With the 2024 U.S. elections just around the corner, things are starting to take on a certain. well, unpredictability. From the possible rise of third-party candidates to Big Tech's increasing influence, this election cycle may just prove to be one for the history books. But beyond the party rhetoric that has traditionally marked presidential contests, there's an entirely new dimension of challenges in store-from cyber threats to the risks of digital voting. Let's dive in.
Big Tech's Influence on the 2024 U.S. Elections
No one can be unaware anymore of the enormous influence that Big Tech companies, ranging from Facebook to Twitter and Google, exert over public opinion. This time, though, it may be even more profound. In this election, how social media giants frame political narratives-and potentially even influence election outcomes-has become one of the most contentious issues. According to critics, the algorithms boost certain content while suppressing other content, thus distorting perception among voters.
Besides, if anyone thinks that Big Tech companies can deliver an election through their ad policies or changing algorithms, it is not entirely a far-fetched idea. After all, in the 2020 elections, most social media platforms were said to amplify misinformation and perpetuate echo chambers. Candidates should be prepared for the sobering fact that in 2024, the tech titans will probably play a more important role than ever.
The Growing Concern Over Digital Voting Risks
More are voting online, and with the rise in digital voting options, even the use of electronic machines to cast votes. As that may sound, this, too, is a potential cybersecurity nightmare. For quite a while, experts have warned that digital voting systems were vulnerable to hacking, data manipulation, and even foreign interference. Sure enough, the 2024 U.S. election is a good target for cyber-attacks.
Take, for example, the hacking attempts of the 2016 and 2020 elections; both raised questions about voting security. Now, with the election upon them in 2024, many have indeed wondered if enough has been done to protect the integrity of online or digital machine votes.
Will Third-Party Candidate Shake Up the 2024 Contest?
This time, though, there's a growing sense that third-party candidates could scramble the dynamics. Traditionally, third-party candidates have done little to affect the outcomes of US elections; more often than not, they end up as spoilers rather than contenders in earnest. But times are changing, and discontent with both major parties has opened just enough space that an outsider might actually make a difference.
Some voters are weary of the same old two-party system, and a robust third-party candidate could siphon support from both Republicans and Democrats, making the 2024 contest an unpredictable three-way affair.
Kamala Harris and Her Unlikely Endorsement
Perhaps one of the weirdest turns this election season seems to be the "endorsement" of Kamala Harris by no other than Vladimir Putin. Yes, you read that right. Putin, who in elections past has been known at least to give a gentle nod toward Republican candidates, seemed to catch many off guard when offering complimentary comments toward the Democratic vice president.
While Harris hasn't exactly welcomed this endorsement, it is an unusual development in the already strange election cycle. Some political analysts speculate that this may be another manner through which Putin seeks to stir some drama in U.S. politics and add a layer of complexity to an already tense competition.
What Does This All Mean for the Future?
If anything, the 2024 U.S. elections are shaping up to be anything but ordinary. From concerns over digital voting security and Big Tech's influence to a possible third-party candidate gaining traction, it's proving to be a different election for the voters. That does not even take into consideration international actors-Russia among them-who somehow always find a way to make things just a little more chaotic.
For now, we can only sit, wait, and watch the drama that unfolds before our very eyes. One thing's certain; this election is going to be one for the books.
