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{{short description|59th United States presidential election}} {{Short description|none}}
{{for|the Senate, House, and other related races|2020 United States elections}} {{for|related races|2020 United States elections}}
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{{pp|small=yes}}
{{merge from|2020 United States election protests|discuss=Talk:2020_United_States_presidential_election#Merger_proposal|date=November 2020}}
{{use mdy dates|date=November 2020}} {{use mdy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{use American English|date=December 2017}} {{use American English|date=December 2017}}
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| election_name = 2020 United States presidential election | election_name = 2020 United States presidential election
| country = United States | country = United States
| flag_year = 1960
| type = presidential | type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| opinion_polls = Nationwide opinion polling for the 2020 United States presidential election | opinion_polls = Nationwide opinion polling for the 2020 United States presidential election
| college_voted = no | college_voted = yes
| previous_election = 2016 United States presidential election | previous_election = 2016 United States presidential election
| previous_year = 2016 | previous_year = 2016
| election_date = November 3, 2020 | election_date = November 3, 2020{{efn|name="ElectionDay"}}
| next_election = 2024 United States presidential election | next_election = 2024 United States presidential election
| next_year = 2024 | next_year = 2024
| votes_for_election = 538 members of the ] | votes_for_election = 538 members of the ]
| votes_counted = 97
| last_update = Nov. 13, 2020, 3:11{{nbsp}}p.m.
| time_zone = ]<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 US Presidential Election Results: Live Map |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Elections/2020-us-presidential-election-results-live-map |work=ABC News |access-date=November 10, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Presidential Election Results |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-president.html|work=The New York Times|date=November 2020|first1=Michael|last1=Andre|display-authors=et al|accessdate=November 10, 2020}}</ref>
| needed_votes = 270 electoral | needed_votes = 270 electoral
| turnout = 66.6% ({{increase}}6.5 ]){{efn|The Federal Election Commission calculated a voter turnout of 62.8% in 2020, as the votes for president divided by the estimated U.S. population at or over age 18.<ref name=FEC/> The denominator included U.S. residents ineligible to vote due to not being U.S. citizens or due to a criminal conviction, and excluded U.S. citizens residing in other countries who were eligible to vote. This turnout was an increase of 7.1pp compared to the turnout of 55.7% in the 2016 election, calculated by the same institution with the same basis.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Federal Elections 2016 |url=https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/federalelections2016.pdf |publisher=] |date=December 2017 |access-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-date=December 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202185336/https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/federalelections2016.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><br/><br/>
| turnout = TBD%
The U.S. Census Bureau calculated a voter turnout of 66.8% in 2020, as the people reporting having voted divided by the estimated U.S. population at or over age 18 who were U.S. citizens. The denominator excluded U.S. residents ineligible to vote due to not being U.S. citizens, but included those ineligible due to a criminal conviction and excluded U.S. citizens residing in other countries who were eligible to vote. This turnout was an increase of 5.4pp compared to the turnout of 61.4% in the 2016 election, calculated by the same institution with the same basis.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828232007/https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/tables/time-series/voting-historical-time-series/a1.xlsx |date=August 28, 2022 }}, U.S. Census Bureau.</ref><br/><br/>
The U.S. Elections Project calculated a voter turnout of 66.6% in 2020, as the total ballots divided by the estimated population that was eligible to vote.<ref name="Elections Project 2020g">{{Cite web|title=2020 November General Election Turnout Rates|url=https://www.electproject.org/2020g|access-date=November 14, 2022|website=electproject.org|archive-date=April 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430220622/http://www.electproject.org/2020g|url-status=live}}</ref> The denominator excluded U.S. residents ineligible to vote due to not being U.S. citizens or due to a criminal conviction, and included U.S. citizens residing in other countries who were eligible to vote. This turnout was an increase of 6.5pp compared to the turnout of 60.1% in the 2016 election, calculated by the same institution with the same basis.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2016 November General Election Turnout Rates|url=https://www.electproject.org/2016g|website=electproject.org}}</ref>}}
| image_size = 200x200px | image_size = 200x200px
| image1 = Joe Biden presidential portrait (cropped).jpg
<!-- confusing incorrect parameter turned into a comment, but left for possible fix | alt1 = Biden smiling, wearing a suit -->| image1 = Joe Biden 2013.jpg
| nominee1 = ''']''' | nominee1 = ''']'''
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States) | party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| home_state1 = ] | home_state1 = ]
| running_mate1 = ''']''' | running_mate1 = ''']'''
| popular_vote1 = '''77,971,073''' <!-- Please only update the popular vote tally every six hours, per consensus on talk page --> | popular_vote1 = '''81,283,501'''<ref name=FEC/>
| electoral_vote1 = '''306'''
| percentage1 = '''50.8%''' <!-- Please only update the popular vote % every six hours, per consensus on talk page -->
| states_carried1 = '''25 + ] + ]'''
| electoral_vote1 = '''290'''<!-- BEFORE CHANGING, please check sources in image's description. As of 02:15 GMT 13 November, Biden=306 & Trump=232 with North Carolina yet uncalled -->
| percentage1 = '''51.3%'''<!-- 81,283,501/158,429,631 = 51.3057%, which rounds to 51.31% with two decimals or 51.3% with one decimal.-->
| states_carried1 = 24 + ] + ]
| image2 = Donald Trump official portrait (cropped).jpg | image2 = Donald Trump official portrait (3x4a).jpg
| nominee2 = ]
<!-- confusing incorrect parameter turned into a comment, but left for possible fix | alt2 = Trump smiling, wearing a suit -->| nominee2 = ]
| party2 = Republican Party (United States) | party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| home_state2 = ]{{efn|name="Florida Residency"|Trump's official state of residence was ] in the ] but has since changed to Florida, with his permanent residence switching from ] to ] in 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Choi |first=Matthew |date=October 31, 2019 |title=Trump, a symbol of New York, is officially a Floridian now |website=] |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/31/trump-florida-residence-063564 |url-status=live |access-date=October 31, 2019}}</ref>}} | home_state2 = ]{{efn|name="Florida Residency"|Trump's official state of residence was ] in the ], but it was changed to ] when his permanent residence was switched from ] to ] in 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Choi |first=Matthew |date=October 31, 2019 |title=Trump, a symbol of New York, is officially a Floridian now |website=] |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/31/trump-florida-residence-063564 |access-date=October 31, 2019 |archive-date=January 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106180616/https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/31/trump-florida-residence-063564 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| running_mate2 = ] | running_mate2 = ]
| popular_vote2 = 74,223,975<ref name=FEC/>
| popular_vote2 = 72,653,384 <!-- Please only update the popular vote tally every six hours, per consensus on talk page -->
| percentage2 = 47.4% <!-- Please only update the popular vote % every six hours, per consensus on talk page -->
| electoral_vote2 = 232 | electoral_vote2 = 232
| states_carried2 = 25 + ] | states_carried2 = 25 + ]
| percentage2 = 46.8%<!-- 74,223,975/158,429,631 = 46.8498%, which rounds to 46.85% with two decimals or 46.8% with one decimal.-->
| map = {{2020 United States presidential election imagemap}} | map = {{2020 United States presidential election imagemap}}
| map_caption = The electoral map for the 2020 presidential election, based on calls made by a consensus of media outlets. <span style="color:darkblue;">Blue</span> denotes states projected for Biden/Harris and <span style="color:darkred;">red</span> denotes those projected for Trump/Pence. Numbers indicate allotted ]. | map_caption = Presidential election results map. <span style="color:darkblue;">Blue</span> denotes states won by Biden/Harris and <span style="color:darkred;">red</span> denotes those won by Trump/Pence. Numbers indicate ] cast by each state and the District of Columbia.
| map_alt = A map of the United States showing several coastal states and some of the Midwest and South voting for Biden, with most of the Midwest, South, and Plains voting for Trump. | map_alt = A map of the United States showing several coastal states and some of the Midwest and South voting for Biden, with most of the Midwest, South, and Plains voting for Trump.
| title = President | title = President
| before_election = ] | before_election = ]
| before_party = Republican Party (United States) | before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| posttitle = President-elect<!--Don't change to President until the Electoral College has voted-->
| after_election = ] | after_election = ]
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States) | after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| ongoing =
}} }}
{{US 2020 presidential elections series}} {{US 2020 presidential elections series}}


The '''2020 United States presidential election''' was the 59th quadrennial ], held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. The ] ticket of former ] ] and ] ] defeated the ] ticket of incumbent President ] and Vice President ]. Voters chose a joint ticket for ] and ], which determines the ], who in turn will vote for the candidates on December 14, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|first=Thomas H.|last= Neale|title=The Electoral College: A 2020 Presidential Election Timeline|date=October 22, 2020|publisher=Congressional Research Service|url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11641|accessdate=November 9, 2020}}</ref> This election was the first since ] in which an incumbent president failed to win re-election to a second term.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-join-10-presidents-who-didnt-win-reelection-2020-10#george-hw-bush-1989-1993-10 |title=Trump is the first president in nearly 3 decades to lose a reelection |first=John |last=Haltiwanger |work=Business Insider|date=November 7, 2020}}</ref> The election saw the highest ] since ],<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 Voter Turnout Was the Highest the U.S. Has Seen in Over a Century |url=https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a34589422/voter-turnout-2020/ |website=Marie Claire |date=5 November 2020}}</ref> with both Biden and Trump receiving more than 70&nbsp;million votes, surpassing ]'s record of 69.5&nbsp;million votes from ]. With more than 77&nbsp;million votes and counting, Biden received the most votes ever ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/joe-biden-popular-vote-record-barack-obama-us-presidential-election-donald-trump/ |title=Joe Biden breaks Obama's record for most votes ever cast for a U.S presidential candidate|first=Sophie |last=Lewis |work=CBS |date=November 7, 2020 }}</ref> This election was also the first since ] in which a candidate won without winning ] and the first since ] that the winning candidate won without ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2020/11/07/Ohio-once-the-nation-s-bellwether-no-longer-picks-the-president/stories/20201105150|title=Ohio, once the nation's bellwether, no longer picks the president|website=]|last=Skalka|first=Liz|date=7 November 2020|accessdate=November 10, 2020}}</ref> ] were held in the ] on November 3, 2020.{{efn|name="ElectionDay"|About 64% of voters ] before November{{spaces}}3 in person or ], with the earliest state starting on September{{spaces}}4.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/how-to-vote-by-state-2020-307c3d17-ee57-4a1b-8bad-182ca1cdb752.html|title=When and how to vote in all 50 states|work=]|date=August 13, 2020|last1=Knight|first1=Stef W.|last2=Ahmed|first2=Naema|access-date=November 17, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112234031/https://www.axios.com/how-to-vote-by-state-2020-307c3d17-ee57-4a1b-8bad-182ca1cdb752.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://electproject.github.io/Early-Vote-2020G/index.html|title=2020 General Election Early Vote Statistics|work=U.S. Elections Project|date=November 6, 2020|last1=McDonald|first1=Michael|access-date=November 17, 2020|archive-date=January 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117012152/https://electproject.github.io/Early-Vote-2020G/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}} The ] ticket of former ] ] and the junior ] from ] ] defeated the incumbent ] president ], and vice president ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-electoral-college-3e0b852c3cfadf853b08aecbfc3569fa|title=Biden officially secures enough electors to become president|date=December 5, 2020|work=]|access-date=December 6, 2020|archive-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208201209/https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-electoral-college-3e0b852c3cfadf853b08aecbfc3569fa|url-status=live}}</ref> The election took place against the backdrop of the global ] and ]. The election saw the highest ] by percentage ]. Biden received more than 81&nbsp;million votes,<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |url=https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-crosses-80-million-votes-10-million-more-obama-got-1549612 |title=Joe Biden Crosses 80 million votes |work=] |access-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124161652/https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-crosses-80-million-votes-10-million-more-obama-got-1549612 |url-status=live }}</ref> the ] for a presidential candidate in U.S. history.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/joe-biden-popular-vote-record-barack-obama-us-presidential-election-donald-trump/ |title=Joe Biden breaks Obama's record for most votes ever cast for a U.S presidential candidate |first=Sophie |last=Lewis |work=] |date=November 7, 2020 |access-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229144306/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/joe-biden-popular-vote-record-barack-obama-us-presidential-election-donald-trump/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


Trump secured the ] without any serious opposition. In contrast, Biden secured the Democratic nomination over his closest rival, Senator ], in ] that featured the largest field of presidential candidates for any political party in the ]. Biden's running mate, Senator Harris from ], is the first ], first ], and third female{{efn|The previous two female vice presidential nominees were ] in ] and ] in ].}} vice presidential nominee on a major party ticket. Central issues of the election included the public health and ] of the ongoing ], ] to the ] and others, and the ] following the ] of ] and ] of ].<ref> In a competitive primary that featured the most candidates for any political party in the ], Biden secured the ]. Biden's running mate, Harris, became the first African-American, first Asian-American, and third female{{efn|The previous two female vice presidential nominees were ] in ] and ] in ].}} vice presidential nominee on a major party ticket. Trump secured re-nomination, getting a total of 2,549 delegates, one of the most in ] history, in the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Republican Convention 2020 |url=https://www.thegreenpapers.com/P20/R |access-date=December 9, 2022 |website=thegreenpapers.com |archive-date=August 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825081229/https://www.thegreenpapers.com/P20/R |url-status=live }}</ref> ] secured the ] with ] as her running mate, and ] secured the ] with ] as his running mate.
* {{cite news|last=Edsall|first=Thomas B.|date=June 3, 2020|title=Opinion {{!}} The George Floyd Election|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/03/opinion/george-floyd-trump-biden.html|access-date=October 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}
* {{cite news|last=Baker|first=Peter|date=September 22, 2020|title=With Nothing Else Working, Trump Races to Make a New Supreme Court Justice the Issue|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/22/us/politics/trump-supreme-court.html|access-date=October 14, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}
* {{cite web|author=Staff|date=September 26, 2020|title=How Amy Coney Barrett Would Reshape the Court — And the Country|url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/09/26/amy-barrett-scotus-legal-experts-422028|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=October 13, 2020|website=]}}</ref>


The central issues of the election included the public health and ]; ] to the police ], the ] following the ] and ], and the future of the ].<ref>*{{Cite news|last=Edsall|first=Thomas B.|date=June 3, 2020|title=Opinion: The George Floyd Election|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/03/opinion/george-floyd-trump-biden.html|access-date=October 13, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012141217/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/03/opinion/george-floyd-trump-biden.html|url-status=live}}
The election saw a record number of ballots ] and ] due to the ongoing pandemic.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Saul|first=Stephanie|last2=Hakim|first2=Danny|date=2020-11-03|title=As Counting Begins, a Flood of Mail Ballots Complicates Vote Tallies|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/03/us/elections/mail-ballot-counting-vote.html|access-date=2020-11-12|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> As a result of the large number of mail-in ballots, some swing states saw delays in vote counting and reporting; this led to major news outlets delaying their projection of Biden and Harris as the winners until four days later, on November 7.<ref>
*{{Cite news|last=Baker|first=Peter|date=September 22, 2020|title=With Nothing Else Working, Trump Races to Make a New Supreme Court Justice the Issue|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/22/us/politics/trump-supreme-court.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923002004/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/22/us/politics/trump-supreme-court.html|archive-date=September 23, 2020|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|access-date=October 14, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}
* {{cite tweet|user=DecisionDeskHQ|number=1324710866516905984|date=November 6, 2020|title=Decision Desk HQ projects that @JoeBiden has won Pennsylvania and its 20 electoral college votes for a total of 273. Joe Biden has been elected the 46th President of the United States of America. Race called at 11-06 08:50 AM EST All Results: https://results.decisiondeskhq.com/2020/general/pennsylvania}}
*{{Cite web|date=September 26, 2020|title=How Amy Coney Barrett Would Reshape the Court – And the Country|url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/09/26/amy-barrett-scotus-legal-experts-422028|access-date=October 13, 2020|website=]|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926170416/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/09/26/amy-barrett-scotus-legal-experts-422028|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to the ongoing pandemic, a record number of ballots were ] and ].<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last1=Saul |first1=Stephanie |last2=Hakim |first2=Danny |date=November 3, 2020 |title=As Counting Begins, a Flood of Mail Ballots Complicates Vote Tallies|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/03/us/elections/mail-ballot-counting-vote.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103224018/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/03/us/elections/mail-ballot-counting-vote.html |archive-date=November 3, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=November 12, 2020 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Thirty-eight states had over half of all votes cast using these methods, and only three states had fewer than 25%.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Yoder |first1=Kyle |last2=Tan |first2=April |last3=Martinez-Ruiz |first3=Stefan |date=March 1, 2024 |title=The Expansion of Voting Before Election Day, 2000-2024 |url=https://electioninnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Expansion-of-Voting-Before-Election-Day-2000-to-2024_March-2024_Vfinal.pdf |access-date=September 10, 2024 |website=Center for Election Innovation & Research}}</ref>
* {{cite news|last1=Matthews|first1=Dylan|date=November 6, 2020|title=Joe Biden has won. Here's what comes next.|work=]|url=https://www.vox.com/2020/11/6/21534594/joe-biden-wins-2020-presidential-election|access-date=November 7, 2020}}
* {{cite news|last1=Sheth|first1=Sonam|last2=Relman|first2=Eliza|last3=Walt|date=November 6, 2020|title=IT'S OVER: Biden defeats Trump as US voters take the rare step to remove an incumbent president|work=]|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/joe-biden-wins-general-election-against-donald-trump-2020-11|access-date=November 7, 2020}}
* {{cite web|title=Presidential election results: Live map of 2020 electoral votes|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-elections/president-results|access-date=November 7, 2020|work=NBC News}}
* {{cite web|first1=Stephen|last1=Collinson|first2=Maeve|last2=Reston|title=Joe Biden to become the 46th president of the United States, CNN projects|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/07/politics/joe-biden-wins-us-presidential-election/index.html|access-date=November 7, 2020|work=CNN}}
* {{cite web|title=Election 2020 updates: Biden warns of 'dark winter,' pushes masks in pandemic plan|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/2020-election-campaign-vote/?id=73960714|access-date=November 11, 2020|website=ABC News}}
* {{cite news|last1=Martin|first1=Jonathan|last2=Burns|first2=Alexander|date=November 7, 2020|title=Biden Wins Presidency, Ending Four Tumultuous Years Under Trump|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/07/us/politics/biden-election.html|access-date=November 7, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}
* {{cite web|last=Steinhauser|first=Paul|date=November 7, 2020|title=Biden wins presidency, Trump denied second term in White House, Fox News projects|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-wins-presidency-trump-fox-news-projects|access-date=November 7, 2020|website=Fox News}}
* {{cite news|title=Election 2020 {{!}} Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/live-events/election-2020-15-id2942501|access-date=November 7, 2020|work=Reuters}}</ref> Major media networks project a state for a candidate once there is high mathematical confidence that the outstanding vote would be unlikely to prevent the projected winner from ultimately winning that state.<ref name= "math">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/17/politics/2020-election-projections-explained/index.html|title=It's not magic, it's math. Here's how CNN makes election projections|first=Zachary |last=Wolf |work=CNN|date=October 17, 2020}}</ref> Vote counting continues in several states.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Workers whittle down piles of uncounted ballots in key states|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/04/politics/mail-in-ballots-pennsylvania-georgia-michigan-wisconsin/index.html|author1= Jeremy Herb|author2=Fredreka Schouten|date=November 5, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|website=CNN}}</ref> During the campaign, on election night,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Donald Trump Is Lying About The Early Election Results|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kadiagoba/trump-election-night-speech|access-date=November 4, 2020|website=BuzzFeed News}}</ref> and after the Democrats were declared winners,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/07/joe-biden-victory-president-trump-claims-election-far-over/6202892002/|title=Trump revives baseless claims of election fraud after Biden wins presidential race|last=King|first=Ledyard|date=November 7, 2020|work=USA Today|accessdate=November 7, 2020}}</ref> Trump and some Republicans made unsubstantiated claims in an attempt to delegitimize the election.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Farley|first=Robert|date=2020-04-10|title=Trump's Latest Voter Fraud Misinformation |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2020/04/trumps-latest-voter-fraud-misinformation/ |website=FactCheck.org |access-date=2020-06-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=2020-07-30|title=Donald Trump suggests delay to 2020 US presidential election|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53597975|accessdate=2020-07-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Morello|first=Carol|date=November 4, 2020|title=European election observers decry Trump's 'baseless allegations' of voter fraud|work=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/election-observers-trump-allegations/2020/11/04/4a538500-1ee0-11eb-9ec3-3a81e23c4b5e_story.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 6, 2020|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105161029/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/election-observers-trump-allegations/2020/11/04/4a538500-1ee0-11eb-9ec3-3a81e23c4b5e_story.html}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Cillizza|title=Here's the *real* reason Donald Trump is attacking mail-in ballots|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/26/politics/mail-in-ballot-vote-by-mail-trump/index.html|date=May 26, 2020|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=CNN|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730153554/https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/26/politics/mail-in-ballot-vote-by-mail-trump/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{cite news|last1=Haberman|first1=Maggie|last2=Corasaniti|first2=Nick|last3=Qiu|first3=Linda|date=June 24, 2020|title=Trump's False Attacks on Voting by Mail Stir Broad Concern|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/24/us/politics/trump-vote-by-mail.html|access-date=June 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729030608/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/24/us/politics/trump-vote-by-mail.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Officials in all 50 states have stated that there is no evidence of systematic fraud or irregularities in their state.<ref name="NY Times Officials">{{cite news|last1=Corasaniti|first1=Nick|last2=Epstein|first2=Reid|last3=Rutenberg|first3=Jim|date=November 10, 2020|title=The Times Called Officials in Every State: No Evidence of Voter Fraud|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/10/us/politics/voting-fraud.html |accessdate=November 10, 2020}}</ref> Federal agencies overseeing election security say it was "the most secure in American history".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/dhs-agency-nov-3-election-was-most-secure-in-american-history |title=DHS agency: 'Nov. 3 election was most secure in American history' |last=Denean |first=Austin |date=12 November 2020 |website=abc3340.com |publisher=Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. |access-date=13 November 2020}}</ref><ref></ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.axios.com/cisa-election-security-trump-a385868b-512a-4449-addd-4591829a4aef.html |title=Department of Homeland Security calls election "the most secure in American history" |last=Chen |first=Shawna |date=12 November 2020 |website=axios.com |publisher=Axios Media |access-date13 November 2020= |quote=}}</ref>


Many more registered Democrats voted by mail than registered Republicans.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Otterbein|first=Holly|title=Democrats return nearly three times as many mail-in ballots as Republicans in Pennsylvania|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/03/democrats-more-mail-in-ballots-pennsylvania-433951|access-date=February 10, 2021|website=]|date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=February 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210190224/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/03/democrats-more-mail-in-ballots-pennsylvania-433951|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=November 20, 2020|title=The 2020 voting experience: Coronavirus, mail concerns factored into deciding how to vote|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2020/11/20/the-voting-experience-in-2020/|access-date=June 28, 2021|website=Pew Research Center – U.S. Politics & Policy|archive-date=June 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627020814/https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2020/11/20/the-voting-experience-in-2020/|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result of a large number of mail-in ballots, some ]s saw delays in vote counting and reporting; this led to major news outlets delaying their projection of Biden and Harris as the ] and ] until the morning of November 7, 2020. Major media networks tentatively call a state for a candidate once there is high statistical confidence that the outstanding vote would be unlikely to prevent the projected winner from ultimately winning that state.<ref name="math">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/17/politics/2020-election-projections-explained/index.html|title=It's not magic, it's math. Here's how CNN makes election projections|first=Zachary|last=Wolf|work=]|date=October 17, 2020|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=November 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126170531/https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/17/politics/2020-election-projections-explained/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Biden and Harris are scheduled to be ]. Trump has not conceded and ] of the election.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Collins|first=Kaitlan|last2=Bennett|first2=Kate|last3=Diamond|first3=Jeremy|last4=Liptak|first4=Kevin|date=|title=Jared Kushner has approached Donald Trump to concede and Melania Trump advised the President to accept the loss|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/08/politics/jared-kushner-donald-trump-concession/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|accessdate=November 8, 2020|work=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-donald-trump-campaigns-pennsylvania-michigan-861506f10960504bcdc7e854705c8ef1|title=Trump faces long odds in challenging state vote counts|first=Maryclaire|last=Dale|publisher=The Associated Press|date=November 9, 2020|accessdate=November 9, 2020}}</ref>


Biden received the majority in the ] with 306 electoral votes, while Trump received 232. Trump was the first president to lose re-election since ] in ]. Key to Biden's victory were his wins in the Democratic-leaning ] states of ], ], and ], which Trump narrowly carried in 2016 and whose combined 46 electoral votes were enough to swing the election to either candidate. Biden also became the first Democrat to win a presidential election in ] since ] and in ] since ], as well as ] since ].<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite news |url=https://kutv.com/news/nation-world/joe-biden-wins-georgia-turning-the-state-blue-for-first-time-since-92 |title=Joe Biden wins Georgia, turning the state blue for first time since '92 |work=] |date=November 13, 2020 |access-date=December 21, 2020 |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113200446/https://kutv.com/news/nation-world/joe-biden-wins-georgia-turning-the-state-blue-for-first-time-since-92 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Biden Takes Electoral Vote in 2nd District, Trump Wins Nebraska's 4 Other Votes |url=https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/ca/news/news-articles/biden-takes-electoral-vote-in-2nd-district-trump-wins-nebraskas-4-other-votes/ |access-date=October 13, 2022 |website=] }}</ref> Despite his relatively comfortable 74 vote margin in the Electoral College, Biden only won the decisive states of Wisconsin, Georgia and Arizona by a combined 43,000 votes.
==Background==
===Procedure===
{{further|United States presidential election#Procedure}}


