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Donald Trump elected as the 47th President of the United States of America.

After months of campaigning the highly contentious 2024 presidential election is over, the people have spoken. Donald  J. Trump has been elected as the 47th President of the United States.

The election road between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris pitted both candidates against one another using every political play in the book to earn peoples vote. In the end, Trump won the Electoral College 312 to 226, which was declared at on Nov. 6 at 5:35 a.m. and won the popular vote 49.9% to 48.4%.

Elementary office manager Lisa Dooley is very patriotic and passionate about her country. When asked what changed with Trump between last election and this one, she said that it was the American people that changed.

“The people got tired of the high price of living, and they got tired of being lied to,” Dooley said.

Trump’s win came down to his ability to sweep all of the swing states including: Arizona, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Nevada, Michigan, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. This gave him the advantage in the election as they are the most important states to win. Art teacher Vicky Belmont believes Trump’s greatest advantage was his prior experience as president and businessman before he became a politician.

“I think the people liked what he did and how he ran the country like a business,” Belmont said. “He was not tied up, and did not owe anybody anything.”

Kamala Harris won California by getting 58.7% of the total vote, gaining 54 electoral votes for the Democratic Party.

The voting process across the nation continues to make election night results nearly impossible as each state undergoes different procedures. Closely contested state races have continued into the month of December including the battle for the Senate, which has resulted in republican control, 53 to 47.

The House of Representatives will remain under republican control with 220 to 215 with LA Congressman Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House.

Reaching the vote of this younger generation required the use of alternative media sources. More than any election in history, voters were influenced with non-traditional forms of advertising utilizing social media, popular podcasts and independent journalists along with highly opinionated legacy media.

They say red light helps you sleep better pic.twitter.com/XvVFnmcF9O

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 7, 2024

Aden Millwee, ’25, is a first-time voter and was very enthusiastic about being able to exercise his right to vote.

“It was crazy and I feel more like an adult,” Millwee said. “I went over a practice ballot with my dad so I knew what I would be voting for and not just voting for what he says.”

Millwee had to research about the measures and propositions to prep to vote. Ballot measures are voted on in every election, and laws are added or changed at the state level. There were ten measures in California, each needing at least 50% to pass. 

Here are the six measures that passed:

• California Amendment 3. Repeals same-sex marriage ban, declaring marriage as a fundamental right. 
• California Measure 2. Authorizes $10 billion of bonds to help build and repair school facilities. 
• California Measure 34. Requires healthcare providers to spend at least 98% of revenue made from the Federal Discount Prescription Drug Program on patient care.
• California Proposition 4. Authorize $10 billion of bonds for safe drinking water, wildfire prevention, and land protection efforts.
• California Proposition 35. Make a permanent tax on managed healthcare insurance plans to provide funding for the Medi-Cal healthcare program.
• California Proposition 36. Increased punishment for repeated theft and drug possession charges. Creates a treatment-focused court process for some drug crimes.

As President Elect Trump builds his new administration, democrats are left to evaluate the results of the republican sweep. 39% of voters chose the economy as their number one issue with immigration second at 20%. Trump promises to effectively bring chage to both these issues. The transfer of power will take place with the Inauguration on Jan. 20th.

To read more about the election visit 2024 Election Update or 2024 Election: Heated Rematch.

For more Feather articles check out Christmas Tree Lane and Candy Cane Lane prepare for lively holiday season or San Joaquin Valley Town Hall features Nate Mook.