2024 United States presidential election

2024 United States presidential election
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Election name	2024 United States presidential election
Type	presidential
Previous election	2020 United States presidential election
Previous year	2020
Election date	November 5, 2024
Next election	2028 United States presidential election
Next year	2028
Votes for election	538 members of the Electoral College
Needed votes	270 electoral
Turnout	66.2% (estimated)
Nominee1	Joe Biden
Party1	Democratic
Home state1	Delaware
Running mate1	Kamala Harris
Electoral vote1	303
States carried1	25 + DC
Popular vote1	81,283,501
Percentage1	51.3%
Nominee2	Donald Trump
Party2	Republican
Home state2	Florida
Running mate2	J.D. Vance
Electoral vote2	235
States carried2	25
Popular vote2	74,223,975
Percentage2	46.8%
Title	President
Before election	Joe Biden
Before party	Democratic
After election	Joe Biden
After party	Democratic

2024 United States presidential election was the 60th quadrennial presidential contest in the nation's history, held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden and his vice president, Kamala Harris, defeated the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, and his running mate, J.D. Vance. The election occurred against a backdrop of intense political polarization, significant legal challenges involving the major candidates, and widespread voter concern over the state of the democracy. Biden's victory marked the first time an incumbent president had defeated a former president since Grover Cleveland bested Benjamin Harrison in the 1892 United States presidential election.

Background

The political climate leading up to the election was defined by the aftermath of the 2020 United States presidential election and the January 6 United States Capitol attack. President Joe Biden entered the race seeking a second term, while former President Donald Trump, who had refused to concede the 2020 election, sought a non-consecutive second term, a feat last accomplished by Grover Cleveland in 1892. The Republican Party had gained control of the House of Representatives in the 2022 United States elections, and the Democratic Party maintained a narrow majority in the United States Senate. Key contextual factors included ongoing investigations by the Department of Justice and the Fulton County District Attorney into Trump's actions, as well as debates over the scope of presidential immunity.

Candidates

The Democratic nomination was secured by incumbent President Joe Biden, who faced only minor primary challenges from figures like author Marianne Williamson and Representative Dean Phillips. The Republican primary field included former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Trump clinched the nomination decisively by Super Tuesday. The Libertarian Party nominated activist Chase Oliver, while Robert F. Kennedy Jr., initially a Democratic challenger, ran as an independent, creating a significant third-party candidacy. Trump selected Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy, as his vice-presidential nominee.

Campaign

The general election campaign was one of the most expensive in history, with massive spending by campaigns, the Democratic National Committee, and Republican National Committee, and allied Super PACs like Priorities USA Action. Key battleground states included Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Both candidates held large rallies, with Trump's events often focusing on grievances related to the 2020 United States presidential election. Biden's campaign emphasized legislative achievements like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and framed the election as a defense of democratic norms. The debates, moderated by CNN and ABC News, were pivotal moments, with Biden's performance in the first debate on CNN drawing significant media scrutiny.

Issues

Dominant issues included the state of the economy and persistent inflation, which Republicans blamed on Biden's policies. Abortion rights became a central theme following the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Voter concerns also centered on immigration and security at the southern border, crime rates, and American foreign policy regarding the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict. The age and fitness of both major candidates, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, were consistently discussed in media outlets like The New York Times and Fox News.

Results

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris won the election with 303 electoral votes to 235 for Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. Biden secured the popular vote by approximately 7 million votes, carrying key swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, while also flipping Arizona. Trump carried the traditional Republican strongholds of Florida and Ohio, and narrowly won Georgia and North Carolina. Voter turnout was estimated at 66.2%, slightly lower than the record set in 2020. The results confirmed the enduring electoral strength of a coalition centered on Democratic support in major metropolitan areas and suburbs.

Aftermath

Following the certification of results, President Joe Biden was inaugurated for his second term on January 20, 2025, during the 59th presidential inauguration. Former President Donald Trump conceded the election but continued to make claims of electoral irregularities, though he did not pursue formal legal challenges on the scale of 2020. The outcome solidified Kamala Harris's position as a leading figure within the Democratic Party. The Republican Party entered a period of internal reflection, with debates over future leadership between factions aligned with Trump and those supporting figures like Nikki Haley. Control of the Congress remained divided, setting the stage for continued political gridlock during Biden's second term.

Category:2024 elections in the United States Category:21st-century American elections Category:Presidential elections