Before, during, and after Election Day, Trump and numerous other Republicans engaged in an aggressive and unprecedented<ref>*{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Marshall |date=November 5, 2021 |title=Timeline of the coup: How Trump tried to weaponize the Justice Department to overturn the 2020 election |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/05/politics/january-6-timeline-trump-coup/index.html |access-date=June 12, 2023 |website=CNN }}
] of the ] states that for a person to serve as president, the individual must be a ], at least 35 years old, and have been a United States resident for at least 14 years. Candidates for the presidency typically seek the nomination of one of the ] of the United States. Each party develops a method (such as a ]) to choose the candidate the party deems best suited to run for the position. The primary elections are usually ]s where voters cast ballots for a slate of party delegates pledged to a particular candidate. The party's delegates then officially nominate a candidate to run on the party's behalf. The presidential nominee typically chooses a vice presidential ] to form that party's ], which is then ratified by the delegates at the party's convention (with the exception of the ], which nominates its vice-presidential candidate by delegate vote regardless of the presidential nominee's preference). The general election in November is also an indirect election, in which voters cast ballots for a slate of members of the ]; these electors then directly elect the president and vice president.<ref name="rQNzf" /> If ], the ] will select the president from the three candidates who received the most electoral votes, and the ] will select the vice president from the candidates who received the two highest totals. The election will occur simultaneously alongside elections for the ], ], and ].
*{{Cite web |date=July 10, 2022 |title=Five things we learned from the Jan. 6 Trump documentary |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-trump-january-6-capitol-coup-election-unprecedented-20220710-52f6lsm3yzf35dji2wodh2fzd4-story.html |access-date=June 12, 2023 |website=New York Daily News |archive-date=September 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921110014/https://playlist.stnvideo.com/player/data/index.php?cmd=loadInitial&session=V26w7sA1ijWD8vfT&instance=198522097&version=STN-5.0.148&age=240921&type=FULL&EXTREF=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nydailynews.com%2F2022%2F07%2F10%2Ffive-things-we-learned-from-discoverys-jan-6-trump-documentary-unprecedented%2F&REF=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nydailynews.com%2F2022%2F07%2F10%2Ffive-things-we-learned-from-discoverys-jan-6-trump-documentary-unprecedented%2F&ogSet=1&ESG_key=papQS7n5 |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite news |last=Pilkington |first=Ed |date=October 30, 2021 |title='A roadmap for a coup': inside Trump's plot to steal the presidency |work=] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/30/trump-2020-election-steal-presidency-coup-inside-story |access-date=June 12, 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=September 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921110014/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/30/trump-2020-election-steal-presidency-coup-inside-story |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite magazine |last=Gersen |first=Jeannie Suk |date=December 15, 2020 |title=Trump's Coup Attempt Isn't Over |magazine=The New Yorker |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/trumps-coup-attempt-isnt-over |access-date=June 12, 2023 |issn=0028-792X }}
*{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2022 |title=What to watch as Jan. 6 panel cites Trump's 'attempted coup' |url=https://apnews.com/article/january-6-final-hearing-trump-what-to-watch-a9d0eb77311df5d0391735cd64afa8fb |access-date=June 12, 2023 |work=] }}</ref> ],<ref name="NYT-20230808">{{cite news |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |last2=Savage |first2=Charlie |last3=Broadwater |first3=Luke |title=Previously Secret Memo Laid Out Strategy for Trump to Overturn Biden's Win - The House Jan. 6 committee's investigation did not uncover the memo, whose existence first came to light in last week's indictment. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/08/us/politics/trump-indictment-fake-electors-memo.html |date=August 8, 2023 |work=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230809142035/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/08/us/politics/trump-indictment-fake-electors-memo.html |archive-date=August 9, 2023 |access-date=August 10, 2023 }}</ref> falsely alleging widespread ] and trying to influence the vote-counting process in swing states<ref>*{{Cite journal |last1=Pennycook |first1=Gordon |last2=Rand |first2=D. G. |author2link=David G. Rand |title=Examining false beliefs about voter fraud in the wake of the 2020 Presidential Election |journal=Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review |date=2021 |doi=10.37016/mr-2020-51 |url=https://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/37367184 |access-date=August 26, 2021 |quote=The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election saw an unprecedented number of false claims alleging election fraud and arguing that Donald Trump was the actual winner of the election. |doi-access=free |hdl=1721.1/144267 |hdl-access=free |archive-date=August 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826202739/https://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/37367184 |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite web|title=Donald Trump Is Lying About The Early Election Results|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kadiagoba/trump-election-night-speech|access-date=November 4, 2020|website=]|date=November 4, 2020|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019051521/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kadiagoba/trump-election-night-speech|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/07/joe-biden-victory-president-trump-claims-election-far-over/6202892002/|title=Trump revives baseless claims of election fraud after Biden wins presidential race|last=King|first=Ledyard|date=November 7, 2020|work=]|access-date=November 7, 2020|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108054219/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/07/joe-biden-victory-president-trump-claims-election-far-over/6202892002/|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite news|last1=Haberman|first1=Maggie|last2=Corasaniti|first2=Nick|last3=Rutenberg|first3=Jim|last4=Feuer|first4=Alan|last5=Thrush|first5=Glenn|last6=Gray|first6=Kathleen|date=November 19, 2020|title=Presidential Transition Live Updates: Trump Invites State Lawmakers to White House in Bid to Subvert Election|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/19/us/joe-biden-trump-updates/trump-tries-to-subvert-the-election-inviting-michigan-gop-lawmakers-to-the-white-house|access-date=November 23, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123180138/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/19/us/joe-biden-trump-updates/trump-tries-to-subvert-the-election-inviting-michigan-gop-lawmakers-to-the-white-house|url-status=live}}</ref> in what has been described as an attempted ].<ref name="Multiple Sources">Multiple sources:
*{{Cite book |last=Harvey |first=Michael |url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003110361-1/introduction-michael-harvey |title=Donald Trump in Historical Perspective |date=2022 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-003-11036-1 |editor-last=Harvey |editor-first=Michael |chapter=Introduction: History's Rhymes |doi=10.4324/9781003110361-1 |quote=As with the Beer Hall Putsch, a would-be leader tried to take advantage of an already scheduled event (in Hitler's case, Kahr's speech; in Trump's, Congress's tallying of the electoral votes) to create a dramatic moment with himself at the center of attention, calling for bold action to upend the political order. Unlike Hitler's coup attempt, Trump already held top of office, so he was attempting to hold onto power, not seize it (the precise term for Trump's intended action is a 'self-coup' or 'autogolpe'). Thus, Trump was able to plan for the event well in advance, and with much greater control, including developing the legal arguments that could be used to justify rejecting the election's results. (p3) |access-date=September 21, 2024 |archive-date=June 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615185508/https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003110361-1/introduction-michael-harvey |url-status=live }}
*{{cite journal |last1=Pion-Berlin |first1=David |last2=Bruneau |first2=Thomas |last3=Goetze |first3=Richard B. Jr.|date=April 7, 2022 |title=The Trump self-coup attempt: comparisons and civil–military relations |journal=Government and Opposition |volume=FirstView |issue=4 |pages=789–806 |doi=10.1017/gov.2022.13 |s2cid=248033246 |doi-access=free }}
*{{cite journal |last1=Castañeda |first1=Ernesto |last2=Jenks |first2=Daniel |date=April 17, 2023 |title=January 6th and De-Democratization in the United States |editor-last1=Costa |editor-first1=Bruno Ferreira |editor-last2=Parton|editor-first2=Nigel|journal=Social Sciences |publisher=] |volume=12 |issue=4 |pages=238 |doi=10.3390/socsci12040238 |doi-access=free |issn=2076-0760|quote=What the United States went through on January 6th was an attempt at a self-coup, where Trump would use force to stay as head of state even if abandoning democratic practices in the U.S. Some advised Trump to declare martial law to create a state of emergency and use that as an excuse to stay in power.}}
*{{Cite report |url=https://www.brookings.edu/research/trump-on-trial/ |title=Trump on Trial: A Guide to the January 6 Hearings and the Question of Criminality |last1=Eisen |first1=Norman |last2=Ayer |first2=Donald |date=June 6, 2022 |publisher=Brookings Institution |quote= tried to delegitimize the election results by disseminating a series of far fetched and evidence-free claims of fraud. Meanwhile, with a ring of close confidants, Trump conceived and implemented unprecedented schemes to{{snd}}in his own words{{snd}}"overturn" the election outcome. Among the results of this "Big Lie" campaign were the terrible events of January 6, 2021{{snd}}an inflection point in what we now understand was nothing less than an attempted coup. |last3=Perry |first3=Joshua |last4=Bookbinder |first4=Noah |last5=Perry |first5=E. Danya |access-date=December 16, 2023 |archive-date=June 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609214107/https://www.brookings.edu/research/trump-on-trial/ |url-status=live }}
*{{cite court |litigants=Eastman v Thompson, et al. |opinion=8:22-cv-00099-DOC-DFM Document 260 |pinpoint=44 |court=S.D. Cal. |date=May 28, 2022 |url=https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cacd.841840/gov.uscourts.cacd.841840.260.0.pdf |access-date=December 16, 2023 |quote=Dr. Eastman and President Trump launched a campaign to overturn a democratic election, an action unprecedented in American history. Their campaign was not confined to the ivory tower{{snd}}it was a coup in search of a legal theory. The plan spurred violent attacks on the seat of our nation's government, led to the deaths of several law enforcement officers, and deepened public distrust in our political process... If Dr. Eastman and President Trump's plan had worked, it would have permanently ended the peaceful transition of power, undermining American democracy and the Constitution. If the country does not commit to investigating and pursuing accountability for those responsible, the Court fears January 6 will repeat itself. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414200210/https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cacd.841840/gov.uscourts.cacd.841840.260.0.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |last=Graham |first=David A. |date=January 6, 2021 |title=This Is a Coup |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/01/attempted-coup/617570/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106224049/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/01/attempted-coup/617570/ |archive-date=January 6, 2021 |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=] }}
* {{Cite web|last=Musgrave|first=Paul|date=January 6, 2021|title=This Is a Coup. Why Were Experts So Reluctant to See It Coming?|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/01/06/coup-america-capitol-electoral-college-2020-election/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106235812/https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/01/06/coup-america-capitol-electoral-college-2020-election/|archive-date=January 6, 2021|access-date=December 16, 2023|website=Foreign Policy}}
* {{Cite web|last=Solnit|first=Rebecca|date=January 6, 2021|title=Call it what it was: a coup attempt|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/06/trump-mob-storm-capitol-washington-coup-attempt|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107000436/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/06/trump-mob-storm-capitol-washington-coup-attempt|archive-date=January 7, 2021|access-date=December 16, 2023|website=The Guardian}}
* {{Cite web|last=Coleman|first=Justine|date=January 6, 2021|title=GOP lawmaker on violence at Capitol: 'This is a coup attempt'|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/532944-gop-lawmaker-on-violence-at-capitol-this-is-a-coup-attempt|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106212600/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/532944-gop-lawmaker-on-violence-at-capitol-this-is-a-coup-attempt|archive-date=January 6, 2021|access-date=December 16, 2023|website=]}}
* {{Cite web|last=Jacobson|first=Louis|date=January 6, 2021|title=Is this a coup? Here's some history and context to help you decide|url=https://www.politifact.com/article/2021/jan/06/coup-heres-some-history-and-context-help-you-decid/|access-date=January 7, 2021|website=]|quote=A good case can be made that the storming of the Capitol qualifies as a coup. It's especially so because the rioters entered at precisely the moment when the incumbent's loss was to be formally sealed, and they succeeded in stopping the count.|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620183138/https://www.politifact.com/article/2021/jan/06/coup-heres-some-history-and-context-help-you-decid/|url-status=live}}
* {{Cite news|last1=Barry|first1=Dan|last2=Frenkel|first2=Sheera|date=January 7, 2021|title='Be There. Will Be Wild!': Trump All but Circled the Date|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/us/politics/capitol-mob-trump-supporters.html|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/us/politics/capitol-mob-trump-supporters.html|archive-date=December 28, 2021|url-access=registration|url-status=live|access-date=December 16, 2023}}
* {{cite encyclopedia |last=Duignan |first=Brian |date=August 4, 2021|title=January 6 U.S. Capitol attack |url=https://www.britannica.com/event/January-6-U-S-Capitol-attack |url-status=live |access-date=September 22, 2021 |encyclopedia=] |quote=Because its object was to prevent a legitimate president-elect from assuming office, the attack was widely regarded as an insurrection or attempted coup d'état. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117232629/https://www.britannica.com/event/January-6-U-S-Capitol-attack |archive-date=January 17, 2023 }}</ref><ref name="coup-bundle"/> Attorney General ] and officials in each of the 50 states found no evidence of fraud (widespread or otherwise) or irregularities in the election.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 1, 2020 |title=Disputing Trump, Barr says no widespread election fraud|first=Michael|last=Balsamo|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-william-barr-b1f1488796c9a98c4b1a9061a6c7f49d|access-date=December 1, 2020|work=]|archive-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201201135/https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-william-barr-b1f1488796c9a98c4b1a9061a6c7f49d|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NY Times Officials">{{Cite news|last1=Corasaniti|first1=Nick|last2=Epstein|first2=Reid|last3=Rutenberg|first3=Jim|date=November 10, 2020|title=The Times Called Officials in Every State: No Evidence of Voter Fraud|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/10/us/politics/voting-fraud.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111005123/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/10/us/politics/voting-fraud.html |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=November 10, 2020}}</ref> Federal agencies overseeing election security said it was the most secure in American history.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Denean|first=Austin|date=November 12, 2020|title=DHS agency: 'Nov. 3 election was most secure in American history'|url=https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/dhs-agency-nov-3-election-was-most-secure-in-american-history|access-date=November 13, 2020|website=]|publisher=]|archive-date=April 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419055943/https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/dhs-agency-nov-3-election-was-most-secure-in-american-history|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Statement"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Chen|first=Shawna|date=November 12, 2020|title=Department of Homeland Security calls election 'the most secure in American history'|url=https://www.axios.com/cisa-election-security-trump-a385868b-512a-4449-addd-4591829a4aef.html|access-date=November 13, 2020|website=]|archive-date=December 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202044452/https://www.axios.com/cisa-election-security-trump-a385868b-512a-4449-addd-4591829a4aef.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Trump campaign and its allies, including Republican members of ],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Here are the Republican members of Congress who signed on to the suit to throw out the votes in 4 states|url=https://news.yahoo.com/here-are-the-republican-members-of-congress-who-signed-on-to-the-suit-to-throw-out-the-votes-in-four-states-195834720.html|date=December 11, 2020|website=]|access-date=December 12, 2020|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108074821/https://news.yahoo.com/here-are-the-republican-members-of-congress-who-signed-on-to-the-suit-to-throw-out-the-votes-in-four-states-195834720.html|url-status=live}}</ref> continued to attempt to overturn the results of the election by ] in several states (most of which were withdrawn or dismissed),<ref>*{{Cite news|last1=Collins|first1=Kaitlan|last2=Bennett|first2=Kate|last3=Diamond|first3=Jeremy|last4=Liptak|first4=Kevin|date=November 8, 2020|title=Jared Kushner, Melania Trump advise Trump to accept election loss|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/08/politics/jared-kushner-donald-trump-concession/index.html|access-date=November 8, 2020|work=]|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116035347/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/08/politics/jared-kushner-donald-trump-concession/index.html|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-donald-trump-campaigns-pennsylvania-michigan-861506f10960504bcdc7e854705c8ef1|title=Trump faces long odds in challenging state vote counts|first=Maryclaire|last=Dale|work=]|date=November 9, 2020|access-date=November 9, 2020|archive-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201183621/https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-donald-trump-campaigns-pennsylvania-michigan-861506f10960504bcdc7e854705c8ef1|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-losing-election-lawsuits-36d113484ac0946fa5f0614deb7de15e|title=Trump loves to win but keeps losing election lawsuits|date=December 4, 2020|work=]|access-date=January 3, 2021|archive-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222013329/https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-losing-election-lawsuits-36d113484ac0946fa5f0614deb7de15e|url-status=live}}</ref> spreading conspiracy theories alleging fraud,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/21/sidney-powell-conspiracy-theorist-white-house|title=Conspiracy-theorist lawyer Sidney Powell spotted again at White House|first=Martin|last=Pengelly|work=]|date=December 21, 2020|access-date=January 3, 2021|archive-date=January 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103153048/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/21/sidney-powell-conspiracy-theorist-white-house|url-status=live}}</ref> pressuring Republican state election officials (including, notably, Georgia secretary of state ], in ]) and legislators to change results,<ref name="WaPo Georgia call">{{Cite news |last1=Gardner |first1=Amy |title='I just want to find 11,780 votes': In extraordinary hour-long call, Trump pressures Georgia secretary of state to recalculate the vote in his favor |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-raffensperger-call-georgia-vote/2021/01/03/d45acb92-4dc4-11eb-bda4-615aaefd0555_story.html |access-date=January 4, 2021 |newspaper=] |date=January 3, 2021 |archive-date=January 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104001817/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-raffensperger-call-georgia-vote/2021/01/03/d45acb92-4dc4-11eb-bda4-615aaefd0555_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> pressuring the ] to declare the election "corrupt" and intervene,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-urged-justice-department-to-declare-election-corrupt-0edf178869f33ddcf72d4c739bd18a5d |title=Trump urged Justice officials to declare election "corrupt" |work=] |date=July 30, 2021 |access-date=August 4, 2021 |archive-date=August 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804151352/https://apnews.com/article/trump-urged-justice-department-to-declare-election-corrupt-0edf178869f33ddcf72d4c739bd18a5d |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/doj-officials-rejected-colleagues-request-intervene-georgias-election/story?id=79243198 |title=DOJ officials rejected colleague's request to intervene in Georgia's election certification: Emails |work=] |date=August 3, 2021 |access-date=August 4, 2021 |archive-date=August 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813034022/https://abcnews.go.com/US/doj-officials-rejected-colleagues-request-intervene-georgias-election/story?id=79243198 |url-status=live }}</ref> objecting to the Electoral College certification in Congress,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/31/politics/electoral-college-house-republicans/index.html|title=At least 140 House Republicans to vote against counting electoral votes, two GOP lawmakers say|first=Jake|last=Tapper|work=]|date=December 31, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2021|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105151915/https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/31/politics/electoral-college-house-republicans/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.axios.com/multiple-senators-oppose-certify-election-results-c5f0610c-91e0-4431-abbe-91b4d860dfd4.html|title=Multiple senators oppose certifying election results|first=Alayna|last=Treene|work=]|date=January 2, 2021|access-date=January 2, 2021|archive-date=March 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306063554/https://www.axios.com/multiple-senators-oppose-certify-election-results-c5f0610c-91e0-4431-abbe-91b4d860dfd4.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and refusing to cooperate with the ].<ref name="coup-bundle">Multiple sources:
* {{Cite news |last1=Rucker |first1=Philip |last2=Gardner |first2=Amy |last3=Dawsey |first3=Josh |date=November 19, 2020 |title=Trump uses power of presidency to try to overturn the election and stay in office |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-uses-power-of-presidency-to-try-to-overturn-the-election-and-stay-in-office/2020/11/19/bc89caa6-2a9f-11eb-8fa2-06e7cbb145c0_story.html |newspaper=] |ref=none |access-date=November 22, 2020 |archive-date=November 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121192754/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-uses-power-of-presidency-to-try-to-overturn-the-election-and-stay-in-office/2020/11/19/bc89caa6-2a9f-11eb-8fa2-06e7cbb145c0_story.html |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite news |date=November 18, 2020 |title=Trump's coup might not work. But he may pave the way for the next failed candidate. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trumps-coup-might-not-work-but-he-may-pave-the-way-for-the-next-failed-candidate/2020/11/18/418ca536-29d6-11eb-92b7-6ef17b3fe3b4_story.html |newspaper=] |ref=none |access-date=November 22, 2020 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124075903/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trumps-coup-might-not-work-but-he-may-pave-the-way-for-the-next-failed-candidate/2020/11/18/418ca536-29d6-11eb-92b7-6ef17b3fe3b4_story.html |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite news|last=Louis|first=Errol|date=December 10, 2020|title=Trump's meddling was a failed coup|work=]|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-trumps-meddling-was-a-failed-coup-20201210-zy7baii7unbbde2yczg5wtfqcm-story.html|access-date=December 10, 2020|ref=none|archive-date=December 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210132052/https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-trumps-meddling-was-a-failed-coup-20201210-zy7baii7unbbde2yczg5wtfqcm-story.html|url-status=live}}
* {{Cite news|date=December 10, 2020|title=Editorial: The enduring cost of Trump's attempted coup|work=]|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Editorial-The-enduring-cost-of-Trump-s-15789752.php|access-date=December 10, 2020|ref=none|archive-date=December 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210131918/https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Editorial-The-enduring-cost-of-Trump-s-15789752.php|url-status=live}}
* {{Cite news |last=Pilkington |first=Ed |date=October 30, 2021 |title='A roadmap for a coup': inside Trump's plot to steal the presidency |work=] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/30/trump-2020-election-steal-presidency-coup-inside-story |access-date=June 12, 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |ref=none |archive-date=September 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921110014/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/30/trump-2020-election-steal-presidency-coup-inside-story |url-status=live }}</ref> With Trump vowing that he would never concede the election and after exhorting his followers to "fight like hell",<ref>{{cite news |title=Capitol riots: Did Trump's words at rally incite violence? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55640437 |website=BBC News |date=14 February 2021 |access-date=6 November 2024 }}</ref> a mob of Trump supporters ] on January 6, 2021, during the joint session of Congress held to certify the Electoral College count.<ref>*{{Cite news|last=Zilbermints|first=Regina|date=January 6, 2021|title=Trump puts pressure on Republicans, says he will 'never concede'|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/532920-trump-puts-pressure-on-republicans-says-he-will-never-concede|access-date=January 7, 2021|newspaper=]|archive-date=January 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106205152/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/532920-trump-puts-pressure-on-republicans-says-he-will-never-concede|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite news|url=https://www.motherjones.com/2020-elections/2020/11/in-public-trump-still-claims-he-won-in-private-aides-say-hes-planning-for-life-after-presidency/|title=In Public, Trump Still Claims He Won. In Private, Aides Say He's Planning for Life After Presidency.|last=Michaels|first=Samantha|date=November 22, 2020|work=Mother Jones|access-date=November 24, 2020|archive-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123235109/https://www.motherjones.com/2020-elections/2020/11/in-public-trump-still-claims-he-won-in-private-aides-say-hes-planning-for-life-after-presidency/|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite news|title=Trump falsely claims he won the election; Twitter flags the tweet|agency=Associated Press|date=November 16, 2020|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-tweet-claims-he-won-election-twitter-flags/|work=]|access-date=November 18, 2020|archive-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201183614/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-tweet-claims-he-won-election-twitter-flags/|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 7, Trump acknowledged the incoming administration without mentioning Biden's name.<ref>*{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55738746|title=Biden sets to work on reversing Trump policies with executive orders|website=]|date=January 21, 2021|access-date=January 21, 2021|archive-date=February 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210190233/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55738746|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/politics/trump-biden-us-capitol-electoral-college-insurrection/index.html|title=Trump publicly acknowledges he won't serve a second term day after inciting mob|last1=Liptak|first1=Kevin|last2=Stracqualursi|first2=Veronica|last3=Malloy|first3=Allie|date=January 7, 2021|work=]|access-date=January 7, 2021|archive-date=January 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107095401/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/politics/trump-biden-us-capitol-electoral-college-insurrection/index.html|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-orderly-transition-f03215c31a400f815a8f62960a430063|title=After excusing violence, Trump acknowledges Biden transition|last1=Miller|first1=Zeke|last2=Colvin|first2=Jill|date=January 8, 2021|work=]|access-date=January 9, 2021|archive-date=January 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107202934/https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-orderly-transition-f03215c31a400f815a8f62960a430063|url-status=live}}</ref> Biden and Harris were ] on January 20, 2021; in a break from tradition, Trump did not attend his successor's inauguration.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Waxman|first=Olivia B.|date=January 19, 2021|title=As Trump Plans to Skip Biden's Swearing In, Here Are 3 Other U.S. Presidents Who Dodged Their Successors' Inauguration|magazine=] |url=https://time.com/5928537/trump-biden-not-attend-inauguration-history/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120171150/https://time.com/5928537/trump-biden-not-attend-inauguration-history/|archive-date=January 20, 2021|access-date=January 20, 2021}}</ref> ] in August 2023 on four counts relating to conspiring to overturn the results. The case was dismissed following ] in the ] in which he defeated Democratic nominee Harris who had replaced Biden after ].<ref name=":123">{{Cite web |last=Brooke Singman |first=Andrea Margolis |date=2024-11-25 |title=Judge grants Jack Smith's request to dismiss Jan. 6 charges, appeal in classified records case against Trump |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/judge-grants-jack-smiths-request-dismiss-jan-6-charges-appeal-classified-records-case-against-trump |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref>


{{TOC limit|3}}
The ] passed a bill in August 2019 adopting ] (RCV) both for presidential primaries and for the general election.<ref name="ovz9x" /><ref name="qhJpi" /> Governor ] allowed the bill to become law without her signature, which delayed it from taking effect until after the ] in March, but made Maine the first state to use RCV for a presidential general election. The ] filed signatures for a ] and preclude the use of RCV for the 2020 election, but ] ] found there were insufficient valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. A challenge in ] was successful for the Maine Republican Party, but the ]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Piper|first=Jessica|date=August 28, 2020|title=Maine secretary of state appeals decision putting ranked-choice voting challenge on ballot|url=https://bangordailynews.com/2020/08/28/politics/maine-secretary-of-state-to-appeal-decision-putting-ranked-choice-voting-challenge-on-ballot/|access-date=August 29, 2020|website=Bangor Daily News|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913091138/https://bangordailynews.com/2020/08/28/politics/maine-secretary-of-state-to-appeal-decision-putting-ranked-choice-voting-challenge-on-ballot/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Judge: Ranked-Choice Voting Repeal Qualifies For Maine November Ballot|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2020/08/26/maine-ranked-choice-runoff-voting-repeal-effort|date=August 26, 2020|last1=Leary|first1=Mal|access-date=August 29, 2020|website=WBUR|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913091655/https://www.wbur.org/news/2020/08/26/maine-ranked-choice-runoff-voting-repeal-effort|url-status=live}}</ref> stayed the ruling pending appeal on September 8, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mannino |first1=Gabrielle |title=Ranked choice voting for president still uncertain following court ruling |url=https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/politics/elections/court-clears-the-way-for-rcv-in-presidential-election/97-17e25d66-9274-4bfe-9132-69bcefd5160f |website=News Cener Maine |date=September 2020 |access-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913093959/https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/politics/elections/court-clears-the-way-for-rcv-in-presidential-election/97-17e25d66-9274-4bfe-9132-69bcefd5160f |url-status=live }}</ref> Nevertheless, ballots began being printed later that day without the veto referendum and including RCV for the presidential election,<ref>{{cite web|title=Maine ballots sent to printer with ranked-choice voting for president, no people's veto|url=https://wgme.com/news/local/maine-ballots-sent-to-printer-with-ranked-choice-voting-for-president-no-peoples-veto|website=WGME|date=September 9, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913091907/https://wgme.com/news/local/maine-ballots-sent-to-printer-with-ranked-choice-voting-for-president-no-peoples-veto|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="forbes">{{cite web |last1=Reimann |first1=Nicholas |title=Maine Will Be The First-Ever State To Use Ranked-Choice Voting For A Presidential Election |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2020/09/08/maine-will-be-the-first-ever-state-to-use-ranked-choice-voting-for-a-presidential-election/#290be25d7b8d |website=Forbes |date=September 8, 2020 |access-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911180531/https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2020/09/08/maine-will-be-the-first-ever-state-to-use-ranked-choice-voting-for-a-presidential-election/#290be25d7b8d |url-status=live }}</ref> and the Court ruled in favor of the Secretary of State on September 22, allowing RCV to be used.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mannino|first1=Gabrielle|title=Court rules in favor of Sec. of State clearing way for RCV in presidential election|url=https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/politics/elections/court-rules-in-favor-of-sec-of-state-clearing-way-for-rcv-in-presidential-election/97-82fb8375-e884-4db2-a0ff-e294ce9e8fea|website=News Center Maine|date=September 22, 2020|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923080303/https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/politics/elections/court-rules-in-favor-of-sec-of-state-clearing-way-for-rcv-in-presidential-election/97-82fb8375-e884-4db2-a0ff-e294ce9e8fea|url-status=live}}</ref> An emergency appeal to the ] was denied on October 6.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Howe |first1=Amy |title=Breyer rejects Republicans' plea to stop ranked-choice voting in Maine |url=https://www.scotusblog.com/2020/10/breyer-rejects-republicans-plea-to-stop-ranked-choice-voting-in-maine/#more-296746 |website=SCOTUSblog |date=October 6, 2020|access-date=October 7, 2020 |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008030544/https://www.scotusblog.com/2020/10/breyer-rejects-republicans-plea-to-stop-ranked-choice-voting-in-maine/#more-296746 |url-status=live }}</ref> Implementation of RCV could potentially delay the projection of the winner(s) of Maine's electoral votes for days after election day<ref name="h81aa" /> and may complicate interpretation of the national ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://excessofdemocracy.com/blog/2019/7/maine-ranked-choice-voting-and-the-national-popular-vote-compact|title=Maine, ranked choice voting, and the National Popular Vote Compact|website=Excess of Democracy|last1=Muller|first1=Derek T.|date=July 10, 2019|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=May 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521012223/https://excessofdemocracy.com/blog/2019/7/maine-ranked-choice-voting-and-the-national-popular-vote-compact|url-status=live}}</ref> The law continues the use of the ] for the allocation of Maine's electors (] is the only other state that apportions its electoral votes this way).<ref name="FcJYG" />


== Background ==
On December 14, 2020, pledged electors for each candidate, known collectively as the ], will gather in their state's capital to cast their official ballot. The ballots are sent to Congress to be opened and officially counted pursuant to the processes laid out by the ] of 1887. The newly elected Congress will meet in ] to open, count, and certify the ballots on January 6, 2021, with the sitting vice president (in his role as president of the Senate) presiding over the session.
{{further|United States presidential election#Procedure}}


] of the ] states that for a person to serve as president, the individual must be a ], be at least 35 years old, and have been a U.S. resident for at least 14 years. Candidates for the presidency typically seek the nomination of one of the ]. Each party develops a method (such as a ]) to choose the candidate the party deems best suited to run for the position. Primary elections are usually ]s where voters cast ballots for a slate of party delegates pledged to a particular candidate. The party's delegates then officially nominate a candidate to run on the party's behalf. The presidential nominee typically chooses a vice presidential ] to form that party's ], which is then ratified by the delegates at the party's convention (except for the ], which nominates its vice-presidential candidate by delegate vote regardless of the presidential nominee's preference). The general election in November is also an indirect election, in which voters cast ballots for a slate of members of the ]; these electors then directly elect the president and vice president.<ref name="rQNzf"/> If ], the ] will select the president from among the three candidates who received the most electoral votes, and the ] will select the vice president from among the candidates who received the two highest totals. The presidential election occurred simultaneously alongside elections for the ], the ], and ].<ref name="CRSElectionTimeline">{{Cite web|first=Thomas H.|last=Neale|title=The Electoral College: A 2020 Presidential Election Timeline|date=October 22, 2020|work=Congressional Research Service|url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11641|access-date=November 9, 2020|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109050550/https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11641|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Demographic trends===
{{further|Demography of the United States}}
{{update section|reason=Sourcing is severely out of date|date=July 2020}}
A bipartisan report indicated in 2019 that ] since the ] could impact the results of the 2020 election. ], ]s, ], and other ethnic minorities, as well as "whites with a college degree", are expected to all increase their percentage of national eligible voters by 2020, while "whites without a college degree" will decrease. The Hispanic likely voter population has increased by approximately 600,000 since the 2016 election.<ref>{{cite web|title=The America That Votes in 2020 Will Look Radically Different From 2016|url=https://time.com/5674850/2020-election-demographics/|date=September 11, 2019|last1=Wilson|first1=Chris|access-date=October 9, 2020|website=Time|archive-date=October 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014011225/https://time.com/5674850/2020-election-demographics/|url-status=live}}</ref> ], those born after 1996, will more than double to 10% of the eligible voters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/essay/an-early-look-at-the-2020-electorate/|title=An early look at the 2020 electorate|website=Pew Research Center|last1=Cilluffo|first1=Anthony|date=January 30, 2019|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616225420/https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/essay/an-early-look-at-the-2020-electorate/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was possible Trump could win the ] while still losing the popular vote, however, updated NBC News reporting from September 2020 predicted this was unlikely with 2020 demographics.<ref name="6EgES" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Wasserman|first=David|date=September 23, 2020|title=Demographic shifts since 2016 could be enough to defeat Trump. But it's complicated.|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/demographic-shifts-2016-could-be-enough-defeat-trump-it-s-n1240724|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103111704/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/demographic-shifts-2016-could-be-enough-defeat-trump-it-s-n1240724|archive-date=November 3, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|website=NBC News}}</ref>


Youth turnout in the ] was extremely low,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/11/politics/popular-vote-turnout-2016/index.html|title=Voter turnout at 20-year low in 2016|work=CNN|last1=Wallace|first1=Gregory|date=November 30, 2016|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102120200/https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/11/politics/popular-vote-turnout-2016/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/newsroom/blogs/random-samplings/2017/05/voting_in_america.html|title=Voting in America: A Look at the 2016 Presidential Election|work=United States Census Bureau|last1=File|first1=Thom|date=May 10, 2017|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102235638/https://www.census.gov/newsroom/blogs/random-samplings/2017/05/voting_in_america.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and during the Democratic primaries young voters broke overwhelmingly for ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-02-27/bernie-sanders-young-voters-2020|title=Just what is it about Bernie Sanders that young voters love?|work=Los Angeles Times|last1=Gomez|first1=Melissa|last2=Mason|first2=Melanie|date=February 27, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=October 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019233831/https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-02-27/bernie-sanders-young-voters-2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/elections/articles/2020-03-11/young-voters-love-bernie-sanders-but-older-voters-gave-joe-biden-the-win|title=Young Voters Love Bernie, Just Not Enough|work=U.S. News & World Report|last1=Milligan|first1=Susan|date=March 11, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=July 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715155453/https://www.usnews.com/news/elections/articles/2020-03-11/young-voters-love-bernie-sanders-but-older-voters-gave-joe-biden-the-win|url-status=live}}</ref> However, polls suggest that youth turnout for the 2020 election is comparatively very high.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kltv.com/2020/11/02/strong-youth-voter-turnout-presidential-election/|title=Statistics show high youth voter turnout in 2020 presidential election|work=KLTV|last1=Widdes|first1=Erin|date=November 2, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103145230/https://www.kltv.com/2020/11/02/strong-youth-voter-turnout-presidential-election/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/31/young-voters-suppression-tactics-early-voting-election-record-numbers/6071293002/|title=Despite obstacles, young voters are 'raising hell' with historic early voting turnout|work=USA Today|last1=Jervis|first1=Rick|date=October 31, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102230050/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/31/young-voters-suppression-tactics-early-voting-election-record-numbers/6071293002/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/29/928641949/within-the-early-voting-boom-evidence-of-youth-turnout-surging|title=Within The Early Voting Boom, Youth Turnout Seems To Be Surging|work=NPR|last1=Summers|first1=Juana|date=October 29, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102165822/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/29/928641949/within-the-early-voting-boom-evidence-of-youth-turnout-surging|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] passed a bill in August 2019 adopting ] (RCV) both for presidential primaries and for the general election.<ref name="ovz9x"/><ref name="qhJpi"/> Governor ] allowed the bill to become law without her signature, which delayed its taking effect until after the ] in March and made Maine the first state to use RCV for a presidential general election. The ] filed signatures for a ] to preclude the use of RCV for the 2020 election, but ] ] found there were insufficient valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. A challenge in ] was successful for the Maine Republican Party, but the ]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Piper|first=Jessica|date=August 28, 2020|title=Maine secretary of state appeals decision putting ranked-choice voting challenge on ballot|url=https://bangordailynews.com/2020/08/28/politics/maine-secretary-of-state-to-appeal-decision-putting-ranked-choice-voting-challenge-on-ballot/|access-date=August 29, 2020|website=]|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913091138/https://bangordailynews.com/2020/08/28/politics/maine-secretary-of-state-to-appeal-decision-putting-ranked-choice-voting-challenge-on-ballot/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Judge: Ranked-Choice Voting Repeal Qualifies For Maine November Ballot|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2020/08/26/maine-ranked-choice-runoff-voting-repeal-effort|date=August 26, 2020|last1=Leary|first1=Mal|access-date=August 29, 2020|work=WBUR|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913091655/https://www.wbur.org/news/2020/08/26/maine-ranked-choice-runoff-voting-repeal-effort|url-status=live}}</ref> stayed the ruling pending appeal on September 8, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mannino |first1=Gabrielle |title=Ranked choice voting for president still uncertain following court ruling |url=https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/politics/elections/court-clears-the-way-for-rcv-in-presidential-election/97-17e25d66-9274-4bfe-9132-69bcefd5160f |website=] |date=September 2020 |access-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913093959/https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/politics/elections/court-clears-the-way-for-rcv-in-presidential-election/97-17e25d66-9274-4bfe-9132-69bcefd5160f |url-status=live}}</ref> Nevertheless, ballots began being printed later that day without the veto referendum and including RCV for the presidential election,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maine ballots sent to printer with ranked-choice voting for president, no people's veto|url=https://wgme.com/news/local/maine-ballots-sent-to-printer-with-ranked-choice-voting-for-president-no-peoples-veto|work=WGME|date=September 9, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913091907/https://wgme.com/news/local/maine-ballots-sent-to-printer-with-ranked-choice-voting-for-president-no-peoples-veto|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="forbes">{{Cite web |last1=Reimann |first1=Nicholas |title=Maine Will Be The First-Ever State To Use Ranked-Choice Voting For A Presidential Election |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2020/09/08/maine-will-be-the-first-ever-state-to-use-ranked-choice-voting-for-a-presidential-election/ |website=] |date=September 8, 2020 |access-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911180531/https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2020/09/08/maine-will-be-the-first-ever-state-to-use-ranked-choice-voting-for-a-presidential-election/#290be25d7b8d |url-status=live}}</ref> and the Court ruled in favor of the secretary of state on September 22, allowing RCV to be used.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Mannino|first1=Gabrielle|title=Court rules in favor of Sec. of State clearing way for RCV in presidential election|url=https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/politics/elections/court-rules-in-favor-of-sec-of-state-clearing-way-for-rcv-in-presidential-election/97-82fb8375-e884-4db2-a0ff-e294ce9e8fea|website=]|date=September 22, 2020|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923080303/https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/politics/elections/court-rules-in-favor-of-sec-of-state-clearing-way-for-rcv-in-presidential-election/97-82fb8375-e884-4db2-a0ff-e294ce9e8fea|url-status=live}}</ref> An emergency appeal to the ] was denied on October 6.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Howe |first1=Amy |title=Breyer rejects Republicans' plea to stop ranked-choice voting in Maine |url=https://www.scotusblog.com/2020/10/breyer-rejects-republicans-plea-to-stop-ranked-choice-voting-in-maine/#more-296746 |website=] |date=October 6, 2020|access-date=October 7, 2020 |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008030544/https://www.scotusblog.com/2020/10/breyer-rejects-republicans-plea-to-stop-ranked-choice-voting-in-maine/#more-296746 |url-status=live}}</ref> The law continues the use of the ] for the allocation of Maine's electors (] is the only other state that apportions its electoral votes this way).<ref name="FcJYG"/> While multiple rounds of vote counting were not needed due to a single candidate receiving a majority of first-choice votes statewide and in each district, use of RCV complicates interpretation of the national ] because voters are more likely to vote for third-party or independent candidates.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Muller|first1=Derek T.|date=July 10, 2019|title=Maine, ranked choice voting, and the National Popular Vote Compact|url=https://excessofdemocracy.com/blog/2019/7/maine-ranked-choice-voting-and-the-national-popular-vote-compact|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521012223/https://excessofdemocracy.com/blog/2019/7/maine-ranked-choice-voting-and-the-national-popular-vote-compact|archive-date=May 21, 2020|access-date=January 14, 2020|website=Excess of Democracy}}</ref>


On December 14, 2020, pledged electors for each candidate, known collectively as the ], gathered in their states' capitols to cast their official votes. Pursuant to the processes laid out by the ] of 1887, ] listing the names of the electors and separate certificates recording their votes are distributed to various officials across the branches of government.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/12/14/the-latest-california-pushes-biden-to-electoral-college-win/|title=The Latest: California pushes Biden to Electoral College win|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Mercury News|date=December 14, 2020|access-date=December 14, 2020|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115174456/https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/12/14/the-latest-biden-says-election-workers-showed-courage/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.archives.gov/electoral-college/provisions |title=Legal provisions relevant to the Electoral College process |work=National Archives and Records Administration |date=September 5, 2019 |access-date=December 9, 2020 |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108185150/https://www.archives.gov/electoral-college/provisions |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.archives.gov/electoral-college/2020 |title=2020 Electoral College Results |work=National Archives |date=November 5, 2019 |access-date=December 17, 2020 |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113040058/https://www.archives.gov/electoral-college/2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The newly elected Congress, with the vice president in his role as Senate president presiding, met in a ] to formally open the certificates and count the votes, which began on January 6, 2021, was interrupted by the ], and finished the following day.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Cochrane|first1=Emily|last2=Fandos|first2=Nicholas|date=January 6, 2021|title=After Pro-Trump Mob Storms Capitol, Congress Confirms Biden's Win|newspaper=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/us/politics/congress-gop-subvert-election.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/us/politics/congress-gop-subvert-election.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited|access-date=January 7, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
===Simultaneous elections===
{{further|2020 United States Senate elections|2020 United States House of Representatives elections}}


== Nominations ==
The presidential election occurred simultaneously with elections to the ] and the ]. Gubernatorial and legislative elections were also held in several states. For the subsequent election, the United States House will redistribute the seats among the 50 states based on the results of the ], and the states will conduct a ] of Congressional and state legislative districts. In most states, the governor and the state legislature conduct the redistricting (although some states have ]s). Often, a party that wins a presidential election experiences a ] that also helps other candidates of that party win elections.<ref name="9qYs9" /> Therefore, the party that wins the 2020 presidential election could also win a ] in drawing new Congressional and state legislative districts that would stay in effect until the 2032 elections.<ref name="X02Fz" />
{{further|2020 United States presidential primary elections}}
{{Joe Biden series|expanded=Presidential campaigns}}
{{Kamala Harris series|expanded=Vice presidential campaigns}}


=== Democratic Party ===
==Nominations==
{{Main|2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries|2020 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection|2020 Democratic National Convention|Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign}}


The Democratic Party chose its nominee in the ]. ] became the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party on June 5, 2020, when he secured enough delegates to ensure his nomination at the national convention.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Montellaro |first1=Zach |title=Biden clinches Democratic presidential nomination |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/05/biden-clinches-democratic-presidential-nomination-304338 |website=] |access-date=June 9, 2020 |date=June 5, 2020 |archive-date=June 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609180039/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/05/biden-clinches-democratic-presidential-nomination-304338 |url-status=live}}</ref> Biden picked ] as his vice-presidential nominee, and the ticket was formally nominated at the convention on August 18.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Olorunnipa |first1=Toluse |last2=Janes |first2=Chelsea |last3=Sonmez |first3=Felicia |last4=Itkowitz |first4=Colby |last5=Wagner |first5=John |title=Joe Biden officially becomes the Democratic Party's nominee on convention's second night |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2020/08/18/democratic-national-convention-live-updates/ |access-date=January 27, 2021 |newspaper=] |date=August 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103083542/https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2020/08/18/democratic-national-convention-live-updates/ |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Democratic Party nomination===
{{main|2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries}}


