It is less than 24 hours to the November 5 2024 US Election. Polls are showing a tight race between Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump.

More than 77.6 million votes have already being casted in what pundits have termed as the most ‘consequential’ election.

But what are the policies of the two leading candidates? What do they stand for and how do their policies compare and contrast?

Tax policies

Vice President Kamala Harris is advocating for the increase of taxes on big businesses and Americans making $400,000 (KSh50,000,000) a year. Kamala has indicated her desire to raise top corporate tax rate to 28% from 21%.

Former President Donald Trump, on the other hand, wants to reduce this tax to 15%-20% from 21%, which will be an extension of his 2017 cuts, which economic pundits said it mostly helped the wealthy.

Trump intends to make up for these tax cuts through higher growth and tariffs on imports.

Trade policies

Both Kamala and Trump have communicated a protectionist tone when it comes to trade policies.

In a bid to protect US industry, Trump has proposed a new 10-20% tariffs on most imported foreign goods. But he has specifically proposed an even much higher tariff (60%) on goods from China.

And by his lower rate of corporate tax, Trump believes companies will be enticed to stay in the US to manufacture goods.

For Kamala, she has proposed tariffs targeted at industry and geopolitical rivals, including Chinese technology products.

Healthcare policies

Both Kamala and Trump have pledged to reduce drug prices once voted into office.

As Vice President, Kamala has been part of the Biden administration that has reduced the prescription drug costs, and even capped insulin prices at $35.

Democrats have indicated their desire to expand the number of drugs subject to new Medicare price negotiations and extend the Medicare inflation cap to private-sector drugs.

Trump, on the other hand, has called Kamala “a liar”, claiming that he never wanted to terminate the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — often called Obamacare. Trump now says that he will look into improving ACA, a policy that has been instrumental in getting health insurance to millions of Americans.

Republicans want to accelerate efforts to privatise Medicare, reduce payments to hospitals for outpatient care, and reduce Medicaid spending.

Immigration policy

Kamala has vowed to implement enhanced border enforcement on asylum seekers. The democrats are also favouring the support of a bipartisan border security bill that includes funding for additional border agents and technology to intercept drugs like fentanyl.

On the other hand, Trump has promised the biggest mass deportation of undocumented individuals, and restore funding for the completion of the wall on the U.S/Mexico border.

Trump is also favouring the implementation of substantially more restrictive immigration rules, including avenues for legal work and student visas.

Defence and Foreign policy

Both candidates have pledged to increase spending on national defence.

But while Kamala has vowed to maintain support for Ukraine “for as long as it takes”, Trump says he will reduce or eliminate financial/arms support for Ukraine, taking an isolationist foreign policy of the U.S disentangling itself from conflicts elsewhere in the world.

While Kamala says she will push for cease-fire in Israel-Hamas war, Trump has voiced support for Israel.

A Kamala administration will reiterate full support for NATO, while a Trump 2.0 administration will pressure NATO members to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defence.

Abortion

Kamala is a vocal proponent of reproductive rights, faulting Trump and Republicans for creating a “healthcare crisis” that has led to preventable deaths of women seeking abortion care.

She has advocated for the passing of legislation to restore the protection of Roe v. Wade, which the Supreme Court overturned in 2022. If successful in this, states will be blocked from banning abortion before fetal viability, or about 24 weeks of pregnancy.

If elected President, Kamala has vowed to veto (reject) any nationwide abortion ban.

Trump, on the other hand, prides himself in appointing the three supreme court judges who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. However, he has employed a much easier tone on the issue, insisting that abortion access should be left to the states. He has also pledged that as president, he will not sign a national abortion ban.

Trump has also pledged to make IVF (In vitro fertilisation) free for women.