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% (est.) |
2020 United States presidential election was held on November 3, 2020, between incumbent President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, with results determining the 46th President and Vice President of the United States of America. The contest occurred amid the COVID-19 pandemic, concurrent social movements such as George Floyd protests, and intense partisan polarization involving institutions like the Supreme Court of the United States and the United States Congress. Campaigning, voting procedures, legal disputes, and post-election controversies engaged actors including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, state governors, and state secretaries of state.
Background and candidates
The incumbent, Donald Trump, sought re-election with running mate Mike Pence, representing the Republican Party (United States), while challenger Joe Biden ran with running mate Kamala Harris representing the Democratic Party (United States). Other notable candidates included Jo Jorgensen of the Libertarian Party (United States), Howie Hawkins of the Green Party (United States), and independent campaigns connected to figures like Kanye West. The election followed the 2016 contest involving Hillary Clinton, the 2016 United States presidential election controversies, and the intervening governance of the Trump administration, including policies tied to the Department of Justice (United States), Department of Homeland Security, and international agreements such as the Paris Agreement withdrawal decision.
Primary elections and nomination contests
The Democratic primaries featured a large field including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Michael Bloomberg, and Tulsi Gabbard, with contests across states like Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina. Super Tuesday and the sequence of primaries led to consolidation around Biden after victories supported by endorsements from figures such as Barack Obama and organizations including the Democratic National Committee. The Republican nominating process resulted in the 2020 Republican National Convention renominating Trump with unified delegate support amid primary challenges from Bill Weld and intra-party debates involving Ronna McDaniel and state Republican parties.
General election campaign
The general election featured campaign events including rallies in battlegrounds like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Florida, media strategies involving Fox News, CNN, The New York Times, and social platforms operated by Facebook and Twitter. Debates organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates saw exchanges referencing figures such as Dr. Anthony Fauci and institutions like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the second debate format changes involved the Commission on Presidential Debates and produced controversy over moderator decisions. Fundraising, advertising, and political action committee activity connected to Priorities USA Action, Club for Growth, and American Bridge 21st Century fueled state-level contests, while endorsements and surrogates included Bernie Sanders, Barack Obama, Ted Cruz, and Mitch McConnell shaping messaging.
Voting, administration, and turnout
Voting adapted to public health guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state election administrators, expanding mail-in voting in states such as California, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Michigan through legislation and executive actions involving state governors like Gavin Newsom and Tom Wolf. Election administration saw participation from county clerks, secretaries of state including Brad Raffensperger and Katie Hobbs, and federal oversight debates tied to the Election Assistance Commission and the National Guard in limited logistical roles. Turnout was historically high, with record mail ballots counted alongside in-person votes at precincts in jurisdictions like Maricopa County, Arizona, Wayne County, Michigan, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Election results and certification
State vote tallies produced a result in which Biden carried key swing states including Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Georgia, securing the Electoral College majority of 306 to 232 after certification processes in state canvassing boards and secretaries of state offices. Certification involved governors, state legislatures, and bodies such as the Electoral College (United States), culminating in the counting of electoral votes by the United States Congress on January 6, 2021. Certified results prompted celebrations and legal filings from campaigns and were recognized by international actors including the United Nations and allies in NATO.
Legal challenges and controversies
The post-election period saw extensive litigation filed by the Trump campaign and allied groups against state results in courts including state supreme courts and the United States Supreme Court, with cases argued by attorneys such as Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell and opposed by state attorneys general like William Barr in earlier statements. Allegations focused on mail-in procedures, chain-of-custody, and alleged irregularities in counties like Fulton County, Georgia and Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, while judges including Chief Judge John Roberts and various federal judges rejected many claims for lack of evidence. Issues involving misinformation circulated on platforms like Twitter and Facebook led to moderation actions and debates about the First Amendment and communications law, and culminated in congressional objections pursued by some members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate.
Aftermath and political impact
The election's aftermath reshaped partisan dynamics within the Republican Party (United States) and the Democratic Party (United States), influenced appointments to the Supreme Court of the United States and the Department of Justice (United States), and affected the 2021 legislative agenda in the United States Congress. The transition to the Biden administration involved the General Services Administration ascertainment, briefings by the Central Intelligence Agency, and policy reversals on issues tied to the Paris Agreement and executive orders concerning immigration and healthcare. The events surrounding certification on January 6, 2021, prompted investigations by congressional committees, actions by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and wide-ranging debates about election administration reforms, voting rights legislation championed by figures like Stacey Abrams, and the role of civic institutions including state election officials and nonprofit organizations such as the League of Women Voters.
Category:United States presidential elections