Biden’s age: As the oldest sitting US president at 81 years old, Biden’s age has always drawn some criticism. But a special counsel report that questioned his memory sparked a furious response from Biden and put the issue back in the spotlight. Meanwhile, major polls show most US adults think he’s too old or not fit enough to serve another term.

Trump’s legal woes: The former president has a list of state and federal investigations and lawsuits. This year alone, he’s already suffered more than half a billion dollars in court penalties. His first criminal trial — tied to the Stormy Daniels scandal — is set to kick off later this month.

Trump’s vice president: Trump’s running mate remains a question mark, with plenty of options. Possible Trump VPs include Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, and Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota.

The state of the economy and market: Voters often use the stock market as a barometer for a president’s performance. The same goes for the wider economy. After a market downturn in 2022, stocks have returned to record highs under Biden. But stubborn inflation means the risk of a potential recession still looms.

Geopolitical issues abound: The level of US involvement in the wars in Gaza and Ukraine is an ongoing debate in Washington. Meanwhile, tensions with China remain high, including the potential escalation of the ongoing trade war.

The Taylor effect: You might want to dismiss the superstar’s influence, but her impact this fall on the NFL shows no stage is too big. Swift backed Biden in 2020 but didn’t endorse either candidate when she told her fans to vote on Super Tuesday. Those around Trump have attacked Swift, but the former president has steered clear of personally criticizing her thus far.