-through business. As well as leaving estate tax exemptions at higher post TCJA levels.
Social Security Tax
Currently, Social Security recipients are required to pay taxes on 50-85% of their benefits. Lower income retirees pay taxes on a lower share than high-income retirees. The Trump campaign proposes the elimination of taxation on all Social Security benefits for individuals.
Extend the business tax provisions of TCJA
The Trump campaign proposal is to return the TCJA business provisions back to the generous levels they hit when the law was enacted. These being that at the time of the law’s enactment, busi -
or nurse to provide health care.”
Harris spoke about her stance on abortion at the presidential debate, saying that when Congress passes a bill to reinstate Roe v. Wade, she will sign it.
“I absolutely support reinstating the protections of Roe v. Wade, and as you rightly mentioned, nowhere in America is a woman carrying a pregnancy to term and asking for an abortion, that is not happening,” Harris said.
Harris said that Trump would sign a ban on abortion, but Trump denied this.
“I did something that nobody thought was possible, the states
are now voting. What she says is an absolute lie. And as far as the abortion ban, no, I'm not in favor of abortion ban, but it doesn't matter because this issue has now been taken over by the states,” Trump said.
Trump said that his decision has kept Democrats, Republicans and everybody in between happy, saying that legal scholars wanted it to be a decision of the states.
When asked if Trump would veto a national abortion ban, he said that he won’t have to because she (Harris) won’t get the vote, because it’s “impossible for her to get the vote.”
nesses could deduct from their taxable income 100% of most tangible investment cost. This is known as “bonus depreciation.” Along with this, they could deduct 100% of research and experimentation expenditures.
Corporate Tax Cuts
The 2017 TCJA permanently reduced the corporate tax rate from a statutory tax rate of 35% to 21%. This proposal would lower the rate to 15%.
Trade
The Trump campaign in recent weeks has stated that they plan to propose a 60% tariff on goods from China, and a 20% tariff on everything else the United States imports. Economists say this price could be passed onto consumers.
The Harris campaign plans to build on the Biden Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, while stating that
they plan to expand existing benefits for low and middle income households in the tax code.
The campaign has stated that it will partially pay for its new subsidies and programs through raising the income tax rate to 28%.
It is also reported that the Harris campaign supports some of the tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act relating to annual household incomes below $400,000.
Expanding the Child Tax Credit
The Harris campaign proposes raising the Child Tax Credit (CTC) to $6,000 for newborns, $3,600 for children under 5 years old, and $3,000 for children above 5 years old. These numbers would be returned to the temporary provisions laid out in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Continued on page 7
Continued from page 6
Expanding Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The Harris campaign proposes adjusting the credit structure to be more generous towards workers without children. This would fall back in line with the temporary EITC expansion under the ARPA. The campaign also wants to expand eligibility beyond the 25–64-year-old range.
Down Payment for Qualified First-Time Buyers
The Harris campaign proposed an average of $25,000 in assistance to
FOREIGN POLICY
By Owen Chesemore news@kykernel.com
Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump propose vastly differing approaches to addressing foreign policy issues involving Ukraine and Russia and Israel and Palestine. As Election Day approaches, both candidates have sought to solidify and communicate their stances to earn voters’ support.
Harris and Trump both intend on maintaining support for Israel. However, their solutions and attitudes toward the war strongly differ.
Donald Trump stated in an interview that if he were president instead of Biden, the Oct. 7, 2023 attack against
Israel would never have occurred.
“What I said very plainly is to get it over with, and let’s get back to peace and stop killing people,” Trump said, referring to Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.
“(Harris) hates Israel. She wouldn’t even meet with Netanyahu when he went to Congress to make a very important speech. She refused to be there ‘cause she was at a sorority party…if she’s president, I believe that Israel will not exist within two years from now,” Trump said.
However, Harris did meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu soon after his joint address in a private meeting, according to Politico.
