What To Expect From The 2016 Presidential Elections

This year has been a tumultuous one for both Republican and Democratic presidential hopefuls, as they dragged each other through the mud in an effort to secure their name on their respective party's ballot.

However, the race has only just begun, with the bulk of the campaigning due to take place in the coming year. While it's impossible to say for certain which candidate will come out on top, experts are already beginning to make their predictions, and political analysts have started to lay out a roadmap of what the public can expect in the coming year.

From cat fights to market effects— here's a look at what to expect during next year's presidential race.

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1. More Trump

Whether you love him or hate him, Donald Trump is likely to remain a fixture throughout next year's presidential race. Despite the fact that his polarizing comments have upset the public and caused many to say he is unfit to lead the nation, Trump has held on to his popularity in the polls.

So far, the billionaire has appeared bullet-proof, surviving controversy after controversy, leading many to view him as a potentially successful candidate.

However, most don't expect Trump to win the Republican party's nomination. Trump wouldn't be the only candidate in history to lead national polls and lose the party nomination, and his behavior suggests that he's an unlikely choice for the GOP.

Many Republicans say they wouldn't back Trump, and his lack of broad appeal across the party is a good reason he may not make it onto the GOP ticket. Despite the fact that he may not participate in the 2016 elections as a Republican candidate, voters likely have not seen the last of him. Although he promised earlier in the race that he wouldn't run independently, he has back peddled in recent weeks, leading many to believe he will continue as an independent candidate if he doesn't receive the GOP nomination.

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2. Clinton Vs. Sanders

The Democratic field is becoming increasingly narrow, with Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders vying for the top spot in the polls. At the moment, Clinton has the advantage, but Sanders' support has been growing. Clinton represents a more fluid transition from the Obama administration, as she played a major role over the past eight years as Secretary of State.

While this is likely to help her gain some of the enthusiasm that Obama received during his own campaigns, many worry that the outgoing President's dropping approval levels will hurt the Democrats' campaign.

Sanders, on the other hand, disagrees with Clinton on several issues and provides a fresh face for the party. He argues that he should receive the nomination because, although he would continue to push the party's agenda, he would also bring about change in Washington.

3. Minorities In Focus

By sheer numbers alone, it appears that the Democrats are likely to win the 2016 election. The reason for this prediction is the growing number of racial minorities, young people, college educated professionals and secular voters— all of whom tend to favor the Democratic agenda.

The party has grown exponentially, and a report by Ruy Teixeira and his colleagues at the Center for American Progress showed that if next year's Democratic nominee performs as well as Obama did, they would win by 6 percentage points.

The Republican party on the other hand is made up of mostly white voters, a group that has been on the decline for decades. During this election cycle, it will be increasingly important for the Republican candidate to connect with black and hispanic voters, two minority demographics that have grown exponentially over the past eight years. Many believe that the turnout Obama saw during his two election cycles will be difficult to duplicate, leaving the door open for the Republican party.

4. Economic Conditions To Be Calm

While the mood in the United States may be tense, as Democrats and Republicans clash over the major issues, economists say they are expecting the economy to be placid.

A New York Times survey of leading economic forecasters showed that the majority are expecting unemployment to be at its lowest level since George W. Bush ran in 2000, and the figure was just 3.9 percent. They also saw interest rates, inflation and gasoline prices rising slightly, but still considered low by historical standards.

Those figures mean candidates will probably lay out their plans to maintain the "feel-good" economy that Americans are likely to be experiencing at the time of the election. This could play in the Democratic candidate's favor ,as they may point to Obama's successes as reason the party's re-election is a necessity. However, Republicans will be able to point to weaknesses, like low wage growth and sluggish GDP growth, in order to convince voters that a change is necessary.

5. Establishment Is Out

On both sides of the aisle, voters appear to be increasingly disappointed with traditional candidates who have an established political career. Many have become fatigued by the back and forth in Washington that caused a government shutdown and kept policy makers from taking any action on important issues, which is part of the reason that candidates like Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders have become increasingly popular.

As the primaries approach, both parties' candidates are expected to continue trying to set themselves apart from the current leadership in Washington and appeal to voters' calls for change.

This is one issue that could plague support for Clinton, whose role as Secretary of State ties her closely to all that's happened over the past eight years of the Obama administration.

6. The War On Terror Hot Button

Terror attacks in the United States and abroad have brought the growing problem of terrorism into the limelight this election cycle. On one hand, many voters feel more should be done to protect the United States from further attacks, even if that means radical reform.

However, compassion for refugees fleeing violence in the Middle East has created a difficult line for candidates to toe. Donald Trump's calls to ban Muslims from entering the United States were not well received among the public, proving that candidates will need to find a balance between keeping the peace and maintaining fair border controls.

In the coming year, all candidates will likely lay out plans on how to deal with the refugee crisis in Syria and ways to keep the United States safe from terror attacks. Worries about ISIS have reached new highs after the shooting in San Bernardino, and candidates will have to address the public's fears.

7. The Environment

Another issue that has emerged as a hot topic this election cycle is the environment. The Obama administration's proposal to significantly cut down on emissions across the nation has ruffled feathers in many states that are heavily dependent on the coal industry, but many voters are intent on improving the U.S. carbon footprint.

The issue of how to best protect the environment and whether things like oil exploration and pipeline projects are worth their cost are likely to be addressed in next year's debates, as environmental issues play a much larger role in the public's opinion than ever before. The Keystone XL pipeline has become a party-line issue, with Democrats opposing it due to environmental concerns and Republicans supporting it, saying that job creation and economic improvement outweighs the supposed effects on the environment.

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8. Millennials

The youngest group of voters, 18-29 year olds, is likely to be a major focus for next year's presidential candidates. While Millennials tend to have liberal political views, Republicans are hoping to reach that group through targeted advertising and an increased number of campus visits.

For that reason, the 2016 elections are expected to clog up social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and SnapChat more than ever before, as those tend to be the primary channels where Millennials get their news. Social media-friendly, behind-the-scenes photos and campaign ads are expected to be a staple in every candidate's efforts, not to mention poignant tweets that reflect their various stances on important issues.