Welcome to The Hill News’ live 2024 general election coverage. Throughout the coming week, our election press team will continue to update this page with our published articles, highlighting the contours of the 2024 presidential election, Pennsylvania’s role in the race for control of Congress and the election’s impact on the Hill community. Make sure to also stay updated through The Hill News’ social media, following us on Instagram @hillnews. Reach out to editors-in-chief Emerson Leger ([email protected]) and Kiern Lim ([email protected]) to get involved.
Editors’ note:
The Hill News holds our journalistic integrity high and actively works to keep news reporting apolitical and keep opinion content equal among differing political parties. We believe that unbiased news reporting is of the utmost importance and the only way to ensure an informed student body. Through thorough writing, editing, and fact checking, The Hill News has a 125-year history of providing the highest quality student journalism in the country. We continue this tradition through our political coverage. It is our hope that our work not only educates our readers, but also moves them to be engaged citizens of both this country and the world.
End-of-night election summary
By Kiern Lim, Editor-in-Chief
As the clock neared midnight and students returned to their dorms, many crucial races draw to a close. Former president Donald Trump won North Carolina, a major swing state, according to the Associated Press. Trump also leads by thin margins in swing states Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Arizona.
The U.S. Senate and House races, however, remained far from decided. Republicans so far have flipped two seats in the Senate. Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio conceded his election against Bernie Moreno. Furthermore, Republican Jim Justice sailed to a massive victory in West Virginia, gaining the seat vacated by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin. In the House, 60 seats remain undetermined. The election is expected to be close, and it could take days or weeks to complete counting.
The statewide Pennsylvania races remain undecided. Neither party has won the Pennsylvania House or Senate, with 8 seats remaining to be called in the State Senate and 85 left in the State House.
Photo Essay: Hill community members cast their vote and volunteer their time
By Emerson Leger ’25, Editor-in-Chief
Faculty and staff made their way to the Ricketts Center, the local polling station, to cast their vote for the 2024 presidential election. They show their patriotism through their action of voting for the America they want to see these next four years.
“I voted because I believe in democracy, that our voices should be heard, and that civic engagement is vital to being a good community member,” said Danna Singer, Instructor of Arts.
Click to read the rest of the article and view the complete photo gallery.
Virginia and North Carolina take center stage
By Ella Ross ’26, Staff Writer
As the election unfolds, the spotlight turns to battleground states, specifically Virginia and North Carolina. In the current election, Kamala trails Trump by a mere 1% in Virginia—a stark contrast from the previous election, where Biden secured victory in Virginia by a significant 10% margin. Although only 50% of votes have been reported, the votes are currently shifting rapidly. North Carolina reflects Virginia’s tumultuous political scene, showing its battleground status. The margins in the past elections were razor-thin, as Biden and Trump were separated by just 1.3% in 2020, and the current differential standing at an uncertain 3.3%. Yet, with only 52% of ballots counted, there’s still more than ample opportunity for dramatic changes as votes continue to trickle in from polling centers across both states. As these battleground states take center stage, their outcomes can sway the entire election. The eyes of the nation are on Virginia and North Carolina, as the results of these states could ultimately decide the victor of the 2024 election.
Suburbs prove to be crucial in presidential election
By Lexi Lubczenko ’25, Sports Editor
Suburbs, like Pottstown, PA., will be decisive in deciding the election. Several states have tight races with battles out in the suburbs, two of the most suspenseful at the moment being Virginia and Pennsylvania. Virginia is a nail-biter, with Trump leading 49.3 percent to Harris’ 48.7%. But as votes in the suburban counties are counted, Harris is gaining traction. In Richmond, Harris leads with 55% of the votes counted. In Fairfax, where the count is 90% complete, she is currently leading with 66% of the votes.
Pennsylvania suburbs deepen the voting battleground. As Philadelphia’s suburbs are counted, they show staggering support for Harris, as she leads 86% to Trump’s 12% of the votes in the region. The suburbs around the city also revealed to lean more towards Harris (in Bucks and Lehigh, she claims over 62% so far), but as you drive out, the forecast seems to change quickly. In Montgomery County, where we are, she leads 75% to Trump’s 23% of votes so far.
Polls close in Pennsylvania
By Ibrahim Ekmekci ’25, Staff Writer
Polls closed at 8.p.m in Pennsylvania. With 8% of the votes counted so far, Harris is at 70.9% whereas Trump remains at 28.9%. In the senatorial race Democratic incumbent Bob Casey takes the lead with a percentage of 69.2% whereas his closest rival Republican Dave McCormick sits at 28.6%. The same trend is also visibly seen in the House election where Democrats have gained 3 seats so far. The majority of the votes have been counted in urban areas.