{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center"
====Primaries====
In August 2018, the ] voted to disallow ]s from voting on the first ballot of the nominating process, beginning with the 2020 election. This required a candidate to win a majority of pledged delegates from the assorted primary elections in order to win the party's nomination. The last time this did not occur was the nomination of ] at the ].<ref name="ssKcA" /> Meanwhile, six states used ] in the primaries: Alaska, Hawaii, Kansas, and Wyoming for all voters; and Iowa and ] for absentee voters.<ref name="7VCs8" />

After ]'s loss in the ] election, the Democratic Party was seen largely as leaderless,<ref name="BGA13"/> and was also seen as fractured between the ] Clinton wing and the more ] ] wing of the party, echoing the rift brought up in the ] election.<ref name="YGlMQ" /><ref name="le0En" /> In 2018, several ] districts that Democrats hoped to gain from the Republican majority had contentious primary elections. '']''{{'}}s Elena Schneider described these clashes as a "Democratic civil war".<ref name="rlKMJ" /> During this period, there was a general shift to the left in regards to college tuition, healthcare, and immigration among Democrats in the Senate.<ref name="gTbzW" /><ref name="C7O7F" />

Overall, the 2020 primary field had 29 major candidates,<ref name="fkBz3" /> breaking the record for the largest field under the modern presidential primary system previously set during the ] with 17 major candidates.<ref name="politifact2019" />

Entering the ] on February 3, 2020, the field had decreased to 11 major candidates. ] narrowly defeated ] in Iowa, then Sanders edged out Buttigieg in the February 11, ]. Following ], ], and ] dropping out, Sanders won the ] on February 22. ] then won the ], causing Buttigieg, ], and ] to abandon their campaigns (Buttigieg and Klobuchar then immediately endorsed Biden). After ], March 3, ] and ] quit the race, leaving three candidates left: Biden and Sanders, the main contenders, and ], who remained in the race despite facing nigh-on insurmountable odds.<ref name="cw3Ne" /> Gabbard then dropped out and endorsed Biden after the March 17, ], ], and ] races.<ref name="2vZj6" /> On April 8, 2020, Sanders dropped out, reportedly after being convinced by former president ], leaving Biden as the only major candidate remaining, and the presumptive nominee.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/08/biden-sanders-2016-2020-176169|title=Biden moves quickly to exorcise 'the ghosts of 2016'|website=Politico|last1=Caputo|first1=Marc|date=April 8, 2020|access-date=April 8, 2020|archive-date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603203601/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/08/biden-sanders-2016-2020-176169|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Collman|first1=Ashley|title=Obama convinced Bernie Sanders to drop out by arguing that he already succeeded in pushing Biden to the left, new report says|url=https://www.businessinsider.sg/obama-convinced-bernie-sanders-to-drop-out-2020-race-2020-4?r=US&IR=T|website=Business Insider|date=April 15, 2020|access-date=April 22, 2020|archive-date=June 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620095541/https://www.businessinsider.com/obama-convinced-bernie-sanders-to-drop-out-2020-race-2020-4?r=US&IR=T%2F|url-status=live}}</ref> Biden then gained endorsements from Obama, Sanders and Warren.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fearnow |first1=Benjamin |title=Joe Biden's favorability rose 9 percent after endorsements from Obama, Sanders and Warren |url=https://www.newsweek.com/joe-bidens-favorability-rose-9-percent-after-endorsements-obama-sanders-warren-1499200 |website=Newsweek |access-date=April 22, 2020 |date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=May 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523180030/https://www.newsweek.com/joe-bidens-favorability-rose-9-percent-after-endorsements-obama-sanders-warren-1499200 |url-status=live }}</ref> By June 5, 2020, Biden had officially gained enough delegates to ensure his nomination at the convention,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Montellaro |first1=Zach |title=Biden clinches Democratic presidential nomination |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/05/biden-clinches-democratic-presidential-nomination-304338 |website=Politico |access-date=June 9, 2020 |date=June 5, 2020 |archive-date=June 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609180039/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/05/biden-clinches-democratic-presidential-nomination-304338 |url-status=live }}</ref> and proceeded to work with Sanders to develop a ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/07/08/889189235/democratic-task-forces-deliver-biden-a-blueprint-for-a-progressive-presidency|title=Democratic Task Forces Deliver Biden A Blueprint For A Progressive Presidency|website=NPR|last1=Detrow|first1=Scott|date=July 8, 2020|access-date=July 10, 2020|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819125446/https://www.npr.org/2020/07/08/889189235/democratic-task-forces-deliver-biden-a-blueprint-for-a-progressive-presidency|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Vice presidential selection====
{{see|2020 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection}}
Senator ] was announced as former ] Joe Biden's running mate on August 11, 2020. When inaugurated, Harris will be the first woman, first African-American, and first Asian-American vice president of the United States, as well as the second person with non-European ancestry (after ]'s vice-president ]). She is the third ] after ] in ] and ] in ]. She is the first person representing the ] to appear on the Democratic Party presidential ticket.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Conradis|first=Brandon|date=August 11, 2020|title=Kamala Harris makes history — as a Westerner|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/511601-kamala-harris-makes-history-as-a-westerner|access-date=August 14, 2020|website=The Hill|archive-date=August 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812164006/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/511601-kamala-harris-makes-history-as-a-westerner|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Nominee====
{{Joe Biden series}}
{{Nominee Table
|party logo=Democratic Disc.svg
|party=Democratic
|header=2020 Democratic Party ticket
|president=Joe Biden
|vice president=Kamala Harris
|president portrait=Joe Biden official portrait 2013 cropped (cropped).jpg
|vp portrait=Senator Harris official senate portrait.jpg
|experience=]<br />]<br />(2009–2017)
|vp experience=]<br />from ]<br />(2017–''present'')
|campaign=Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign
|campaign logo=Biden_Harris_logo.svg
|bottom color=#c8ebff
}}

====Candidates====
The following major candidates have either: (a) served as ], a member of the ], a ], a ], or a ], (b) been included in a minimum of five ], or (c) received substantial media coverage.

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="font-size:90%"
|- {{sup|†}}
| colspan="9" style="text-align:center; font-size:120%; color:white; background:{{Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color}};"|''Candidates in this section are sorted by date of withdrawal''
|- style="font-size:120%;"
! scope="col" style="width:14.3%;" | ]
! scope="col" style="width:14.3%;" | ]
! scope="col" style="width:14.3%;" | ]
! scope="col" style="width:14.3%;" | ]
! scope="col" style="width:14.3%;" | ]
! scope="col" style="width:14.3%;" | ]
! scope="col" style="width:14.3%;" | ]
|- |-
|style="background:#f1f1f1" colspan="30"| ]<big>'''2020 Democratic Party ticket '''</big>
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
|- style="text-align:center"
| ] from ]<br />(2007–present)<br />] from ]<br />(1991–2007)<br />] of ]<br />(1981–1989)
| ] from ]<br />(2013–present)
| ] from ]<br />(2013–present)
| ] of ], ]<br />(2002–2013)<br />] of ]
| ] from ]<br />(2007–present)
| ] of ], ]<br />(2012–2020)
| Hedge fund manager<br />Founder of ] and ]
|- style="text-align:center"
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
|- style="text-align:center"
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
|- style="text-align:center"
| W: April 8, 2020
(endorsed Biden)<br />'''8,823,936''' votes<br />'''1,073''' delegates
| W: March 19, 2020
(endorsed Biden)<br />'''233,079''' votes<br />'''2''' delegates
| W: March 5, 2020
(endorsed Biden)<br />'''2,668,057''' votes<br />'''58''' delegates
| W: March 4, 2020
(endorsed Biden)<br />'''2,430,062''' votes<br />'''43''' delegates
| W: March 2, 2020
(endorsed Biden)<br />'''501,332''' votes<br />'''7''' delegates
| W: March 1, 2020
(endorsed Biden)<br />'''874,727''' votes<br />'''21''' delegates
| W: February 29, 2020
(endorsed Biden)<br />'''250,513''' votes

<br />
|- style="text-align:center"
| <ref name="1BsyM" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Woodall|first=Hunter|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/bernie-sanders-suspends-2020-presidential-campaign|title=Bernie Sanders Suspends 2020 Presidential Campaign|website=The Daily Beast|date=April 8, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=April 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410005106/https://www.thedailybeast.com/bernie-sanders-suspends-2020-presidential-campaign|url-status=live}}</ref>
| <ref name="UcKhF" /><ref name="HWikS" />
| <ref name="warren" /><ref name="mJNbZ" />
| <ref name="Zfys7" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/mike-bloomberg-ends-presidential-campaign-after-poor-super-tuesday-finish|title=Mike Bloomberg drops out of presidential race, endorses Biden|website=PBS|last1=Ronayne|first1=Kathleen|last2=Jaffe|first2=Alexandra|date=March 4, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=May 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519163415/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/mike-bloomberg-ends-presidential-campaign-after-poor-super-tuesday-finish|url-status=live}}</ref>
| <ref name="klobuchar announcement2" /><ref name="KlobucharDrops" />
| <ref name="ButtigiegAnnounce22" /><ref name="ButtgiegOut2" />
| <ref name="Steyer22" /><ref name="yFvoG" />
|- style="font-size:120%;"
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
|- |-
!style="width:3em;font-size:135%;background:#2633FF;width:200px"| ]
| ]
!style="width:3em;font-size:135%;background:#2633FF;width:200px"| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
|- style="text-align:center"
| ]<br />(2007–2015)
| ] from ]<br />(2009–present)
| Entrepreneur<br />Founder of ]
| ] from ]<br />(2013–2019)
| ] from ]<br />(2013–present)<br />] of ], ]<br />(2006–2013)
| Author<br />Founder of ]<br />] candidate for ] from ] in ]
| ]<br />(2014–2017)<br />] of ], ]<br />(2009–2014)
|- style="text-align:center"
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
|- style="text-align:center"
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
|- style="text-align:center"
| W: February 12, 2020
(endorsed Biden)<br />'''20,761''' votes
| W: February 11, 2020
(endorsed Biden)<br />'''43,682''' votes
| W: February 11, 2020
(endorsed Biden)<br />'''119,862''' votes
| W: January 31, 2020
(endorsed Biden)<br />'''15,985''' votes
| W: January 13, 2020
(endorsed Biden)<br />'''30,191 ''' votes
| W: January 10, 2020
(endorsed Sanders)<br />'''21,993''' votes
| W: January 2, 2020
(endorsed Warren, then Biden)<br />'''36,694''' votes
|- style="text-align:center"
| <ref name="PatrickEnters22" /><ref name="usatoday22" />
| <ref name="Bennet-announce22" /><ref name="Bennet-withdraws22" />
| <ref name="YUUke" /><ref name="WoBwe" />
| <ref name="DelaneyAnnouncementOpEd" /><ref name="tyQsj" />
| <ref name="BookerAnnounce" /><ref name="BookerDropout" />
| <ref name="williamson" /><ref name="williamsonends" />
| <ref name="IsPBs" /><ref name="gVLLk" />
|- style="font-size:120%;"
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
|- |-
|style="width:3em;font-size:100%;color:#000;background:#C8EBFF;width:200px"| '''''for President'''''
| ]
|style="width:3em;font-size:100%;color:#000;background:#C8EBFF;width:200px"| '''''for Vice President'''''
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
|- style="text-align:center"
| ] from ]<br />(2017–present)<br />] of ]<br />(2011–2017)
| ] of ]<br />(2013–present)<br />] of ]<br />(2009–2013)
| ] from ]<br />(2007–2011)<br />Former ] of the ]
| ] of ], ]<br />(2015–present)
| ] from ]<br />(2013–2019)
| ] from ]<br />(2013–present)<br />] from ]<br />(2003–2013)
| ] of ], ]<br />(2014–present)
|- style="text-align:center"
| ]
| ]
| {{n/a}}
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
|- style="text-align:center"
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
|- style="text-align:center"
| W: December 3, 2019
(endorsed Biden and<br />nominated for vice president)<br />'''844''' votes
| W: December 2, 2019
<br/>'''549''' votes
| W: December 1, 2019
(endorsed Klobuchar)<br />'''5,251''' votes
| W: November 19, 2019
<br/>'''0''' votes{{efn|name="no_ballots"|Candidate did not appear on any ballots.}}
| W: November 1, 2019
(endorsed Biden)<br />'''1''' vote{{efn|name="no_ballots"}}
| W: October 24, 2019
(endorsed Biden)<br />'''0''' votes{{efn|name="no_ballots"}}
| W: September 20, 2019
(endorsed Sanders)<br />'''0''' votes{{efn|name="no_ballots"}}
|- style="text-align:center"
| <ref name="harris announcement" /><ref name="politicod3c" />
| <ref name="BullockAnnounce" /><ref name="bullockdropout" />
| <ref name="Yji25" /><ref name="axiosdec1" />
| <ref name="Messam" /><ref name="qgPM8" />
| <ref name="Beto-announce" /><ref name="Beto-withdrew" />
| <ref name="Ryan-announce" /><ref name="zom25" />
| <ref name="bdb" /><ref name="deblasiowithdrew" />
|- style="font-size:120%;"
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
|- |-
| ] | ]
| ] | ]
|-
| ]
| ]<br/>]<br/><small>(2009–2017)</small>
| ]
| ]<br/>from ]<br/><small>(2017–2021)</small>
| ]
|-
| ]
|colspan=2| ''']'''
| ]
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|colspan=2| ]
| ] from ]<br />(2009–present)<br />] from ]<br />(2007–2009)
| ] from ]<br />(2015–present)
| ] of ]<br />(2013–present)<br />] from ]<br />(1999–2012)<br />] from ]<br />(1993–1995)
| ] of ]<br />(2011–2019)<br />] of ], ]<br />(2003–2011)
| ] from ]<br />(1969–1981)
| ] from ]<br />(2013–present)
| ] from WV-SD07<br />(2016–2019)
|- style="text-align:center"
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| {{n/a}}
|- style="text-align:center"
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
|- style="text-align:center"
| W: August 28, 2019
(endorsed Biden)<br />'''0''' votes{{efn|name="no_ballots"}}
| W: August 23, 2019
(endorsed Biden)<br />'''0''' votes{{efn|name="no_ballots"}}
| W: August 21, 2019
(endorsed Biden)<br />'''1''' vote{{efn|name="no_ballots"}}
| W: August 15, 2019
(endorsed Bennet)<br />'''1''' vote{{efn|name="no_ballots"}}
| W: August 6, 2019
(endorsed Gabbard and Sanders, then Howie Hawkins)<br />'''0''' votes{{efn|name="no_ballots"}}
| W: July 8, 2019
<br/>'''0''' votes{{efn|name="no_ballots"}}
| W: January 25, 2019
<br/>'''0''' votes{{efn|name="no_ballots"}}
|- style="text-align:center"
| <ref>{{cite news |last1=Stracqualursi |first1=Veronica |title=Kirsten Gillibrand officially jumps into 2020 race, teases speech at Trump hotel in New York |url=https://us.cnn.com/2019/03/17/politics/kirsten-gillibrand-presidential-campaign-2020/index.html |website=] |access-date=March 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190317151553/https://us.cnn.com/2019/03/17/politics/kirsten-gillibrand-presidential-campaign-2020/index.html |date=March 17, 2019|archive-date=March 17, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Gillibrandwithdrew" />
| <ref name="Moulton" /><ref name="MoultonWithdraw" />
| <ref name="ccAm2" /><ref name="InsleeWithdraw" />
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com.au/former-colorado-governor-john-hickenlooper-announces-run-for-president-2019-1?r=US&IR=T|title=Former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper announces a run for president|website=Business Insider|last1=Panetta|first1=Grace|date=March 4, 2019|access-date=August 19, 2020|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913090415/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/former-colorado-governor-john-hickenlooper-announces-run-for-president-2019-1?r=US&IR=T|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="rRVOz" />
| <ref name="oh0au" /><ref name="fjlaq" />
| <ref name="Swalwell-announce" /><ref name="SwalwellWithdraw" />
| <ref name="BQZCb" /><ref name="theintercept1" />
|} |}


===Republican Party nomination=== === Republican Party ===
{{main|2020 Republican Party presidential primaries}} {{Main|2020 Republican Party presidential primaries|2020 Republican National Convention|Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign}}

====Primaries====
In election cycles with incumbent presidents running for re-election, the race for the party nomination is usually ''pro-forma'', with token opposition instead of any serious challengers and with their party rules being fixed in their favor.<ref name="B1TfP" /><ref name="politico20190506" /> The 2020 election was no exception; with Donald Trump formally seeking a second term,<ref name="DFAz3" /><ref name="VkToz" /> the official Republican apparatus, both state and national, coordinated with his campaign to implement changes to make it difficult for any primary opponent to mount a serious challenge.<ref name="ct7mA" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/10/republicans-quietly-rig-2020-nominating-contest-for-trump.html|title=Republicans Quietly Rigging 2020 Nominating Contest for Trump|website=New York Intelligencer|last1=Kilgore|first1=Ed|date=October 8, 2019|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=March 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301095403/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/10/republicans-quietly-rig-2020-nominating-contest-for-trump.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 25, 2019, the ] unofficially endorsed Trump.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rnc-push-undivided-support-trump-reelection-state-leaders/story?id=60603125|title=RNC pledges undivided support for Trump re-election; state leaders consider canceling caucuses|website=ABC News|last1=Scott|first1=Rachel|date=January 29, 2019|access-date=September 9, 2020|archive-date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724185515/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rnc-push-undivided-support-trump-reelection-state-leaders/story?id=60603125|url-status=live}}</ref>

Several Republican state committees scrapped their respective primaries or caucuses,<ref name="politico20190906" /> citing the fact that Republicans canceled several state primaries when ] and ] sought a second term in ] and ], respectively; and Democrats scrapped some of their primaries when ] and ] were seeking reelection in ] and ], respectively.<ref name="YYpWu" /><ref name="b3RX8" /> After cancelling their races, some of those states, such as Hawaii and New York, immediately pledged their delegates to Trump.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/474243-hawaii-gop-cancels-presidential-preference-poll-and-commits-delegates-to|title=Hawaii GOP cancels presidential preference poll, commits delegates to Trump|website=The Hill|last1=Klar|first1=Rebecca|date=December 12, 2019|access-date=December 12, 2019|archive-date=April 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412161151/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/474243-hawaii-gop-cancels-presidential-preference-poll-and-commits-delegates-to|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-new-york-cancels-gop-primary-20200303-tra2ex6cnfaz5gs6vbz7oitjxm-story.html|title=New York cancels Republican primary after Trump only candidate to qualify|website=New York Daily News|last1=Slattery|first1=Denis|date=March 3, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603231308/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-new-york-cancels-gop-primary-20200303-tra2ex6cnfaz5gs6vbz7oitjxm-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In contrast, other states, such as Kansas and Nevada, later formally held a convention or meeting to officially award their delegates to him.<ref name="cw1Ms" /><ref name="vHq4G" />

The Trump campaign also urged Republican state committees that used proportional methods to award delegates in 2016 (where a state's delegates are divided proportionally among the candidates based on the vote percentage) to switch to a "]" (where the winning candidate in a state gets all its delegates) or "winner-takes-most" (where the winning candidate only wins all of the state's delegates if he exceeds a predetermined amount, otherwise they are divided proportionally) for 2020.<ref name="politico20190506" /><ref name="AP20190920" />

Nevertheless, reports arose beginning in August 2017 that members of the Republican Party were preparing a "shadow campaign" against the president, particularly from the party's moderate or establishment wings. Then-] senator ] said, "Republicans see weakness in this president."<ref name="wjjR6" /><ref name="yDOhp" /> ] senator ], ] senator ], and former ] Governor ] all expressed doubts in 2017 that Trump would be the 2020 nominee, with Collins stating, "It's too difficult to say."<ref name="C9L6O" /><ref name="f20FO" /> Senator ] claimed in 2017 that Trump was "inviting" a primary challenger by the way he was governing.<ref name="Ogmqz" /> However, longtime political strategist ] predicted in May 2018 that Trump might not seek a second term were he to succeed in keeping all his campaign promises and "mak America great again".<ref name="GxyXS" />

Former Massachusetts Governor ] became Trump's first major challenger in the Republican primaries following an announcement on April 15, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/04/15/politics/bill-weld-2020-trump/|title=Bill Weld officially announces he is challenging Trump for GOP nomination in 2020|website=CNN|last1=Brusk|first1=Steve|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kate|date=April 16, 2019|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=April 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415211525/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/04/15/politics/bill-weld-2020-trump/|url-status=live}}</ref> Weld, who was the ] nominee for vice president in 2016, was considered a long shot because of Trump's popularity within his own party and Weld's positions on issues such as ], ] and ] that conflicted with conservative positions on those issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/04/bill-weld-officially-targets-trump-with-long-shot-primary-bid|title=Bill Weld Officially Targets Trump With Long-Shot Primary Challenge|work=Vanity Fair|date=April 16, 2019|last1=Durkee|first1=Allison|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111185609/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/04/bill-weld-officially-targets-trump-with-long-shot-primary-bid|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, businessman ] also entered the race but was not widely recognized as a major candidate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/columnists/story/2019-10-25/column-roque-de-la-fuente-is-running-for-u-s-president-again|title=Roque 'Rocky' De La Fuente is running for U.S. president — again|website=The San Diego Tribune|last1=Bell|first1=Diane|date=October 25, 2019|access-date=August 28, 2020|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913094254/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/columnists/story/2019-10-25/column-roque-de-la-fuente-is-running-for-u-s-president-again|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fox61.com/article/news/politics/elections/rocky-de-la-fuente-connecticut-primary-presidential-gop-republican/520-ec3fb22c-b627-4877-acdd-f6f1b2cbab09|title=Who is Rocky De La Fuente? The other republican running against Trump in Connecticut's Primary|website=FOX 61|last1=Brooks|first1=Spencer Allan|date=August 10, 2020|access-date=August 28, 2020|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913085810/https://www.fox61.com/article/news/politics/elections/rocky-de-la-fuente-connecticut-primary-presidential-gop-republican/520-ec3fb22c-b627-4877-acdd-f6f1b2cbab09|url-status=live}}</ref>

Former Illinois ] ] launched a primary challenge on August 25, 2019, saying, "I'm going to do whatever I can. I don't want to win. The country cannot afford to have him win. If I'm not successful, I'm not voting for him."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/25/politics/joe-walsh-take-on-trump-in-2020-republican-primary/index.html|title=Joe Walsh to take on Trump in 2020 Republican primary|website=CNN|last1=Kelly|first1=Caroline|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kate|date=August 25, 2020|access-date=August 25, 2020|archive-date=August 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828051844/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/25/politics/joe-walsh-take-on-trump-in-2020-republican-primary/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Walsh ended his presidential bid on February 7, 2020, after drawing around 1% support in the Iowa caucuses. Walsh declared that "nobody can beat Trump in a Republican primary" because the Republican Party was now "a cult" of Trump. According to Walsh, Trump supporters had become "followers" who think that Trump "can do no wrong", after absorbing misinformation from conservative media. He stated, "They don't know what the truth is and—more importantly—they don't care."<ref name="iWwLJ" /> On September 8, 2019, former South Carolina Governor and representative ] officially announced that he would be another Republican primary challenger to Trump.<ref name="NYTimesSanford" /> He dropped out of the race 65 days later on November 12, 2019, after failing to gain support in Republican circles.<ref name="JE5vC" />

] has essentially been ongoing since his victory in 2016, leading pundits to describe his tactic of holding rallies continuously throughout his presidency as a "never-ending campaign".<ref name="kn3IR" /> On January 20, 2017, at 5:11{{nbsp}}p.m.{{nbsp}}], he submitted a letter as a substitute of FEC Form 2, by which he reached the legal threshold for filing, in compliance with the ].<ref name="0ergM" /> During the primary season, Trump ran an active campaign, even holding rallies in the February primary states, including South Carolina and Nevada where Republican primaries were canceled.<ref name="vckt4" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/28/trump-south-carolina-rally-coronavirus-118269|title=Trump rallies his base to treat coronavirus as a 'hoax'|website=Politico|last1=Cook|first1=Nancy|last2=Choi|first2=Matthew|date=February 28, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=March 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309231730/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/28/trump-south-carolina-rally-coronavirus-118269|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump won every race and, having won enough delegates to ensure his nomination at the convention, became the presumptive nominee on March 17, 2020.<ref name="u9rZ3" /> Weld suspended his campaign the next day.<ref name="HCjk9" />

====Nominee====
{{Donald Trump series |expanded=Campaigns}} {{Donald Trump series |expanded=Campaigns}}
{{Mike Pence series}}
{{Nominee Table
|party logo=Republican Disc.png
|party=Republican
|header=2020 Republican Party ticket
|president=Donald Trump
|vice president=Mike Pence
|president portrait=Official Portrait of President Donald Trump.jpg
|vp portrait=Vice President Pence Official Portrait.jpg
|experience=]<br />]<br />(2017–''present'')
|vp experience=]<br />]<br />(2017–''present'')
|campaign=Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign
|campaign logo=Trump-Pence 2020.svg
|bottom color=#ffd0d7
}}


Incumbent president ] and incumbent vice president Mike Pence were able to easily secure the nomination after Trump received enough delegates in the ]. They were formally nominated at the Republican National Convention on August 24, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Egan |first1=Lauren |title=Trump officially becomes Republican nominee after delegates' roll call |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/rnc-meets-charlotte-officially-nominate-trump-n1237835 |website=] |access-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114034429/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/rnc-meets-charlotte-officially-nominate-trump-n1237835 |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |date=August 24, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=2020 Republican Primary Election Results|url=https://www.usatoday.com/elections/results/primaries/republican/|access-date=February 10, 2021|website=USA Today|archive-date=February 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210190226/https://www.usatoday.com/elections/results/primaries/republican/|url-status=live}}</ref>
====Candidates====
The following major candidates have either: (a) held public office, (b) been included in a minimum of five ], or (c) received substantial media coverage.<ref name="gnwsk" /><ref name="4wBI5" /><ref name="TB0Xe" />


{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center"
|-
|-{{sup|†}}
| colspan="7" style="text-align:center; font-size:120%; color:white; background:{{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}};" |''Candidates in this section are sorted by popular vote'' |style="background:#F1F1F1" colspan="30"| ]<big>'''2020 Republican Party ticket'''</big>
|- style="font-size:120%;"
! scope="col" style="width:3em;"|]
! scope="col" style="width:3em;"|]
! scope="col" style="width:3em;"|]
! scope="col" style="width:3em;"|]
|- |-
!style="width:3em;font-size:135%;background:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};width:200px"| ]
| ]
!style="width:3em;font-size:135%;background:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};width:200px"| ]
| ]
|-
| ]
|style="width:3em;font-size:100%;color:#000;background:#FFD0D7;width:200px"| '''''for President'''''
| ]
|style="width:3em;font-size:100%;color:#000;background:#FFD0D7;width:200px"| '''''for Vice President'''''
|- style="text-align:center"
|-
|] of ]<br />(1991–1997)
| ]
|] from ]<br />(2011–2013)
| ]
|Businessman and ]
|-
|] from ]<br />(1995–2001, 2013–2019)<br />] of ]<br />(2003–2011)
| ]<br/>]<br/><small>(2017–2021)</small>
|- style="text-align:center"
| ]<br/>]<br/><small>(2017–2021)</small>
| ]
|-
| ]
| ] |colspan=2| ''']'''
|-
| ]
|colspan=2| ]
|- style="text-align:center"
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
|- style="text-align:center"
|W: March 18, 2020<br />'''454,402''' votes<br />'''1''' delegate
|W: February 7, 2020<br />'''173,519''' votes<br /><br />
|Accepted<br /> 3rd party nomination<br /> April 23, 2020<br />'''108,357''' votes<br /><br />
|W: November 12, 2019<br />'''4,258''' votes<br /><br />
|- style="text-align:center"
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/04/15/politics/bill-weld-2020-trump/index.html|title=Bill Weld officially announces he is challenging Trump for GOP nomination in 2020|website=CNN|last1=Brusk|first1=Steve|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kate|date=April 16, 2019|access-date=March 20, 2020|archive-date=May 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523125718/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/04/15/politics/bill-weld-2020-trump/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nhILZ" />
| <ref name="OJrPF" /><ref name="bUMfG" />
| <ref name="WQ730" />{{bsn|date=September 2020}}
| <ref name="NYTimesSanford" /><ref name="SanfordSuspends" />
|} |}


=== Libertarian Party ===
===Other parties and independent candidates===
{{main|Third party and independent candidates for the 2020 United States presidential election}} {{Main|2020 Libertarian Party presidential primaries|2020 Libertarian National Convention|Jo Jorgensen 2020 presidential campaign}}
], who was the running mate of author ] in ], received the Libertarian nomination at the national convention on May 23, 2020.<ref name="Jorgensen nomination">{{Cite web |last1=Doherty |first1=Brian |title=Jo Jorgensen Wins Libertarian Party Presidential Nomination |url=https://reason.com/2020/05/23/jo-jorgensen-wins-libertarian-party-presidential-nomination/ |website=] |access-date=August 7, 2020 |date=May 23, 2020 |archive-date=May 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524160040/https://reason.com/2020/05/23/jo-jorgensen-wins-libertarian-party-presidential-nomination/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She achieved ballot access in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.<ref name="Jorgensen ballot access">{{Cite news |last1=Voskuil |first1=Connor |title=LP Presidential Nominee On The Ballot in All 50 States Plus DC |url=https://www.lp.org/lp-presidential-nominee-on-the-ballot-in-all-50-states-plus-dc/ |website=] |access-date=January 26, 2021 |date=September 16, 2020 |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009231818/https://www.lp.org/lp-presidential-nominee-on-the-ballot-in-all-50-states-plus-dc/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


====Libertarian Party nomination====
{{main|2020 Libertarian Party presidential primaries|2020 Libertarian National Convention}}
], who was the running mate of author ] in 1996, received the Libertarian nomination at the national convention on May 23, 2020.<ref name="JoWins" /> She achieved ballot access in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.<ref name="Jorgensen ballot access">{{cite web|url=https://www.lp.org/lp-presidential-nominee-on-the-ballot-in-all-50-states-plus-dc/|title=LP Presidential Nominee On The Ballot in All 50 States Plus DC|website=Libertarian Party of the United States|last1=Johnston|first1=Bob|date=September 16, 2020|access-date=October 2, 2020|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009231818/https://www.lp.org/lp-presidential-nominee-on-the-ballot-in-all-50-states-plus-dc/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=====Nominee=====
{{Nominee Table {{Nominee Table
|party logo=LPF-torch-logo (cropped).png | party logo = Libertarian Disc.svg
|party=Libertarian | party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| top text color=black
|header=2020 Libertarian Party ticket
| header = 2020 Libertarian Party ticket
|president=Jo Jorgensen
|vice president=Spike Cohen | president = Jo Jorgensen
| vice president = Spike Cohen
|top text color=black
|president portrait=Jo Jorgensen portrait 3.jpg | president portrait = Jo Jorgensen portrait 3.jpg
|vp portrait=Spike Cohen portrait 1 (crop 2).jpg | vp portrait = Spike Cohen portrait 1 (crop 2).jpg
|experience=Senior Lecturer at {{nowrap|]}} | experience = Senior Lecturer at {{nowrap|]}}
|vp experience=Podcaster and businessman | vp experience = Podcaster and businessman
|campaign=Jo Jorgensen 2020 presidential campaign | campaign = Jo Jorgensen 2020 presidential campaign
|campaign logo =Jorgensen Cohen 2020 Campaign Logo.svg | campaignlogo = Jorgensen Cohen 2020 Campaign Logo.svg
|bottom color=#ffffbf | top color = Gold
| bottom color=#ffffbf}}
}}
{{clear}}


