Who should earn your vote this election? 

With the 2024 election approaching, voters face a choice between two distinctly different visions for the future—particularly on issues affecting women and young people. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have proposed policies that highlight their unique approaches to critical issues, from reproductive rights and education to the economy and workplace equity. For those concerned about the future for women and youth in America, understanding where each candidate stands is crucial.

Who should earn your vote this election? Here’s a closer look at the policies of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on several pressing issues that could shape your life for years to come.

Reproductive Rights

Kamala Harris: A longtime advocate for reproductive rights, Harris has consistently voiced support for access to abortion and related healthcare services. As Vice President, she has worked to protect and expand reproductive health access, especially in the wake of state-level restrictions and Supreme Court rulings limiting these rights. Harris supports federal protections for abortion rights, pledging to codify Roe v. Wade into law if possible, which would establish a national standard guaranteeing reproductive rights for women across the country. She believes that every woman should have the autonomy to make personal healthcare decisions without government interference.

Donald Trump: Former President Trump’s position is markedly different. His administration appointed three Supreme Court justices who were instrumental in overturning Roe v. Wade, leading to new restrictions on abortion access across several states. Trump has continued to support state-level restrictions on reproductive health services, emphasizing that these decisions should be left up to the states rather than being mandated at the federal level. He’s voiced support for a national 15-week abortion ban, arguing that it represents a balanced approach on the issue. Trump’s stance reflects a more conservative approach to reproductive rights, advocating limited federal intervention.

Education and Student Debt

Kamala Harris: Harris has championed initiatives to support students, particularly those struggling with student loan debt. Alongside President Biden, she helped introduce the student debt forgiveness plan, which aimed to relieve borrowers of up to $20,000 in federal loan debt, though it faced legal challenges. Harris has also promoted increased funding for public education, specifically advocating for higher teacher salaries, improved resources for public schools, and expanded access to early childhood education. Her approach reflects a focus on supporting young people by providing affordable educational opportunities and debt relief.

Donald Trump: Trump’s education policy focuses heavily on school choice, including support for charter schools and voucher programs to allow parents to choose alternative educational institutions. His stance is rooted in the belief that competition will improve educational outcomes. Trump is opposed to federal student debt relief, arguing that loan forgiveness is unfair to taxpayers and doesn’t address underlying issues in the higher education system. Instead, he has proposed reforms aimed at reducing the overall cost of college and holding institutions accountable for rising tuition costs.

Economic Policies and Job Opportunities

Kamala Harris: Economic equity and workforce support are central to Harris’s platform, particularly regarding the inclusion of women and young people in the labor market. She supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, citing the positive impact it would have on low-income workers, many of whom are women and young adults. Harris has also promoted initiatives to bridge the gender pay gap, proposing legislation to increase pay transparency and hold employers accountable for wage disparities. Harris advocates for job training programs, particularly in the green energy sector, aiming to prepare young people like you for high-demand, sustainable careers.

Donald Trump: Trump’s economic policy prioritizes deregulation and tax cuts, emphasizing job creation through a more business-friendly environment. During his administration, he enacted significant tax cuts that he argued would spur job growth, though critics point out that these cuts largely benefited corporations and high-income earners. Trump has not pushed for an increase in the federal minimum wage, maintaining that states should have control over wage policies. His economic vision centers around fostering traditional industries, such as manufacturing and energy, rather than focusing on green energy or other emerging sectors. Trump’s supporters argue that this approach provides stable, high-paying jobs for youth entering the workforce.

Gender Equality and Workplace Protections

Kamala Harris: Harris has long supported policies that address gender inequality, including paid family leave and affordable childcare. She was instrumental in advocating for the “American Rescue Plan,” which provided temporary funding for childcare to support working families. Harris has pledged to further expand federal support for paid family leave, ensuring that women and families have access to resources that enable them to balance work and family responsibilities. Additionally, she has voiced support for measures that protect against workplace discrimination and harassment, including stronger enforcement of Title IX protections in educational institutions.

Donald Trump: Trump’s stance on workplace protections and gender equality has been less expansive. He has not advocated for federal paid family leave, instead suggesting that this issue should be left to individual states and employers. During his administration, Trump rescinded some Obama-era Title IX protections related to handling sexual misconduct cases, arguing that schools should not adjudicate cases in ways that infringe upon due process rights. Trump’s supporters argue that his policies provide a more balanced approach that respects state rights and the autonomy of employers.

Climate Change and the Environment

Kamala Harris: Harris views climate change as a pressing issue that directly impacts young people and future generations. She has advocated for ambitious climate policies, including the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, alongside investments in renewable energy and green jobs. Harris has proposed incentives for clean energy companies and stricter regulations on industries contributing to environmental degradation. Her climate policy emphasizes environmental justice, aiming to support communities disproportionately affected by pollution, which often include low-income and minority populations.

Donald Trump: Trump takes a less interventionist stance on climate issues, prioritizing economic growth over environmental regulation. He has consistently advocated for expanding domestic fossil fuel production, arguing that energy independence is key to economic stability. During his presidency, Trump rolled back numerous environmental protections, contending that these regulations placed unnecessary burdens on American businesses. Trump’s supporters argue that his energy policies lower energy costs, create jobs, and strengthen the U.S. economy, though critics contend that they contribute to long-term environmental damage.

The Decision: Who Will Shape the Future?

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump offer vastly different visions on policy issues that directly impact women and young people in the U.S. While Harris emphasizes federal protections for reproductive rights, economic equity, and a focus on environmental sustainability, Trump prioritizes state autonomy, a business-friendly economy, and traditional energy sources.

This election poses an important question: What kind of policies should guide the future for women and youth in America? Should the government play an active role in addressing gender inequality, reproductive rights, and climate change, as Harris advocates? Or should these issues be handled at the state or local level, with an emphasis on economic growth and deregulation, as Trump suggests?

The stakes are high, and each voter must consider what matters most for their vision of the country’s future. As November approaches, young and female voters, in particular, have the power to shape this vision with their votes. The decision lies in your hands.