2024 United States Presidential Election (Legacy of the Civil War)

The 2024 United States Presidential Election was the 60th quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. In the first election since the Second American Civil War, incumbent Patriot President Donald Trump defeated two challengers, the Unity ticket of Evan McMullin and former Senator Joe Manchin, and the Liberty ticket of Trump's first Vice President Mike Pence and former Representative Liz Cheney.

The post-war Patriot Rally, formed as a union of various pro-Trump groups, PACs, parties, and organizations, nominated Trump with zero opposition months before the party convention even began. With the Vice Presidency vacant, Trump selected Michael Flynn, one of his chief war advisors, as his running mate. Meanwhile, the disjointed opposition was split. McMullin soon emerged as a leading opposition candidate and formed the Unity & Growth Party in April. McMullin, a leading critic of Trump's, attempted to forge a big-tent campaign and selected former West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin as his running mate.

McMullin had originally intended to forge an alliance with former Vice President Mike Pence, another anti-Trump leader, however, a disagreement over internal policy led Pence to form his own party, the Liberty Party, which he billed as the "true Conservative" group against the Patriots. Pence selected former Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney as his running mate.

Issues of the election were widespread, but mainly focused on the still struggling post-war economy, international relations, the reintegration of states, and in general the rebuilding of America. This was the first election to be supervised by the military, and the third consecutive election in which one of the major party tickets included a woman.

On election day, Trump handily won his second term, trouncing both McMullin and Pence, making Trump the first President since Grover Cleveland to serve two non-consecutive terms.

Background
Following the finale defeat of CLA forces in the Battle of New York in February of 2024, acting President Donald Trump immediately began the process of rebuilding the economy and country.

Patriot Nomination
After the formation of the Patriot Rally in early March, the party's leadership immediately renominated Trump for the presidency, while Trump searched for a suitable running mate, while leading the nation as it clawed out of civil war. Ron DeSantis was offered the position by Mark Meadows, one of Trump's chief officers, but he declined, citing his need to remain in Florida as it recovered.

As Trump tended to the needs of the nation, his officers sifted through many possible running mates, including Josh Hawley, Elise Stefanik, Kristi Noem, Tim Scott, and Greg Gianforte. Eventually, Trump himself selected Michael Flynn, the Field Marshall of the Patriot Army. The two were officially nominated at the Patriot Convention in August of 2024.

Unity Nomination
With the end of the war and the possibility of total collapse averted, and as the nation slowly returned to squabbling politics, Evan McMullin soon became the de facto leader of those opposed to Trump and his fellows. McMullin formed the Unity & Growth Party in April, billing it as big-tent. In what was effectively a sham primary, McMullin was easily chosen by his own party, defeating several minor challengers.

Former Senator Joe Manchin was soon convinced by McMullin to serve as the latter's running mate, and both men were nominated at the Unity Convention in August. The McMullin/Manchin campaign (often referred to by opponents as the M&Ms) would be the first and last ticket ever fielded by the Unity Party, as it would merge into the Labor Party in 2031.

Debates
In total, there were three debates, two betwixt the nominees and one betwixt the running mates. While Trump had initially wanted Pence barred from the debates, he did agree eventually to a debate with both McMullin and Pence.

Ballot Access
In several states, such as South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Montana, and Idaho, the Liberty ticket was denied ballot access, while in Indiana, North Dakota, and Mississippi the Unity ticket was denied access.