By Philo Yunrui Wang
The day after Election Day, the “Lifelong Learning for All” speaker series at Plattsburgh Public Library hosted a post-election analysis, offering SUNY Plattsburgh students and community members insights into the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
With the election results stirring complex emotions and concerns, three political science professors from SUNY Plattsburgh, Raymond Carman, John McMahon and Daniel Lake, provided a comprehensive breakdown of election outcomes, voting trends and their broader implications.
POLITICAL POWER, POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Carman began by summarizing the election’s outcomes, highlighting that Trump won at least 295 electoral votes, with projections estimating an increase if trends hold, which surpass his 2016 performance.
“The Republican party gained ground in the Senate, securing at least 52 seats with potential for more pending final counts, which gives the administration critical control over judicial appointments and cabinet approvals,” Carman said.
Carman illustrated the tangible effects these changes could have, from the Supreme Court to individuals’ lives.
“If current conservative justices retire during Trump’s term, their replacements could solidify a deeply conservative court for decades,” Carman said. “We could see attempts to re-litigate rights we thought were settled, such as same-sex marriage, contraception access and even fundamental privacy protections.”
BEYOND THE BALLOT
“What we’ve seen following Trump’s first term is a mobilization not limited to formal politics but one where people increasingly take to social movements to express their values,” McMahon said.
McMahon acknowledged the rollback of rights would disproportionately impact racial minorities and the economically vulnerable, and the frustration many felt. He also urged attendees to view civic engagement as extending beyond the ballot box, turning to the social ramifications.
“The way forward isn’t only voting but also supporting and building grassroots networks that stand against injustice,” McMahon said.
FOREIGN POLICY
“If allies in Europe and Asia suffer due to Trump’s historically transactional approach, which seeks to solidify their defense strategies independently, it could lead to greater global instability.” Lake said.
Lake provided an outlook on how Trump’s foreign policy might impact global alliances and domestic stability, as well as the economic consequences.
“With increased tariffs and an unpredictable trade environment exacerbating inflation, Americans are likely to see price spikes, especially if trade policies limit imports,” he said.
EMOTIONAL RESPONSES
Throughout the evening, attendees expressed their anxieties about the country’s future and the personal implications of these shifts. As the discussion opened to questions, one audience member raised concerns about parallels to authoritarianism in other historical contexts, which McMahon acknowledged thoughtfully.
“Authoritarian regimes often rise with citizen disengagement,” McMahon said. “If we care about the future, we must stay engaged in ways that uplift our communities, especially as democratic norms face unprecedented tests.”
COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT
The “Lifelong Learning for All Speaker Series,” a monthly event co-organized by Ben Carman, director of Plattsburgh Public Library and professor Raymond Carman, strives to make expert knowledge accessible to the public.
Created to encourage open dialogue, the series allows community members to engage with topics ranging from judicial decisions to electoral outcomes in an accessible setting.
This month’s speaker series underscored the importance of informed community engagement, especially during politically divisive times. The evening served as both a call to action and a reminder that, even in challenging times, collective resilience remains a powerful force.