Harris advocates for a two-state solution and a ceasefire in Gaza. How-
ever, she has provided no clear plan for how her administration would accomplish this goal. Furthermore, her ability to influence Netanyahu’s decisions remains debatable. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ignored Biden-Harris requests by refusing to support a ceasefire and raiding Lebanon.
Harris said in a 60 Minutes interview that she remains a committed supporter of Israel and the nation’s right to defend itself following the attack on Oct. 7, 2023. However, she also said that “too many innocent Palestinians have been killed.”
During the presidential debate, both political candidates offered their support for Ukraine—with differing explanations of what their support entails.
IMMIGRATION
By Adah Hufana news@kykernel.com
On the topic of immigration, Harris has said she plans to fix the U.S. immigration system and secure the country’s borders.
According to the Kamala Harris campaign website, Harris supports a “comprehensive reform” to the immigration system “that includes strong border security and an earned pathway to citizenship.”
Harris has said she will bring back the bipartisan border security bill, also called the Border Act of 2024, which would have added
“more than 1,500 new Customs and Border Protection personnel” and more asylum officers, immigration judges and inspection devices to detect fentanyl, according to a fact sheet from the White House.
The border security bill failed to pass through the Senate in May 2024. Harris has said that Trump “killed” the bill by telling Republicans not to vote in favor of it.
Harris also said that border crossings are the lowest they’ve been in four years under the Biden administration; a claim found to be true, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s monthly update in June 2024. This update said that border patrol en -
first-time home buyers. This is a slight continuation of a Biden-Harris plan to assist first-time home buyers from earlier in the year. This would act similarly to other programs dedicated to home buying for certain groups.
counters were lower than numbers compared to June 2019.
Trump’s campaign website claims to have created the most secure U.S. border in the country’s history during his presidency between 2016 and 2020. A claim called a “significant exaggeration” by the fact-checking source PolitiFact.
The former U.S. president has said he plans to use the National Guard and local law enforcement in states to “assist with rapidly removing illegal alien gang members and criminals” which he said came into the country under the Biden administration.
Trump has called the move -
Harris has pledged unwavering support for Ukraine until they claim victory in their ongoing conflict against Russia. She remarked on her record of bringing countries together to support Ukraine, and the large supply of weaponry the Biden administration supplied to the small nation.
Trump said he intends to resolve the war quickly, remarking on his “good relationship” with both Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin and the respect they hold for him. He affirmed that he wants to “win the war.”
“I will get (the war) settled before I even become president if I win, when I’m president-elect,” Trump said. His plan to accomplish that goal remains unclear.
ment of migrants across the southern border an “invasion” and said in an interview with TIME Magazine that about 15-20 million people were living in the country illegally.
While the U.S. National Guard has been used in the past to aid immigration personnel; the use of them to directly deport migrants would be unprecedented, according to the Associated Press. Along with claiming that people living in the country illegally pose a threat to public safety, Trump has spread false rumors regarding the Haitian immigrant population in Ohio during the presidential debate in September.
2024 PRESIDENTIAL RACE TIMELINE
JUNE
By Casey Sebastiano news@kykernel.com
Design by Cameron Holmes
With the chaotic events leading up to the 2024 election, including heated debates, legal challenges and assassination attempts, voters are gearing up for one of the most pivotal elections in recent history. This timeline shows the many impactful events in the months leading up to the 2024 Presidential Election starting with this election’s first presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
Walz picked as running mate
SEPT. 10: First Harris-Trump debate
PRESIDENTIAL BALLOT BREAKDOWN:
By Gavin Cooper news@kykernel.com
Kentucky voters will play their part in the 2024 U.S. presidential election as they cast their ballots for the next leader of the country. The race will feature current Vice President Kamala Harris facing off against
All URBAN COUNTY COUNCIL seats are nonpartisan elections. Candidates differ based on tax increases, public funding for various services and social issues.
PAMELA GOODWIN has served as a trial judge for 18 years, was awarded judge of the year in 2012 and has an exceptional record on appeal.
