American democracy tiptoes the knife's edge

JUST weeks out from the 2024 US Presidential election and despite such enormous change since 2020, with a major war in Europe and the spiralling conflict in the Middle East, some in the race are more concerned with re-litigating the result of that vote.

Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, has cast an enormous shadow over US democracy in an eye-wateringly long list of attacks on US institutions, individuals and gripes against all opponents who stand in his way of seeking a second term in office.

Many of his supporters believe Trump did not lose the election four years ago, and despite failing to offer definitive evidence to support this claim, the world watches on as revenge is not only accepted, but actively stoked by Trump's team.

The former president claimed that he would be a dictator if he was to win the November vote, but only for one day. He has also said he would make sure that for many voters, this would be the last time they ever have to vote.

Even Trump's vice presidential candidate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, refuses to accept the results of the last election claiming at a rally: "Did Donald Trump lose the election? Not by the words that I would use."

Opposing Trump is Vuice-President Kamala Harris who has spent weeks attempting to convince otherwise conservative voters to spurn Trump and continue with a Democrat in the White House.

Harris has breathed life in to the campaign, after replacing President Joe Biden in July, yet polling suggests that the two options for the top job are neck and neck in key states.

Due to the US electoral college's unique system of weighting states and votes, the path to president may see the popular vote go to one candidate, but the electoral college the other.

All options remain on the table, as the world holds its breath. Few times in history have the votes of so few had the potential to change the lives of so many.

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Lachlan Guselli is the 360info, Sydney Commissioning Editor

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