This year's electoral campaign in the United States has coincided with Halloween celebrations, which are slightly more modest due to rising prices caused by inflation. Although participation in the holiday remains high, with seven out of ten citizens planning to join the festivities, Americans are expected to spend 5% less than the previous year.
According to the National Retail Federation, it is projected that this year Halloween spending will reach $11.6 billion, consolidating 2024 as the second year with the highest investment, just behind 2023 when spending surpassed $12.2 billion.
In Washington, in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, campaign signs supporting the Democratic candidate share space with typical Halloween decorations like pumpkins, cobwebs, skeletons, and ghosts. Some houses have adapted political themes to their decorations, such as one that has recreated a scene from the musical 'The Wizard of Oz' based on remarks by Kamala Harris comparing Donald Trump to the film's dwarf.
Elsewhere in the capital, two giant skeletons dressed in t-shirts representing each candidate greet neighbors, including a dog skeleton named Robert F. Kennedy Jr. symbolizing the lawyer's changing positions during the electoral campaign.
Although inflation has impacted Halloween plans for 53% of Americans, according to a survey by the Halloween and Costume Association, the inflation rate decreased to 2.4% in September. However, the uncertainty surrounding the elections and the end of the electoral campaign raises concerns on the topic. According to the Wall Street Journal, price increases are forecasted to be greater with Donald Trump than with Kamala Harris as president.
The coincidence of the pre-election dates with Halloween has led many residents to decorate their homes with festive themes, creating a unique atmosphere in a politically charged and socially festive context.
