Picking a President
On November 8, Americans will elect the next president of the United States. Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are the main candidates for the job.
From left: Tim Kaine and Hillary Clinton speak at a rally at Temple University, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Donald Trump and Mike Pence speak about the economy at a meeting in Detroit, Michigan.
ANDREW HARNIK—AP; BILL PUGLIANO—GETTY IMAGESIn 2008, Barack Obama was elected president. He took office in January 2009. He is now completing his second term
term
HULTON ARCHIVE—GETTY IMAGES
a fixed period of time
(noun)
Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to four terms as president of the United States.
. In 2017, Americans will have a new president. Who will it be? Voters will make their choice on Election Day. This year, it is on Tuesday, November 8.
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are the two main candidates for president. They had a busy summer.
On the Campaign Trail
In July, Trump and his choice for vice president, Mike Pence, were officially nominated at the Republican National Convention. It took place in Cleveland, Ohio. “In the race to the White House, I am the law-and-order candidate,” Trump said in his speech.
Supporters enthusiastically greet Donald Trump at a campaign stop in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
GASTON DE CARDENAS—AFP/GETTY IMAGESTrump is a businessman. He and his family run a real-estate company in New York. In his campaign, Trump has said he will cut taxes and create jobs. He says he will be tough on illegal immigration
immigration
the act of coming to live permanently in a country other than your own
(noun)
A desire for freedom and opportunity inspired immigration into the United States.
. He wants to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico.
Clinton and her pick for vice president, Tim Kaine, also accepted their party’s nomination in July. “We have to decide whether we will all work together so we can rise together,” Clinton said at the Democratic National Convention. It took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She promised to create jobs and improve education. She also said she would protect Americans from terrorism and gun violence.
Clinton was first lady from 1993 to 2001. That is when her husband, Bill Clinton, was president. From 2001 to 2009, she was a senator from New York. She was secretary of state from 2009 to 2013. If Clinton wins the election, she will become the country’s first woman president.
Hillary Clinton takes a selfie with young fans at John Marshall High School, in Cleveland, Ohio.
JEFF SWENSEN—GETTY IMAGESAbout two months are left until Election Day. The candidates are traveling around the country to meet with supporters.
On September 26, Trump and Clinton will meet for the first of three presidential debates. Two more debates are scheduled to take place on October 9 and 19. A vice-presidential debate between Pence and Kaine is set for October 4. Expect tough talk as the candidates make their case to voters. Will you be watching?
Meet the Kid Reporters
A person must be at least 18 years old to vote. But people of all ages can follow the election. Read special coverage of this summer’s political conventions from TFK Kid Reporters Maple Buescher, 13 (top), and Olivia Branan, 12, at timeforkids.com/election16.
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