America votes: A guide to election day

The US electoral system is very complex and differs greatly from the German system. As a result, interpreting the election results from a German or European perspective is often challenging. For example, U.S. presidential elections are frequently decided by a small number of so-called "swing states" – states where it’s uncertain which party will win the majority of votes. However, these states can lose or regain their swing status over time, as demonstrated by Florida: While it was a crucial swing state in the 2000 election, it has since shifted firmly toward the Republicans.

Voters are also changing their habits. In this election, more young people are open to voting Republican than in previous years. Women have shifted strongly toward the Democrats, while men continue to support the Republicans in greater numbers. Other factors also influence voting behavior. A college degree has now become an important indicator of how white Americans vote. Over the past two decades, rural voters have increasingly leaned toward the Republicans, while urban areas have remained largely Democratic.

Kyle Kondik will join us to guide us through the analysis of the 2024 elections, explaining the fundamentals of US elections and addressing the following questions: Which states will ultimately decide the outcome, and what does this mean for the political landscape in the U.S.? How are voter coalitions shifting? And what should we watch for on election day?

With:

• Kyle Kondik (he/him) is managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball, the University of Virginia Center for Politics’ authoritative, nonpartisan newsletter on American campaigns and elections. He is the author of The Long Red Thread, a history of the growth of Republican power in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as The Bellwether, an analysis of Ohio’s presidential voting history. He is a frequently cited expert on American politics who has appeared on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, PBS NewsHour, and Comedy Central’s The Daily Show. He is a member of the CBS News Election Decision Desk team.

Moderation: Carl Roberts, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC.

After an interview with Mr. Kondik, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions in a Q&A session.

You can find current information about the Heinrich Böll Foundation’s upcoming events and articles on the US election in our dossier.

Contact: 
Deitra Myers
Division European Union and North America
E myers@boell.de

» Online participation in ZOOM
You can use either the Zoom Client software or the app. If you are using either the Chrome or Edge browsers you will be able to participate directly via the access link. For more information on how to use Zoom, click here.
Please make sure that you are using the latest version of Zoom so that you have the necessary settings. You will need a microphone and possibly a camera for events with audience participation.

The Heinrich Böll Foundation is not liable for issues arising from the use of Zoom software. Zoom's current privacy policy can be found here.

» Livestream
Alternatively, you can follow the event via livestream.
Livestream in German
Livestream in English