====Green Party nomination==== === Green Party ===
{{See|2020 Green Party presidential primaries|2020 Green National Convention}} {{Main|2020 Green Party presidential primaries|2020 Green National Convention|Howie Hawkins 2020 presidential campaign}}
] became the presumptive nominee of the Green Party on June 21, 2020, and was officially nominated by the party on July 11, 2020.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nam|first1=Rafael|title=Howie Hawkins clinches Green Party's nomination after primary wins|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/503696-howie-hawkins-clinches-green-partys-nomination-after-primary-wins|access-date=June 23, 2020|website=The Hill|date=June 21, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003020137/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/503696-howie-hawkins-clinches-green-partys-nomination-after-primary-wins|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ballot-access.org/2020/07/11/green-party-nominates-howie-hawkins-for-president-on-first-ballot/|title=Green Party Nominates Howie Hawkins for President on First Ballot|website=Ballot Access News|last1=Winger|first1=Richard|date=July 11, 2020|access-date=July 11, 2020|archive-date=August 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817121900/http://ballot-access.org/2020/07/11/green-party-nominates-howie-hawkins-for-president-on-first-ballot/|url-status=live}}</ref> Hawkins has also been nominated by the ], ], and the ].<ref> ] became the presumptive nominee of the Green Party on June 21, 2020, and was officially nominated by the party on July 11, 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Nam|first1=Rafael|date=June 21, 2020|title=Howie Hawkins clinches Green Party's nomination after primary wins|website=]|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/503696-howie-hawkins-clinches-green-partys-nomination-after-primary-wins|url-status=live|access-date=June 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003020137/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/503696-howie-hawkins-clinches-green-partys-nomination-after-primary-wins|archive-date=October 3, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Winger|first1=Richard|date=July 11, 2020|title=Green Party Nominates Howie Hawkins for President on First Ballot|url=http://ballot-access.org/2020/07/11/green-party-nominates-howie-hawkins-for-president-on-first-ballot/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817121900/http://ballot-access.org/2020/07/11/green-party-nominates-howie-hawkins-for-president-on-first-ballot/|archive-date=August 17, 2020|access-date=July 11, 2020|website=Ballot Access News}}</ref> Hawkins secured ballot access in 29 states and the District of Columbia, representing 381 electoral votes, and write-in access in 16 more states, representing 130 electoral votes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ballot Access|url=https://howiehawkins.us/ballotaccess/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915133426/https://howiehawkins.us/ballotaccess/|archive-date=September 15, 2020|access-date=September 15, 2020|website=Howie Hawkins 2020|date=June 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.syracuse.com/politics/cny/2020/10/syracuses-howie-hawkins-on-his-30-state-presidential-bid-im-not-a-spoiler.html| first1=Mark| last1=Weiner| title=Syracuse's Howie Hawkins on his 30-state presidential bid: I'm not a spoiler| website=Syracuse.com| date=October 5, 2020| access-date=February 25, 2021| archive-date=January 1, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101121141/https://www.syracuse.com/politics/cny/2020/10/syracuses-howie-hawkins-on-his-30-state-presidential-bid-im-not-a-spoiler.html| url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|Although claimed in Hawkins's campaign website, he did not obtain write-in access in Montana.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318024342/https://sosmt.gov/wp-content/uploads/State_Canvass_Writein_by_County.pdf |date=March 18, 2023 }}, Montana Secretary of State.</ref>}}
*{{cite news |title=Howie Hawkins wins Socialist Party USA nomination for 2020 presidential race |url=https://www.localsyr.com/news/your-local-election-hq/howie-hawkins-wins-socialist-party-usa-nomination-for-2020-presidential-race/ |access-date=June 23, 2020 |work=WSYR |date=October 28, 2019 |archive-date=November 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104051752/https://www.localsyr.com/news/your-local-election-hq/howie-hawkins-wins-socialist-party-usa-nomination-for-2020-presidential-race/ |url-status=live }}
*{{cite web |last1=Mullen |first1=Keely |title=Trump in Trouble and Biden in Hiding: 2020 Presidential Elections |url=https://www.socialistalternative.org/2020/08/13/trump-in-trouble-and-biden-in-hiding-2020-presidential-elections/ |website=Socialist Alternative |access-date=August 27, 2020 |date=August 13, 2020 |archive-date=August 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817120811/https://www.socialistalternative.org/2020/08/13/trump-in-trouble-and-biden-in-hiding-2020-presidential-elections/ |url-status=live }}
*{{cite tweet|number=1297941775378780162|user=HowieHawkins|title=Thank you to the members of the Legal Marijuana Now Party of Minnesota for their endorsement! It's time to legalize marijuana and end the war on drugs! Welcome to our growing #LeftUnity campaign! #LegalizeIt Read about our marijuana and drug policies at https://howiehawkins.us/legalize-marijuana-and-end-the-war-on-drugs/|last1=Hawkins|first1=Howie|date=August 24, 2020}}</ref> Hawkins secured ballot access to 381 electoral votes, and secured write-in access to 133 electoral votes.<ref>*{{cite web|title=Ballot Access|url=https://howiehawkins.us/ballotaccess/|website=Howie Hawkins 2020|access-date=September 15, 2020|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915133426/https://howiehawkins.us/ballotaccess/|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=https://baltimorebrew.com/2020/08/18/green-party-candidates-will-appear-on-maryland-ballots-in-november/|title=Green Party candidates will appear on Maryland ballots in November|first=Ian|last=Round|website=Baltimore Brew|date=August 18, 2020|access-date=August 19, 2020|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819123732/https://baltimorebrew.com/2020/08/18/green-party-candidates-will-appear-on-maryland-ballots-in-november/|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|date=August 21, 2020|title=LaRose Announces Determinations Regarding Certification of Independent Candidates for President of the United States|url=https://www.ohiosos.gov/media-center/press-releases/2020/2020-08-212/|work=Ohio Secretary of State|access-date=2020-11-08|archive-date=2020-08-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821175714/https://www.ohiosos.gov/media-center/press-releases/2020/2020-08-212/|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|last1=Winger|first1=Richard|title=Minnesota Will Have Eight Presidential Candidates on Ballot|url=http://ballot-access.org/2020/08/25/minnesota-will-have-eight-presidential-candidates-on-ballot/|website=Ballot Access News|access-date=August 26, 2020|date=August 25, 2020|archive-date=August 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200826103627/http://ballot-access.org/2020/08/25/minnesota-will-have-eight-presidential-candidates-on-ballot/|url-status=live}}</ref>


=====Nominee=====
{{Howie Hawkins series}}
{{Nominee Table {{Nominee Table
|party logo=Green Party of the United States social media logo.svg | party logo = Green Disc.svg
|party=Green | party = Green Party of the United States
|header=2020 Green Party ticket | header = 2020 Green Party ticket
|president=Howie Hawkins | president = Howie Hawkins
|vice president=Angela Walker | vice president = Angela Walker
|vice president link=Angela Nicole Walker | vice president link = Angela Nicole Walker
|president portrait=Hawkins 2010 (1).jpg | president portrait = Hawkins 2010 (1).jpg
|vp portrait=Angela Walker (cropped).jpg | vp portrait = Angela Walker (cropped).jpg
|experience=Co-founder of the ] | experience = Co-founder of the ]
|vp experience=] Legislative Director<br />(2011–2013) | vp experience = ] Legislative Director<br/><small>(2011–2013)</small>
|campaign=Howie Hawkins 2020 presidential campaign | campaign = Howie Hawkins 2020 presidential campaign
|campaign logo =Hawkins Walker logo wide.png | campaignlogo = Hawkins Walker logo wide.png
| campaignlogosize = 200px
|campaign logo size=x60px
|bottom color=#6BDE9D | bottom color = #6BDE9D
}} }}


== General election campaigns ==
====Other third-party and independent candidates====
=== Ballot access ===
{{main|Third party and independent candidates for the 2020 United States presidential election}}
{| class="wikitable"
Various other minor party and independent candidate campaigns are on the ballot in several states, among them activist and writer ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.larivapeltier2020.org/campaign_announcement|title=Party for Socialism and Liberation launches 2020 presidential campaign|date=September 25, 2019|first=Gloria|last=La Riva|work=]|access-date=September 27, 2019|archive-date=July 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710070229/https://www.larivapeltier2020.org/campaign_announcement|url-status=live}}</ref> businessman and perennial candidate ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ballot-access.org/2020/04/25/alliance-party-nominates-national-ticket/|title=Alliance Party Nominates National Ticket|website=Ballot Access News|last1=Winger|first1=Richard|date=April 25, 2020|access-date=May 4, 2020|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001170112/https://ballot-access.org/2020/04/25/alliance-party-nominates-national-ticket/|url-status=live}}</ref> coal executive ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ballot-access.org/2020/05/02/constitution-party-nominates-don-blankenship-for-president-on-second-ballot/|title=Constitution Party Nominates Don Blankenship for President on Second Ballot|website=Ballot Access News|last1=Winger|first1=Richard|date=May 2, 2020|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616143844/http://ballot-access.org/2020/05/02/constitution-party-nominates-don-blankenship-for-president-on-second-ballot/|url-status=live}}</ref> entrepreneur ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ballot-access.org/2020/07/07/brock-pierce-files-as-an-independent-presidential-candidate-with-the-fec/|title=Brock Pierce Files as an Independent Presidential Candidate with the FEC|website=Ballot Access News|last1=Winger|first1=Richard|date=July 7, 2020|access-date=July 8, 2020|archive-date=July 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708111216/http://ballot-access.org/2020/07/07/brock-pierce-files-as-an-independent-presidential-candidate-with-the-fec/|url-status=live}}</ref> rapper ],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/randalllane/2020/07/08/kanye-west-says-hes-done-with-trump-opens-up-about-white-house-bid-damaging-biden-and-everything-in-between/#507f7f5c47aa|title=Kanye West Says He's Done With Trump—Opens Up About White House Bid, Damaging Biden And Everything In Between|website=Forbes|last1=Lane|first1=Randall|date=July 8, 2020|access-date=July 8, 2020|archive-date=July 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708062958/https://www.forbes.com/sites/randalllane/2020/07/08/kanye-west-says-hes-done-with-trump-opens-up-about-white-house-bid-damaging-biden-and-everything-in-between/#507f7f5c47aa|url-status=live}}</ref> and educator ].<ref name=opendebate>{{cite web|url=https://freeandequal.org/2020/09/five-candidates-confirmed-for-october-8-open-presidential-debate-in-denver/|title=Five Candidates Confirmed for October 8 Presidential Debate in Denver|website=]|last1=Tobin|first1=Christina|date=September 16, 2020|access-date=October 4, 2020|archive-date=October 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011174354/https://freeandequal.org/2020/09/five-candidates-confirmed-for-october-8-open-presidential-debate-in-denver/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==General election campaigns==
===Ballot access===
{|class="wikitable"
! colspan=2 rowspan=2|Presidential<br />candidate{{efn|Candidates in '''bold''' were listed on ballots of states representing most of the ]. Other candidates were listed on ballots of more than one state '''and''' were listed on ballots or were ]s in most states.}}
! rowspan=2|Vice presidential<br />candidate{{efn|In some states, some presidential candidates were listed with a different or no vice presidential candidate.}}
! rowspan=2|Party or ''label''{{efn|In some states, some candidates were listed with a different or additional party, a label, or as ] or unaffiliated.}}
! colspan=3|] ''{{small|(including ])}}''
|- |-
!colspan=2 rowspan=2| Presidential<br/>candidate{{efn|Candidates in '''bold''' were listed on ballots of states representing most of the ]. Other candidates were listed on ballots of more than one state '''and''' were listed on ballots or were ]s in states representing most of the electoral college.}}
!]/]
!rowspan=2| Vice presidential<br/>candidate{{efn|In some states, some presidential candidates were listed with a different or no vice presidential candidate.}}
!]
!rowspan=2| Party or ''label''{{efn|In some states, some candidates were listed with a different or additional party, a label, or as ] or unaffiliated.}}
!Voters<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.electproject.org/2020g|title=2020 November general election turnout rates|work=United States Election Project|date=October 7, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107042631/http://www.electproject.org/2020g|url-status=live}}</ref>
!colspan=3| ] ''{{small|(including ])}}''
|-style=font-weight:bold
| style="background:{{Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color}}"|
|] || ] || ] || 51 || 538 || 100%
|-style=font-weight:bold
| style="background:{{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}}"|
|] || ] || ] || 51 || 538 || 100%
|-style=font-weight:bold
| style="background:{{Libertarian Party (United States)/meta/color}}"|
|] || ] || ] || 51 || 538 || 100%
|-style=font-weight:bold
| style="background:{{Green Party of the United States/meta/color}}"|
|] || ] || ] || 30 ''{{small|(46)}}'' || 381 ''{{small|(511)}}'' || 73.2% ''{{small|(95.8%)}}''
|- |-
! ]/]
| style="background:{{Party for Socialism and Liberation/meta/color}}"|
! ]
|] || Sunil Freeman || ] || 15 ''{{small|(33)}}'' || 195 ''{{small|(401)}}'' || 37.0% ''{{small|(76.1%)}}''
! Voters<ref name="Elections Project 2020g"/>
|- style=font-weight:bold
|style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}"|
| ] || ] || ] || 51 || 538 || 100%
|- style=font-weight:bold
|style="background:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}"|
| ] || ] || ] || 51 || 538 || 100%
|- style=font-weight:bold
|style="background:{{party color|Libertarian Party (United States)}}"|
| ] || ] || ] || 51 || 538 || 100%
|- style=font-weight:bold
|style="background:{{party color|Green Party of the United States}}"|
| ] || ] || ] || 30 ''{{small|(46)}}'' || 381 ''{{small|(511)}}'' || 73.2% ''{{small|(95.8%)}}''
|- |-
| style="background:{{Alliance Party (United States)/meta/color}}"| |style="background:{{party color|Party for Socialism and Liberation}}"|
|] || ] || ] || 15 ''{{small|(26)}}'' || 183 ''{{small|(292)}}'' || 34.7% ''{{small|(54.4%)}}'' | ] || Sunil Freeman || ] || 15 ''{{small|(33)}}'' || 195 ''{{small|(401)}}'' || 37.0% ''{{small|(76.1%)}}''
|- |-
| style="background:{{Constitution Party (United States)/meta/color}}"| |style="background:{{party color|Alliance Party (United States)}}"|
|] || ] || ] || 18 ''{{small|(30)}}'' || 166 ''{{small|(305)}}'' || 31.2% ''{{small|(56.8%)}}'' | ] || Darcy Richardson || ]|| 15 ''{{small|(25)}}'' || 183 ''{{small|(289)}}'' || 34.7% ''{{small|(54.1%)}}''
|- |-
| style="background:#093"| |style="background:{{party color|Constitution Party (United States)}}"|
|] || Karla Ballard || '']'' || 16 ''{{small|(31)}}'' || 115 ''{{small|(285)}}'' || 19.1% ''{{small|(50.1%)}}'' | ] || William Mohr || ] || 18 ''{{small|(30)}}'' || 166 ''{{small|(305)}}'' || 31.2% ''{{small|(56.8%)}}''
|- |-
| style="background:#0071E9"| |style="background:#093"|
|] || Michelle Tidball || '']'' || 12 ''{{small|(29)}}'' || 84 ''{{small|(243)}}'' || 14.4% ''{{small|(42.7%)}}'' | ] || Karla Ballard || '']'' || 16 ''{{small|(31)}}'' || 115 ''{{small|(285)}}'' || 19.1% ''{{small|(50.1%)}}''
|- |-
| style="background:{{American Solidarity Party/meta/color}}"| |style="background:{{party color|American Solidarity Party}}"|
|] || Amar Patel || ] || 8 ''{{small|(39)}}'' || 66 ''{{small|(463)}}'' || 11.4% ''{{small|(87.7%)}}'' | ] || Amar Patel || ] || 8 ''{{small|(39)}}'' || 66 ''{{small|(463)}}'' || 11.4% ''{{small|(87.7%)}}''
|- |-
| style="background:#8CF"| |style="background:#8CF"|
|] || Claudeliah J. Roze || '']'' || 2 ''{{small|(38)}}'' || 15 ''{{small|(372)}}'' || 2.7% ''{{small|(68.9%)}}'' | ] || Claudeliah J. Roze || ''Becoming One Nation'' || 2 ''{{small|(38)}}'' || 15 ''{{small|(372)}}'' || 2.7% ''{{small|(68.9%)}}''
|} |}


===Party conventions=== === Party conventions ===
{{Location map many | USA |left| width=320 {{Location map many | USA |left| width=320
| caption= | caption=
Line 584: Line 257:
{{Legend|gold|Libertarian Party (virtual)}} {{Legend|gold|Libertarian Party (virtual)}}
{{Legend|green|Green Party (virtual)}} {{Legend|green|Green Party (virtual)}}
| alt=Map of United States showing Milwaukee, Charlotte, and Austin. | alt=Map of the United States showing Milwaukee, Charlotte, Austin, and Detroit
| mark1=Cyan pog.svg | mark1size=10 | lat1_deg=43.045028 | lon1_deg=-87.918167 | label1=Milwaukee | position1=top | mark1=Cyan pog.svg | mark1size=10 | lat1_deg=43.045028 | lon1_deg=-87.918167 | label1=Milwaukee | position1=top
| mark2=red pog.svg | mark2size=10 | lat2_deg=35.225 | lon2_deg=-80.839167 | label2=Charlotte | position2=top | mark2=red pog.svg | mark2size=10 | lat2_deg=35.225 | lon2_deg=-80.839167 | label2=Charlotte | position2=top
| mark3= gold pog.svg | mark3size=10 | lat3_deg= 28.54 | lon3_deg= -81.38| label3=Virtual | position3=bottomright | mark3= gold pog.svg | mark3size=10 | lat3_deg= 30.266666 | lon3_deg= -97.733330 | label3=Virtual | position3=bottomright
| mark4= green pog.svg | mark4size=10 | lat4_deg= 42.331389 | lon4_deg= -83.045833 | label4=Virtual | position4=bottom | mark4= green pog.svg | mark4size=10 | lat4_deg= 42.331389 | lon4_deg= -83.045833 | label4=Virtual | position4=bottom
}} <!--1=Rep 2=Dem--> }}<!--1=Rep 2=Dem-->
The ] was originally scheduled for July 13–16 in ], ],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/15/politics/dnc-2020-convention-dates/index.html|title=Exclusive: Democrats, anticipating heated primary, set earlier 2020 convention date|work=]|last1=Merica|first1=Dan|date=June 15, 2018|access-date=June 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615191455/https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/15/politics/dnc-2020-convention-dates/index.html|archive-date=June 15, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/11/dnc-picks-milwaukee-to-host-2020-convention-1215502|title=DNC picks Milwaukee to host 2020 convention|last1=Korecki|first1=Natasha|last2=Thompson|first2=Alex|website=]|date=March 11, 2019|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=April 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412011504/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/11/dnc-picks-milwaukee-to-host-2020-convention-1215502|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="OJaOg">{{Cite web|url=https://secure.gpus.org/cgi-bin/vote/irvresult?pid=967|title=Selection of Site for 2020 Presidential Nominating ConventionANM|work=]|year=2019|access-date=August 19, 2019|archive-date=April 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407151538/https://secure.gpus.org/cgi-bin/vote/irvresult?pid=967|url-status=live}}</ref> but was delayed to August 17–20 due to the effects of the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/democratic-party-delays-july-convention-until-august-over-coronavirus-concerns-n1175046|title=Democratic Party delays July convention until August over coronavirus concerns|work=]|last1=Smith|first1=Allan|last2=Vitali|first2=Ali|date=April 3, 2020|access-date=April 23, 2020|archive-date=May 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523160227/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/democratic-party-delays-july-convention-until-august-over-coronavirus-concerns-n1175046|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 24, 2020, it was announced that the convention would be held in a mixed online in-person format, with most delegates attending remotely but a few still attending the physical convention site.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democratic-national-convention-2020-plan-scaled-down-reveal/|title=Democratic Party reveals scaled-down convention plan|work=]|last1=Brewster|first1=Adam|last2=Watson|first2=Eleanor|last3=O'Keefe|first3=Edward|date=June 24, 2020|access-date=June 25, 2020|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730120919/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democratic-national-convention-2020-plan-scaled-down-reveal/|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 5, the in-person portion of the convention was scaled down even further; major speeches, including Biden's, were switched to a virtual format.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Epstein|first1=Reid J.|last2=Glueck|first2=Katie|date=August 5, 2020|title=Biden's Milwaukee Trip Is Canceled, and So Is a Normal Presidential Campaign|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/us/politics/joe-biden-milwaukee.html|access-date=August 7, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807002230/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/us/politics/joe-biden-milwaukee.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


The ] took place from August 24–27 in ], and various remote locations. Originally, a three-day convention was planned to be held in North Carolina, but due to North Carolina's insistence that the convention follow COVID-19 social distancing rules, the speeches and celebrations were moved to ] (official convention business was still contractually obligated to be conducted in Charlotte).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/rnc-picks-jacksonville-florida-convention-site-trump-accept-gop-nomination-n1230326|title=RNC picks Jacksonville, Florida, as convention site for Trump to accept GOP nomination|work=]|last1=Clark|first1=Dartunurro|date=June 11, 2020|access-date=June 11, 2020|archive-date=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616013116/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/rnc-picks-jacksonville-florida-convention-site-trump-accept-gop-nomination-n1230326|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/rnc-2020/article243453231.html|title=It's official. RNC convention will head to Jacksonville after 1 day in Charlotte|last1=Morrill|first1=Jim|last2=Funk|first2=Tim|last3=Murphy|first3=Kate|newspaper=]|date=June 11, 2020|access-date=June 11, 2020|archive-date=June 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629181550/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/rnc-2020/article243453231.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to the worsening situation with regards to COVID-19 in Florida, the plans there were cancelled, and the convention was moved back to Charlotte in a scaled-down capacity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/rnc-2020/article244462217.html|title=After Trump cancels Jacksonville events, RNC is back where it was – in Charlotte|website=]|last1=Morrill|first1=Jim|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727164840/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/rnc-2020/article244462217.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
The ] was originally scheduled for July 13–16 in ], ],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/15/politics/dnc-2020-convention-dates/index.html|title=Exclusive: Democrats, anticipating heated primary, set earlier 2020 convention date|work=CNN|last1=Merica|first1=Dan|date=June 15, 2018|access-date=June 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615191455/https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/15/politics/dnc-2020-convention-dates/index.html|archive-date=June 15, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://politi.co/2He5YeC|title=DNC picks Milwaukee to host 2020 convention|last1=Korecki|first1=Natasha|last2=Thompson|first2=Alex|website=Politico|date=March 11, 2019|accessdate=March 11, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="OJaOg">{{cite web|url=https://secure.gpus.org/cgi-bin/vote/irvresult?pid=967|title=Selection of Site for 2020 Presidential Nominating ConventionANM|work=]|year=2019|access-date=August 19, 2019}}</ref> but was delayed to August 17–20 due to the effects of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/democratic-party-delays-july-convention-until-august-over-coronavirus-concerns-n1175046|title=Democratic Party delays July convention until August over coronavirus concerns|website=NBC News|last1=Smith|first1=Allan|last2=Vitali|first2=Ali|date=April 3, 2020|access-date=April 23, 2020|archive-date=May 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523160227/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/democratic-party-delays-july-convention-until-august-over-coronavirus-concerns-n1175046|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 24, 2020, it was announced that the convention would be held in a mixed online-in person format, with most delegates attending remotely but a few still attending the physical convention site.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democratic-national-convention-2020-plan-scaled-down-reveal/|title=Democratic Party reveals scaled-down convention plan|website=CBS News|last1=Brewster|first1=Adam|last2=Watson|first2=Eleanor|last3=O'Keefe|first3=Edward|date=June 24, 2020|access-date=June 25, 2020|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730120919/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democratic-national-convention-2020-plan-scaled-down-reveal/|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 5, the in-person portion of the convention was scaled down even further, with major speeches including Biden's being switched to a virtual format.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Epstein|first1=Reid J.|last2=Glueck|first2=Katie|date=August 5, 2020|title=Biden's Milwaukee Trip Is Canceled, and So Is a Normal Presidential Campaign|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/us/politics/joe-biden-milwaukee.html|access-date=August 7, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807002230/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/us/politics/joe-biden-milwaukee.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


The ] was originally scheduled to be held in ], over ] weekend from May 22 to 25,<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Winger|first1=Richard|url=http://ballot-access.org/2017/12/11/libertarian-party-sets-location-and-date-of-2020-presidential-convention/|title=Libertarian Party Sets Location and Date of 2020 Presidential Convention|date=December 11, 2017|work=]|access-date=December 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224101308/http://ballot-access.org/2017/12/11/libertarian-party-sets-location-and-date-of-2020-presidential-convention/|archive-date=December 24, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Francis |first1=Eric |title=An alternative to the right/left political menu|url=https://cal-catholic.com/an-alternative-to-the-right-left-political-menu/|access-date=December 6, 2018 |website=California Catholic Daily |date=December 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206102407/https://cal-catholic.com/an-alternative-to-the-right-left-political-menu/ |archive-date=December 6, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> but all reservations at the ] for the convention were cancelled on April 26 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lnc2020.com/covid-19-notice/|title=COVID-19 and the Libertarian National Convention|date=April 26, 2020|website=LNC 2020|access-date=April 26, 2020|last1=Hayes|first1=Daniel|archive-date=April 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429050141/https://lnc2020.com/covid-19-notice/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Libertarian National Committee eventually decided the party would hold two conventions, one online from May 22–24 to select the presidential and vice-presidential nominees and one at a physical convention in ], from July 8–12 for other business.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ballot-access.org/2020/05/09/libertarian-party-will-use-on-line-process-to-choose-national-ticket-in-late-may-then-hold-an-in-person-july-convention-for-other-business/|title=Libertarian Party Will Use On-Line Process to Choose National Ticket in Late May, Then Hold an In-Person July Convention for Other Business|website=]|last1=Winger|first1=Richard|date=May 9, 2020|access-date=May 10, 2020|archive-date=June 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604190240/https://ballot-access.org/2020/05/09/libertarian-party-will-use-on-line-process-to-choose-national-ticket-in-late-may-then-hold-an-in-person-july-convention-for-other-business/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The ] took place from August 24–27 in ] and various remote locations. Originally, a three-day convention was planned to be held in North Carolina, but due to North Carolina's insistence that the convention follow COVID-19 social distancing rules, the speeches and celebrations were moved to ] (official convention business was still contractually obligated to be conducted in Charlotte).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/rnc-picks-jacksonville-florida-convention-site-trump-accept-gop-nomination-n1230326|title=RNC picks Jacksonville, Florida, as convention site for Trump to accept GOP nomination|work=NBC News|last1=Clark|first1=Dartunurro|date=June 11, 2020|access-date=June 11, 2020|archive-date=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616013116/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/rnc-picks-jacksonville-florida-convention-site-trump-accept-gop-nomination-n1230326|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/rnc-2020/article243453231.html|title=It's official. RNC convention will head to Jacksonville after 1 day in Charlotte|last1=Morrill|first1=Jim|last2=Funk|first2=Tim|last3=Murphy|first3=Kate|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|date=June 11, 2020|access-date=June 11, 2020|archive-date=June 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629181550/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/rnc-2020/article243453231.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, due to the worsening situation with regards to COVID-19 in Florida, the plans there were cancelled, and the convention was moved back to Charlotte in a scaled-down capacity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/rnc-2020/article244462217.html|title=After Trump cancels Jacksonville events, RNC is back where it was — in Charlotte|website=The Charlotte Observer|last1=Morrill|first1=Jim|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727164840/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/rnc-2020/article244462217.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


The ] was originally to be held in ], ], from July 9{{spaces}}to 12.<ref name="OJaOg"/> Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the convention was instead held online, without a change in date.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ballot-access.org/2020/04/24/green-party-national-convention-will-be-virtual/|title=Green Party Presidential Convention Will be Virtual|website=]|last1=Winger|first1=Richard|date=April 24, 2020|access-date=April 24, 2020|archive-date=June 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601013149/https://ballot-access.org/2020/04/24/green-party-national-convention-will-be-virtual/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The ] was originally going to be held in ], over ] weekend from May 22 to 25,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Winger|first1=Richard|url=http://ballot-access.org/2017/12/11/libertarian-party-sets-location-and-date-of-2020-presidential-convention/|title=Libertarian Party Sets Location and Date of 2020 Presidential Convention|date=December 11, 2017|work=]|access-date=December 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224101308/http://ballot-access.org/2017/12/11/libertarian-party-sets-location-and-date-of-2020-presidential-convention/|archive-date=December 24, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Francis |first1=Eric |title=An alternative to the right/left political menu|url=https://cal-catholic.com/an-alternative-to-the-right-left-political-menu/|access-date=December 6, 2018 |website=California Catholic Daily |date=December 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206102407/https://cal-catholic.com/an-alternative-to-the-right-left-political-menu/ |archive-date=December 6, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> but all reservations at the ] for the convention were cancelled on April 26 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lnc2020.com/covid-19-notice/|title=COVID-19 and the Libertarian National Convention|date=April 26, 2020|website=LNC 2020|access-date=April 26, 2020|last1=Hayes|first1=Daniel|archive-date=April 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429050141/https://lnc2020.com/covid-19-notice/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was eventually decided by the Libertarian National Committee that the party would hold two conventions, one online from May 22–24 to select the presidential and vice-presidential nominees and one at a physical convention in ], from July 8–12 for other business.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ballot-access.org/2020/05/09/libertarian-party-will-use-on-line-process-to-choose-national-ticket-in-late-may-then-hold-an-in-person-july-convention-for-other-business/|title=Libertarian Party Will Use On-Line Process to Choose National Ticket in Late May, Then Hold an In-Person July Convention for Other Business|website=Ballot Access News|last1=Winger|first1=Richard|date=May 9, 2020|access-date=May 10, 2020|archive-date=June 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604190240/https://ballot-access.org/2020/05/09/libertarian-party-will-use-on-line-process-to-choose-national-ticket-in-late-may-then-hold-an-in-person-july-convention-for-other-business/|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Issues unique to the election ===
The ] was originally to be held in ], ], from July 9 to 12.<ref name="OJaOg" /> However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was instead decided to conduct the convention online, without a change in date.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ballot-access.org/2020/04/24/green-party-national-convention-will-be-virtual/|title=Green Party Presidential Convention Will be Virtual|website=Ballot Access News|last1=Winger|first1=Richard|date=April 24, 2020|access-date=April 24, 2020|archive-date=June 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601013149/https://ballot-access.org/2020/04/24/green-party-national-convention-will-be-virtual/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==== Impeachment ====
{{further|First impeachment of Donald Trump}}
The House of Representatives ] on two counts on December 18, 2019.<ref name="OB3KB"/> The trial in the Senate began on January 21, 2020,<ref name="IIWDj"/> and ended on February 5, resulting in ] by the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/05/trump-impeachment-vote-110805|title=Trump acquitted on impeachment charges, ending gravest threat to his presidency|first1=Kyle|last1=Cheney|first2=Andrew|last2=Desiderio|first3=John|last3=Bresnahan|date=February 5, 2020|access-date=February 5, 2020|work=]|archive-date=June 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617023326/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/05/trump-impeachment-vote-110805|url-status=live}}</ref>


This is the ] time a president has been impeached during his first term while running for a second term.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.historycentral.com/elections/Conventions/1868DEM.html|title=1868 Democratic Convention|website=History Central|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008115442/https://www.historycentral.com/elections/Conventions/1868DEM.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|] received votes during the ], four months after having been ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://millercenter.org/president/johnson/campaigns-and-elections|title=Andrew Johnson: Campaigns and Elections|work=Miller Center|publisher=University of Virginia|last1=Varon|first1=Elizabeth R.|year=2019|access-date=November 1, 2020|archive-date=September 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903114824/https://millercenter.org/president/johnson/campaigns-and-elections|url-status=live}}</ref>}} Trump continued to hold campaign rallies during the impeachment.<ref name="FVJtv"/><ref name="GGhFA"/> This is also the first time since the modern presidential primaries were established in 1911 that a president has been subjected to impeachment while the primary season was underway.<ref name="Politiconov1"/> The impeachment process overlapped with the primary campaigns, forcing senators running for the Democratic nomination to remain in Washington for the trial in the days before and after the Iowa caucuses.<ref name="2cIKK"/><ref name="JDGyw"/>
===Issues unique to the 2020 election===


==== Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic ====
====Impeachment====
]
{{see|Impeachment of Donald Trump}}
{{further|COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics|White House COVID-19 outbreak}}
The House of Representatives ] on two counts on December 18, 2019.<ref name="OB3KB" /> The trial in the Senate began on January 21, 2020,<ref name="IIWDj" /> and ended on February 5, resulting in ] by the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/05/trump-impeachment-vote-110805|title=Trump acquitted on impeachment charges, ending gravest threat to his presidency|first1=Kyle|last1=Cheney|first2=Andrew|last2=Desiderio|first3=John|last3=Bresnahan|date=February 5, 2020|access-date=February 5, 2020|work=]|archive-date=June 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617023326/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/05/trump-impeachment-vote-110805|url-status=live}}</ref>
Several events related to the 2020 presidential election were altered or postponed due to the ongoing ] and its effects, such as stay-at-home orders and ] guidelines by local governments. On March 10, following primary elections in six states, Democratic candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders cancelled planned campaign night events and further in-person campaigning and campaign rallies.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Glueck |first1=Katie |title=Joe Biden Will Host "Virtual Events" as Coronavirus Fears Heat Up |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/11/us/politics/biden-coronavirus-campaign-events.html |work=] |date=March 11, 2020 |access-date=March 24, 2020 |archive-date=June 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618132520/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/11/us/politics/biden-coronavirus-campaign-events.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ember |first1=Sydney |last2=Karni |first2=Annie |last3=Haberman |first3=Maggie |title=Sanders and Biden Cancel Events as Coronavirus Fears Upend Primary |date=March 10, 2020|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/10/us/politics/sanders-biden-rally-coronavirus.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310212102/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/10/us/politics/sanders-biden-rally-coronavirus.html |archive-date=March 10, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=] |access-date=March 24, 2020}}</ref> On March 12, Trump also stated his intent to postpone further campaign rallies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/487259-trump-says-hell-likely-curtail-rallies-amid-coronavirus|title=Trump says he'll likely curtail rallies amid coronavirus|website=]|last1=Chalfant|first1=Morgan|date=March 12, 2020|access-date=March 24, 2020|archive-date=June 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618015213/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/487259-trump-says-hell-likely-curtail-rallies-amid-coronavirus|url-status=live}}</ref> The 11th Democratic debate was held on March 15 without an audience at the ] studios in ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/12/politics/cnn-univision-debate-arizona-dc/index.html|title=Democratic debate moved from Arizona to Washington, DC, over coronavirus concerns, DNC announces|work=]|date=March 12, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=August 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830201107/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/12/politics/cnn-univision-debate-arizona-dc/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Several states also postponed their primaries to a later date, including Georgia,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/03/14/coronavirus-georgia-presidential-primaries-postponed-until-may/5052124002/|title=Georgia presidential primaries postponed over coronavirus concerns|website=]|agency=Associated Press|date=March 15, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=March 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317035630/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/03/14/coronavirus-georgia-presidential-primaries-postponed-until-may/5052124002/|url-status=live}}</ref> Kentucky,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/16/politics/kentucky-primary-postponed/index.html|title=Kentucky secretary of state says primary postponed|work=]|last1=Sullivan|first1=Kate|date=March 16, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=October 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011041425/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/16/politics/kentucky-primary-postponed/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Louisiana,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/13/louisiana-postpones-democratic-primary-over-coronavirus-the-first-state-to-do-so.html|title=Louisiana postpones Democratic primary over coronavirus, the first state to do so|work=]|last1=Pramuk|first1=Jacob|date=March 13, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=July 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709043156/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/13/louisiana-postpones-democratic-primary-over-coronavirus-the-first-state-to-do-so.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Ohio,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dispatch.com/news/20200316/coronavirus-ohio-supreme-court-allows-delay-to-primary-election|title=Coronavirus: Ohio Supreme Court allows delay to primary election|website=The Columbus Dispatch|last1=Rouan|first1=Rick|last2=Futty|first2=John|date=March 16, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=June 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619101442/https://www.dispatch.com/news/20200316/coronavirus-ohio-supreme-court-allows-delay-to-primary-election|url-status=live}}</ref> and Maryland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/17/maryland-postpones-april-28-primary-election-over-coronavirus-133776|title=Maryland postpones primary, shifts special election to mail voting over coronavirus|website=]|last1=Ollstein|first1=Alice Miranda|last2=Montellaro|first2=Zach|date=March 17, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=May 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528024457/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/17/maryland-postpones-april-28-primary-election-over-coronavirus-133776|url-status=live}}</ref> As of March 24, 2020, all major-party presidential candidates had halted in-person campaigning and campaign rallies over COVID-19 concerns. Political analysts speculated at the time that the moratorium on traditional campaigning, coupled with the effects of the pandemic on the nation, could have unpredictable effects on the voting populace and possibly, how the election will be conducted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fortune.com/2020/03/18/coronavirus-2020-election-pandemic-primaries-postponed-voting-trump-biden-sanders-covid-19/|title=10 questions about the 2020 election during the coronavirus pandemic, answered|website=]|last1=Goodkind|first1=Nicole|date=March 19, 2020|access-date=March 25, 2020|archive-date=April 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424141210/https://fortune.com/2020/03/18/coronavirus-2020-election-pandemic-primaries-postponed-voting-trump-biden-sanders-covid-19/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/03/17/coronavirus-pandemic-delays-primaries-time-worry-2020-november-election/5057930002/|title=As coronavirus pandemic delays 2020 primaries, is it time to worry about the November election?|website=]|last1=Garrison|first1=Joey|date=March 17, 2020|access-date=March 25, 2020|archive-date=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616084049/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/03/17/coronavirus-pandemic-delays-primaries-time-worry-2020-november-election/5057930002/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/us/politics/coronavirus-2020-campaign.html|title=How the Coronavirus Changed the 2020 Campaign|newspaper=]|last1=Lerer|first1=Lisa|last2=Epstein|first2=Reid J.|date=March 12, 2020|access-date=March 25, 2020|archive-date=May 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530202552/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/us/politics/coronavirus-2020-campaign.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

