2020 United States presidential election
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| 2020 United States presidential election | |
|---|---|
 Kingofthedead · Public domain · source | |
| Election name | 2020 United States presidential election |
| Country | United States |
| Type | presidential |
| Previous election | 2016 United States presidential election |
| Previous year | 2016 |
| Next election | 2024 United States presidential election |
| Next year | 2024 |
| Election date | November 3, 2020 |
| Turnout | 66.8% (estimated) |
| Nominee1 | Joe Biden |
| Party1 | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Home state1 | Delaware |
| Running mate1 | Kamala Harris |
| Electoral vote1 | 306 |
| States carried1 | 25 + DC |
| Popular vote1 | 81,268,924 |
| Percentage1 | 51.3% |
| Nominee2 | Donald Trump |
| Party2 | Republican Party (United States) |
| Home state2 | Florida |
| Running mate2 | Mike Pence |
| Electoral vote2 | 232 |
| States carried2 | 25 |
| Popular vote2 | 74,216,154 |
| Percentage2 | 46.9% |
| Title | President |
| Before election | Donald Trump |
| Before party | Republican Party (United States) |
| After election | Joe Biden |
| After party | Democratic Party (United States) |
2020 United States presidential election was held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. The Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden of Delaware, and his running mate, Senator Kamala Harris of California, defeated the Republican incumbent, President Donald Trump, and Vice President Mike Pence. The election occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and a period of significant social unrest, leading to historic levels of early voting and mail-in voting. Biden's victory made Harris the first female, first African American, and first Asian American Vice President of the United States.
Background
The political climate was defined by the tumultuous presidency of Donald Trump, which included his first impeachment by the House of Representatives in December 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic reached the United States in early 2020, causing widespread public health and economic disruption, including a severe stock market crash and mass unemployment. Concurrently, nationwide protests for racial justice erupted following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May. These events shaped voter priorities and led to intense debates over public health mandates, economic relief, and law enforcement.
Candidates and nominations
The Republican Party quickly coalesced around the re-election of President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, with their nomination confirmed at the largely virtual 2020 Republican National Convention. The Democratic field was initially crowded, featuring contenders like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Pete Buttigieg. After a strong performance on Super Tuesday, former Vice President Joe Biden emerged as the frontrunner, securing the nomination at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. He selected Kamala Harris, a senator from California, as his vice-presidential nominee, making her the first woman of color on a major party ticket.
General election campaign
The campaign was largely conducted under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, with traditional rallies and door-knocking limited. Donald Trump emphasized pre-pandemic economic growth, "law and order" messaging, and criticism of China. Joe Biden centered his campaign on managing the pandemic, restoring institutional norms, and unifying the country, often holding virtual or socially-distanced events. Key events included the presidential and vice-presidential debates and Trump's diagnosis with COVID-19 in October. Widespread use of mail-in voting became a major point of contention, with Trump repeatedly questioning its legitimacy without evidence.
Results
Joe Biden won the national popular vote by over 7 million votes, securing 51.3% to Donald Trump's 46.9%. The decisive contest occurred in the Rust Belt and Sun Belt states; Biden reclaimed the "Blue Wall" states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and flipped Arizona and Georgia, which had not voted for a Democrat since 1996 and 1992, respectively. The result in the Electoral College was 306 for Biden to 232 for Trump. Voter turnout reached a 120-year high, with over 159 million ballots cast.
Aftermath and legal challenges
President Donald Trump refused to concede, alleging widespread voter fraud without providing substantiating evidence. His campaign and allies filed dozens of lawsuits in states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Michigan, which were uniformly dismissed by courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States. The General Services Administration delayed initiating the presidential transition until November 23. The situation culminated on January 6, 2021, when a pro-Trump rally escalated into a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol as Congress met to certify the Electoral College results.
Impact and analysis
The election confirmed deepening national political polarization and geographic realignment, with gains for Democrats in suburban areas and for Republicans among some Latino voters. The unprecedented volume of mail-in voting and the ensuing disinformation campaign about its integrity led to the passage of new voting laws in several states, such as Georgia and Texas. The events of January 6 prompted a second impeachment of Trump and led to the formation of the House Select Committee to investigate the attack. Biden's victory returned Democratic control to the Executive Branch while Democrats held narrow majorities in the Congress.
Category:2020 United States presidential election Category:2020 elections in the United States Category:Presidential elections in the United States