ERIN IZZO was the Assistant Fayette County Attorney in the child support enforcement division before being recruited into private practice.
the Republican nominee former President Donald Trump.
Third-party candidates also appear on the ballot. The Kernel broke down the ballot, explaining a brief sentence about each candidate as well as the amendments on the ballot.
DONALD TRUMP AND JD VANCE stand for corporate tax cuts, restrictions on reproductive rights and strict immigration.
KAMALA HARRIS AND TIM WALZ stand for reproductive rights, expansive tax credits and new immigration standards.
JILL STEIN stands for a ceasefire in Gaza.
ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. has dropped out of the race.
SHIVA AYYADURAI is an anti-vax activist.
CHASE OLIVER stands for small government involvement.
ANDY BARR supports traditional American values, individual freedom and limited government.
RANDY CRAVENS stands for gun safety, funding public education and reproductive freedom.
KENTUCKY 2024
VANESSA GROSSL stands for government transparency.
CHERLYNN STEVENSON stands for reproductive rights, public education and affordable healthcare.
AMENDMENT 2 is a school choice initiative on the ballot that would give the General Assembly the ability to financially support parents in sending their children to non-public schools. This Amendment would create a voucher program to help parents remove their children from public schools. The amendment would allow taxpayers’ money to fund the vouchers for private education outside the public school system.
AMENDMENT 1 would ban non-citizens from voting. This is already illegal in Kentucky. This is a political ballot measure aimed at immigrants.
Social media's effect on the election
By Lilly Keith features@kykernel.com
Celebrity and influencer impact
As we transition into fall and enter election season, Vice President Kamala Harris has incorporated the “brat summer” craze into her presidential election campaign, capturing the attention of younger voters.
Her team’s use of this branding started after Charl XCX posted “kamala IS brat,” on X, formerly known as Twitter, according to BBC. Shortly after this post, the Harris campaign’s social media platforms started sporting the neon green color and simple black font reading “kamala hq,” according to CNN.
The night of the presidential debate, Sept. 10, Taylor Swift publicly endorsed Harris, reaching the Instagram pages of her 283 million followers. Though not all of Swift’s followers are of voting age, instilling the importance of voting in those younger generations brings hope to the future political climate.
Former President Donald Trump has used his campaign to attract patriotism through his “fight, fight, fight” picture that circulated after the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Trump has received endorsements from several celebrities, including Hulk Hogan who was at the Republican National Convention, according to Forbes. Other endorsements include Kid Rock, Dave Portnoy and Amber Rose.
The two contrary methods of campaigning are seemingly effective for both candidates, with their respective supporters trusting their words and posts.
According to Politico, the Demo-
cratic National Committee gave credentials to more than 200 content creators to cover the event, illustrating the impact that social media creators have had on the election.
Influencers' audiences often push said influencers to use their platforms to speak up, with some partnering with HeadCount, a non-profit organization, to encourage their audience to register to vote.
Brittany Tomlinson, also known as Brittany Broski, HeadCount by giving her followers an opportunity to win a free trip to meet her if fans registered to vote or checked their voting registra tion sta tus, ac cording to a post she made on her In stagram.
Misinfor mation
In a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, a survey showed the three most common ways that Americans get their election news: television, news websites or apps and social media. Of those surveyed, 20% said social media was their main way of consuming this news.
In the same study, “almost half of U.S. adults under 30 (46%) most commonly used social media for political news.”
X tops TikTok with 59% of those who use social media saying X is where they keep up with politics, according to Pew Research Center, with only 36% saying they use TikTok and 26% for both Facebook and Instagram.
In another study from the Pew Re-
and 69% of its users being 50-64 years old. 58% of U.S. adults 65 and over use Facebook, according to Pew Research Center.
According to a study done by Texas A&M Today, 23% of the 13 million Facebook image posts from August through October 2020 contained misinformation. They also found that 5% of left-leaning posts contained misinformation, 39% of right-leaning posts did. These misinformed image posts that circulate on Facebook take up about 40% of posts on the platform.