This is the ] time a president has been impeached during his first term while running for a second term.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.historycentral.com/elections/Conventions/1868DEM.html|title=1868 Democratic Convention|website=History Central|access-date=2020-11-08|archive-date=2020-10-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008115442/https://www.historycentral.com/elections/Conventions/1868DEM.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|] received votes during the ], four months after having been ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://millercenter.org/president/johnson/campaigns-and-elections|title=Andrew Johnson: Campaigns and Elections|work=Miller Center|publisher=University of Virginia|last1=Varon|first1=Elizabeth R.|year=2019|access-date=November 1, 2020|archive-date=September 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903114824/https://millercenter.org/president/johnson/campaigns-and-elections|url-status=live}}</ref>}} Trump continued to hold campaign rallies during the impeachment.<ref name="FVJtv" /><ref name="GGhFA" /> This is also the first time since the modern presidential primaries were established in 1911 that a president has been subjected to impeachment while the primary season was underway.<ref name="Politiconov1" /> The impeachment process overlapped with the primary campaigns, forcing senators running for the Democratic nomination to remain in Washington for the trial in the days before and after the Iowa caucuses.<ref name="2cIKK" /><ref name="JDGyw" />

====Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic ====
]
{{see|COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics|White House COVID-19 outbreak}}
Several events related to the 2020 presidential election were altered or postponed due to the ongoing ] and its effects such as the stay-at-home order and ] guidelines by local governments. On March 10, following primary elections in six states, Democratic candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders cancelled planned campaign night events and further in-person campaigning and campaign rallies.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Glueck |first1=Katie |title=Joe Biden Will Host 'Virtual Events' as Coronavirus Fears Heat Up |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/11/us/politics/biden-coronavirus-campaign-events.html |work=] |date=March 11, 2020 |access-date=March 24, 2020 |archive-date=June 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618132520/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/11/us/politics/biden-coronavirus-campaign-events.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="t9U5e" /> On March 12, Trump also stated his intent to postpone further campaign rallies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/487259-trump-says-hell-likely-curtail-rallies-amid-coronavirus|title=Trump says he'll likely curtail rallies amid coronavirus|website=The Hill|last1=Chalfant|first1=Morgan|date=March 12, 2020|access-date=March 24, 2020|archive-date=June 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618015213/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/487259-trump-says-hell-likely-curtail-rallies-amid-coronavirus|url-status=live}}</ref> The 11th Democratic debate was held on March 15 without an audience at the ] studios in ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/12/politics/cnn-univision-debate-arizona-dc/index.html|title=Democratic debate moved from Arizona to Washington, DC, over coronavirus concerns, DNC announces|website=CNN|author=CNN staff|date=March 12, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=August 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830201107/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/12/politics/cnn-univision-debate-arizona-dc/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Several states also postponed their primaries to a later date, including Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, and Maryland.<ref>*{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/13/louisiana-postpones-democratic-primary-over-coronavirus-the-first-state-to-do-so.html|title=Louisiana postpones Democratic primary over coronavirus, the first state to do so|website=CNBC|last1=Pramuk|first1=Jacob|date=March 13, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=July 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709043156/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/13/louisiana-postpones-democratic-primary-over-coronavirus-the-first-state-to-do-so.html|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/03/14/coronavirus-georgia-presidential-primaries-postponed-until-may/5052124002/|title=Georgia presidential primaries postponed over coronavirus concerns|website=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|date=March 15, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=March 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317035630/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/03/14/coronavirus-georgia-presidential-primaries-postponed-until-may/5052124002/|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/16/politics/kentucky-primary-postponed/index.html|title=Kentucky secretary of state says primary postponed|website=CNN|last1=Sullivan|first1=Kate|date=March 16, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=October 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011041425/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/16/politics/kentucky-primary-postponed/index.html|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/17/maryland-postpones-april-28-primary-election-over-coronavirus-133776|title=Maryland postpones primary, shifts special election to mail voting over coronavirus|website=Politico|last1=Ollstein|first1=Alice Miranda|last2=Montellaro|first2=Zach|date=March 17, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=May 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528024457/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/17/maryland-postpones-april-28-primary-election-over-coronavirus-133776|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.dispatch.com/news/20200316/coronavirus-ohio-supreme-court-allows-delay-to-primary-election|title=Coronavirus: Ohio Supreme Court allows delay to primary election|website=The Columbus Dispatch|last1=Rouan|first1=Rick|last2=Futty|first2=John|date=March 16, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=June 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619101442/https://www.dispatch.com/news/20200316/coronavirus-ohio-supreme-court-allows-delay-to-primary-election|url-status=live}}</ref> As of March 24, 2020, all major-party presidential candidates had halted in-person campaigning and campaign rallies over COVID-19 concerns. Political analysts speculated at the time that the moratorium on traditional campaigning coupled with the effects of the pandemic on the nation could have unpredictable effects on the voting populace and possibly, how the election will be conducted.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fortune.com/2020/03/18/coronavirus-2020-election-pandemic-primaries-postponed-voting-trump-biden-sanders-covid-19/|title=10 questions about the 2020 election during the coronavirus pandemic, answered|website=Fortune|last1=Goodkind|first1=Nicole|date=March 19, 2020|access-date=March 25, 2020|archive-date=April 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424141210/https://fortune.com/2020/03/18/coronavirus-2020-election-pandemic-primaries-postponed-voting-trump-biden-sanders-covid-19/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/03/17/coronavirus-pandemic-delays-primaries-time-worry-2020-november-election/5057930002/|title=As coronavirus pandemic delays 2020 primaries, is it time to worry about the November election?|website=USA Today|last1=Garrison|first1=Joey|date=March 17, 2020|access-date=March 25, 2020|archive-date=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616084049/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/03/17/coronavirus-pandemic-delays-primaries-time-worry-2020-november-election/5057930002/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/us/politics/coronavirus-2020-campaign.html|title=How the Coronavirus Changed the 2020 Campaign|newspaper=The New York Times|last1=Lerer|first1=Lisa|last2=Epstein|first2=Reid J.|date=March 12, 2020|access-date=March 25, 2020|archive-date=May 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530202552/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/us/politics/coronavirus-2020-campaign.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


]]] ]]]
Some presidential primary elections were severely disrupted by COVID-19-related issues, including long lines at polling places, greatly increased requests for absentee ballots, and technology issues.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.brookings.edu/research/voting-by-mail-in-a-pandemic-a-state-by-state-scorecard/|title=Voting by mail in a pandemic: A state-by-state scorecard|date=August 2020|work=The Brookings Institute|last1=Kamarck|first1=Elaine|last2=Ibreak|first2=Yoused|last3=Powers|first3=Amanda|last4=Stewart|first4=Chris|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814085512/https://www.brookings.edu/research/voting-by-mail-in-a-pandemic-a-state-by-state-scorecard/|url-status=live}}</ref> The number of polling places was often greatly reduced due to a shortage of election workers able or willing to work during the pandemic. Most states expanded or encouraged voting by mail as an alternative, but many voters complained that they never received the absentee ballots they had requested.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election/confusion-long-lines-at-some-poll-sites-as-eight-u-s-states-vote-during-coronavirus-pandemic-idUSKBN2391B5|title=Confusion, long lines at some poll sites as eight U.S. states vote during coronavirus pandemic|last1=Whitesides|first1=John|last2=Renshaw|first2=Jarrett|date=June 2, 2020|work=Reuters|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801054503/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election/confusion-long-lines-at-some-poll-sites-as-eight-u-s-states-vote-during-coronavirus-pandemic-idUSKBN2391B5|url-status=live}}</ref> Some presidential primary elections were severely disrupted by COVID-19-related issues, including long lines at polling places, greatly increased requests for absentee ballots, and technology issues.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.brookings.edu/research/voting-by-mail-in-a-pandemic-a-state-by-state-scorecard/|title=Voting by mail in a pandemic: A state-by-state scorecard|date=August 2020|work=The Brookings Institution|last1=Kamarck|first1=Elaine|last2=Ibreak|first2=Yoused|last3=Powers|first3=Amanda|last4=Stewart|first4=Chris|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814085512/https://www.brookings.edu/research/voting-by-mail-in-a-pandemic-a-state-by-state-scorecard/|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to a shortage of election workers able or willing to work during the pandemic, the number of polling places was often greatly reduced. Most states expanded or encouraged voting by mail as an alternative, but many voters complained that they never received the absentee ballots they had requested.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election/confusion-long-lines-at-some-poll-sites-as-eight-u-s-states-vote-during-coronavirus-pandemic-idUSKBN2391B5|title=Confusion, long lines at some poll sites as eight U.S. states vote during coronavirus pandemic|last1=Whitesides|first1=John|last2=Renshaw|first2=Jarrett|date=June 2, 2020|work=]|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801054503/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election/confusion-long-lines-at-some-poll-sites-as-eight-u-s-states-vote-during-coronavirus-pandemic-idUSKBN2391B5|url-status=live}}</ref>


The March 2020 ] included money for states to increase mail-in voting. By May, Trump and his campaign strongly opposed mail-in voting, claiming that it would cause widespread voter fraud, a belief which has been debunked by a number of media organizations.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto2"/> Government response to the impact of the pandemic from the Trump administration, coupled to the differing positions taken by congressional Democrats and Republicans regarding ] became a major campaign issue for both parties.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/us/politics/coronavirus-2020-campaign.html|title=How the Coronavirus Changed the 2020 Campaign|work=The New York Times|last1=Lerer|first1=Lisa|last2=Epstein|first2=Reid J.|date=March 12, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=May 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530202552/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/us/politics/coronavirus-2020-campaign.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/488748-the-memo-democrats-grapple-with-virus-response|title=The Memo: Democrats grapple with virus response|website=The Hill|last1=Stanage|first1=Niall|date=March 21, 2020|access-date=March 25, 2020|archive-date=May 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523203311/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/488748-the-memo-democrats-grapple-with-virus-response|url-status=live}}</ref> The March 2020 ] included money for states to increase mail-in voting. By May, Trump and his campaign strongly opposed mail-in voting, claiming that it would cause widespread voter fraud, a belief that has been discredited by a number of media organizations.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|first=Chris|last=Cillizza|title=Here's the *real* reason Donald Trump is attacking mail-in ballots|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/26/politics/mail-in-ballot-vote-by-mail-trump/index.html|date=May 26, 2020|access-date=June 29, 2020|work=]|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730153554/https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/26/politics/mail-in-ballot-vote-by-mail-trump/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite news|last1=Haberman|first1=Maggie|last2=Corasaniti|first2=Nick|last3=Qiu|first3=Linda|date=June 24, 2020|title=Trump's False Attacks on Voting by Mail Stir Broad Concern|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/24/us/politics/trump-vote-by-mail.html|access-date=June 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729030608/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/24/us/politics/trump-vote-by-mail.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Government response to the impact of the pandemic from the Trump administration, coupled with the differing positions taken by congressional Democrats and Republicans regarding ], became a major campaign issue for both parties.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/us/politics/coronavirus-2020-campaign.html|title=How the Coronavirus Changed the 2020 Campaign|work=]|last1=Lerer|first1=Lisa|last2=Epstein|first2=Reid J.|date=March 12, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=May 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530202552/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/us/politics/coronavirus-2020-campaign.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/488748-the-memo-democrats-grapple-with-virus-response|title=The Memo: Democrats grapple with virus response|website=]|last1=Stanage|first1=Niall|date=March 21, 2020|access-date=March 25, 2020|archive-date=May 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523203311/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/488748-the-memo-democrats-grapple-with-virus-response|url-status=live}}</ref>


On April 6, the ] and Republicans in the State Legislature of Wisconsin rebuffed Wisconsin Governor ]'s request to move ] to June. As a result, the elections, which included a presidential primary, went ahead on April 7 as planned.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Parks|first1=Miles|title='In The End, The Voters Responded': Surprising Takeaways From Wisconsin's Election|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/04/15/834037566/in-the-end-the-voters-responded-surprising-takeaways-from-wisconsin-s-election|website=National Public Radio|date=April 15, 2020|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-date=June 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618192836/https://www.npr.org/2020/04/15/834037566/in-the-end-the-voters-responded-surprising-takeaways-from-wisconsin-s-election|url-status=live}}</ref> At least seven new cases of COVID-19 were traced to this election. Voting-rights advocates expressed fear of similar chaos on a nationwide scale in November, recommending states to move to expand vote-by-mail options.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Neely|first1=Brett|last2=Silver|first2=Maayan|title=Milwaukee Claims 7 Coronavirus Cases Tied To Controversial Wisconsin Election|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/21/839865567/milwaukee-claims-7-coronavirus-cases-tied-to-controversial-election|website=National Public Radio|date=April 21, 2020|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-date=June 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619153133/https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/21/839865567/milwaukee-claims-7-coronavirus-cases-tied-to-controversial-election|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 6, the ] and Republicans in the State Legislature of Wisconsin rebuffed Wisconsin governor ]'s request to move ] to June. As a result, the elections, which included a presidential primary, went ahead on April{{spaces}}7 as planned.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Parks|first1=Miles|title='In The End, The Voters Responded': Surprising Takeaways From Wisconsin's Election|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/04/15/834037566/in-the-end-the-voters-responded-surprising-takeaways-from-wisconsin-s-election|work=]|date=April 15, 2020|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-date=June 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618192836/https://www.npr.org/2020/04/15/834037566/in-the-end-the-voters-responded-surprising-takeaways-from-wisconsin-s-election|url-status=live}}</ref> At least seven new cases of COVID-19 were traced to this election. Voting-rights advocates expressed fear of similar chaos on a nationwide scale in November, recommending states move to expand vote-by-mail options.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Neely|first1=Brett|last2=Silver|first2=Maayan|title=Milwaukee Claims 7 Coronavirus Cases Tied To Controversial Wisconsin Election|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/21/839865567/milwaukee-claims-7-coronavirus-cases-tied-to-controversial-election|work=]|date=April 21, 2020|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-date=June 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619153133/https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/21/839865567/milwaukee-claims-7-coronavirus-cases-tied-to-controversial-election|url-status=live}}</ref>


On June 20, 2020, Trump's campaign held ], after the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that the event could go ahead despite continuing concerns over COVID-19.<ref>{{cite web|date=June 20, 2020|title=Trump's Oklahoma rally can go ahead, court rules|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53116623|access-date=June 22, 2020|website=BBC News Online|archive-date=June 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620054735/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53116623|url-status=live}}</ref> Attendance at the rally was far lower than expected, being described as a "flop", with it leading to a significant worsening of relations between Trump and his campaign manager ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/21/brad-parscale-donald-trump-tulsa-rally-covid-ivanka-kushner-rick-wilson|title=Brad Parscale faces Trump 'fury' after Tulsa comeback rally flops|website=The Guardian|last1=Lutz|first1=Tom|date=June 22, 2020|access-date=October 2, 2020|archive-date=June 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622001002/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/21/brad-parscale-donald-trump-tulsa-rally-covid-ivanka-kushner-rick-wilson|url-status=live}}</ref> 7.7&nbsp;million people watched the event on Fox News, a Saturday audience record for that channel.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Swanson|first=Ian|date=June 22, 2020|title=Trump rally delivers Saturday-record 7.7 million viewers on Fox News|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/503908-trump-rally-delivers-saturday-record-77-million-viewers-on-fox-news|access-date=July 24, 2020|website=TheHill|archive-date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724191114/https://thehill.com/homenews/media/503908-trump-rally-delivers-saturday-record-77-million-viewers-on-fox-news|url-status=live}}</ref> Three weeks after the rally, the Oklahoma State Department of Health recorded record numbers of cases of COVID-19,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://time.com/5865890/oklahoma-covid-19-trump-tulsa-rally/|title=Three Weeks After Trump's Tulsa Rally, Oklahoma Reports Record High COVID-19 Numbers|last=Carlisle|first=Madeleine|date=July 11, 2020|work=Time|access-date=October 3, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003194326/https://time.com/5865890/oklahoma-covid-19-trump-tulsa-rally/|url-status=live}}</ref> and former Republican presidential candidate ] died of the virus, although it was not confirmed that he caught the disease due to his attendance at the rally.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/30/former-gop-presidential-candidate-herman-cain-dies-after-battle-with-coronavirus.html|title=Former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain dies after battle with coronavirus|last=Breuninger|first=Kevin|date=July 30, 2020|work=CNBC|access-date=October 3, 2020|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730150323/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/30/former-gop-presidential-candidate-herman-cain-dies-after-battle-with-coronavirus.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 20, 2020, Trump's campaign held ], after the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that the event could go ahead despite continuing concerns over COVID-19.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 20, 2020|title=Trump's Oklahoma rally can go ahead, court rules|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53116623|access-date=June 22, 2020|website=]|archive-date=June 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620054735/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53116623|url-status=live}}</ref> Attendance at the rally was far lower than expected, being described as a "flop", and it led to a significant worsening of relations between Trump and his campaign manager, ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/21/brad-parscale-donald-trump-tulsa-rally-covid-ivanka-kushner-rick-wilson|title=Brad Parscale faces Trump "fury" after Tulsa comeback rally flops|website=]|last1=Lutz|first1=Tom|date=June 22, 2020|access-date=October 2, 2020|archive-date=June 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622001002/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/21/brad-parscale-donald-trump-tulsa-rally-covid-ivanka-kushner-rick-wilson|url-status=live}}</ref> 7.7&nbsp;million people watched the event on Fox News, a Saturday audience record for that channel.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Swanson|first=Ian|date=June 22, 2020|title=Trump rally delivers Saturday-record 7.7 million viewers on Fox News|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/503908-trump-rally-delivers-saturday-record-77-million-viewers-on-fox-news|access-date=July 24, 2020|website=]|archive-date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724191114/https://thehill.com/homenews/media/503908-trump-rally-delivers-saturday-record-77-million-viewers-on-fox-news|url-status=live}}</ref> Three weeks after the rally, the Oklahoma State Department of Health recorded record numbers of cases of COVID-19,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://time.com/5865890/oklahoma-covid-19-trump-tulsa-rally/|title=Three Weeks After Trump's Tulsa Rally, Oklahoma Reports Record High COVID-19 Numbers|last=Carlisle|first=Madeleine|date=July 11, 2020|magazine=Time|access-date=October 3, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003194326/https://time.com/5865890/oklahoma-covid-19-trump-tulsa-rally/|url-status=live}}</ref> and former Republican presidential candidate ] died of the virus, although it was not confirmed that he caught the disease due to his attendance at the rally.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/30/former-gop-presidential-candidate-herman-cain-dies-after-battle-with-coronavirus.html|title=Former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain dies after battle with coronavirus|last=Breuninger|first=Kevin|date=July 30, 2020|work=]|access-date=October 3, 2020|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730150323/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/30/former-gop-presidential-candidate-herman-cain-dies-after-battle-with-coronavirus.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


On October 2, 2020, Trump and First Lady ] tested positive for ] following a positive test from his senior adviser ], as part of larger ]. Both the president and first lady immediately entered quarantine, which prevented Trump from further campaigning, notably at campaign rallies.<ref name="COVID infection NYT">{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Peter |last2=Haberman |first2=Maggie |title=Trump Tests Positive for the Coronavirus |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/02/us/politics/trump-positive-coronavirus.html |access-date=October 2, 2020 |work=] |date=October 2, 2020 |archive-date=October 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002051753/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/02/us/politics/trump-positive-coronavirus.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Dawsey|first1=Josh|last2=Itkowitz|first2=Colby|title=Trump says he and first lady have tested positive for coronavirus|work=]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/hope-hicks-close-trump-aide-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/2020/10/01/af238f7c-0444-11eb-897d-3a6201d6643f_story.html|access-date=October 2, 2020|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=October 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002134159/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/hope-hicks-close-trump-aide-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/2020/10/01/af238f7c-0444-11eb-897d-3a6201d6643f_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Mason|first=Jeff|date=October 2, 2020|title=Trump starts "quarantine process" after aide Hope Hicks tests positive for coronavirus|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-usa-hicks-int-idUSKBN26N0FV|access-date=October 2, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003122145/https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-usa-hicks-int-idUSKBN26N0FV|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that day, the President was admitted to ] with a low grade fever, where he was reported to have received an experimental antibody treatment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wctrib.com/news/nation/6688036-Trump-to-be-moved-to-hospital-for-treatment-after-COVID-19-diagnosis|title=Trump to be moved to hospital for treatment after COVID-19 diagnosis|website=West Central Tribune|last1=Mason|first1=Jeff|last2=Alper|first2=Alexandra|last3=Holland|first3=Steve|date=October 2, 2020|access-date=October 2, 2020|via=Reuters|archive-date=October 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002231452/https://www.wctrib.com/news/nation/6688036-Trump-to-be-moved-to-hospital-for-treatment-after-COVID-19-diagnosis|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dawsey |first1=Josh |last2=Parker |first2=Ashley |last3=Itkowitz |first3=Colby |title=Trump tests positive for coronavirus, plans to go to Walter Reed hospital, two officials say |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-covid/2020/10/02/b91072e6-04c3-11eb-a2db-417cddf4816a_story.html |access-date=October 2, 2020 |work=The Washington Post |archive-date=October 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003003136/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-covid/2020/10/02/b91072e6-04c3-11eb-a2db-417cddf4816a_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Trump's diagnosis came only two days after he had shared the stage with Joe Biden at the first presidential debate. This led to the concern that Biden may have contracted the virus from Trump; however, Biden tested negative.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/global/donald-trump-mocked-joe-biden-for-wearing-a-mask-before-testing-positive/news-story/61b3b4880398ee7f59a8f10b30e8f436|title=Donald Trump mocked Joe Biden for wearing a mask before testing positive|website=News Australia|last1=Loomes|first1=Phoebe|date=October 2, 2020|access-date=October 2, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003220243/https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/global/donald-trump-mocked-joe-biden-for-wearing-a-mask-before-testing-positive/news-story/61b3b4880398ee7f59a8f10b30e8f436|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/02/democratic-nominee-joe-biden-tests-negative-for-coronavirus-after-potential-exposure.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.PostToTwitter|title=Democratic nominee Joe Biden tests negative for coronavirus after potential exposure, Trump's diagnosis|website=CNBC|last1=Wilkie|first1=Christina|date=October 2, 2020|access-date=October 2, 2020|archive-date=October 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002204401/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/02/democratic-nominee-joe-biden-tests-negative-for-coronavirus-after-potential-exposure.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.PostToTwitter|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump was discharged from the hospital on October 5.<ref name="Hook" /> On October 2, 2020, Trump and First Lady ] tested positive for ] following a positive test from his senior advisor, ], as part of the larger ]. Both the president and first lady immediately entered quarantine, which prevented Trump from further campaigning, notably at campaign rallies.<ref name="COVID infection NYT">{{Cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Peter |last2=Haberman |first2=Maggie |title=Trump Tests Positive for the Coronavirus |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/02/us/politics/trump-positive-coronavirus.html |access-date=October 2, 2020 |work=] |date=October 2, 2020 |archive-date=October 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002051753/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/02/us/politics/trump-positive-coronavirus.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Dawsey|first1=Josh|last2=Itkowitz|first2=Colby|title=Trump says he and first lady have tested positive for coronavirus|newspaper=]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/hope-hicks-close-trump-aide-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/2020/10/01/af238f7c-0444-11eb-897d-3a6201d6643f_story.html|access-date=October 2, 2020|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=October 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002134159/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/hope-hicks-close-trump-aide-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/2020/10/01/af238f7c-0444-11eb-897d-3a6201d6643f_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Mason|first=Jeff|date=October 2, 2020|title=Trump starts "quarantine process" after aide Hope Hicks tests positive for coronavirus|work=]|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-usa-hicks-int-idUSKBN26N0FV|access-date=October 2, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003122145/https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-usa-hicks-int-idUSKBN26N0FV|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that day, the President was admitted to ] with a low grade fever, where he was reported to have received an experimental antibody treatment.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wctrib.com/news/nation/6688036-Trump-to-be-moved-to-hospital-for-treatment-after-COVID-19-diagnosis|title=Trump to be moved to hospital for treatment after COVID-19 diagnosis|website=West Central Tribune|last1=Mason|first1=Jeff|last2=Alper|first2=Alexandra|last3=Holland|first3=Steve|date=October 2, 2020|access-date=October 2, 2020|agency=Reuters|archive-date=October 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002231452/https://www.wctrib.com/news/nation/6688036-Trump-to-be-moved-to-hospital-for-treatment-after-COVID-19-diagnosis|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Dawsey |first1=Josh |last2=Parker |first2=Ashley |last3=Itkowitz |first3=Colby |title=Trump tests positive for coronavirus, plans to go to Walter Reed hospital, two officials say |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-covid/2020/10/02/b91072e6-04c3-11eb-a2db-417cddf4816a_story.html |access-date=October 2, 2020 |newspaper=] |archive-date=October 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003003136/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-covid/2020/10/02/b91072e6-04c3-11eb-a2db-417cddf4816a_story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Trump's diagnosis came only two days after he had shared the stage with Biden at the first presidential debate and raised the possibility that Biden had caught the virus from Trump; Biden tested negative.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/global/donald-trump-mocked-joe-biden-for-wearing-a-mask-before-testing-positive/news-story/61b3b4880398ee7f59a8f10b30e8f436|title=Donald Trump mocked Joe Biden for wearing a mask before testing positive|newspaper=News.com.au|last1=Loomes|first1=Phoebe|date=October 2, 2020|access-date=October 2, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003220243/https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/global/donald-trump-mocked-joe-biden-for-wearing-a-mask-before-testing-positive/news-story/61b3b4880398ee7f59a8f10b30e8f436|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/02/democratic-nominee-joe-biden-tests-negative-for-coronavirus-after-potential-exposure.html|title=Democratic nominee Joe Biden tests negative for coronavirus after potential exposure, Trump's diagnosis|work=]|last1=Wilkie|first1=Christina|date=October 2, 2020|access-date=October 2, 2020|archive-date=October 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002204401/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/02/democratic-nominee-joe-biden-tests-negative-for-coronavirus-after-potential-exposure.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump was discharged from the hospital on October 5.<ref name="Hook"/>


Trump being diagnosed with COVID-19 was widely seen as having a negative effect on his campaign and shifted the attention of the public back onto COVID-19, an issue which is generally seen as a liability for Trump, due to his response to the COVID-19 pandemic suffering from low approval ratings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/02/the-campaign-as-we-knew-it-is-over-trumps-covid-test-upends-the-race-425020|title=This is the worst nightmare for the Trump campaign|website=Politico|last1=Siders|first1=David|last2=Mahtesian|first2=Charlie|date=October 2, 2020|access-date=October 2, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003173445/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/02/the-campaign-as-we-knew-it-is-over-trumps-covid-test-upends-the-race-425020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/coronavirus-polls/|title=How Americans View The Coronavirus Crisis And Trump's Response|website=FiveThirtyEight|last1=Bycoffe|first1=Aaron|last2=Groskopf|first2=Christopher|last3=Mehta|first3=Dhrumil|date=October 2, 2020|access-date=October 3, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003164422/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/coronavirus-polls/|url-status=live}}</ref> Being in quarantine also meant that Trump was unable to attend rallies, which were a major part of his campaign. As a result of Trump contracting COVID-19, Biden continued campaigning but temporarily ceased running attack ads against him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-campaign-plows-ahead-with-campaign-schedule-after-he-tests-negative-for-covid-19/|title=Biden campaign pulls ads attacking Trump for now, but plows ahead with schedule|website=CBS News|last1=O'Keefe|first1=Ed|last2=Erickson|first2=Bo|last3=Ewall-Wice|first3=Sarah|date=October 2, 2020|access-date=October 3, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003162801/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-campaign-plows-ahead-with-campaign-schedule-after-he-tests-negative-for-covid-19/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/02/donald-trump-positive-test-covid-19-surprise-many-saw-coming-coronavirus|title=Trump's positive Covid test was a surprise that many saw coming|website=The Guardian|last1=Smith|first1=David|date=October 2, 2020|access-date=October 3, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003064612/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/02/donald-trump-positive-test-covid-19-surprise-many-saw-coming-coronavirus|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump resumed in-person rallies on October 12, one week after his discharge from the hospital.<ref name="Hook">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-10-12/trump-travels-for-first-time-since-he-got-coronavirus|title=Trump declares himself immune to COVID: 'I'll kiss everyone in that audience'|last1=Hook|first1=Janet|last2=Bierman|first2=Noah|date=October 12, 2020|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=October 29, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028140440/https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-10-12/trump-travels-for-first-time-since-he-got-coronavirus|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump continued to travel to battleground states and hold mass rallies, sometimes two or three in a day. His rallies have been criticized for their lack of social distancing or mask wearing, and some polls suggest that voters see him less favorably for potentially endangering attendees.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/elections/articles/2020-10-28/trumps-rallies-are-turning-voters-against-him|title=Trump's Rallies Are Turning Voters Against Him|last=Milligan|first=Susan|date=October 28, 2020|work=U.S. News & World Report|access-date=October 29, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029065125/https://www.usnews.com/news/elections/articles/2020-10-28/trumps-rallies-are-turning-voters-against-him|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/10/29/heres-why-massive-rallies-may-do-trump-more-harm-than-good/?sh=5a9495916ea4|title=Here's Why Massive Rallies May Do Trump More Harm Than Good|work=Forbes|last1=Solender|first1=Andrew|date=October 29, 2020|access-date=October 29, 2020|archive-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102065459/https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/10/29/heres-why-massive-rallies-may-do-trump-more-harm-than-good/?sh=5a9495916ea4|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump being diagnosed with COVID-19 was widely seen as having a negative effect on his campaign and shifted the attention of the public back onto COVID-19, an issue which is generally seen as a liability for Trump, due to his response to the COVID-19 pandemic suffering from low approval ratings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/02/the-campaign-as-we-knew-it-is-over-trumps-covid-test-upends-the-race-425020|title=This is the worst nightmare for the Trump campaign|website=]|last1=Siders|first1=David|last2=Mahtesian|first2=Charlie|date=October 2, 2020|access-date=October 2, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003173445/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/02/the-campaign-as-we-knew-it-is-over-trumps-covid-test-upends-the-race-425020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/coronavirus-polls/|title=How Americans View The Coronavirus Crisis And Trump's Response|website=]|last1=Bycoffe|first1=Aaron|last2=Groskopf|first2=Christopher|last3=Mehta|first3=Dhrumil|date=October 2, 2020|access-date=October 3, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003164422/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/coronavirus-polls/|url-status=live}}</ref> Being in quarantine also meant Trump was unable to attend rallies, which were a major part of his campaign. As a result of Trump contracting COVID-19, Biden continued campaigning but temporarily ceased running attack ads against him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-campaign-plows-ahead-with-campaign-schedule-after-he-tests-negative-for-covid-19/|title=Biden campaign pulls ads attacking Trump for now, but plows ahead with schedule|work=]|last1=O'Keefe|first1=Ed|last2=Erickson|first2=Bo|last3=Ewall-Wice|first3=Sarah|date=October 2, 2020|access-date=October 3, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003162801/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-campaign-plows-ahead-with-campaign-schedule-after-he-tests-negative-for-covid-19/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/02/donald-trump-positive-test-covid-19-surprise-many-saw-coming-coronavirus|title=Trump's positive Covid test was a surprise that many saw coming|website=]|last1=Smith|first1=David|date=October 2, 2020|access-date=October 3, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003064612/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/02/donald-trump-positive-test-covid-19-surprise-many-saw-coming-coronavirus|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 12, one week after his discharge from the hospital, Trump resumed in-person rallies.<ref name="Hook">{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-10-12/trump-travels-for-first-time-since-he-got-coronavirus|title=Trump declares himself immune to COVID: 'I'll kiss everyone in that audience'|last1=Hook|first1=Janet|last2=Bierman|first2=Noah|date=October 12, 2020|work=]|access-date=October 29, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028140440/https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-10-12/trump-travels-for-first-time-since-he-got-coronavirus|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump continued to travel to battleground states and hold mass rallies, sometimes two or three in a day. His rallies were criticized for their lack of social distancing or mask wearing, and some polls suggested that voters saw him less favorably for potentially endangering attendees.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/elections/articles/2020-10-28/trumps-rallies-are-turning-voters-against-him|title=Trump's Rallies Are Turning Voters Against Him|last=Milligan|first=Susan|date=October 28, 2020|work=U.S. News & World Report|access-date=October 29, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029065125/https://www.usnews.com/news/elections/articles/2020-10-28/trumps-rallies-are-turning-voters-against-him|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/10/29/heres-why-massive-rallies-may-do-trump-more-harm-than-good/|title=Here's Why Massive Rallies May Do Trump More Harm Than Good|work=]|last1=Solender|first1=Andrew|date=October 29, 2020|access-date=October 29, 2020|archive-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102065459/https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/10/29/heres-why-massive-rallies-may-do-trump-more-harm-than-good/|url-status=live}}</ref>


