This post was updated Oct. 31 at 7:15 p.m.

We are nearly at the eve of the 2024 American presidential election. As the field of candidates has crystallized and unprecedented historical events have reshaped the race for the White House, it’s clear this may be one of the most consequential election years in our lifetimes. In this edition of “A Difference of Opinion Columnists,” three Opinion writers reflect on the reasons why they’re supporting Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

Harris has most of us in mind – Russell Ahmed

Humans dedicate a large portion of their time on Earth to one another because those around us illuminate and give meaning to our day-to-day lives.

Societal and institutional pressures notwithstanding, humans are nothing without a strong foundation of meaningful relationships. But it is difficult to partake in this beautiful interplay without a baseline level of selflessness.

It is impossible to be an effective president of the United States without a humanistic desire to care for others. This is a quality that former President Donald Trump has never possessed.

Never have I seen a public figure work so tirelessly to chip away at the fabric of our nation’s shared humanity in the most outlandish ways. If his tactics weren’t so problematic – and if they didn’t have such a grip on over 40% of our nation – I might even be impressed.

Vice President Harris, on the other hand, allows selflessness to guide not only her rhetoric but also many of her goals. Harris is not concerned with maintaining power or making the rich any richer. She is concerned with making Americans’ lives better.

Harris’ goals are well defined, despite what Trump and his circle might lead you to believe. And the imperatives for her campaign are wide-reaching – spanning socioeconomic, racial, cultural and gendered divides.

In this way, Harris embraces America’s differences so that we may address its flaws – flaws that have been festering for many, many years.

Kamala Harris: For the pursuit of progress – Reid Sperisen

Since the issuing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the American Dream has been consistently rooted in the pursuit of progress.

Nearly 250 years later, the core values of our nation remain the same: to continuously improve upon the U.S.’ promise of freedom for all.

Vice President Harris is the presidential candidate best equipped to move our freedoms forward.

Harris’ policy proposals aim to reinforce our liberty. Harris’ vision points toward tackling critical issues by reinstating Roe v. Wade’s reproductive health protections, increasing affordable housing and emphasizing climate action.

Admittedly, Harris has critics. Her record on crime is not perfect, and she still struggles to establish a political identity independent from President Joe Biden.

But Harris’ shortcomings are miniscule compared to former President Trump’s irreparable downfalls. Trump was convicted of 34 felony charges in a case brought in a New York court tied to his hush money scandal and faces three other criminal indictments. His own former chief of staff called him a fascist. To allow Trump to return to the White House could spell disaster for our democracy – as evidenced by his role in inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

By comparison, Harris and her running mate Tim Walz offer an optimistic vision for our country. Harris exemplifies the America that I want to live in – a nation that is built upon unity, acceptance and ambition for positive change.

A vote for any candidate other than Harris is a vote to send our nation backward. To embrace hope for our country’s future, Harris is the only viable choice on the presidential ballot.

The flawed compromise: Harris – Bockman Cheung

Harris is bad. Vote Harris.

Let us consider the two major candidates’ positions on some of our most pressing issues.

Climate crisis: Trump completely denies the most serious existential threat of our century, repeating the dreadful “Drill, baby, drill” slogan. At least Harris acknowledged that climate change is not a hoax. But her position is questionable: She made clear during the debate that she will not ban fracking, a fossil fuel extraction method. During her vice presidency, the country broke the record of crude oil production at 12.9 million barrels per day in 2023.

Immigration: In his latest instance of hateful anti-immigration rhetoric, Trump said the U.S. is a “garbage can for the world” and repeatedly doubled down on his promise to carry out mass deportations, separating millions of families. Harris did not defend immigration as actually good for job growth and the economy, instead bragging about her history of prosecuting smugglers on the campaign website.

Foreign policy: Both candidates are staunch supporters of Israel in its ongoing genocide in the Gaza strip and Lebanon. Harris repeated that she will not put an embargo on weapons to Israel, while Trump told Netanyahu to “Do what you have to do.”

There is still much more to talk about, but it is clear that Harris does not defend progressive positions. And besides, she also said she will basically not do much differently from Biden’s deeply unpopular presidency. Yet, Trump’s views are far more right-wing and dangerous, so Harris is the only realistic choice.

In our system, which Bernie Sanders called an “oligarchy,” we have to compromise – once again.