Poll conducted by AP Government students reveals divided campus
By Abigail Rice ’26, Social Media Manager
A recent political poll of the Hill student body conducted by AP Government classes revealed a deeply divided campus. The results showed an especially wide rift between across gender lines.
The survey included various questions about demographics, gender, voting eligibility, and preferred candidates. The survey was designed by Instructor of History Nicholas Malinak for his AP Government Class.
“The goal was to work on our skills designing a poll, to practice our ability to analyze data, to get a better sense of the Hill student population’s political beliefs, and to compare with the Hill News poll in order to see how different polls can vary in their results,” Malinak explained.
Click to read the rest of the article and view in-depth analysis of the AP Government poll.
AP Government students meet Rep. Madeleine Dean
By Kiern Lim ’25, Editor-in-Chief
On Election Day, some AP Government students were surprised with the unique opportunity at the Ricketts Center, a local community center and polling location, to talk with Democratic Rep. Madeleine Dean, who is currently running for reelection for the position of US representative for Pennsylvania’s 4th congressional district. The district includes almost all of Montgomery County, the county that Hill is located in.
Click to read the rest of the article.
Trump vs. Harris: Where they stand on key election issues
By Abigail Rice ’26, Social Media Manager
We have all seen political advertisements on YouTube, google, and social media, with each candidate pointing out a “flaw” in their opponent or their plans. From climate change to their economic policies, Harris and Trump have very different visions for what the next four years would look like in the United States under their presidency.
Click to read the rest of the article
The clock ticks as Pennsylvania’s elections near
By Ethan Luo ’26, Staff Writer
There is less than a few weeks until Election Day, Nov. 5 — and political fever burns higher than ever. With the spotlight on former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris vying for the presidency, another key battleground lies just within the borough of Pottstown, the 4th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, and the state as a whole.
Click to read the rest of the article.
Club statements: Political club leaders endorse 2024 presidential candidates
By Hilton Johnson ’25, Young Democrats president, and Constantine Kontes ’25, Young Republicans president
Politics can often be perceived as too controversial or sensitive for a high school campus. The Young Democrats and the Young Republicans clubs are two political organizations at Hill that foster a safe, yet dynamic, environment for political discussion, and enable students to openly discuss their political opinions. Both Hill’s political student clubs work toward fostering a healthy environment for political discourse and behavior that are essential to the continuation of a diverse school.
Click to read all political club endorsements.
Do revived political clubs contribute to campus democracy or make it more divided?
By Adam Yao ’26, Arts & Leisure Editor
Hill has always been a place where students can be informed and have civil discussions about the world outside of Hill, and that had been the objective of the Young Democrats and the Young Republicans clubs of the past, to varying success. Many people have raised objections to the reintroduction of these groups, and some Hill students are concerned that their presence may polarize the student body even further. However, with new leaders and new ideals, others are excited about what the future of these clubs might hold. In order to learn more about these two clubs and their objectives and goals, there were two interviews conducted, one with the leaders of the Young Republicans club and one with the leader of the Young Democrats club.
Click to read the rest of the article.
DUELING OPINION: Should abortion still have a place in U.S. politics?
By Elisabeth Rankin ’25 and Conlan Boyer ’25, Staff Writers
Access to reproductive rights is one of the dividing questions in across high school campuses. In our opinion section, two students debate the legality of abortion and its place in U.S. politics. Rankin argues that abortion has been a long, historied practice in the U.S. and should be protected. Boyer, on the other hand, argues that abortion violates one of the central tenets of Christianity and threatens the protection of life everywhere.
Click to read both columns in our continued series of dueling opinions.
Hill prepares for upcoming 2024 presidential election
By Kara Finley ’26, Staff Writer
Tuesday, Nov. 5, will mark the 60th presidential election in the United States. Hill’s campus is buzzing with anticipation from eligible and non-eligible voters alike.
Hill has been trying to prepare students for the upcoming election through voter registration for those old enough and education on the democratic process for all. Eric Khong, Dean of Equity and Inclusion, has been involved in the preparations for election day. Khong has experience working with groups that promote expanding voting access, such as Advancing Justice Atlanta. He has worked with Hill to prepare voter registration drives and town halls. These meetings will not only help eligible students register to vote, but also educate them about the democratic process.
Click to read more, including political polling conducted by The Hill News.