====Foreign interference==== ==== Foreign interference ====
{{further|Russian interference in the 2020 United States elections|Foreign electoral intervention}} {{further|Russian interference in the 2020 United States elections|Foreign electoral intervention}}
U.S. officials have accused ], ] and ] of trying to influence the 2020 United States elections.<ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. Sees Russia, China, Iran Trying to Influence 2020 Elections|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-24/u-s-sees-russia-china-iran-trying-to-influence-2020-elections|website=Bloomberg|last1=Sebenius|first1=Alyza|date=June 24, 2019|access-date=July 12, 2020|archive-date=October 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006082404/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-24/u-s-sees-russia-china-iran-trying-to-influence-2020-elections|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=2020 Election Meddling by China, Iran, N. Korea Likely, Administration Officials Warn|url=https://news.yahoo.com/2020-election-meddling-china-iran-090500666.html|website=Yahoo News|last1=Lucas|first1=Fred|date=June 28, 2019|access-date=July 12, 2020|archive-date=October 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006082400/https://news.yahoo.com/2020-election-meddling-china-iran-090500666.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 4, 2019, Microsoft announced that "Phosphorus", a group of hackers linked to the ], had attempted to compromise e-mail accounts belonging to journalists, U.S. government officials and the campaign of a U.S. presidential candidate.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump campaign targeted by Iran-linked hackers |url=https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Trump-campaign-targeted-by-Iran-linked-hackers-603732 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=October 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006084141/https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Trump-campaign-targeted-by-Iran-linked-hackers-603732 |archive-date=October 6, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/10/04/iran-tried-hack-us-presidential-candidates-journalists-effort-that-targeted-hundreds-microsoft-finds/ |title=Iranians tried to hack U.S. presidential candidate in effort that targeted hundreds, Microsoft says |date=October 4, 2019 |work=] |first1=Jay |last1=Greene |last2=Romm |first2=Tony |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004175108/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/10/04/iran-tried-hack-us-presidential-candidates-journalists-effort-that-targeted-hundreds-microsoft-finds/ |archive-date=October 4, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The '']'' reported in April 2020 that "Internet security researchers say there have already been signs that China-allied hackers have engaged in so-called 'spear-phishing' attacks on American political targets ahead of the 2020 vote."<ref>{{cite news |title=China, Caught Meddling in Past Two US Elections, Claims 'Not Interested' in 2020 Vote |url=https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/china-caught-meddling-past-two-us-elections-claims-not-interested-2020-vote |work=Voa News |date=April 30, 2020 |access-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-date=May 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518183055/https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/china-caught-meddling-past-two-us-elections-claims-not-interested-2020-vote |url-status=live }}</ref> U.S. officials accused ], ], and ] of trying to influence the 2020 United States elections.<ref>{{Cite news|title=U.S. Sees Russia, China, Iran Trying to Influence 2020 Elections|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-24/u-s-sees-russia-china-iran-trying-to-influence-2020-elections|website=]|last1=Sebenius|first1=Alyza|date=June 24, 2019|access-date=July 12, 2020|archive-date=October 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006082404/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-24/u-s-sees-russia-china-iran-trying-to-influence-2020-elections|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=2020 Election Meddling by China, Iran, N. Korea Likely, Administration Officials Warn|url=https://news.yahoo.com/2020-election-meddling-china-iran-090500666.html|website=]|last1=Lucas|first1=Fred|date=June 28, 2019|access-date=July 12, 2020|archive-date=October 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006082400/https://news.yahoo.com/2020-election-meddling-china-iran-090500666.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 4, 2019, Microsoft announced that "]", a group of hackers linked to the ], had attempted to compromise e-mail accounts belonging to journalists, U.S. government officials and the campaign of a U.S. presidential candidate.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Trump campaign targeted by Iran-linked hackers |url=https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Trump-campaign-targeted-by-Iran-linked-hackers-603732 |work=The Jerusalem Post |agency=Reuters|date=October 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006084141/https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Trump-campaign-targeted-by-Iran-linked-hackers-603732 |archive-date=October 6, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/10/04/iran-tried-hack-us-presidential-candidates-journalists-effort-that-targeted-hundreds-microsoft-finds/ |title=Iranians tried to hack U.S. presidential candidate in effort that targeted hundreds, Microsoft says |date=October 4, 2019 |newspaper=] |first1=Jay |last1=Greene |last2=Romm |first2=Tony |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004175108/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/10/04/iran-tried-hack-us-presidential-candidates-journalists-effort-that-targeted-hundreds-microsoft-finds/ |archive-date=October 4, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The American Government owned '']'' reported in April 2020 that "Internet security researchers say there have already been signs that China-allied hackers have engaged in so-called ']' attacks on American political targets ahead of the 2020 vote." Chinese spokesman ] denied the allegations and said he would "hope the people of the U.S. not drag China into its electoral politics".<ref>{{Cite news |title=China, Caught Meddling in Past Two US Elections, Claims "Not Interested" in 2020 Vote |url=https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/china-caught-meddling-past-two-us-elections-claims-not-interested-2020-vote |work=Voa News |date=April 30, 2020 |access-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-date=May 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518183055/https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/china-caught-meddling-past-two-us-elections-claims-not-interested-2020-vote |url-status=live}}</ref>


On February 13, 2020, American intelligence officials advised members of the ] that Russia was interfering in the 2020 election in an effort to get Trump re-elected.<ref>{{cite web|title=New: Mueller Investigated Julian Assange, WikiLeaks, And Roger Stone For DNC Hacks And Election Law Violations|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/jasonleopold/new-mueller-investigated-julian-assange-wikileaks-and-roger|access-date=November 3, 2020|last1=Leopold|first1=Jason|date=November 2, 2020|last2=Bensinger|first2=Ken|website=BuzzFeed News|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103030502/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/jasonleopold/new-mueller-investigated-julian-assange-wikileaks-and-roger|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/a55930e0a02d2e21d8ed2be7bc496a6f |title=FBI official: Russia wants to see US 'tear ourselves apart' |work=] |date=February 24, 2020 |access-date=February 26, 2020 |last=Tucker |first=Eric |quote=One intelligence official said lawmakers were not told that Russia was working directly to aid Trump. But other people familiar with the meeting said they were told the Kremlin was looking to help Trump's candidacy. The people spoke on condition of anonymity to discussed&nbsp;&#91;sic&#93; the classified briefing. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226204303/https://apnews.com/a55930e0a02d2e21d8ed2be7bc496a6f |archive-date=February 26, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> The briefing was delivered by ], the intelligence community's top election security official and an aide to acting ] ]. On February 21, '']'' reported that, according to unnamed U.S. officials, Russia was interfering in the Democratic primary in an effort to support the nomination of Senator ]. Sanders issued a statement after the news report, saying in part, "I don't care, frankly, who Putin wants to be president. My message to Putin is clear: stay out of American elections, and as president, I will make sure that you do."<ref>{{cite news |title=Bernie Sanders briefed by U.S. officials that Russia is trying to help his presidential campaign |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/bernie-sanders-briefed-by-us-officials-that-russia-is-trying-to-help-his-presidential-campaign/2020/02/21/5ad396a6-54bd-11ea-929a-64efa7482a77_story.html |work=The Washington Post |date=February 21, 2020 |access-date=February 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222124440/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/bernie-sanders-briefed-by-us-officials-that-russia-is-trying-to-help-his-presidential-campaign/2020/02/21/5ad396a6-54bd-11ea-929a-64efa7482a77_story.html |archive-date=February 22, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Sanders acknowledged that his campaign was briefed about Russia's alleged efforts about a month prior.<ref>{{cite news |title=Russia Is Said to Be Interfering to Aid Sanders in Democratic Primaries |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/21/us/politics/bernie-sanders-russia.html |work=The New York Times |date=February 21, 2020 |access-date=February 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222132741/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/21/us/politics/bernie-sanders-russia.html |archive-date=February 22, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> In a February 2020 briefing to the House Intelligence Committee, U.S. intelligence officials warned Congress that Russia was interfering in the 2020 campaign to support Trump's reelection campaign; Trump was angered that Congress had been informed of the threat, and the day after the briefing castigated the acting director of national intelligence, ], for allowing the briefing to go forward.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/20/us/politics/russian-interference-trump-democrats.html|title=Lawmakers Are Warned That Russia Is Meddling to Support Trump|website=The New York Times|last1=Goldman|first1=Adam|last2=Barnes|first2=Julian E.|last3=Haberman|first3=Maggie|last4=Fandos|first4=Nicholas|date=February 20, 2020|access-date=July 13, 2020|archive-date=February 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225234247/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/20/us/politics/russian-interference-trump-democrats.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=TodayRussiaChina/> China and some government-linked Chinese individuals have been accused of interfering in the election to support the candidacy of both Biden and Trump,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rogin |first1=Josh |title=There's Chinese interference on both sides of the 2020 election |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/theres-chinese-interference-on-both-sides-of-the-2020-election/2020/10/29/49f90dfe-1a2c-11eb-82db-60b15c874105_story.html |work=The Washington Post |date=October 30, 2020 |access-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101220202/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/theres-chinese-interference-on-both-sides-of-the-2020-election/2020/10/29/49f90dfe-1a2c-11eb-82db-60b15c874105_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=How does China 'interfere' in the US presidential election? |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/how-does-china-interfere-in-the-u-s-presidential-election |work=Fox News |date=October 13, 2020 |access-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-date=November 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105011023/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/how-does-china-interfere-in-the-u-s-presidential-election |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Carpenter |first1=Ted Galen |title=China Is Interfering in the 2020 Election. Beijing Wants Trump to Lose |url=https://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/china-interfering-2020-election-beijing-wants-trump-lose |work=] |date=September 4, 2020 |access-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-date=November 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103185448/https://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/china-interfering-2020-election-beijing-wants-trump-lose |url-status=live }}</ref> though whether it is actually doing so is disputed among the intelligence community.<ref name=TodayRussiaChina>{{cite news |title=Joe Biden says Russia, not China, is greatest threat to 2020 election |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/09/04/joe-biden-says-russia-not-china-greatest-threat-2020-election/5718496002/ |work=USA Today |last1=Phillips|first1=Katherine|date=September 4, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/21418513/china-iran-us-election-meddling-russia|title=Are China and Iran meddling in US elections? It's complicated.|work=Vox|last1=Kirby|first1=Jen|date=September 15, 2020|access-date=October 30, 2020|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101015508/https://www.vox.com/21418513/china-iran-us-election-meddling-russia|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 13, 2020, American intelligence officials advised members of the ] that Russia was interfering in the 2020 election in an effort to get Trump re-elected.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New: Mueller Investigated Julian Assange, WikiLeaks, And Roger Stone For DNC Hacks And Election Law Violations|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/jasonleopold/new-mueller-investigated-julian-assange-wikileaks-and-roger|access-date=November 3, 2020|last1=Leopold|first1=Jason|date=November 2, 2020|last2=Bensinger|first2=Ken|website=]|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103030502/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/jasonleopold/new-mueller-investigated-julian-assange-wikileaks-and-roger|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://apnews.com/a55930e0a02d2e21d8ed2be7bc496a6f |title=FBI official: Russia wants to see US 'tear ourselves apart' |work=]|date=February 24, 2020 |access-date=February 26, 2020 |last=Tucker |first=Eric |quote=One intelligence official said lawmakers were not told that Russia was working directly to aid Trump. But other people familiar with the meeting said they were told the Kremlin was looking to help Trump's candidacy. The people spoke on condition of anonymity to {{sic|discussed}} the classified briefing. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226204303/https://apnews.com/a55930e0a02d2e21d8ed2be7bc496a6f |archive-date=February 26, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> The briefing was delivered by ], the intelligence community's top election security official and an aide to acting ] ]. On February 21, '']'' reported that, according to unnamed U.S. officials, Russia was interfering in the Democratic primary in an effort to support the nomination of Senator ]. Sanders issued a statement after the news report, saying in part, "I don't care, frankly, who Putin wants to be president. My message to Putin is clear: stay out of American elections, and as president, I will make sure that you do."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Bernie Sanders briefed by U.S. officials that Russia is trying to help his presidential campaign |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/bernie-sanders-briefed-by-us-officials-that-russia-is-trying-to-help-his-presidential-campaign/2020/02/21/5ad396a6-54bd-11ea-929a-64efa7482a77_story.html |last1=Harris|first1=Shane|display-authors=et al|newspaper=] |date=February 21, 2020 |access-date=February 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222124440/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/bernie-sanders-briefed-by-us-officials-that-russia-is-trying-to-help-his-presidential-campaign/2020/02/21/5ad396a6-54bd-11ea-929a-64efa7482a77_story.html |archive-date=February 22, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Sanders acknowledged that his campaign was briefed about Russia's alleged efforts about a month prior.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Russia Is Said to Be Interfering to Aid Sanders in Democratic Primaries |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/21/us/politics/bernie-sanders-russia.html |last1=Barnes|first1=Julian E.|last2=Ember|first2=Sydney|work=] |date=February 21, 2020 |access-date=February 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222132741/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/21/us/politics/bernie-sanders-russia.html |archive-date=February 22, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> In a February 2020 briefing to the House Intelligence Committee, U.S. intelligence officials warned Congress that Russia was interfering in the 2020 campaign to support Trump's reelection campaign; Trump was angered that Congress had been informed of the threat, and the day after the briefing castigated the acting director of national intelligence, ], for allowing the briefing to go forward.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/20/us/politics/russian-interference-trump-democrats.html|title=Lawmakers Are Warned That Russia Is Meddling to Support Trump|website=]|last1=Goldman|first1=Adam|last2=Barnes|first2=Julian E.|last3=Haberman|first3=Maggie|last4=Fandos|first4=Nicholas|date=February 20, 2020|access-date=July 13, 2020|archive-date=February 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225234247/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/20/us/politics/russian-interference-trump-democrats.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=TodayRussiaChina/> China and some government-linked Chinese individuals have been accused of interfering in the election to support the candidacy of both Biden and Trump,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Rogin |first1=Josh |title=There's Chinese interference on both sides of the 2020 election |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/theres-chinese-interference-on-both-sides-of-the-2020-election/2020/10/29/49f90dfe-1a2c-11eb-82db-60b15c874105_story.html |newspaper=] |date=October 30, 2020 |access-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101220202/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/theres-chinese-interference-on-both-sides-of-the-2020-election/2020/10/29/49f90dfe-1a2c-11eb-82db-60b15c874105_story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> though whether it is actually doing so is disputed among the intelligence community.<ref name=TodayRussiaChina>{{Cite news |title=Joe Biden says Russia, not China, is greatest threat to 2020 election |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/09/04/joe-biden-says-russia-not-china-greatest-threat-2020-election/5718496002/ |work=USA Today |last1=Phillips |first1=Katherine |date=September 4, 2020 |access-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115174424/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/09/04/joe-biden-says-russia-not-china-greatest-threat-2020-election/5718496002/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/21418513/china-iran-us-election-meddling-russia|title=Are China and Iran meddling in US elections? It's complicated.|work=]|last1=Kirby|first1=Jen|date=September 15, 2020|access-date=October 30, 2020|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101015508/https://www.vox.com/21418513/china-iran-us-election-meddling-russia|url-status=live}}</ref>


On October 21, threatening emails were sent to Democrats in at least four states. The emails warned that "You will vote for Trump on Election Day or we will come after you."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/10/20/proud-boys-emails-florida/|title=U.S. government concludes Iran was behind threatening emails sent to Democrats|date=October 22, 2020|work=The Washington Post|access-date=October 30, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2020|first1=Ellen|last1=Nakashima|first2=Amy||last2=Gardner|first3=Isaac|last3=Stanley-Becker|first4=Craig|last4=Timberg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029152953/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/10/20/proud-boys-emails-florida/|url-status=live}}</ref> ] ] announced that evening that the emails, using a spoofed return address, had been sent by Iran. He added that both Iran and Russia are known to have obtained American voter registration data, possibly from publicly available information, and that "This data can be used by foreign actors to attempt to communicate false information to registered voters that they hope will cause confusion, sow chaos and undermine your confidence in American democracy." A spokesman for Iran denied the allegation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/21/us/politics/iran-russia-election-interference.html|title=Iran and Russia Seek to Influence Election in Final Days, U.S. Officials Warn|last1=Barnes|first1=Julian E.|last2=Sanger|first2=David E.|date=October 21, 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026221529/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/21/us/politics/iran-russia-election-interference.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In his announcement Ratcliffe said that Iran's intent had been "to intimidate voters, incite social unrest, and damage President Trump", raising questions as to how ordering Democrats to vote for Trump would be damaging to Trump. It was later reported that the reference to Trump had not been in Ratcliffe's prepared remarks as signed off by the other officials on the stage, but that he added it on his own.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/28/john-ratcliffe-iran-433375|title=Ratcliffe went off script with Iran remarks, officials say|last1=Bertrand|first1=Natasha|last2=Lippman|first2=Daniel|date=October 28, 2020|work=Politico|access-date=October 30, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029162945/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/28/john-ratcliffe-iran-433375|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 21, threatening emails were sent to Democrats in at least four states. The emails warned, "You will vote for Trump on Election Day or we will come after you."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/10/20/proud-boys-emails-florida/|title=U.S. government concludes Iran was behind threatening emails sent to Democrats|date=October 22, 2020|newspaper=]|access-date=October 30, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2020|first1=Ellen|last1=Nakashima|first2=Amy|last2=Gardner|first3=Isaac|last3=Stanley-Becker|first4=Craig|last4=Timberg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029152953/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/10/20/proud-boys-emails-florida/|url-status=live}}</ref> ] ] announced that evening that the emails, using a spoofed return address, had been sent by Iran. He added that both Iran and Russia are known to have obtained American voter registration data, possibly from publicly available information, and "This data can be used by foreign actors to attempt to communicate false information to registered voters that they hope will cause confusion, sow chaos and undermine your confidence in American democracy." A spokesman for Iran denied the allegation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/21/us/politics/iran-russia-election-interference.html|title=Iran and Russia Seek to Influence Election in Final Days, U.S. Officials Warn|last1=Barnes|first1=Julian E.|last2=Sanger|first2=David E.|date=October 21, 2020|work=]|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026221529/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/21/us/politics/iran-russia-election-interference.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In his announcement, Ratcliffe said Iran's intent had been "to intimidate voters, incite social unrest, and damage President Trump", raising questions as to how ordering Democrats to vote for Trump would be damaging to Trump. It was later reported that the reference to Trump had not been in Ratcliffe's prepared remarks as signed off by the other officials on the stage; he had added it on his own.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/28/john-ratcliffe-iran-433375|title=Ratcliffe went off script with Iran remarks, officials say|last1=Bertrand|first1=Natasha|last2=Lippman|first2=Daniel|date=October 28, 2020|work=]|access-date=October 30, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029162945/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/28/john-ratcliffe-iran-433375|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 18, 2021, the Justice Department charged two Iranian hackers with attempting to intimidate American voters ahead of the 2020 U.S. election by sending threatening emails and spreading false information.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2021-11-18/us-indicts-two-Iranian-hackers-2020-election-misinformation-campaign-3670812.html|title=US indicts two Iranian hackers over 2020 election misinformation campaign|website=]|access-date=November 21, 2021|archive-date=November 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121011142/https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2021-11-18/us-indicts-two-Iranian-hackers-2020-election-misinformation-campaign-3670812.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


Throughout the election period, several ]n lawmakers and the Colombian ambassador to the United States issued statements supporting the Donald Trump campaign, which has been viewed as potentially harmful to ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Is Colombia Interfering In The U.S. Election In Florida – With Tactics It Exported To Florida?|url=https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/politics-issues/2020-09-22/is-colombia-interfering-in-the-u-s-election-in-florida-with-tactics-it-exported-to-florida|last1=Padgett|first1=Tim|access-date=October 27, 2020|work=University of South Florida|date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101021834/https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/politics-issues/2020-09-22/is-colombia-interfering-in-the-u-s-election-in-florida-with-tactics-it-exported-to-florida|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/24/opinions/colombian-lawmakers-us-election-meeks-gallego/index.html|title=Colombian politicians shouldn't take sides in US election|work=CNN|last1=Meeks|first1=Gregory|author2-link=Ruben Gallego|last2=Gallego|first2=Ruben|date=October 24, 2020|access-date=October 27, 2020|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027112911/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/24/opinions/colombian-lawmakers-us-election-meeks-gallego/index.html|url-status=live|author1-link=Gregory Meeks}}</ref> On October 26, the U.S. Ambassador to Colombia, ], requested that Colombian politicians abstain from getting involved in the elections.<ref>{{cite news|title=US embassy warns Colombian politicians not to get involved in US elections|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/27/embassy-warns-colombian-politicians-us-elections|last1=Daniels|first1=Joe Parkin|access-date=October 27, 2020|work=The Guardian|date=October 26, 2020|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027134403/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/27/embassy-warns-colombian-politicians-us-elections|url-status=live}}</ref> Throughout the election period, several ]n lawmakers and the Colombian ambassador to the United States issued statements supporting the Donald Trump campaign, which has been viewed as potentially harmful to ].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Is Colombia Interfering In The U.S. Election In Florida – With Tactics It Exported To Florida?|url=https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/politics-issues/2020-09-22/is-colombia-interfering-in-the-u-s-election-in-florida-with-tactics-it-exported-to-florida|last1=Padgett|first1=Tim|access-date=October 27, 2020|work=University of South Florida|date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101021834/https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/politics-issues/2020-09-22/is-colombia-interfering-in-the-u-s-election-in-florida-with-tactics-it-exported-to-florida|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/24/opinions/colombian-lawmakers-us-election-meeks-gallego/index.html|title=Colombian politicians shouldn't take sides in US election|work=]|last1=Meeks|first1=Gregory|author2-link=Ruben Gallego|last2=Gallego|first2=Ruben|date=October 24, 2020|access-date=October 27, 2020|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027112911/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/24/opinions/colombian-lawmakers-us-election-meeks-gallego/index.html|url-status=live|author1-link=Gregory Meeks}}</ref> On October 26, the U.S. Ambassador to Colombia, ], requested that Colombian politicians abstain from getting involved in the elections.<ref>{{Cite news|title=US embassy warns Colombian politicians not to get involved in US elections|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/27/embassy-warns-colombian-politicians-us-elections|last1=Daniels|first1=Joe Parkin|access-date=October 27, 2020|work=]|date=October 26, 2020|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027134403/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/27/embassy-warns-colombian-politicians-us-elections|url-status=live}}</ref>


The Department of Justice is investigating whether the Trump Victory Committee took a $100,000 donation from ]n businessman and international fugitive ], who is accused of being the mastermind behind the multibillion-dollar ] involving a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund, ].<ref>{{cite news|date=March 14, 2019|title=US probing whether Jho Low secretly made donation to Trump's 2020 re-election campaign|work=The Straits Times|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-probing-whether-jho-low-secretly-made-donation-to-trumps-2020-re-election|accessdate=November 12, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The bizarre story of 1MDB, the Goldman Sachs-backed Malaysian fund that turned into one of the biggest scandals in financial history|work=Business Insider|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/1mdb-timeline-the-goldman-sachs-backed-malaysian-wealth-fund-2018-12|date=December 20, 2018|last1=Burroughs|first1=Callum|last2=Khan|first2=Yusuf|accessdate=November 12, 2020}}</ref> The Department of Justice is investigating whether the Trump Victory Committee accepted a $100,000 donation from ]n businessman and international fugitive ], who is accused of being the mastermind behind the multibillion-dollar ] involving a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund, ].<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 14, 2019|title=US probing whether Jho Low secretly made donation to Trump's 2020 re-election campaign|work=The Straits Times|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-probing-whether-jho-low-secretly-made-donation-to-trumps-2020-re-election|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=November 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122203946/https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-probing-whether-jho-low-secretly-made-donation-to-trumps-2020-re-election|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The bizarre story of 1MDB, the Goldman Sachs-backed Malaysian fund that turned into one of the biggest scandals in financial history|work=Business Insider|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/1mdb-timeline-the-goldman-sachs-backed-malaysian-wealth-fund-2018-12|date=December 20, 2018|last1=Burroughs|first1=Callum|last2=Khan|first2=Yusuf|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117032748/https://www.businessinsider.com/1mdb-timeline-the-goldman-sachs-backed-malaysian-wealth-fund-2018-12|url-status=live}}</ref>


Government officials and American corporate security officers braced for a repeat of ] and ], and in fact conducted what were characterized as preemptive counter-strikes on ] infrastructure which might be used in large-scale coordination of hacking,<ref name="NYT20201012">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/12/us/politics/election-hacking-microsoft.html|title=Microsoft Takes Down a Risk to the Election and Finds the U.S. Doing the Same: Fearing Russian ransomware attacks on the election, the company and U.S. Cyber Command mounted similar pre-emptive strikes. It is not clear how long they may work.|department=US Politics|last1=Sanger|first1=David E.|author-link=David E. Sanger|last2=Perlroth|first2=Nicole|date=October 12, 2020|edition=October 21, 2020|newspaper=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104020855/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/12/us/politics/election-hacking-microsoft.html|archive-date=November 4, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and ] appeared to foreshadow such possibilities. Nonetheless, after his ], in a December 2020 interview, ], the Trump administration's director of the ] (CISA), described monitoring Election Day from CISA's joint command center along with representatives from the military's ], the ] (NSA), the ] (FBI), the ] (USSS), the ] (EAC), representatives of vendors of ] equipment, and representatives of ] and ], as well as his agency's analysis preceding and after that day, saying, "It was quiet. There was no indication or evidence that there was any sort of hacking or compromise of election systems on, before, or after November third."<ref name="60Min20201129">{{Cite episode|last=Krebs|first=Christopher Cox|subject-link=Chris Krebs|editor-last=Pelley|editor-first=Scott Cameron|editor-link=Scott Pelley|id=Securing the Election, The Last Slave Ship, James Corden|season=53|number=13|title=Fired director of U.S. cyber agency Chris Krebs explains why President Trump's claims of election interference are false|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/election-results-security-chris-krebs-60-minutes-2020-11-29/|series=60 Minutes|series-link=60 Minutes|network=]|time=11:30|date=November 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202060053/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/election-results-security-chris-krebs-60-minutes-2020-11-29/|archive-date=December 2, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Responding to spurious claims of foreign outsourcing of ] as a rationale behind litigation attempting to stop official vote-counting in some areas, Krebs also affirmed that, "All votes in the United States of America are counted in the United States of America."<ref name="60Min20201129"/>
====Trump's potential rejection of election results====
{{see|Blue shift (politics)|Peaceful transition of power}}
During the campaign, Trump indicated in ], interviews, and speeches that he might refuse to recognize the outcome of the election if he was defeated; Trump falsely suggested that the election would be ] against him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/06/21/trump-election-2020-1374589|title=What if Trump won't accept 2020 defeat?|website=Politico|last1=Bertrand|first1=Natasha|last2=Samuelsohn|first2=Darren|date=June 21, 2019|access-date=July 29, 2020|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726071851/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/06/21/trump-election-2020-1374589|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/what-could-happen-if-donald-trump-rejects-electoral-defeat|title=What could happen if Donald Trump rejects electoral defeat?|website=The New Yorker|last1=Gessen|first1=Masha|date=July 21, 2020|access-date=July 29, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731005940/https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/what-could-happen-if-donald-trump-rejects-electoral-defeat|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/trumps-false-claims-of-rigged-voting-are-a-perilous-thing-says-top-republican-expert-204724461.html|work=Yahoo News|author=Jon Ward|title=Trump's false claims of rigged voting are 'a perilous thing,' says top Republican expert|date=October 1, 2020}}</ref> In July 2020, Trump declined to answer whether he would accept the results, telling Fox News anchor ] that "I have to see. No, I'm not going to just say yes. I'm not going to say no."<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tommybeer/2020/09/24/heres-everything-trump-has-said-about-refusing-to-give-up-power/|title=Here's Everything Trump Has Said About Refusing To Give Up Power|first=Tommy|last=Beer|date=September 24, 2020|website=Forbes|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106145147/https://www.forbes.com/sites/tommybeer/2020/09/24/heres-everything-trump-has-said-about-refusing-to-give-up-power/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-results/trump-says-he-will-do-other-things-if-he-loses-2020-election-idUSKBN23J2YB|title=Trump says he will 'do other things' if he loses 2020 election|website=Reuters|last1=Lange|first1=Jason|date=June 12, 2020|access-date=July 29, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729112925/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-results/trump-says-he-will-do-other-things-if-he-loses-2020-election-idUSKBN23J2YB|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Feuer|first=Will|date=July 19, 2020|title=President Trump won't agree to accept 2020 election results as Biden leads in polls — 'I have to see'|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/19/president-trump-wont-agree-to-accept-2020-election-results-as-biden-leads-in-polls.html|access-date=July 29, 2020|website=CNBC|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728004042/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/19/president-trump-wont-agree-to-accept-2020-election-results-as-biden-leads-in-polls.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump repeatedly claimed that "the only way" he could lose would be if the election was "rigged" and repeatedly refused to commit to a ] after the election.<ref>
*{{Cite news|author=Adam Gabbatt|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/03/could-donald-trump-refuse-to-accept-defeat-in-us-presidential-election|title=Could Donald Trump refuse to accept defeat in US presidential election?|newspaper=The Guardian|date=November 3, 2020|quote=Over the past six months Trump has repeatedly refused to commit to a peaceful transition of power, when asked, and has claimed he will only lose if the election is rigged.}}
*{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/17/politics/donald-trump-campaign-swing/index.html|title=Trump warns of 'rigged election' as he uses conspiracy and fear to counter Biden's convention week|website=CNN|last1=Liptak|first1=Kevin|date=August 17, 2020|access-date=August 17, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920072617/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/17/politics/donald-trump-campaign-swing/index.html|url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |title=Donald Trump accuses Democrats of plot to 'steal' election at Republican convention |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2020/aug/24/donald-trump-accuses-democrats-of-plot-to-steal-election-at-republican-convention-video |access-date=August 26, 2020 |website=The Guardian |date=August 24, 2020 |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926113329/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2020/aug/24/donald-trump-accuses-democrats-of-plot-to-steal-election-at-republican-convention-video |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite web|first1=Kevin|last1=Liptak|first2=Maegan|last2=Vazquez|date=September 24, 2020|title=Trump refuses to commit to a peaceful transition of power after Election Day|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/23/politics/trump-election-day-peaceful-transition/index.html|access-date=September 24, 2020|website=CNN|archive-date=September 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928212237/https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/23/politics/trump-election-day-peaceful-transition/index.html|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite news|date=September 24, 2020|title=Trump won't commit to peaceful transfer of power|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54274115|access-date=September 24, 2020|archive-date=September 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927153236/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54274115|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite web|date=September 23, 2020|title=Trump won't commit to peaceful transfer of power if he loses|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-virus-outbreak-voting-elections-voting-fraud-and-irregularities-8bb28627b03474a3a5ce2454ae3d1639|access-date=September 24, 2020|website=AP News|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926133228/https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-virus-outbreak-voting-elections-voting-fraud-and-irregularities-8bb28627b03474a3a5ce2454ae3d1639|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite web|last=Choi|first=Matthew|title=Trump declines to commit to a peaceful transition of power after election|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/23/trump-peaceful-transition-of-power-420791|date=September 23, 2020|access-date=September 24, 2020|website=Politico|archive-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929004407/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/23/trump-peaceful-transition-of-power-420791|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite news|last=Crowley|first=Michael|date=September 24, 2020|title=Trump Won't Commit to 'Peaceful' Post-Election Transfer of Power|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/us/politics/trump-power-transfer-2020-election.html|access-date=September 24, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928193228/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/us/politics/trump-power-transfer-2020-election.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump also attacked ] throughout the campaign, falsely claiming it is rife with fraud;<ref>{{cite news|author=Eugene Kiely & Rem Rieder|url=https://www.factcheck.org/2020/09/trumps-repeated-false-attacks-on-mail-in-ballots/|title=Trump's Repeated False Attacks on Mail-In Ballots|work=FactCheck.org|publisher=Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania|date=September 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Nicholas Riccardi|url=https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-joe-biden-election-2020-donald-trump-elections-3e8170c3348ce3719d4bc7182146b582|title=Here's the reality behind Trump's claims about mail voting|agency=Associated Press|date=September 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Miles Parks|url=http://npr.org/2020/08/28/906676695/ignoring-fbi-and-fellow-republicans-trump-continues-assault-on-mail-in-voting|title=Ignoring FBI And Fellow Republicans, Trump Continues Assault On Mail-In Voting|publisher=NPR|date=August 28, 2020}}</ref> at one point, Trump said, "We'll see what happens...Get rid of the ballots and you'll have a very peaceful — there won't be a transfer, frankly. There will be a continuation."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-pressed-on-peaceful-transfer-of-power-have-to-see-what-happens|title=Trump blasts ballots when asked about election aftermath: 'The ballots are a disaster'|last=Stimson|first=Brie|date=September 24, 2020|work=Fox News|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024000442/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-pressed-on-peaceful-transfer-of-power-have-to-see-what-happens|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump's statements have been described as a threat "to upend the constitutional order".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Republicans break with Trump over peaceful transition of power|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/24/gop-peaceful-power-transfer-421025|access-date=September 24, 2020|last1=Levine|first1=Marianne|last2=Desiderio|first2=Andrew|last3=Everett|first3=Burgess|website=Politico|date=September 24, 2020|archive-date=September 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928122001/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/24/gop-peaceful-power-transfer-421025|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2020, FBI Director ], who was appointed by Trump, testified under oath that the FBI has "not seen, historically, any kind of coordinated national voter fraud effort in a major election, whether it's by mail or otherwise."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cillizza |first1=Chris |title=The FBI director just totally shut down Donald Trump's vote-fraud conspiracy |url=https://us.cnn.com/2020/09/25/politics/christopher-wray-election-fraud-vote-fraud/index.html |access-date=September 26, 2020 |work=] |date=September 25, 2020 |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925205819/https://us.cnn.com/2020/09/25/politics/christopher-wray-election-fraud-vote-fraud/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


Acts of foreign interference included Russian state-directed application of ] approaches, more conventional ], ], "]" and "]" propaganda tactics employing some government officials, ].<ref name="NYT20201025">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/25/business/media/hunter-biden-wall-street-journal-trump.html|title=Trump Had One Last Story to Sell. The Wall Street Journal Wouldn't Buy It.|department=The Media Equation|last=Smith|first=Ben|author-link=Ben Smith (journalist)|date=October 25, 2020|newspaper=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030084330/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/25/business/media/hunter-biden-wall-street-journal-trump.html|archive-date=October 30, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
A number of congressional Republicans insisted they were committed to an orderly and peaceful transition of power, but declined to criticize Trump for his comments.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Crowley|first=Michael|date=September 24, 2020|title=2020 Election Live Updates: Trump Once Again Questions the Election, as Top Republicans Commit to a Peaceful Transfer of Power|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/09/24/us/trump-vs-biden-election|access-date=September 24, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927030625/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/09/24/us/trump-vs-biden-election|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 24, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution affirming the Senate's commitment to a peaceful transfer of power.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/what-senate-republicans-are-saying-after-trump-refused-to-commit-to-an-orderly-transfer-of-power/2020/09/24/276973ba-fe8d-11ea-9ceb-061d646d9c67_story.html|first1=Paul|last1=Kane|first2=Rachael|last2=Bade|first3=Colby|last3=Itkowitz|title=What Senate Republicans are saying after Trump refused to commit to an orderly transfer of power|date=September 24, 2020|work=The Washington Post|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028092841/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/what-senate-republicans-are-saying-after-trump-refused-to-commit-to-an-orderly-transfer-of-power/2020/09/24/276973ba-fe8d-11ea-9ceb-061d646d9c67_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump has also stated he expected the ] to decide the election and that he wanted a conservative majority in case of an election dispute, reiterating his commitment to quickly install a ] following death of the ].<ref>*{{Cite news|last=Baker|first=Peter|date=September 23, 2020|title=Trump says he wants a conservative majority on the Supreme Court in case of an Election Day dispute.|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/us/elections/trump-supreme-court-election-day.html|access-date=September 24, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928050629/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/us/elections/trump-supreme-court-election-day.html|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite web|last=Reklaitis|first=Victor|title=Trump says Supreme Court will need 9th justice to decide election outcome|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-says-he-thinks-supreme-court-will-rule-on-election-outcome-so-9th-justice-needed-2020-09-23-161035612|access-date=September 24, 2020|date=September 23, 2020|website=MarketWatch|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926184234/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-says-he-thinks-supreme-court-will-rule-on-election-outcome-so-9th-justice-needed-2020-09-23-161035612|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite web|last=Garrison|first=David Jackson and Joey|title=Trump says he wants to fill Supreme Court seat quickly in case justices need to settle election dispute|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/09/23/trump-need-fill-supreme-court-seat-quickly-because-election/3501368001/|date=September 23, 2020|access-date=September 24, 2020|website=USA Today|archive-date=September 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928213656/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/09/23/trump-need-fill-supreme-court-seat-quickly-because-election/3501368001/|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite news|last=Mason|first=Jeff|date=September 24, 2020|title=Trump hedges on transferring power, says election will end up at Supreme Court|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-court-election-idUSKCN26F06C|access-date=September 24, 2020|archive-date=September 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927000615/https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-court-election-idUSKCN26F06C|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite web|last=Stieb|first=Matt|date=September 23, 2020|title=Trump Says Supreme Court Needs 9 Justices for Potential Election Dispute|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/09/trump-supreme-court-needs-9-justices-for-election-dispute.html|access-date=September 24, 2020|website=Intelligencer|archive-date=September 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927084501/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/09/trump-supreme-court-needs-9-justices-for-election-dispute.html|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite web|last=Wingrove|first=Josh|date=September 23, 2020|title=Trump Talks Up Need for Full Court as He Casts Doubt on Election|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-23/trump-says-supreme-court-needs-ninth-justice-to-decide-election|access-date=September 24, 2020|website=Bloomberg|archive-date=September 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928025437/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-23/trump-says-supreme-court-needs-ninth-justice-to-decide-election|url-status=live}}</ref>


