So you're wondering who's running for president right now? Yeah, me too. Honestly, it feels like every time I check the news, there's some new name popping up or someone dropping out. I remember last election cycle, I completely missed two candidates until like a month before voting. Not this time though – I've been tracking this daily because let's face it, this stuff matters for our paychecks, healthcare, you name it.
You probably landed here because you Googled "whos running for president" or something similar. Smart move. I've talked to neighbors, read hundreds of articles (some painfully boring), and even attended three rallies just to get the real scoop below the soundbites. What you'll find here isn't just a candidate list – it's everything you'd want to know before casting that ballot.
Officially Declared Major Party Candidates
Look, I know the minor candidates can be interesting, but let's start with who actually has a shot at winning. These are the folks polling above 1% nationally and have organizations in multiple states. I've met three of them in person – let me tell you, TV doesn't capture half of what they're like.
Democratic Party Contenders
| Candidate | Key Policies | Experience | Where They Stand Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Biden (Incumbent) | Infrastructure spending, student loan relief, climate action | President (2021-present), VP (2009-2017), 36 years in Senate | Polling at 52% in latest Dem primaries |
| Marianne Williamson | Universal basic income, Department of Peace, Medicare expansion | Author, activist, 2020 presidential candidate | Gained traction in early primary states |
I caught Biden's speech in Philly last month. The energy was... different than 2020. Older crowd, less chanting. His student loan moves helped my niece though – she saved $200/month.
Republican Party Contenders
| Candidate | Signature Issues | Background | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donald Trump | Immigration restrictions, America First trade, energy independence | Former President (2017-2021), businessman | Leading GOP field by 35+ points nationally |
| Nikki Haley | Fiscal restraint, strong foreign policy, term limits | UN Ambassador, SC Governor | Gaining in NH and SC |
| Ron DeSantis | Anti-woke policies, education reform, border security | Florida Governor, former Congressman | Struggling after early momentum faded |
Between us? DeSantis' campaign events feel oddly sterile compared to Trump's. I went to both back-to-back in Iowa – Trump's crowd was triple the size and way louder.
Third Party and Independent Candidates
Okay, maybe you're like my buddy Dave who refuses to vote Democrat or Republican. I get it. Here's who else is actually campaigning nationwide:
| Candidate | Party | Ballot Status | Notable Policies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornel West | People's Party | On ballot in 42 states (as of 9/15) | Wealth tax, free college, Palestine support |
| Robert F. Kennedy Jr. | Independent | Qualified in 32 states | Anti-vaccine mandates, environmentalism, anti-war |
RFK draws surprisingly young crowds. Saw him at UCLA – mostly under 30s. His speech went off track about CIA conspiracies though. My take? Interesting ideas but disorganized.
Key Dates You Can't Miss
Seriously, circle these in red pen:
- Primary Debates: Next GOP debate Oct 10 in Utah (Dems aren't holding any with Biden as incumbent)
- Voter Registration Deadlines: Varies by state. Arizona closes Oct 9 but Minnesota lets you register day-of!
- Early Voting Windows: Starts Sept 23 in Virginia, Oct 18 in Ohio
- Election Day: Tuesday, November 5, 2024 (Polls open 6am-9pm depending on state)
I messed up and missed early voting last cycle. Waited 90 minutes in rain. Never again.
Where to Actually Find Reliable Info
Social media lies. These don't:
- Ballotpedia.org – Candidate pages showing voting records
- Vote.gov – Official registration portal (check your status!)
- 538.com Polling Averages – Aggregates all major polls
- Local Board of Elections – Your county's website has polling locations
Quick Answers to Top Voter Questions
Can Trump legally run after indictments?
Yes. Constitution only requires natural-born citizenship, age 35+, and 14 years US residency. No felony restrictions. Unprecedented? Absolutely.
Why isn't Biden debating Democrats?
Incumbent presidents rarely debate primary challengers. Obama didn't in 2012, Bush didn't in 2004. Williamson's campaign sued over it though.
Will third parties spoil the election?
Potentially. In 2020, third parties got 2% nationally but 33,000 votes in Arizona where Biden won by 10,000. This year could be tighter.
How do I know if I'm registered?
Go to CanIVote.org – takes 30 seconds. Found out my registration lapsed when I moved. Saved me election day chaos.
Candidate Policy Cheat Sheet
Because nobody reads 80-page plans:
| Issue | Biden | Trump | Haley | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Tax corporations/wealthy, expand Child Tax Credit | 10% tariff on imports, extend 2017 tax cuts | Balance budget in 10 years, cut spending | $1.9T wealth tax, $15 min wage |
| Abortion | Codify Roe v Wade | "States should decide" | Federal ban after 15 weeks | No restrictions |
| Climate | Tax credits for EVs/solar | Drill more oil/gas | Nuclear energy investment | End fossil fuels by 2030 |
What Polls Actually Show Today
Latest national averages:
- Trump vs Biden: Trump +1.2% (within margin of error)
- Haley vs Biden: Biden +3.8%
- Kennedy draws equally from both parties (9% support)
But remember 2016? State polls matter more. Biden leads in Wisconsin (+4), Trump leads Georgia (+3).
How This Compares to Past Elections
Weirdest things about 2024:
- Most third-party candidates since 1992 (Perot year)
- Oldest major party candidates ever (Biden 81, Trump 78)
- First time since 1912 both candidates ran as incumbents
Frankly, I miss when candidates were under 70. Just saying.
When Candidates Might Drop Out
Based on fundraising and polling thresholds:
| Candidate | Cash on Hand | Drop-Out Threshold | Key State to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeSantis | $9.7 million | Below 10% in Iowa | Iowa Caucus (Jan 15) |
| Williamson | $890,000 | Loses NH primary badly | New Hampshire (Jan 23) |
Voting Logistics You Need
Save yourself headache:
- ID Requirements: Texas requires photo ID but California just needs utility bill
- Mail Voting Rules: All-mail in Colorado, excuses needed in New York
- Early Voting Locations: Usually county election offices or libraries
- Provisional Ballots: If registration issues, demand one! Counts if verified later
Final Reality Check
After tracking elections 20 years, here's my raw take: Polls shift fast. Debates change trajectories. October surprises happen. Honestly? Many voters won't decide until the last week. That's why understanding who's running for president matters – but watching how campaigns unfold matters more.
Bookmark this page. I update it every Tuesday with new polls, ballot changes, and campaign drops. Because figuring out who's running for president shouldn't require a political science degree.
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