2024 is the year of change. Aptly named ‘election year’, millions of people, in over 60 countries, will be voting this year in elections that will impact the lives of almost half the entire world population. The significance of the vote cannot be stressed enough, giving the public, even those far from power, a chance to be heard in the tumultuous sea of politics. Yet, even with the promise of power, choice and free will when one casts their vote into the ballot, the importance of voting in the public eye has dwindled, as voter turnout globally has decreased this past decade. In this article, I will explain a couple of the most important elections happening this year, to hopefully remind you why it is essential to get involved.

For us here in the UK, the imminent parliamentary elections will be the most significant. According to recent statistics, this year 43% of us plan to vote for the Labour Party under Keir Starmer, while 24% lean towards Conservative, the current party in power led by PM Rishi Sunak. While one can never be certain of results, this demonstrates a significant shift in long-held attitudes; the Conservatives have been in power for almost 14 years. Influences such as the housing crisis and the cost of living crisis and the NHS crisis have made voters, even Tory supporters who are simply fed up with the government, to opt for a change as life under the Conservative government seems to be marked with one particular recurring theme: crisis.

Furthermore, on the 5th of November, the US’s 60th presidential election will take place. The main contenders are Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump. Trump’s political history is, simply put, rocky. Since losing the presidency, he has been involved in four criminal cases, with 34 counts of ‘falsifying business records’ yet shockingly, has a very equal chance of winning against current President Biden. One key factor is that Trump’s supporters are nothing if not loyal, even attacking the Capitol on January 6th 2021 in a violent raid to keep Trump as President. Despite a stubborn attitude, scandalous background and questionable views, Trump has won the unwavering support of many Americans. If a second Trump presidency was to become a reality in these turbulent times around the world, its impact cannot be underestimated.

India, currently the most populated country in the world, will be holding similar elections to decide its new government, and the incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi expects to be re-elected despite his polarising public image.

It is clear that around the world, people want change. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, life has been defined by uncertainty. However, the future does not have to be the same; simply by casting your vote, you have the chance to decide how your country is run. Not yet voting age? Educating yourself on various political stances and world politics is key to ensuring you too can make an informed decision when the time comes.