==== Trump's potential rejection of election results ====
====Election delay suggestion====
{{Main|Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election#Uncertainty over Trump accepting an electoral loss in 2020}}
In April 2020, Biden suggested that Trump may try to delay the election, saying that Trump "is gonna try to kick back the election somehow, come up with some rationale why it can't be held".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/24/politics/joe-biden-trump-delay-presidential-election/index.html|title=Biden says he thinks Trump will try to delay the presidential election|website=CNN|last1=Sullivan|first1=Kate|date=April 25, 2020|access-date=July 30, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731063613/https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/24/politics/joe-biden-trump-delay-presidential-election/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/23/biden-trump-2020-delay-coronavirus-206142|title=Biden predicts Trump will try to delay November election|website=Politico|last1=Choi|first1=Matthew|date=April 23, 2020|access-date=July 30, 2020|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730153553/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/23/biden-trump-2020-delay-coronavirus-206142|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 30, Trump tweeted that "With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history" and asked if it should be delayed until people can safely cast ballots in person. Experts have indicated that, for the election to be legally delayed, such a decision must be undertaken by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/07/30/897111969/trump-floats-delaying-the-election-it-would-require-a-change-in-law|title=Trump Floats Delaying The Election. It Would Require A Change In Law|website=NPR|last1=Rascoe|first1=Ayesha|last2=Davis|first2=Susan|last3=Parks|first3=Miles|date=July 30, 2020|access-date=July 30, 2020|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730154825/https://www.npr.org/2020/07/30/897111969/trump-floats-delaying-the-election-it-would-require-a-change-in-law|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/07/30/donald-trump-suggests-delaying-election-because-mail-voting/5543726002/|title=Trump floats delaying election over mail-in voting, legal experts say that power rests with Congress|website=USA Today|last1=Jackson|first1=David|last2=Garrison|first2=Joey|last3=Fritze|first3=John|date=July 30, 2020|access-date=August 1, 2020|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730170834/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/07/30/donald-trump-suggests-delaying-election-because-mail-voting/5543726002/|url-status=live}}</ref> Several legal experts noted that the Constitution sets the end of the presidential and vice-presidential terms as January 20, a hard deadline which cannot be altered by Congress except by constitutional amendment.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Muller |first1=Derek |title=Trump Can't Postpone the Election |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-cant-postpone-the-election-11588175516?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=1 |website=The Wall Street Journal |date=April 29, 2020 |access-date=July 30, 2020 |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913095859/https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-cant-postpone-the-election-11588175516?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/verify/verify-no-nancy-pelosi-would-not-become-president-if-congress-delays-federal-elections-rumored-social-media/65-e36e4551-fb38-4261-bd70-ef4df2c90911|title=VERIFY: Nancy Pelosi won't become president on Jan. 20 if Congress delays federal elections|website=WUSA 9|last1=Koslof|first1=Evan|date=July 30, 2020|access-date=July 31, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731194225/https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/verify/verify-no-nancy-pelosi-would-not-become-president-if-congress-delays-federal-elections-rumored-social-media/65-e36e4551-fb38-4261-bd70-ef4df2c90911|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{further|Blue shift (politics)|Peaceful transition of power}}
During the campaign, Trump indicated in ], interviews, and speeches that he might refuse to recognize the outcome of the election if he were defeated; Trump falsely suggested that the election would be ] against him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/06/21/trump-election-2020-1374589|title=What if Trump won't accept 2020 defeat?|website=]|last1=Bertrand|first1=Natasha|last2=Samuelsohn|first2=Darren|date=June 21, 2019|access-date=July 29, 2020|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726071851/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/06/21/trump-election-2020-1374589|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/what-could-happen-if-donald-trump-rejects-electoral-defeat|title=What could happen if Donald Trump rejects electoral defeat?|magazine=]|last1=Gessen|first1=Masha|date=July 21, 2020|access-date=July 29, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731005940/https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/what-could-happen-if-donald-trump-rejects-electoral-defeat|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/trumps-false-claims-of-rigged-voting-are-a-perilous-thing-says-top-republican-expert-204724461.html|work=]|first1=Jon|last1=Ward|title=Trump's false claims of rigged voting are "a perilous thing," says top Republican expert|date=October 1, 2020|access-date=November 10, 2020|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101183143/https://news.yahoo.com/trumps-false-claims-of-rigged-voting-are-a-perilous-thing-says-top-republican-expert-204724461.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2020, Trump declined to answer whether he would accept the results, just as he did in the ], telling Fox News anchor ] that "I have to see. No, I'm not going to just say yes. I'm not going to say no."<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Rafferty|first1=Andrew|last2=Taintor|first2=David|date=October 16, 2016|title=Trump Won't Say He'll Accept Election Results: 'I Will Keep You In Suspense'|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/trump-won-t-say-he-ll-accept-election-results-i-n669801|access-date=June 18, 2021|website=]|archive-date=April 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409130520/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/trump-won-t-say-he-ll-accept-election-results-i-n669801|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tommybeer/2020/09/24/heres-everything-trump-has-said-about-refusing-to-give-up-power/|title=Here's Everything Trump Has Said About Refusing To Give Up Power|first=Tommy|last=Beer|date=September 24, 2020|website=]|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106145147/https://www.forbes.com/sites/tommybeer/2020/09/24/heres-everything-trump-has-said-about-refusing-to-give-up-power/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-results/trump-says-he-will-do-other-things-if-he-loses-2020-election-idUSKBN23J2YB|title=Trump says he will "do other things" if he loses 2020 election|work=]|last1=Lange|first1=Jason|date=June 12, 2020|access-date=July 29, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729112925/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-results/trump-says-he-will-do-other-things-if-he-loses-2020-election-idUSKBN23J2YB|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Feuer|first=Will|date=July 19, 2020|title=President Trump won't agree to accept 2020 election results as Biden leads in polls – 'I have to see'|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/19/president-trump-wont-agree-to-accept-2020-election-results-as-biden-leads-in-polls.html|access-date=July 29, 2020|work=]|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728004042/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/19/president-trump-wont-agree-to-accept-2020-election-results-as-biden-leads-in-polls.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump repeatedly claimed that "the only way" he could lose would be if the election was "rigged" and repeatedly refused to commit to a ] after the election.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 24, 2020|title=Trump won't commit to peaceful transfer of power|work=]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54274115|url-status=live|access-date=September 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927153236/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54274115|archive-date=September 27, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Choi|first=Matthew|date=September 23, 2020|title=Trump declines to commit to a peaceful transition of power after election|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/23/trump-peaceful-transition-of-power-420791|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929004407/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/23/trump-peaceful-transition-of-power-420791|archive-date=September 29, 2020|access-date=September 24, 2020|website=]}}</ref> Trump also attacked ] throughout the campaign, falsely claiming that the practice contains high rates of fraud;<ref>{{Cite news|first1=Eugene|last1=Kiely|first2=Rem|last2=Rieder|url=https://www.factcheck.org/2020/09/trumps-repeated-false-attacks-on-mail-in-ballots/|title=Trump's Repeated False Attacks on Mail-In Ballots|work=FactCheck|publisher=Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=November 10, 2020|archive-date=January 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106060650/https://www.factcheck.org/2020/09/trumps-repeated-false-attacks-on-mail-in-ballots/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first1=Nicholas|last1=Riccardi|url=https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-joe-biden-election-2020-donald-trump-elections-3e8170c3348ce3719d4bc7182146b582|title=Here's the reality behind Trump's claims about mail voting|work=]|date=September 30, 2020|ref=none|access-date=November 10, 2020|archive-date=January 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106194711/https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-joe-biden-election-2020-donald-trump-elections-3e8170c3348ce3719d4bc7182146b582|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first1=Miles|last1=Parks|url=http://npr.org/2020/08/28/906676695/ignoring-fbi-and-fellow-republicans-trump-continues-assault-on-mail-in-voting|title=Ignoring FBI And Fellow Republicans, Trump Continues Assault On Mail-In Voting|work=]|date=August 28, 2020|access-date=November 10, 2020|archive-date=December 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228224433/https://www.npr.org/2020/08/28/906676695/ignoring-fbi-and-fellow-republicans-trump-continues-assault-on-mail-in-voting|url-status=live}}</ref> at one point, Trump said, "We'll see what happens{{spaces}}... Get rid of the ballots and you'll have a very peaceful—there won't be a transfer, frankly. There will be a continuation."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-pressed-on-peaceful-transfer-of-power-have-to-see-what-happens|title=Trump blasts ballots when asked about election aftermath: 'The ballots are a disaster'|last=Stimson|first=Brie|date=September 24, 2020|work=]|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024000442/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-pressed-on-peaceful-transfer-of-power-have-to-see-what-happens|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump's statements have been described as a threat "to upend the constitutional order".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Republicans break with Trump over peaceful transition of power|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/24/gop-peaceful-power-transfer-421025|access-date=September 24, 2020|last1=Levine|first1=Marianne|last2=Desiderio|first2=Andrew|last3=Everett|first3=Burgess|website=]|date=September 24, 2020|archive-date=September 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928122001/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/24/gop-peaceful-power-transfer-421025|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2020, FBI Director ], who was appointed by Trump, testified under oath that the FBI has "not seen, historically, any kind of coordinated national voter fraud effort in a major election, whether it's by mail or otherwise".<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Cillizza |first1=Chris |title=The FBI director just totally shut down Donald Trump's vote-fraud conspiracy |url=https://us.cnn.com/2020/09/25/politics/christopher-wray-election-fraud-vote-fraud/index.html |access-date=September 26, 2020 |work=] |date=September 25, 2020 |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925205819/https://us.cnn.com/2020/09/25/politics/christopher-wray-election-fraud-vote-fraud/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref>


A number of congressional Republicans insisted they were committed to an orderly and peaceful transition of power, but declined to criticize Trump for his comments.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Crowley|first=Michael|date=September 24, 2020|title=2020 Election Live Updates: Trump Once Again Questions the Election, as Top Republicans Commit to a Peaceful Transfer of Power|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/09/24/us/trump-vs-biden-election|access-date=September 24, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927030625/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/09/24/us/trump-vs-biden-election|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 24, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution affirming the Senate's commitment to a peaceful transfer of power.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/what-senate-republicans-are-saying-after-trump-refused-to-commit-to-an-orderly-transfer-of-power/2020/09/24/276973ba-fe8d-11ea-9ceb-061d646d9c67_story.html|first1=Paul|last1=Kane|first2=Rachael|last2=Bade|first3=Colby|last3=Itkowitz|title=What Senate Republicans are saying after Trump refused to commit to an orderly transfer of power|date=September 24, 2020|newspaper=]|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028092841/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/what-senate-republicans-are-saying-after-trump-refused-to-commit-to-an-orderly-transfer-of-power/2020/09/24/276973ba-fe8d-11ea-9ceb-061d646d9c67_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump also stated he expected the ] to decide the election and that he wanted a conservative majority in case of an election dispute, reiterating his commitment to quickly install a ] following the death of ].<ref>Multiple sources:
====Postal voting====
{{see also|Postal voting in the United States#Expansion in 2020 election|2020 United States Postal Service crisis}}
]


* {{Cite news |last=Baker |first=Peter |date=September 23, 2020 |title=Trump says he wants a conservative majority on the Supreme Court in case of an Election Day dispute. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/us/elections/trump-supreme-court-election-day.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928050629/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/us/elections/trump-supreme-court-election-day.html |archive-date=September 28, 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2020 |work=] |issn=0362-4331 |ref=none}}
] has become increasingly common, with 25% of voters mailing their ballots in 2016 and 2018. By June 2020, the ] was predicted to cause a large increase in mail voting because of the possible danger of congregating at polling places.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/todaysdebate/2020/06/15/coronavirus-pandemic-makes-mail-voting-even-more-important-editorials-debates/5336826002/|title=Coronavirus makes voting by mail even more important|date=June 15, 2020|author=The Editorial Board|work=USA Today|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816135016/https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/todaysdebate/2020/06/15/coronavirus-pandemic-makes-mail-voting-even-more-important-editorials-debates/5336826002/|url-status=live}}</ref> An August 2020 state-by-state analysis concluded that 76% of Americans are eligible to vote by mail in 2020, a record number. The analysis predicted that 80&nbsp;million ballots could be cast by mail in 2020—more than double the number in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/08/11/us/politics/vote-by-mail-us-states.html|title=A Record 76% of Americans Can Vote by Mail in 2020|first1=Juliette|last1=Love|first2=Matt|last2=Stevens|first3=Lazaro|last3=Gamio|date=August 14, 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816185758/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/08/11/us/politics/vote-by-mail-us-states.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Postal Service sent a letter to multiple states in July 2020, warning that the service would not be able to meet the state's deadlines for requesting and casting last-minute absentee ballots.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/nation-world/2020/08/14/postal-service-says/|title=Postal Service says delays could affect multiple states' elections|last1=Broadwater|first1=Luke|last2=Fuchs|first2=Hailey|date=July 14, 2020|via=The New York Times|newspaper=Salt Lake City Tribune|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821154740/https://www.sltrib.com/news/nation-world/2020/08/14/postal-service-says/|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to the anticipated high volume of mailed ballots, the prediction was due in part to numerous measures taken by ], the newly installed ], including banning overtime and extra trips to deliver mail,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Katz|first=Eric|date=July 20, 2020|title=Looking to Cut Costs, New USPS Leader Takes Aim at Overtime and Late Trips|url=https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2020/07/looking-cut-costs-new-usps-leader-takes-aim-overtime-and-late-trips/166917/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727174300/https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2020/07/looking-cut-costs-new-usps-leader-takes-aim-overtime-and-late-trips/166917/|archive-date=July 27, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Government Executive}}</ref> which caused delays in delivering mail,<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Gardner|first1=Amy|last2=Dawsey|first2=Josh|last3=Kane|first3=Paul|date=August 13, 2020|title=Trump opposes election aid for states and Postal Service bailout, threatening Nov. 3 vote|work=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-mail-voting/2020/08/13/3eb9ac62-dd70-11ea-809e-b8be57ba616e_story.html?|url-status=live|access-date=|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816204722/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-mail-voting/2020/08/13/3eb9ac62-dd70-11ea-809e-b8be57ba616e_story.html}}</ref> and dismantling and removing hundreds of high-speed mail sorting machines from postal centers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/n7wk9z/the-post-office-is-deactivating-mail-sorting-machines-ahead-of-the-election|title=The Post Office Is Deactivating Mail Sorting Machines Ahead of the Election|last=Gordon|first=Aaron|date=August 13, 2020|work=Vice|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816131447/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/n7wk9z/the-post-office-is-deactivating-mail-sorting-machines-ahead-of-the-election|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 18, after the House of Representatives had been recalled from its August break to vote on a bill reversing the changes, DeJoy announced that he would roll back all the changes until after the November election. He said he would reinstate overtime hours, roll back service reductions, and halt the removal of mail-sorting machines and collection boxes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-will-hold-postal-service-hearing-with-dejoy-on-friday-as-mail-delay-fears-grow/2020/08/18/5f978e76-e14f-11ea-8dd2-d07812bf00f7_story.html|title=Postmaster general announces he is 'suspending' policies that were blamed for causing mail delays|last=Bogage|first=Jacob|date=August 18, 2020|work=The Washington Post|access-date=August 18, 2020|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818190834/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-will-hold-postal-service-hearing-with-dejoy-on-friday-as-mail-delay-fears-grow/2020/08/18/5f978e76-e14f-11ea-8dd2-d07812bf00f7_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{Cite web |last=Reklaitis |first=Victor |date=September 23, 2020 |title=Trump says Supreme Court will need 9th justice to decide election outcome |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-says-he-thinks-supreme-court-will-rule-on-election-outcome-so-9th-justice-needed-2020-09-23-161035612 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926184234/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-says-he-thinks-supreme-court-will-rule-on-election-outcome-so-9th-justice-needed-2020-09-23-161035612 |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2020 |website=] |ref=none}}
* {{Cite web |last=Garrison |first=David Jackson and Joey |date=September 23, 2020 |title=Trump says he wants to fill Supreme Court seat quickly in case justices need to settle election dispute |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/09/23/trump-need-fill-supreme-court-seat-quickly-because-election/3501368001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928213656/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/09/23/trump-need-fill-supreme-court-seat-quickly-because-election/3501368001/ |archive-date=September 28, 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2020 |website=] |ref=none}}
* {{Cite news |last=Mason |first=Jeff |date=September 24, 2020 |title=Trump hedges on transferring power, says election will end up at Supreme Court |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-court-election-idUSKCN26F06C |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927000615/https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-court-election-idUSKCN26F06C |archive-date=September 27, 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2020 |work=] |ref=none}}
* {{Cite web |last=Stieb |first=Matt |date=September 23, 2020 |title=Trump Says Supreme Court Needs 9 Justices for Potential Election Dispute |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/09/trump-supreme-court-needs-9-justices-for-election-dispute.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927084501/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/09/trump-supreme-court-needs-9-justices-for-election-dispute.html |archive-date=September 27, 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2020 |website=] |ref=none}}
* {{Cite news |last=Wingrove |first=Josh |date=September 23, 2020 |title=Trump Talks Up Need for Full Court as He Casts Doubt on Election |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-23/trump-says-supreme-court-needs-ninth-justice-to-decide-election |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928025437/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-23/trump-says-supreme-court-needs-ninth-justice-to-decide-election |archive-date=September 28, 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2020 |newspaper=Bloomberg.com |ref=none}}</ref>


==== Election delay suggestion ====
The House of Representatives voted an emergency grant of $25&nbsp;billion to the post office to facilitate the predicted flood of mail ballots.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/08/13/902109991/trump-admits-to-opposing-funding-for-postal-service-to-block-more-voting-by-mail|title=Trump Opposes Postal Service Funding But Says He'd Sign Bill Including It|last=Sprunt|first=Barbara|date=August 13, 2020|work=NPR|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823073156/https://www.npr.org/2020/08/13/902109991/trump-admits-to-opposing-funding-for-postal-service-to-block-more-voting-by-mail|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Trump has repeatedly denounced mail voting, even though he himself votes by mail in Florida.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/after-voting-mail-trump-denounces-voting-mail-n1179036|title=After voting by mail, Trump denounces voting by mail|last=Benen|first=Steve|date=April 8, 2020|work=MSNBC|access-date=August 15, 2020|archive-date=August 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808134417/https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/after-voting-mail-trump-denounces-voting-mail-n1179036|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2020, Trump conceded that the post office would need additional funds to handle the additional mail-in voting, but said he would block any additional funding for the post office to prevent any increase in balloting by mail.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/12/postal-service-ballots-dejoy/|title=Trump says Postal Service needs money for mail-in voting, but he'll keep blocking funding|last=Bogage|first=Jacob|date=August 12, 2020|work=The Washington Post|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823151540/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/12/postal-service-ballots-dejoy/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In April 2020, Biden predicted that Trump would try to delay the election, saying he "is gonna try to kick back the election somehow, come up with some rationale why it can't be held".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/24/politics/joe-biden-trump-delay-presidential-election/index.html|title=Biden says he thinks Trump will try to delay the presidential election|work=]|last1=Sullivan|first1=Kate|date=April 25, 2020|access-date=July 30, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731063613/https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/24/politics/joe-biden-trump-delay-presidential-election/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/23/biden-trump-2020-delay-coronavirus-206142|title=Biden predicts Trump will try to delay November election|website=]|last1=Choi|first1=Matthew|date=April 23, 2020|access-date=July 30, 2020|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730153553/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/23/biden-trump-2020-delay-coronavirus-206142|url-status=live}}</ref> In May, ] did not rule out delaying the election, saying "I'm not sure I can commit one way or the other".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karni |first=Annie |date=May 12, 2020 |title=Kushner, Law Aside, Doesn't Rule Out Delaying 2020 Election |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/12/us/politics/kushner-election-november.html |website=]}}</ref> On July 30, Trump tweeted that "With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history" and proposed that the election should be delayed. Asked whether Trump had the relevant authority, ] ] said "the ] will make that determination."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shinkman |first=Paul D. |date=July 30, 2020 |title=Pompeo Reacts to Trump's Proposal to Delay November Election |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/elections/articles/2020-07-30/pompeo-reacts-to-trumps-proposal-to-delay-november-election |website=US News & World Report}}</ref> However, only Congress has the power to schedule elections,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/07/30/897111969/trump-floats-delaying-the-election-it-would-require-a-change-in-law|title=Trump Floats Delaying The Election. It Would Require A Change In Law|work=]|last1=Rascoe|first1=Ayesha|last2=Davis|first2=Susan|last3=Parks|first3=Miles|date=July 30, 2020|access-date=July 30, 2020|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730154825/https://www.npr.org/2020/07/30/897111969/trump-floats-delaying-the-election-it-would-require-a-change-in-law|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/07/30/donald-trump-suggests-delaying-election-because-mail-voting/5543726002/|title=Trump floats delaying election over mail-in voting, legal experts say that power rests with Congress|website=]|last1=Jackson|first1=David|last2=Garrison|first2=Joey|last3=Fritze|first3=John|date=July 30, 2020|access-date=August 1, 2020|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730170834/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/07/30/donald-trump-suggests-delaying-election-because-mail-voting/5543726002/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Constitution sets the end of the presidential and vice-presidential terms at January 20, a hard deadline which can only be altered by constitutional amendment.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Muller |first1=Derek |title=Trump Can't Postpone the Election |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-cant-postpone-the-election-11588175516 |website=] |date=April 29, 2020 |access-date=July 30, 2020 |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913095859/https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-cant-postpone-the-election-11588175516 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/verify/verify-no-nancy-pelosi-would-not-become-president-if-congress-delays-federal-elections-rumored-social-media/65-e36e4551-fb38-4261-bd70-ef4df2c90911|title=VERIFY: Nancy Pelosi won't become president on Jan. 20 if Congress delays federal elections|website=]|last1=Koslof|first1=Evan|date=July 30, 2020|access-date=July 31, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731194225/https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/verify/verify-no-nancy-pelosi-would-not-become-president-if-congress-delays-federal-elections-rumored-social-media/65-e36e4551-fb38-4261-bd70-ef4df2c90911|url-status=live}}</ref> Congress refused to consider Trump's proposal,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Forgey |first=Quint |date=July 30, 2020 |title=Trump refuses to back down on suggestion of election delay |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/30/trump-suggests-delaying-2020-election-387902 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Haberman |first=Maggi |date=July 30, 2020 |title=Trump Floats an Election Delay, and Republicans Shoot It Down |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/30/us/politics/trump-delay-2020-election.html |work=]}}</ref> and the election went ahead as scheduled.


==== Postal voting ====
The Trump campaign filed lawsuits seeking to block the use of official ballot dropboxes in Pennsylvania in locations other than an election office, and also sought to "block election officials from counting mail-in ballots if a voter forgets to put their mail-in ballot in a secrecy sleeve within the ballot return-envelope."<ref name=Levine>{{cite news|author=Sam Levine|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/21/trump-campaign-voter-fraud-pennsylvania|newspaper=The Guardian|title=Trump campaign fails to show evidence of vote-by-mail fraud, filing reveals|date=August 21, 2020}}</ref> The Trump campaign and Republican Party based failed to produce any evidence of vote-by-mail fraud after being ordered by a federal judge to do so.<ref name=Levine/>
{{See also|Postal voting in the United States#Expansion in 2020 election|2020 United States Postal Service crisis|label 1=Expansion of postal voting in the 2020 United States elections}}
]


] has become increasingly common, with 25% of voters mailing their ballots in 2016 and 2018. By June 2020, the ] was predicted to cause a large increase in mail voting because of the possible danger of congregating at polling places.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/todaysdebate/2020/06/15/coronavirus-pandemic-makes-mail-voting-even-more-important-editorials-debates/5336826002/|title=Coronavirus makes voting by mail even more important|date=June 15, 2020|work=]|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816135016/https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/todaysdebate/2020/06/15/coronavirus-pandemic-makes-mail-voting-even-more-important-editorials-debates/5336826002/|url-status=live}}</ref> An August 2020 state-by-state analysis concluded that 76% of Americans were eligible to vote by mail in 2020, a record number. The analysis predicted that 80&nbsp;million ballots could be cast by mail in 2020—more than double the number in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/08/11/us/politics/vote-by-mail-us-states.html|title=A Record 76% of Americans Can Vote by Mail in 2020|first1=Juliette|last1=Love|first2=Matt|last2=Stevens|first3=Lazaro|last3=Gamio|date=August 14, 2020|work=]|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816185758/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/08/11/us/politics/vote-by-mail-us-states.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
On Election Day a judge ordered mail inspectors to search "mail facilities in .... key battleground states" for ballots.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/2020-election-campaign-vote/?id=73960714|title=Election Day 2020 live updates: USPS misses deadline but will sweep for ballots|website=ABC News|author1=Lauren King|author2=Catherine Thorbecke|author3=Morgan Winsor|author4=Libby Cathey|author5=Michelle Stoddart|date=November 3, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103235357/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/2020-election-campaign-vote/?id=73960714|url-status=live}}</ref> The agency refused to comply with the order and nearly 7% of ballots in ] facilities on Election Day were not processed in time.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bogage |first1=Jacob |last2=Ingraham |first2=Christopher |title=USPS data shows thousands of mailed ballots missed Election Day deadlines |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/11/03/election-ballot-delays-usps/?fbclid=IwAR2_bXu9PNH4uBNUPyuA5eAm4km8fpv4SgeZPt9xIRdWS5QJ_OICT8DyCgw |website=]}}</ref>

The Postal Service sent a letter to multiple states in July 2020, warning that the service would not be able to meet the state's deadlines for requesting and casting last-minute absentee ballots.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/nation-world/2020/08/14/postal-service-says/|title=Postal Service says delays could affect multiple states' elections|last1=Broadwater|first1=Luke|last2=Fuchs|first2=Hailey|date=July 14, 2020|via=]|newspaper=Salt Lake City Tribune|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821154740/https://www.sltrib.com/news/nation-world/2020/08/14/postal-service-says/|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to the anticipated high volume of mailed ballots, the prediction was due in part to numerous measures taken by ], the newly installed ], including banning overtime and extra trips to deliver mail,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Katz|first=Eric|date=July 20, 2020|title=Looking to Cut Costs, New USPS Leader Takes Aim at Overtime and Late Trips|url=https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2020/07/looking-cut-costs-new-usps-leader-takes-aim-overtime-and-late-trips/166917/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727174300/https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2020/07/looking-cut-costs-new-usps-leader-takes-aim-overtime-and-late-trips/166917/|archive-date=July 27, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=]}}</ref> which caused delays in delivering mail,<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Gardner|first1=Amy|last2=Dawsey|first2=Josh|last3=Kane|first3=Paul|date=August 13, 2020|title=Trump opposes election aid for states and Postal Service bailout, threatening Nov. 3 vote|newspaper=]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-mail-voting/2020/08/13/3eb9ac62-dd70-11ea-809e-b8be57ba616e_story.html |url-status=live|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816204722/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-mail-voting/2020/08/13/3eb9ac62-dd70-11ea-809e-b8be57ba616e_story.html}}</ref> and dismantling and removing hundreds of high-speed mail sorting machines from postal centers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/n7wk9z/the-post-office-is-deactivating-mail-sorting-machines-ahead-of-the-election|title=The Post Office Is Deactivating Mail Sorting Machines Ahead of the Election|last=Gordon|first=Aaron|date=August 13, 2020|work=Vice|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816131447/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/n7wk9z/the-post-office-is-deactivating-mail-sorting-machines-ahead-of-the-election|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 18, after the House of Representatives had been recalled from its August break to vote on a bill reversing the changes, DeJoy announced that he would roll back all the changes until after the November election. He said he would reinstate overtime hours, roll back service reductions, and halt the removal of mail-sorting machines and collection boxes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-will-hold-postal-service-hearing-with-dejoy-on-friday-as-mail-delay-fears-grow/2020/08/18/5f978e76-e14f-11ea-8dd2-d07812bf00f7_story.html|title=Postmaster general announces he is "suspending" policies that were blamed for causing mail delays|last=Bogage|first=Jacob|date=August 18, 2020|newspaper=]|access-date=August 18, 2020|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818190834/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-will-hold-postal-service-hearing-with-dejoy-on-friday-as-mail-delay-fears-grow/2020/08/18/5f978e76-e14f-11ea-8dd2-d07812bf00f7_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The House of Representatives voted an emergency grant of $25{{spaces}}billion to the post office to facilitate the predicted flood of mail ballots.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/08/13/902109991/trump-admits-to-opposing-funding-for-postal-service-to-block-more-voting-by-mail|title=Trump Opposes Postal Service Funding But Says He'd Sign Bill Including It|last=Sprunt|first=Barbara|date=August 13, 2020|work=]|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823073156/https://www.npr.org/2020/08/13/902109991/trump-admits-to-opposing-funding-for-postal-service-to-block-more-voting-by-mail|url-status=live}}</ref> Although Trump has repeatedly denounced mail voting, he has mailed in ballots due to being in a different state than the one where he votes at the time of the election.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/after-voting-mail-trump-denounces-voting-mail-n1179036|title=After voting by mail, Trump denounces voting by mail|last=Benen|first=Steve|author-link=Steve Benen|date=April 8, 2020|work=]|access-date=August 15, 2020|archive-date=August 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808134417/https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/after-voting-mail-trump-denounces-voting-mail-n1179036|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2020, Trump conceded that the post office would need additional funds to handle the additional mail-in voting, but said he would block any additional funding for the post office to prevent any increase in balloting by mail.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/12/postal-service-ballots-dejoy/|title=Trump says Postal Service needs money for mail-in voting, but he'll keep blocking funding|last=Bogage|first=Jacob|date=August 12, 2020|newspaper=]|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823151540/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/12/postal-service-ballots-dejoy/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the end, an estimated 42 percent of votes were cast by mail across 41 reporting states,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Data Dive: The Growth of Early In-Person and Mail Voting |url=https://electioninnovation.org/research/voting-before-election-day-resources/use-methods-voting-before-election-day/ |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=The Center for Election Innovation & Research |archive-date=September 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921110006/https://electioninnovation.org/research/voting-before-election-day-resources/use-methods-voting-before-election-day/ |url-status=live }}</ref> approximately 65.6&nbsp;million ballots out of 154.6&nbsp;million cast by all methods.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 General Election Early Vote Statistics |url=https://electproject.github.io/Early-Vote-2020G/index.html |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=electproject.github.io |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117012152/https://electproject.github.io/Early-Vote-2020G/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Trump campaign filed lawsuits seeking to block the use of official ballot dropboxes in Pennsylvania in locations other than an election office, and also sought to "block election officials from counting mail-in ballots if a voter forgets to put their mail-in ballot in a secrecy sleeve within the ballot return-envelope".<ref name=Levine>{{Cite news|first1=Sam|last1=Levine|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/21/trump-campaign-voter-fraud-pennsylvania|newspaper=]|title=Trump campaign fails to show evidence of vote-by-mail fraud, filing reveals|date=August 21, 2020|access-date=November 10, 2020|archive-date=December 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214192749/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/21/trump-campaign-voter-fraud-pennsylvania|url-status=live}}</ref> The Trump campaign and the Republican Party both failed to produce any evidence of vote-by-mail fraud after being ordered by a federal judge to do so.<ref name=Levine/>

On Election Day, a judge ordered mail inspectors to search "mail facilities in{{spaces}}.... key battleground states" for ballots.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/2020-election-campaign-vote/?id=73960714|title=Election Day 2020 live updates: USPS misses deadline but will sweep for ballots|website=]|first1=Lauren|last1=King|first2=Catherine|last2=Thorbecke|first3=Morgan|last3=Winsor|first4=Libby|last4=Cathey|first5=Michelle|last5=Stoddart|date=November 3, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103235357/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/2020-election-campaign-vote/?id=73960714|url-status=live}}</ref> The agency refused to comply with the order and nearly 7% of ballots in ] facilities on Election Day were not processed in time.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bogage |first1=Jacob |last2=Ingraham |first2=Christopher |title=USPS data shows thousands of mailed ballots missed Election Day deadlines |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/11/03/election-ballot-delays-usps/ |newspaper=] |date=November 3, 2020 |access-date=November 5, 2020 |archive-date=January 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110141412/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/11/03/election-ballot-delays-usps/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


