American voters will have a distinct choice for president on election day with Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris running against Republican Donald Trump. Their platforms present differing visions and policies on various pressing issues.

Harris has emphasized that her primary focus would be to lower food and housing expenses for working families. She aims to prohibit price gouging on groceries, assist first-time home buyers, and provide incentives to boost the housing supply. While inflation surged during the Biden administration due to post-Covid supply chain disruptions and the Ukraine conflict, it has since decreased. Trump, on the other hand, has pledged to combat inflation and make living costs more manageable by advocating for increased oil drilling to reduce energy prices. He claims he can lower interest rates—though this is not directly within presidential control—and suggests deporting undocumented immigrants could alleviate housing market pressures. However, economists caution that his plan to raise import taxes might drive prices higher.

On tax policy, Harris intends to increase taxes on large corporations and individuals earning $400,000 or more annually while proposing measures to lessen the tax load on families through expanded child tax credits. She diverges from Biden on capital gains tax, supporting a moderate rise compared to Biden’s more drastic increase. Trump proposes extensive tax cuts amounting to trillions of dollars, including an extension of his 2017 reductions that primarily benefitted wealthier individuals. He believes these cuts will be financed through economic growth and import tariffs, although analysts predict both candidates' plans could exacerbate the national deficit.

Harris has made reproductive rights a central tenet of her campaign, pushing for legislation to protect these rights at a national level. In contrast, Trump has struggled with a consistent stance on abortion, despite having appointed Supreme Court judges who played a significant role in overturning Roe v. Wade.

In addressing immigration, Harris aims to tackle root causes contributing to border issues and has previously secured significant private funding for regional investments to curb migration. She has adopted a firmer approach in this campaign based on her background as a prosecutor dealing with human trafficking cases. Trump promises strict border control by completing wall construction and enhancing enforcement measures while advocating for mass deportations of undocumented migrants.

Regarding foreign policy, Harris pledges unwavering support for Ukraine against Russian aggression and aims for the U.S. to prevail in global competitions with China. She advocates for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine while calling for an end to hostilities in Gaza. Conversely, Trump favors an isolationist approach and claims he could resolve the Ukraine conflict swiftly through negotiations with Russia.

On environmental issues, Harris contributed significantly to initiatives promoting renewable energy as part of the Biden administration but has softened her previous opposition to fracking. Trump’s record includes rolling back numerous environmental protections during his presidency and advocating for expanded drilling activities.

Healthcare discussions have also been pivotal; Harris supports measures that reduce prescription drug costs while Trump has expressed intentions to improve the Affordable Care Act without detailing how he would achieve this.

As the election approaches, both candidates are defining their platforms amid intense scrutiny from voters eager for change or continuity in leadership.