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With election day this past Tuesday, millions of Americans casted their votes throughout the nation. Many chose to vote absentee ballots while others made their way to the polls. While the ballots are counted, here are some of the candidates stances on some important topics:

Social Justice:

Biden: A mainstay of the Democratic party, social justice and political equality maintain a fundamental role in the platform of Joe Biden’s path to the presidency. Committing to ending discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, language, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability status, the Democratic party looks to further minority rights and maintain the principals of an egalitarian nation. Legislative actions such as the restoration of the Voting Rights Act and enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, will ensure the physical and political safety of minority groups and prevent racial profiling in addition to eliminating segregation. A consistent commitment to standing up against racism and bigotry in the nation’s laws, in the nation’s culture, in the nation’s policies, and in the nation’s society is of primary concern in the 2020 campaign of Biden and vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

Trump: After his first four years in office, President Trump claims he has proven to be an effective advocate for social justice. Achieving all-time lows in unemployment for minorities before the COVID-19 pandemic, President Trump put an emphasis on United States industry and growth, leading to a decrease in minority unemployment. Amidst the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the U.S. has seen an increase in call for social justice. President Trump has expressed his sorrow toward the situation, but criticizes groups like Black Lives Matter for past rioting and looting during social justice protests. Additionally, President Trump advocates for police in the U.S., which is sometimes viewed as an opposing viewpoint of the Black Lives Matter movement. Trump claims the movement is a step in the wrong direction for the black community.

Economy:

Biden: If elected, the Biden/Harris administration is committed to forging a new social and economic contract with the American people. Placing an emphasis on shared prosperity, this economic plan would affirm housing as a right not a privilege, ensure that no one will go homeless or hungry, raise wages, restore the ability to organize or join a union, and bring affordable banking and financial services to all citizens. Investments in infrastructure, clean energy, and small businesses will create equity and mobility for individuals who have been segregated or disenfranchised. Additionally, a major initiative will be created in order to rebuild and strengthen the middle class, giving all citizens the opportunity to thrive economically.

Trump: Economically, President Trump produced a successful term prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. During his first few years in office, President Trump oversaw a 2.5 percent annual growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The White House has led America to one of the best economic presidencies in 25 years. Despite the early success, the economy has plummeted due to COVID-19. With small businesses closing and record high numbers of unemployment rates, the next President of the United States has a tough task ahead of him. If re-elected, President Trump plans to lower all tax rates, especially when growth is discouraged while simultaneously freeing markets, attempting to increase take home pay. Internationally, the Trump/Pence administration will continue to enact fair trade deals to protect jobs in America, creating a potential rebound to COVID-19’s impact on the economy.

Environment:

Biden: Another primary interest within the Democratic platform is the sustainability and health of the global environment. Due to the consistent increase in natural disasters and global temperature, the Democratic party supports dramatic legislative reform in order to significantly reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. As a timeline for this improvement, the party believes that the United States should achieve a net-zero emission of greenhouse gasses as soon as possible, but no later than 2050. In conjunction with this environmental reform, the Biden/Harris duo is using the idea of alternative energy to stimulate the economy and strengthen the middle class. Increased funding of these programs will create millions of family supporting jobs that will help develop and expand both the environmental and economic institutions of America. The result of these programs will create over 500 million solar panels and 60,000 wind turbines in only five years.

Trump: Growing changes in the world’s environment has encouraged The White House to take action. Over the past four years, the President has enacted plans to increase air quality and reduce emissions. According to Chairman of the Council of Environmental Quality Mary Neumayr, emissions of common air pollutants declined by seven percent since 2017 and will continue to decline in the coming years. Along with reducing emissions, President Trump has begun modernizing water sources and signed an executive order, promoting the conservation and regeneration of the nation’s forests. The Trump/Pence administration will continue to pursue environmental advances if re-elected.

Coronavirus:

Biden: The Biden/Harris administration has created a comprehensive plan to combat and mitigate the social, economic and political effects of COVID-19. The plan is a decisive public health response that ensures the wide availability of free testing, the elimination of all cost barriers to preventive care and treatment for COVID-19, the development of a vaccine, and the full deployment and operation of necessary supplies, personnel, and facilities. In addition to the preventative health measures, a planned economic response will include emergency paid leave for all those affected by the outbreak and gives all necessary help to workers, families, and small businesses that are hit hard by this crisis.

Trump: President Trump is pushing for a COVID-19 vaccine come the end of 2020. Many believe a vaccine won’t come until after the election and are losing trust in the President. Trump was faced with allegations in which reports claim he knew about the severity of COVID-19 and kept it away from the American people. Despite the allegations and battling through COVID-19 himself, President Trump plans to rebuild the economy through a recovery from the pandemic. If re-elected, Trump plans to distribute possible vaccines as soon as possible, creating jobs and saving millions of lives.