“The misinformation we found on Facebook was highly repetitive and often simple. While there were plenty of images doctored in a misleading way, these were outnumbered by memes with misleading text, screenshots of fake posts from other platforms or posts that took unaltered images and misrepresented them,” Texas A&M said in the study.
Instagram accounts such as @NYTimes and @Impact provide posts to their followers that fact-check information from presidential debates and other sources circulating the internet that could be false or exaggerated.
After the vice presidential debate on Oct. 1, @NYTimes made a post regarding claims from both JD Vance and Tim Walz, verifying false or exaggerated claims each candidate made and providing necessary context and clarity to their followers.
Measures to reduce the misinformation that runs rampant on social platforms are increasing, and tips on how to combat the misinformation are available online through sources such as the News Literacy Project, including being skeptical, not cynical and not resharing articles you haven’t read.
By Logan Robertson opinions@kykernel.com
The Green Party: More than the lesser of two evils
Last week, hundreds of Kentuckians gathered in Louisville to join millions across the world in marking one year of genocide in Gaza. For over a year, at least 40,000 Palestinians have been brutally murdered by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), according to the United Nations and what the Gaza Health Ministry has been able to count in its war-torn state.
And these are just the numbers that can be counted. There is reason to suspect they fall far below the true extent of the damage inflicted by the Israeli government. The Lancet, a two-century-old medical journal, estimates the death count in Gaza to be over 186,000.
That is over 500 Palestinians a day.
All this to say — Israel continues to perpetuate genocide every day in Gaza. What’s worse is that our own tax dollars are funding this genocide.
Since Oct. 7, 2024, our government has sent Israel $17.9 billion in “security assistance for Israeli military operations in Gaza,” according to Brown University’s Costs of War Project. Every day our tax dollars are spent on demolishing Palestinian homes, hospitals and schools, bombarding centuries-old churches and mosques and wiping out entire Palestinian bloodlines.
It does not have to be like this. I refuse to be complicit in genocide.
Why is it that while our communities experience steep poverty and crumbling infrastructure, our tax dollars are being shipped in billions to facilitate endless violence in Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and beyond. It is because both major
parties do not prioritize us American people, but the interests of their sponsors, such as AIPAC.
The U.S. support for genocide is a bipartisan affair — it is not just the Democratic Party, and it is not just the Republican Party. Neither are the lesser of two evils. One says they’re “doing their best to eliminate the threat that is Hamas.” The other replies, “The blood of the hostages is on your hands, you aren’t doing enough.” Both parties still work hand in hand to send as many resources to Israel as fast as possible. Some party members may dissent, but the words of a few cannot overcome the actions of the many.
It is only by breaking free from the confines of the two-party system that can we put an end to the genocide in Palestine and ongoing oppression, both internationally and within our own country.
Out of the available third party candidates that promise to stop the genocide, Dr. Jill Stein and Rudolph Ware of the Green Party have the most ballot access, the most media coverage and the most momentum already behind them. This is why most who choose to vote third-party, endorse Stein.
The Green Party promises the critical things that the two-party system does not: first and foremost, an end to the genocide in Palestine, a focus on mending the wounds inflicted on our planet by fossil fuels, a drive to protect our most vulnerable and fixing the systems that have let our politicians get so far from us in the first place.
Stein has a long legacy of fighting environmental racism and environmental injustice, and has won victories redistricting in a racially just manner and reform -
ing campaign finance.
Her running partner Ware has a decades-long legacy of researching and teaching about empire, colonialism and genocide and has put that scholarship to use in response to the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
Their extensive history of standing against racism and genocide assures us that they will follow through on their words with meaningful action, in contrast to the pitiful best the two parties have to offer; vapid calls for a ceasefire immediately preceding another package of billions of dollars to Israel.
