Editor’s Note: 

As college students and members of Generation Z, many members of The Slate staff will be voting for president of the United States for the first time on Nov. 5.

As student journalists, we value, respect and engage in the political process, and we understand the role that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania plays in national politics. We know what is at stake in this state and across the country during this election.

That is why The Slate Editorial Board has made the decision to endorse Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris for president in 2024. 

The Slate has not endorsed a presidential candidate in every election, but this is not the first time our organization has taken this step. This election is not one that anyone should sit out, and we are blessed with a platform and opportunity to have a voice. As journalists, we also have a duty to speak out when we see things going wrong.

This decision was made after several discussions and votes among editorial staff. The decision was not unanimous, and an opposing viewpoint can be found in our Opinion section. This endorsement does not represent the view of every individual member of The Slate staff, but rather the majority opinion of the Editorial Board. 

The Slate does not represent the official opinions or political stances of Shippensburg University.

Every four years, America becomes saturated with political messaging and partisan bickering. This year is no different. 

For many people, this onslaught of information is overwhelming and discourages them from engaging in a conversation that seemingly becomes more offensive with each passing day. 

In this election, voters are presented with two choices: Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. In the opinion of The Slate Editorial Board, Harris is the correct choice.

In the name of journalistic integrity, The Slate has repeatedly contacted both campaigns over the last few months with hopes of giving both coverage in our paper. 

We have been denied media access nearly 10 times by the Trump campaign, while Harris’ team has been accomodating. We have traveled to Lancaster, York, Wilkes-Barre and Carlisle and felt firsthand the so-called “joyful warrior” energy that has revitalized Democratic voters. 

Much of that energy comes from middle class voters, who are the backbone of the American economy. Harris’ campaign has focused on her promises to build up the middle class and create an “opportunity economy” that gives everyone a path toward success. 

Harris’ plan includes several policies that would support the working people of this country. That includes tax cuts to working families and families with newborn children. 

Her plan would provide $25,000 to support first-time homebuyers and help build more housing to address the current housing crisis. 

Policies directed at lowering the cost of healthcare, education and energy are all a part of her economic vision, which is aimed squarely at bolstering the middle class. 

Trump, on the other hand, plans to establish blanket tariffs on imports, a policy that would increase costs for a typical family upward of $2,600 a year.

Trump has previously promised to repeal the Affordable Care Act, a decision which would remove protections for those with preexisting conditions like asthma. 

On top of policy differences, millions of Americans will cast their vote for Harris because of the clear and present danger that Trump presents to American democracy and institutions.

The Slate does not have the budget to afford the number of pages it would take to fully detail each and every way that Donald Trump has proven himself to be a serious threat to our rule of law.

He has vowed to be a dictator on day one.

He has called for “one rough hour” of policing.

He said his political rivals are “the enemy from within” and are more dangerous than Russia.

He said CBS should lose its license for conducting an interview of Kamala Harris he did not like and that Fox News should stop featuring anti-Trump guests.

He has called for the “termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution.”

Since Trump came down an escalator nearly a decade ago, voters have been perpetually gaslit by his supporters and right-wing media. They have said his actions are no more than “mean tweets” and “locker room talk,” or that he simply does not mean what he is saying, even when confronted with his direct quotes.

Trump gaslights the public himself. He continues to refute the results of the 2020 election, while he sows doubt to the integrity of the 2024 election. 

His pick for vice president admitted they are willing to make things up.

Trump has previously said that Jan. 6, 2021, was a “day of love” and that “I never said lock her up,” in reference to his 2016 attacks on Hillary Clinton. Those are just examples from this year. 

Time and time again, Trump has shown himself to be a pathological liar. During his presidency, Trump lied over 30,000 times, according to the Washington Post. His running mate complained during a debate over moderators calling out blatant lies. 

It is time for the era of Trump to end. The Republican Party can and should return to normalcy, but it must have the courage to accept that there is life beyond Donald Trump. They should unite with Kamala Harris and agree that it is, as she says, “time to turn the page.”

A vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz is a vote for an administration that will welcome Republican voices and represent all Americans, as an administration should. Trump, meanwhile, has threatened to weaponize the military against those who do not support him.

A vote for Harris/Walz is a vote for an administration that will allow for criticisms to be heard and addressed and for you to continue to have a voice in the political process. 

Trump constantly proves that he is in this race for himself, and in a second administration without concerns about winning reelection, he will put his interests over those of his constituents more than ever. 

When you find yourself in the ballot box, know what side of history you want to be on. 

There is only one serious ticket in this race, and that is Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

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