13/15 editorial staff members supported this editorial.
For the first time in The Islander’s history, the Editorial Board is endorsing a presidential candidate. We believe voting for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 election is essential for our future.
Mercer Island is largely considered a blue bubble, but many seniors at MIHS can vote this November and we have heard in the halls that quite a few are still undecided. The policies that are up for debate this election will directly impact our student body in many ways. Your vote is crucial to ensure that Harris is selected, even if only to counteract support for Republican candidate Donald Trump.
Trump and Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance have repeatedly dodged questions about abortion by focusing on families. It is important to consider how a Trump victory would impact the Supreme Court.
In his presidency, Trump nominated three justices—Neil Gorsuch, Brett Cavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett—which led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. As current justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito grow older and approach retirement age, there is a high chance that both of these justices will resign in the next four years, leaving the nominations to Trump.
This would ensure a conservative majority in the Supreme Court for decades, further putting reproductive rights at risk. With many students attending college or participating in other post-graduation plans across the country, leaving reproductive choice up to states will jeopardize our basic human rights.
Abortion is not the only topic on the ballot that is highly relevant for teens; according to the Sandy Hook Promise, “guns are the leading cause of death among American children and teens.” Harris supports gun rights, but unlike Trump, her campaign is in favor of gun violence prevention measures such as universal background checks and an assault weapons ban.
We have only touched upon two of the many issues that matter to our students, but beyond policies, this is an election about leadership. We recognize that for some conservatives, this remains a partisan election. However, voters cannot dismiss the countless former Trump advisers that have recently spoken out against the behavior they witnessed. The list includes Chief of Staff John Kelly, National Security Adviser John Bolton and Defense Secretaries James Mattis and Mark Esper.
Whether or not you are able to vote this November, we encourage you to advocate for Harris and further research how the presidential candidates’ platforms as well as local candidates’ policies will shape our nation.