As a Kentuckian, I know that we are not a swing state, and that the Republicans’ victory is likely already decided. But there’s another smaller yet still important goal to reach — 5% of the national popular vote. If a party reaches this benchmark, they are given access to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, media coverage and viability as a third party, opening the doors to a multi-party system for all. The fight is not just about 2024, it is about 2028 and 2032 and all of the years in between and afterward.
This approach isn’t just a protest vote, it’s a vote for the American people. We deserve more than being confined to choosing between two evils. We need elected officials who prioritize the needs of the people they serve, not the interests of those who fill their pockets.
For that reason, I will be voting for Dr. Jill Stein on Nov. 5. Above all else, a vote for Stein is a vote against genocide. It is the only effective vote against genocide in this election.
ABBEY CUTRER | STAFF
Green Party Presidential candidate Jill Stein poses for a portrait on Monday, March 4, 2024, in the William T. Young Library at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky.
From chaos to hope: Why we must vote Harris and Walz this November
By Conner Brumley opinions@kykernel.com
Chaos. Our generation has grown up in the context of a world in chaos, uncertainty and division. We've watched as hate and anger have spread like wildfire, dividing communities that once stood together.
We grew up during a time when mass shootings became so common that the names of towns and schools are forever etched into our memories or our very own experiences. We've marched in the streets, demanding justice for lives stolen by police brutality, pleading for a system that acknowledges humanity. We've called for peace in places shattered by global
through a global pandemic that forced us into isolation. We watched natural disasters devastate local communities and wreak havoc on the unexpected.
On Jan. 6, 2021, we watched as insurrectionists stormed the Capitol, attacking the very foundation of our country. On July 13, 2024, we saw an assassination attempt on a former president. To put it simply, we have been through it all. This is the world we've inherited. A world where hate is louder than words, where truth is debated and where our very right to exist or speak our mind is challenged. These experiences have shaped us and now it is up to us to carry the weight of a divided nation on our shoulders as we struggle to make sense of it all and find a path forward. In times like these, finding a leader who can unite, inspire hope and work toward a future where we can live and thrive is crucial.
Through this darkness, one clear choice in this election will do just that. Harris was raised in a middle class family by civil rights activists and a working mom. She shattered glass ceilings as a prosecutor, attorney general of California, U.S. senator and the first female vice president of the U.S. As
attorney general, she fought predatory banking, healthcare and for-profit colleges. Protected women and children from exploitation and secured victories for the voiceless.
In the Senate, Harris championed efforts to lower costs for families and served on key committees to ensure government accountability.
As vice president, Harris has played a critical role in the Biden administration's historic achievements. Creating 16 million jobs, investing one trillion dollars in infrastructure, strengthening the Affordable Care Act and advancing climate and gun safety reforms.
Harris continues to push for progress in criminal justice, increasing diverse representation in the decision room and the right for Americans to make decisions about their own bodies.
Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, grew up on his family farm in Minnesota. He is a leader who has always prioritized the well-being of his constituents. As a former educator, a 24 year member of the National Guard and a high school football coach, Walz understands the importance of community.
Throughout his career, he cut taxes for working families, eliminated junk fees, supported agriculture and rural America, fought for public schools and stood with reproductive freedom initiatives.
Harris and Walz offer a clear path forward. It is not just a concept of a plan, it’s a clear path of opportunity, justice, equality and hope for our generation.
They are committed to making life more affordable for everyday Americans by cutting taxes for families, protecting social security and expanding
opportunities for home ownership. They are supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, the backbone of the American economy. They are ensuring healthcare is affordable for all by protecting Medicare and capping the cost of prescriptions and life-sustaining medication. They are also investing in quality public education and expanding access to affordable childcare and long-term care.
For our generation, this means a real shot, a real chance at the “American Dream” and the security of knowing that our healthcare, education, environment, economy, family and future are being prioritized.
But make no mistake, this election is about even more. It's also about defending our most fundamental rights and freedoms from those who have sought to tear them down.
