2020 presidential election
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| 2020 presidential election | |
|---|---|
| Election name | 2020 United States presidential election |
| Country | United States |
| Type | presidential |
| Previous election | 2016 United States presidential election |
| Next election | 2024 United States presidential election |
| Election date | November 3, 2020 |
| Turnout | high |
| Nominee1 | Joseph R. Biden Jr. |
| Party1 | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Home state1 | Delaware |
| Running mate1 | Kamala Harris |
| Nominee2 | Donald J. Trump |
| Party2 | Republican Party (United States) |
| Home state2 | Florida |
| Running mate2 | Michael R. Pence |
| Electoral vote1 | 306 |
| Electoral vote2 | 232 |
2020 presidential election The 2020 presidential election was a national contest held on November 3, 2020, resulting in the election of Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Kamala Harris over incumbent Donald J. Trump and Michael R. Pence. The campaign and aftermath were shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, debates over public health policy, and intense partisan polarization involving institutions such as the Supreme Court of the United States and the United States Congress.
Background and Context
The election occurred during the global COVID-19 pandemic, alongside economic disruption tied to the Stock market crash of 2020 and policy responses from the Federal Reserve and the United States Department of the Treasury. Key contextual events included the 2019 impeachment of Donald J. Trump by the United States House of Representatives and acquittal by the United States Senate, the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and ongoing debates about immigration involving the Supreme Court of the United States decisions on DACA and border policies. International developments such as the Brexit process and relations with People's Republic of China and Russian Federation informed foreign policy discourse.
Nominations and Primary Contests
The Democratic primary field included candidates like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Michael Bloomberg, Tulsi Gabbard, Andrew Yang, Tom Steyer, and Marianne Williamson. Primary contests featured state-level contests including the Iowa Democratic caucuses, New Hampshire primary, Nevada caucuses, and South Carolina primary, culminating at the Democratic National Convention where Joseph R. Biden Jr. secured the nomination with delegate counts negotiated among state parties and the Democratic National Committee. The Republican nomination process largely reaffirmed Donald J. Trump amid filings by minor challengers and conventions organized by state Republican parties and the Republican National Committee.
General Election Campaign
The general election campaign was centered on public health responses to COVID-19 pandemic, economic relief measures including proposals related to the CARES Act, and foreign policy positions concerning relations with China–United States relations, NATO, and withdrawal from engagement in Afghanistan. High-profile campaign events included the 2020 United States presidential debates moderated under rules set by the Commission on Presidential Debates, televised town halls hosted by networks such as CNN, ABC News, Fox News, and rallies held at venues like The Greenbrier and arenas across swing states including Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Georgia. Surrogates and endorsements involved figures from the Democratic Party (United States) and the Republican Party (United States), as well as organizations like MoveOn.org and Club for Growth.
Voter Turnout, Voting Methods, and Administration
Turnout reached levels not seen since the United States presidential election, 1968 in many jurisdictions, driven by increased mail voting, early voting, and in-person turnout. State election administration relied on secretaries of state such as Brad Raffensperger, Ruth R. Hughs, Kim Wyman, and county clerks in Maricopa County, Arizona and Wayne County, Michigan. Voting methods included expanded mail-in ballots, drop boxes instituted in jurisdictions like Los Angeles County, and absentee voting standards set by legislatures in states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The United States Postal Service and the Federal Communications Commission featured in logistical and operational discussions, while observers from groups such as the League of Women Voters and the National Association of Secretaries of State monitored procedures.
Election Results and Certification
Final vote tallies in battleground states—Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada—favored Joseph R. Biden Jr. in the Electoral College count certified by state governments and canvassing boards, resulting in 306 electoral votes to 232. State certifications involved governors, secretaries of state, and state legislatures, and some certifications were the subject of public dispute in venues such as the Georgia State Capitol and the Arizona State Capitol. The United States Electoral College met on December 14, 2020, and the United States Congress convened on January 6, 2021, to count electoral votes, presided over by Mike Pence in his capacity as President of the United States Senate.
Legal Challenges and Controversies
Post-election litigation saw numerous cases filed in state and federal courts by plaintiffs represented by attorneys such as Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and others, challenging procedures in jurisdictions like Maricopa County, Arizona, Clark County, Nevada, and Wayne County, Michigan. Lawsuits addressed issues relating to mail ballot handling, signature verification, and standing, with decisions issued by judges including those appointed by presidents such as Donald J. Trump and predecessors. The Supreme Court of the United States denied several emergency applications; notable judicial figures included John G. Roberts Jr., Amy Coney Barrett, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanaugh. The Department of Justice (United States) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were involved indirectly via probes into allegations of fraud, while state attorneys general in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan played roles in investigating claims. Certification challenges culminated in objections during the joint session of United States Congress on January 6, 2021, some led by members of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Aftermath and Political Impact
The transition of power involved the General Services Administration ascertainment, the formation of a transition team which interacted with agencies including the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Central Intelligence Agency, and eventual inauguration activities at the United States Capitol and observances led by figures such as Speaker of the House and outgoing officials. The election accelerated debates within the Republican Party (United States) and the Democratic Party (United States) over strategy and leadership, influenced the 2022 United States midterm elections, and affected policy trajectories on infrastructure debated in Congress and signed into law by the incoming administration. International reactions came from leaders in United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Japan, while domestic movements such as Black Lives Matter continued to shape political discourse. The events of January 6, 2021, prompted congressional inquiries and commissions involving figures like Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell and raised questions about electoral reforms pursued by state legislatures and the United States Supreme Court.
Category:United States presidential elections