Would you rather support a 34 count convicted felon, still embattled in three cases of tax fraud, defamation, sexual assault and election subversion, who has vindictively violated voters' visions time and time again, and continues to divide America? Alongside a man who is too concerned with the “childless cat lady population” and the traditional roles of a woman to stand with the everyday people who voted for him? Or would you rather have leaders who embody integrity, compassion and a commitment to serving all of us?
So, when you step into that voting booth, mail in your absentee ballot or vote early, remember the choice you have before you. Your future is at stake. Choose hope, choose progress and choose Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
Donald Trump: The choice is simple
By Hailey Martin opinions@kykernel.com
Donald Trump is arguably the most controversial political figure in modern American history. Whether your personal politics lean to the right, to the left or you find yourself somewhere in the middle, you likely have your own opinion about the former president.
For the moment, disregard your feelings about Trump and his personality. Instead, consider his impact on our nation and the world during his time as president–especially when examining the current administration.
Since Trump left office, the economy has declined dramatically, leaving Americans to struggle with inflation and increased costs on basic goods. We see the evidence every day, as prices on essentials, such as gas, have skyrocketed in the last four years.
Under the Biden and Harris administration, in 2022 the average gas price jumped to $4.06 and has consistently been greater than $3 since Trump left office. This increase in gas prices directly increases the price of essential goods. If it costs more to ship it, it will cost more to buy it.
With Trump back in office, we can have significantly cheaper grocery bills, attainable housing prices and lower taxes.
Taking a look at housing, at the end of Trump’s administration the median home sale price was $350,000. At the beginning of this year, after three years of Biden and Harris,the median home sale price
rose to $420,000.
While we are living in dorms and apartments in college, we may not be giving much thought to the price of houses, but most of us will want to purchase a home in our post-graduation futures. Based on the data, home ownership was more of a reasonable goal with Trump as president.
Ultimately, Trump is the candidate who will restore our economy. He has done it once and will do it again.
Trump has a clear vision for America and its people to thrive financially.
With Trump as president, there was greater global peace. In January 2021, Trump left office and in just seven months the Taliban had regained control of Afghanistan.
Next, in February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, starting a war that continues even today.
Then in October 2023, terrorist organization Hamas launched an attack on Israel. Also, the tension between North and South Korea, as well as China and Taiwan, it is clear that the world is in a state of unrest.
While our modern world has never been in perfect peace, this amount of global violence was not taking place during Trump’s presidency. Specifically, the Trump administration is the only administration in the last 20 years under which Russia did not invade another country. Trump fostered global security and plans to pursue peace in Europe and the Middle East if re-elected. Under Biden and Harris, we are closer to World War III than ever before.
Additionally, Trump and Republican Sen. JD Vance are signs of strength to the rest of the world.
This strength, which is essential for world leadership, is not present in the Kamala Harris and Democrat Gov. Tim Walz campaign.
Trump is a successful businessman and has successfully led the country once before. Vance showcased his intelligence and rhetorical skills to the nation in his recent vice presidential debate against Walz.
On the other hand, Harris’ “joyful laugh” attempts to distract voters from her inability to have an unscripted conversation, while Walz used the debate with Vance to call himself a “knucklehead” and a friend of school shooters.
Finally, Trump is a man with a genuine love for his country.
For years, he faced attacks from the media and attempts to impeach him from Congress. He was successfully demonized, even when he was no longer in office. So much so that in July, he became the victim of an assassina tion attempt at an outdoor rally. Had he turned his head a mo ment later, this would be a very dif ferent elec tion year. It would be understandable for someone to end their political pursuits after an expe rience like Trump’s, but he
has yet to give up.
In an interview with Oprah in 1988, Trump detailed how he would consider running for president because of his irritation with how the government was serving other countries but not the American people.
His passion for America and desire to see the country thrive is made clear in that interview and is still true for him today. If he did not have a true love for this country, he would have given up long ago. His love for his country emboldens him to succeed, he will not allow himself to fail, which is what we need.
We need a strong leader who will not accept failure and is determined to rebuild our nation into something
With over 12 options for birth control, let’s find one that works for you.