==== Federal Election Commission issues ==== ==== Federal Election Commission issues ====
The ], which was created in 1974 to enforce ] in federal elections, has not functioned since July 2020 due to vacancies in membership. In the absence of a quorum, the commission cannot vote on complaints or give guidance through advisory opinions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/26/2020-campaign-finance-enforcement-resignations-1475596|title=FEC paralyzed by resignations as 2020 approaches|website=Politico|last1=Severns|first1=Maggie|date=August 26, 2019|access-date=August 19, 2020|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913114720/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/26/2020-campaign-finance-enforcement-resignations-1475596|url-status=live}}</ref> As of May 19, 2020, there were 350 outstanding matters on the agency's enforcement docket and 227 items waiting for action.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/senate-confirms-appointee-to-federal-election-commission-restoring-panels-voting-quorum/|title=Senate confirms appointee to Federal Election Commission, restoring panel's voting quorum|website=Seattle Times|last1=Lee|first1=Michelle Ye Hee|date=May 19, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103175551/https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/senate-confirms-appointee-to-federal-election-commission-restoring-panels-voting-quorum/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of September 1, 2020, Trump had not nominated anyone to fill the FEC vacancies positions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/what-happens-when-the-fec-cant-do-its-job/|title=What Happens When The FEC Can't Do Its Job?|website=FiveThirtyEight|last1=Frostenson|first1=Sarah|last2=Levinthal|first2=Dave|date=September 4, 2020|access-date=November 2, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914235546/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/what-happens-when-the-fec-cant-do-its-job/|url-status=live}}</ref> The ], which was created in 1974 to enforce ] in federal elections, has not functioned since July 2020 due to vacancies in membership. In the absence of a quorum, the commission cannot vote on complaints or give guidance through advisory opinions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/26/2020-campaign-finance-enforcement-resignations-1475596|title=FEC paralyzed by resignations as 2020 approaches|website=]|last1=Severns|first1=Maggie|date=August 26, 2019|access-date=August 19, 2020|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913114720/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/26/2020-campaign-finance-enforcement-resignations-1475596|url-status=live}}</ref> As of May 19, 2020, there were 350 outstanding matters on the agency's enforcement docket and 227 items waiting for action.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/senate-confirms-appointee-to-federal-election-commission-restoring-panels-voting-quorum/|title=Senate confirms appointee to Federal Election Commission, restoring panel's voting quorum|website=]|last1=Lee|first1=Michelle Ye Hee|date=May 19, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103175551/https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/senate-confirms-appointee-to-federal-election-commission-restoring-panels-voting-quorum/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of September 1, 2020, Trump had not nominated anyone to fill the FEC vacancies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/what-happens-when-the-fec-cant-do-its-job/|title=What Happens When The FEC Can't Do Its Job?|website=]|last1=Frostenson|first1=Sarah|last2=Levinthal|first2=Dave|date=September 4, 2020|access-date=November 2, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914235546/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/what-happens-when-the-fec-cant-do-its-job/|url-status=live}}</ref>


====Supreme Court vacancy==== ==== Supreme Court vacancy ====
{{see|Amy Coney Barrett Supreme Court nomination}} {{further|Amy Coney Barrett Supreme Court nomination|Death and state funeral of Ruth Bader Ginsburg}}
] and her family, just prior to Barrett being announced as the nominee, September 26, 2020]] ] and her family, just prior to Barrett being announced as the nominee, September 26, 2020]]
On September 18, 2020, Justice ] has ]. ] ] immediately stated that the ] he set regarding the ] was inoperative and that a replacement would be voted on as soon as possible, setting the stage for a confirmation battle and an unexpected intrusion into the campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/18/politics/congress-fight-rgb-seat/index.html|title=McConnell vows Trump's nominee to replace Ginsburg will get Senate vote, setting up historic fight|first1=Clare|last1=Foran|first2=Manu|last2=Raju|first3=Ted|last3=Barrett|website=CNN|date=September 19, 2020|access-date=September 19, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919012142/https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/18/politics/congress-fight-rgb-seat/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The death of Justice Ginsburg resulted in large increases in momentum for both the Democrats and Republicans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/19/dem-donors-smash-record-ginsburgs-death-418355|title=Dem donors smash ActBlue's daily record after Ginsburg's death|website=Politico|last1=Schneider|first1=Elena|date=September 19, 2020|access-date=September 20, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919234552/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/19/dem-donors-smash-record-ginsburgs-death-418355|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/19/supreme-court-vacancy-provides-trump-new-rallying-cry-418663|title='We're going to fill the seat': Supreme Court vacancy provides Trump new rallying cry|website=Politico|last1=Kumar|first1=Anita|date=September 19, 2020|access-date=September 20, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920053910/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/19/supreme-court-vacancy-provides-trump-new-rallying-cry-418663|url-status=live}}</ref> The president,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/09/23/trump-need-fill-supreme-court-seat-quickly-because-election/3501368001/|title=Trump says he wants to fill Supreme Court seat quickly in case justices need to settle election dispute|first=David Jackson and Joey|last=Garrison|website=USA Today|access-date=2020-11-08|archive-date=2020-09-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928213656/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/09/23/trump-need-fill-supreme-court-seat-quickly-because-election/3501368001/|url-status=live}}</ref> vice president,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme-court-justice-pence-confirmation-trump-obligation/|title=Pence says Trump has an "obligation" to quickly name Supreme Court nominee|website=CBS News|access-date=2020-11-08|archive-date=2020-10-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007075023/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme-court-justice-pence-confirmation-trump-obligation/|url-status=live}}</ref> and several Republican members of Congress stated that a full Supreme Court bench was needed to decide the upcoming election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/517963-graham-vows-gop-will-accept-election-results-after-trump-comments|title=Graham vows GOP will accept election results after Trump comments|first=John|last=Bowden|date=September 24, 2020|website=The Hill|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028153201/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/517963-graham-vows-gop-will-accept-election-results-after-trump-comments|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/518114-trump-dumbfounds-gop-with-latest-unforced-error|title=Trump dumbfounds GOP with latest unforced error|first=Ian|last=Swanson|date=September 25, 2020|website=The Hill|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105055730/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/518114-trump-dumbfounds-gop-with-latest-unforced-error|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 18, 2020, Justice ] died. ] ] immediately said the ] he had set regarding the ] was inoperative and that a replacement would be voted on as soon as possible, setting the stage for a confirmation battle and an unexpected intrusion into the campaign.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/18/politics/congress-fight-rgb-seat/index.html|title=McConnell vows Trump's nominee to replace Ginsburg will get Senate vote, setting up historic fight|first1=Clare|last1=Foran|first2=Manu|last2=Raju |first3=Ted|last3=Barrett|work=]|date=September 19, 2020|access-date=September 19, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919012142/https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/18/politics/congress-fight-rgb-seat/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The death of Justice Ginsburg resulted in large increases in momentum for both the Democrats and Republicans.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/19/dem-donors-smash-record-ginsburgs-death-418355|title=Dem donors smash ActBlue's daily record after Ginsburg's death|website=]|last1=Schneider|first1=Elena|date=September 19, 2020|access-date=September 20, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919234552/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/19/dem-donors-smash-record-ginsburgs-death-418355|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/19/supreme-court-vacancy-provides-trump-new-rallying-cry-418663|title='We're going to fill the seat': Supreme Court vacancy provides Trump new rallying cry|website=]|last1=Kumar|first1=Anita|date=September 19, 2020|access-date=September 20, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920053910/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/19/supreme-court-vacancy-provides-trump-new-rallying-cry-418663|url-status=live}}</ref> The president,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/09/23/trump-need-fill-supreme-court-seat-quickly-because-election/3501368001/|title=Trump says he wants to fill Supreme Court seat quickly in case justices need to settle election dispute|first=David Jackson and Joey|last=Garrison|website=]|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=September 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928213656/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/09/23/trump-need-fill-supreme-court-seat-quickly-because-election/3501368001/|url-status=live}}</ref> vice president,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme-court-justice-pence-confirmation-trump-obligation/|title=Pence says Trump has an "obligation" to quickly name Supreme Court nominee|date=September 21, 2020|last1=Quinn|first1=Melissa|work=]|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=October 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007075023/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme-court-justice-pence-confirmation-trump-obligation/|url-status=live}}</ref> and several Republican members of Congress said a full Supreme Court bench was needed to decide the upcoming election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/517963-graham-vows-gop-will-accept-election-results-after-trump-comments|title=Graham vows GOP will accept election results after Trump comments|first=John|last=Bowden|date=September 24, 2020|website=]|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028153201/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/517963-graham-vows-gop-will-accept-election-results-after-trump-comments|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/518114-trump-dumbfounds-gop-with-latest-unforced-error|title=Trump dumbfounds GOP with latest unforced error|first=Ian|last=Swanson|date=September 25, 2020|website=]|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105055730/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/518114-trump-dumbfounds-gop-with-latest-unforced-error|url-status=live}}</ref>


On September 26, the day after Justice Ginsburg's body lay in state at the Capitol, Trump held a Rose Garden ceremony at the White House to announce and introduce his candidate, ].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kim |first1=Seung Min |last2=Itkowitz |first2=Colby |date=September 26, 2020 |title=Trump announces Judge Amy Coney Barrett is his pick for the Supreme Court |work=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2020/09/26/supreme-court-trump-biden-live-updates/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 3, 2020 |archive-date=October 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003095158/https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2020/09/26/supreme-court-trump-biden-live-updates/}}</ref> After four days of confirmation hearings, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted the nomination out of committee on October 22,<ref>{{cite web |title=Amy Coney Barrett Moves A Step Closer To Confirmation After Judiciary Committee Vote |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/22/926228121/amy-coney-barrett-moves-a-step-closer-to-confirmation-after-judiciary-committee- |website=NPR.org |access-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022184024/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/22/926228121/amy-coney-barrett-moves-a-step-closer-to-confirmation-after-judiciary-committee- |url-status=live }}</ref> and on October 26, Barrett was confirmed on a ] of 52-48, with no Democrats voting for her confirmation.<ref name=Mascaro>{{cite web|author=Lisa Mascaro|url=https://apnews.com/article/82a02a618343c98b80ca2b6bf9eafe07|agency=Associated Press|title=Barrett confirmed as Supreme Court justice in partisan vote|date=October 26, 2020}}</ref> This was the closest Supreme Court confirmation ever to a presidential election, and the first Supreme Court nomination since 1869 with no supporting votes from the minority party.<ref name=Mascaro/> It was also one of the fastest timelines from nomination to confirmations in U.S. history.<ref name = fastest>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/senate-republicans-poised-move-barrett-nomination-final-vote/story?id=73738969|title=Senate Republicans move Barrett Supreme Court nomination toward final vote|last1=Pecorin|first1=Allison|last2=Turner|first2=Trish|date=October 22, 2020|work=ABC News|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023215445/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/senate-republicans-poised-move-barrett-nomination-final-vote/story?id=73738969|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/22/926228121/amy-coney-barrett-moves-a-step-closer-to-confirmation-after-judiciary-committee-|title=Amy Coney Barrett Moves A Step Closer To Confirmation After Judiciary Committee Vote|last=Wise|first=Alana|date=October 22, 2020|work=NPR|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024065633/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/22/926228121/amy-coney-barrett-moves-a-step-closer-to-confirmation-after-judiciary-committee-|url-status=live}}</ref> According to '']'' a current issue for voters is the protection of the supreme court ruling of '']'', on the legality of ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2020/11/03/2020-election-voters-support-stricter-gun-laws-protecting-roe-exit-poll/|title=2020 election early exit poll: Voters support stricter gun laws, protecting Roe v. Wade|first=Emily|last=Jacobs|date=November 3, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103233218/https://nypost.com/2020/11/03/2020-election-voters-support-stricter-gun-laws-protecting-roe-exit-poll/|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 26, the day after Justice Ginsburg's body lay in state at the ], Trump held a Rose Garden ceremony at the White House to announce and introduce his candidate, ].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kim |first1=Seung Min |last2=Itkowitz |first2=Colby |date=September 26, 2020 |title=Trump announces Judge Amy Coney Barrett is his pick for the Supreme Court |newspaper=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2020/09/26/supreme-court-trump-biden-live-updates/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 3, 2020 |archive-date=October 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003095158/https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2020/09/26/supreme-court-trump-biden-live-updates/}}</ref> After four days of confirmation hearings, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted the nomination out of committee on October 22,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Amy Coney Barrett Moves A Step Closer To Confirmation After Judiciary Committee Vote |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/22/926228121/amy-coney-barrett-moves-a-step-closer-to-confirmation-after-judiciary-committee-|first1=Alana|last1=Wise|last2=Naylor|first2=Brian|newspaper=]|date=October 22, 2020|access-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022184024/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/22/926228121/amy-coney-barrett-moves-a-step-closer-to-confirmation-after-judiciary-committee- |url-status=live}}</ref> and on October 26, Barrett was confirmed on a ] of 52–48, with no Democrats voting for her confirmation.<ref name=Mascaro>{{Cite news|last1=Macaro|first1=Lisa|url=https://apnews.com/article/82a02a618343c98b80ca2b6bf9eafe07|work=]|title=Barrett confirmed as Supreme Court justice in partisan vote|date=October 26, 2020|access-date=November 10, 2020|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109141407/https://apnews.com/article/82a02a618343c98b80ca2b6bf9eafe07|url-status=live}}</ref> This was the closest Supreme Court confirmation ever to a presidential election, and the first Supreme Court nomination since 1869 with no supporting votes from the minority party.<ref name=Mascaro/> It was also one of the fastest timelines from nomination to confirmations in U.S. history.<ref name=fastest>{{Cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/senate-republicans-poised-move-barrett-nomination-final-vote/story?id=73738969|title=Senate Republicans move Barrett Supreme Court nomination toward final vote|last1=Pecorin|first1=Allison|last2=Turner|first2=Trish|date=October 22, 2020|work=]|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023215445/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/senate-republicans-poised-move-barrett-nomination-final-vote/story?id=73738969|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/22/926228121/amy-coney-barrett-moves-a-step-closer-to-confirmation-after-judiciary-committee-|title=Amy Coney Barrett Moves A Step Closer To Confirmation After Judiciary Committee Vote|last=Wise|first=Alana|date=October 22, 2020|publisher=]|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024065633/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/22/926228121/amy-coney-barrett-moves-a-step-closer-to-confirmation-after-judiciary-committee-|url-status=live}}</ref>


====Pre-election litigation==== ==== Pre-election litigation ====
{{Main|Pre-election lawsuits related to the 2020 U.S. presidential election}}
By September 2020, several hundred legal cases relating to the 2020 election had been filed.<ref name=NPRVoting>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/09/22/914431067/step-aside-election-2000-this-years-election-may-be-the-most-litigated-yet|title=Step Aside Election 2000: This Year's Election May Be The Most Litigated Yet|website=NPR|last1=Gringlas|first1=Sam|last2=Cornish|first2=Audie|last3=Dorning|first3=Courtney|date=September 22, 2020|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021162325/https://www.npr.org/2020/09/22/914431067/step-aside-election-2000-this-years-election-may-be-the-most-litigated-yet|url-status=live}}</ref> About 250 of these had to do with the mechanics of voting in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name=NPRVoting/> The Supreme Court ruled on a number of these cases,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-state-courts-voting-pennsylvania-amy-coney-barrett-c13e057a7fd30c57fbf23c1e98a4be9c|title=Democrats: Justices' 4–4 tie in election case ominous sign|website=Associated Press|last1=Sherman|first1=Mark|date=October 22, 2020|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021044244/https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-state-courts-voting-pennsylvania-amy-coney-barrett-c13e057a7fd30c57fbf23c1e98a4be9c|url-status=live}}</ref> primarily issuing emergency stays instead of going through the normal process due to the urgency.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stanforddaily.com/2020/10/21/covid-19-complicates-voting-drives-emergency-stay-applications-say-scotus-clinic-directors/|title=COVID-19 complicates voting, drives emergency stay applications, say SCOTUS clinic directors|website=The Stanford Daily|last1=Atwater|first1=Malaysia|date=October 21, 2020|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028012202/https://www.stanforddaily.com/2020/10/21/covid-19-complicates-voting-drives-emergency-stay-applications-say-scotus-clinic-directors/|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2020, there was speculation that the election might be decided through a Supreme Court case, as happened following the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://time.com/5902389/election-2020-lawsuits-litigation/|title='A Litigation Arms Race.' Why The 2020 Election Could Come Down To The Courts|website=Time|last1=Abramson|first1=Alaan|date=October 22, 2020|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022035355/https://time.com/5902389/election-2020-lawsuits-litigation/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/10/23/election-nightmares-guide-430915|title=A Day-By-Day Guide to What Could Happen If This Election Goes Bad|website=Politico|last1=Graff|first1=Garrett M.|date=October 23, 2020|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023144955/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/10/23/election-nightmares-guide-430915|url-status=live}}</ref>
By September 2020, several hundred legal cases relating to the election had been filed.<ref name=NPRVoting>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/09/22/914431067/step-aside-election-2000-this-years-election-may-be-the-most-litigated-yet|title=Step Aside Election 2000: This Year's Election May Be The Most Litigated Yet|work=]|last1=Gringlas|first1=Sam|last2=Cornish|first2=Audie|last3=Dorning|first3=Courtney|date=September 22, 2020|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021162325/https://www.npr.org/2020/09/22/914431067/step-aside-election-2000-this-years-election-may-be-the-most-litigated-yet|url-status=live}}</ref> About 250 of these had to do with the mechanics of voting in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name=NPRVoting/> The Supreme Court ruled on a number of these cases,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-state-courts-voting-pennsylvania-amy-coney-barrett-c13e057a7fd30c57fbf23c1e98a4be9c|title=Democrats: Justices' 4–4 tie in election case ominous sign|work=]|last1=Sherman|first1=Mark|date=October 22, 2020|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021044244/https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-state-courts-voting-pennsylvania-amy-coney-barrett-c13e057a7fd30c57fbf23c1e98a4be9c|url-status=live}}</ref> primarily issuing emergency stays instead of going through the normal process due to the urgency.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stanforddaily.com/2020/10/21/covid-19-complicates-voting-drives-emergency-stay-applications-say-scotus-clinic-directors/|title=COVID-19 complicates voting, drives emergency stay applications, say SCOTUS clinic directors|website=]|last1=Atwater|first1=Malaysia|date=October 21, 2020|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028012202/https://www.stanforddaily.com/2020/10/21/covid-19-complicates-voting-drives-emergency-stay-applications-say-scotus-clinic-directors/|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2020, there was speculation that the election might be decided through a Supreme Court case, as happened following the ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://time.com/5902389/election-2020-lawsuits-litigation/|title='A Litigation Arms Race.' Why The 2020 Election Could Come Down To The Courts|magazine=]|last1=Abramson|first1=Alaan|date=October 22, 2020|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022035355/https://time.com/5902389/election-2020-lawsuits-litigation/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/10/23/election-nightmares-guide-430915|title=A Day-By-Day Guide to What Could Happen If This Election Goes Bad|website=]|last1=Graff|first1=Garrett M.|date=October 23, 2020|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023144955/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/10/23/election-nightmares-guide-430915|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Debates=== === Debates ===
{{Main|2020 United States presidential debates}} {{Main|2020 United States presidential debates}}
{{Location map+ {{Location map+
| USA | USA
| width = 320 | width = 320
| caption = Sites of the 2020 general election debates | caption = Sites of the 2020 general election presidential (]) and vice presidential (]) debates
| alt = Map of United States showing debate locations | alt = Map of United States showing debate locations
| places = | places =
{{Location map~ | USA {{Location map~ | USA
| label = ''']<br />''' | label = ''']'''
| label_size = 75 | label_size = 75
| position = top | position = top
| lat_deg = 41.5043 | lat_deg = 41.5043
| lon_deg = -81.6084 | lon_deg = -81.6084
}} }}
{{Location map~ | USA {{Location map~ | USA
| label = ''']<br />''' | label = ''']'''
| mark = Green pog.svg | mark = Green pog.svg
| label_size = 75 | label_size = 75
Line 711: Line 381:
| lat_deg = 40.75 | lat_deg = 40.75
| lon_deg = -111.883 | lon_deg = -111.883
}} }}
{{Location map~ | USA {{Location map~ | USA
| label = ''']<br />''' | label = ''']'''
| label_size = 75 | label_size = 75
| position = right | position = right
| lat_deg = 36.166667 | lat_deg = 36.166667
| lon_deg = -86.783333 | lon_deg = -86.783333
}}
}} }}
}}
On October 11, 2019, the ] (CPD) announced that three general election debates would be held in the fall of 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Goldmacher|first=Shane|date=October 11, 2019|title=2020 Presidential Debate Schedule Announced for General Election|newspaper=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/11/us/politics/when-are-the-2020-presidential-debates.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011174021/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/11/us/politics/when-are-the-2020-presidential-debates.html |archive-date=October 11, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=January 7, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


The first, moderated by ], took place on September 29, and was co-hosted by ] and the ] in ].<ref name="AxiosDebate">{{Cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/presidential-debate-notre-dame-cleveland-251e5724-a567-4f3f-b2b5-3da13539c243.html|title=First presidential debate moved from Notre Dame to Cleveland|website=]|last1=McCammond|first1=Alexi|date=July 27, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729044838/https://www.axios.com/presidential-debate-notre-dame-cleveland-251e5724-a567-4f3f-b2b5-3da13539c243.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The debate was originally to be hosted at the ] in ], but the university decided against holding the debate as a result of the ].<ref name="AxiosDebate"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/elections/after-michigan-pulls-out-notre-dame-wont-say-if-it-still-plans-to-host-trump/article_a6bd4276-b56e-11ea-a724-87dec40d2bd6.html|title=After Michigan pulls out, Notre Dame won't say if it still plans to host Trump-Biden debate|website=]|last1=Parrott|first1=Jeff|date=June 24, 2020|access-date=June 29, 2020|archive-date=July 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711090435/https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/elections/after-michigan-pulls-out-notre-dame-wont-say-if-it-still-plans-to-host-trump/article_a6bd4276-b56e-11ea-a724-87dec40d2bd6.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Biden was generally held to have won the first debate,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/29/presidential-debate-biden-trump-422953|title=Trump mayhem takes over first debate|website=]|last1=Siders|first1=David|date=September 29, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930165230/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/29/presidential-debate-biden-trump-422953|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/09/29/politics/donald-trump-joe-biden-debate-poll/index.html|title=Post-debate CNN poll: Six in 10 say Biden won the debate|work=]|last1=Agiesta|first1=Jennifer|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930104307/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/09/29/politics/donald-trump-joe-biden-debate-poll/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2020/9/30/21494864/who-won-debate-trump-biden-polls|title=The first post-debate polls say Biden won|website=]|last1=Prokop|first1=Andrew|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930174835/https://www.vox.com/2020/9/30/21494864/who-won-debate-trump-biden-polls|url-status=live}}</ref> with a significant minority of commentators deeming it a draw.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/first-presidential-debate-who-won-style-substance-doug-schoen|title=Doug Schoen: First Presidential Debate – Here's who won on style and substance|work=]|last1=Schoen|first1=Doug|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930133022/https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/first-presidential-debate-who-won-style-substance-doug-schoen|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/us-presidential-debate-who-won-was-it-any-good-were-there-any-surprises-1.4368274|title=US presidential debate: who won, was it any good, were there any surprises?|newspaper=The Irish Times|last1=Lynch|first1=Suzanne|last2=Dooley|first2=Chris|last3=McRedmond|first3=Finn|last4=Cullen|first4=Damian|last5=McKechnie|first5=David|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028194330/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/us-presidential-debate-who-won-was-it-any-good-were-there-any-surprises-1.4368274|url-status=live}}</ref>
On October 11, 2019, the ] (CPD) announced that three general election debates would be held in the fall of 2020.


The first, moderated by ] took place on September 29, and was co-hosted by ] and the ] in ].<ref name="AxiosDebate">{{cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/presidential-debate-notre-dame-cleveland-251e5724-a567-4f3f-b2b5-3da13539c243.html|title=First presidential debate moved from Notre Dame to Cleveland|website=Axios|last1=McCamnonnd|date=July 27, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729044838/https://www.axios.com/presidential-debate-notre-dame-cleveland-251e5724-a567-4f3f-b2b5-3da13539c243.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The debate was originally to be hosted at the ] in ], but the university decided against holding the debate as a result of the ].<ref name="AxiosDebate" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/elections/after-michigan-pulls-out-notre-dame-wont-say-if-it-still-plans-to-host-trump/article_a6bd4276-b56e-11ea-a724-87dec40d2bd6.html|title=After Michigan pulls out, Notre Dame won't say if it still plans to host Trump-Biden debate|website=South Bend Tribune|last1=Parrott|first1=Jeff|date=June 24, 2020|access-date=June 29, 2020|archive-date=July 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711090435/https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/elections/after-michigan-pulls-out-notre-dame-wont-say-if-it-still-plans-to-host-trump/article_a6bd4276-b56e-11ea-a724-87dec40d2bd6.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Biden was generally held to have won the first debate,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/29/presidential-debate-biden-trump-422953|title=Trump mayhem takes over first debate|website=Politico|last1=Siders|first1=David|date=September 29, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930165230/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/29/presidential-debate-biden-trump-422953|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/09/29/politics/donald-trump-joe-biden-debate-poll/index.html|title=Post-debate CNN poll: Six in 10 say Biden won the debate|website=CNN|last1=Agiesta|first1=Jennifer|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930104307/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/09/29/politics/donald-trump-joe-biden-debate-poll/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2020/9/30/21494864/who-won-debate-trump-biden-polls|title=The first post-debate polls say Biden won|website=Vox|last1=Prokop|first1=Andrew|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930174835/https://www.vox.com/2020/9/30/21494864/who-won-debate-trump-biden-polls|url-status=live}}</ref> with a significant minority of commentators stating that it was a draw.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/first-presidential-debate-who-won-style-substance-doug-schoen|title=Doug Schoen: First Presidential Debate – Here's who won on style and substance|website=Fox News|last1=Schoen|first1=Doug|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930133022/https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/first-presidential-debate-who-won-style-substance-doug-schoen|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/us-presidential-debate-who-won-was-it-any-good-were-there-any-surprises-1.4368274|title=US presidential debate: who won, was it any good, were there any surprises?|website=The Irish Times|last1=Lynch|first1=Suzanne|last2=Dooley|first2=Chris|last3=McRedmond|first3=Finn|last4=Cullen|first4=Damian|last5=McKechnie|first5=David|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028194330/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/us-presidential-debate-who-won-was-it-any-good-were-there-any-surprises-1.4368274|url-status=live}}</ref> One exchange that was particularly noted was when Trump did not directly denounce the ] and ] group ], instead responding that they should "stand back and stand by".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/09/30/918483794/from-debate-stage-trump-declines-to-denounce-white-supremacy|title=From Debate Stage, Trump Declines To Denounce White Supremacy|work=]|last1=McCammon|first1=Sarah|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930124401/https://www.npr.org/2020/09/30/918483794/from-debate-stage-trump-declines-to-denounce-white-supremacy|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-denounce-white-supremacists-militias-debate/story?id=73330093|title=Trump doesn't denounce white supremacists and militias during debate|website=]|last1=Pereira|first1=Ivan|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930122456/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-denounce-white-supremacists-militias-debate/story?id=73330093|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-condemn-white-supremacists/|title=Did Trump "Refuse to Condemn" White Supremacists at Debate?|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=October 7, 2020|website=]|first1=Dan|last1=MacGuill|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115174459/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-condemn-white-supremacists/|url-status=live}}</ref> On the next day, Trump told reporters the group should "stand down" while also claiming that he was not aware of what the group was.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54359993|title=Trump now tells far right to "stand down" amid white supremacy row|website=]|last1=Zurcher|first1=Anthony|date=October 1, 2020|access-date=October 1, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930225726/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54359993|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/world/trump-now-claims-hes-unfamiliar-with-proud-boys-says-they-should-stand-down|title=Trump now claims he's unfamiliar with Proud Boys, says they should 'stand down'|website=]|last1=Flatley|first1=Daniel|last2=Litvan|first2=Laura|last3=Jacobs|first3=Jennifer|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=October 1, 2020|via=Bloomberg News|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115174458/https://nationalpost.com/news/world/trump-now-claims-hes-unfamiliar-with-proud-boys-says-they-should-stand-down|url-status=live}}</ref> The debate was described as "chaotic and nearly incoherent" because of Trump's repeated interruptions, causing the CPD to consider adjustments to the format of the remaining debates.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/us/elections/presidential-debates-format.html|title=The Commission on Presidential Debates says it will change debate format, however, no decision yet on cutting off microphones.|last=Grynbaum|first=Michael M.|date=September 30, 2020|work=]|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930185049/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/us/elections/presidential-debates-format.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


One exchange that was particularly noted was when Trump did not directly denounce the ] and ] group ], which explicitly engages in ], instead responding that they should "stand back and stand by".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/09/30/918483794/from-debate-stage-trump-declines-to-denounce-white-supremacy|title=From Debate Stage, Trump Declines To Denounce White Supremacy|website=NPR|last1=McCammon|first1=Sarah|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930124401/https://www.npr.org/2020/09/30/918483794/from-debate-stage-trump-declines-to-denounce-white-supremacy|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-denounce-white-supremacists-militias-debate/story?id=73330093|title=Trump doesn't denounce white supremacists and militias during debate|website=ABC News|last1=Pereira|first1=Ivan|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930122456/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-denounce-white-supremacists-militias-debate/story?id=73330093|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-condemn-white-supremacists/|title=Did Trump 'Refuse to Condemn' White Supremacists at Debate?|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=October 7, 2020|website=]|first1=Dan|last1=MacGuill}}</ref> On the next day, Trump told reporters that the group should "stand down", while also claiming that he was not aware of what the group was.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54359993|title=Trump now tells far right to 'stand down' amid white supremacy row|website=BBC News|last1=Zurcher|first1=Anthony|date=October 1, 2020|access-date=October 1, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930225726/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54359993|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/world/trump-now-claims-hes-unfamiliar-with-proud-boys-says-they-should-stand-down|title=Trump now claims he's unfamiliar with Proud Boys, says they should 'stand down'|website=National Post|last1=Flatley|first1=Daniel|last2=Litvan|first2=Laura|last3=Jacobs|first3=Jennifer|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=October 1, 2020|via=Bloomberg News}}</ref> The debate was described as "chaotic and nearly incoherent" because of Trump's repeated interruptions, causing the Commission on Presidential Debates to consider adjustments to the format of the remaining debates.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/us/elections/presidential-debates-format.html|title=The Commission on Presidential Debates says it will change debate format, however, no decision yet on cutting off microphones.|last=Grynbaum|first=Michael M.|date=September 30, 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930185049/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/us/elections/presidential-debates-format.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The vice presidential debate was held on October 7, 2020, at the ] in ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/11/2020-presidential-debate-schedule-revealed-044525|title=General-election debate schedule revealed for 2020|website=]|last1=Montellaro|first1=Zach|last2=Shepard|first2=Steven|date=October 11, 2019|access-date=October 11, 2019|archive-date=December 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228040833/https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/11/2020-presidential-debate-schedule-revealed-044525|url-status=live}}</ref> The debate was widely held to be subdued, with no clear victor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/07/politics/mike-pence-kamala-harris-vice-presidential-debate-poll/index.html|title=Post-debate CNN poll: Harris seen as winner in a contest that matched expectations|work=]|last1=Agiesta|first1=Jennifer|date=October 8, 2020|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008070255/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/07/politics/mike-pence-kamala-harris-vice-presidential-debate-poll/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/10/08/analysis-pence-vs-harris-won-debate/|title=Analysis: Mike Pence vs Kamala Harris – who won the vice-presidential debate?|website=]|last1=Allen|first1=Nick|date=October 8, 2020|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008090722/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/10/08/analysis-pence-vs-harris-won-debate/|url-status=live}}</ref> One incident that was particularly commented on was when a ] landed on vice-president Pence's head, and remained there unbeknownst to him for two minutes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/07/us/politics/the-fly-pence-head.html|title=A fly sat atop Mike Pence's head for two minutes during the V.P. debate.|work=]|last1=Epstein|first1=Reid J.|date=October 7, 2020|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025014216/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/07/us/politics/the-fly-pence-head.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-08/fly-lands-on-mike-pence-head-during-kamala-harris-debate/12744718|title=Fly lands on Mike Pence's head during US election vice-presidential debate|work=]|date=October 8, 2020|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028112154/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-08/fly-lands-on-mike-pence-head-during-kamala-harris-debate/12744718|url-status=live}}</ref>


The vice presidential debate was held on October 7, 2020, at the ] in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/11/2020-presidential-debate-schedule-revealed-044525|title=General-election debate schedule revealed for 2020|website=Politico|last1=Montellaro|first1=Zach|last2=Shepard|first2=Steven|date=October 11, 2019|access-date=October 11, 2019|archive-date=December 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228040833/https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/11/2020-presidential-debate-schedule-revealed-044525|url-status=live}}</ref> The debate was widely held to be subdued, with no clear victor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/07/politics/mike-pence-kamala-harris-vice-presidential-debate-poll/index.html|title=Post-debate CNN poll: Harris seen as winner in a contest that matched expectations|website=CNN|last1=Agiesta|first1=Jennifer|date=October 8, 2020|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008070255/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/07/politics/mike-pence-kamala-harris-vice-presidential-debate-poll/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/10/08/analysis-pence-vs-harris-won-debate/|title=Analysis: Mike Pence vs Kamala Harris – who won the vice-presidential debate?|website=The Telegraph|last1=Allen|first1=Nick|date=October 8, 2020|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008090722/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/10/08/analysis-pence-vs-harris-won-debate/|url-status=live}}</ref> One incident that was particularly commented on was when a ] landed on vice-president Pence's head, and remained there unbeknownst to him for two minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/07/us/politics/the-fly-pence-head.html|title=A fly sat atop Mike Pence's head for two minutes during the V.P. debate.|work=The New York Times|last1=Epstein|first1=Reid J.|date=October 7, 2020|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025014216/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/07/us/politics/the-fly-pence-head.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-08/fly-lands-on-mike-pence-head-during-kamala-harris-debate/12744718|title=Fly lands on Mike Pence's head during US election vice-presidential debate|work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=October 8, 2020|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028112154/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-08/fly-lands-on-mike-pence-head-during-kamala-harris-debate/12744718|url-status=live}}</ref> The second debate was initially set to be held at the ] in ], but the university withdrew in June 2020, over concerns regarding the ].<ref>{{Cite news|first1=David|last1=Jesse|url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/education/2020/06/23/university-michigan-safety-presidential-debate-withdrawal/3240966001/|title=University of Michigan confirms it won't host presidential debate. Here's why|date=June 23, 2020|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|access-date=November 10, 2020|archive-date=December 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218213005/https://www.freep.com/story/news/education/2020/06/23/university-michigan-safety-presidential-debate-withdrawal/3240966001/|url-status=live}}</ref> The planned debate was rescheduled for October 15 at the ] in ]; due to Trump contracting COVID-19, the CPD announced on October{{spaces}}8 that the debate would be held virtually, in which the candidates would appear from separate locations. Trump refused to participate in a virtual debate, and the commission subsequently announced that the debate had been cancelled.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/08/second-presidential-debate-between-trump-and-biden-on-oct-15-will-be-virtual.html|title=Trump refuses to participate in virtual debate on Oct. 15: 'I'm not going to waste my time'|work=]|last1=Wilkie|first1=Christina|date=October 8, 2020|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008120414/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/08/second-presidential-debate-between-trump-and-biden-on-oct-15-will-be-virtual.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/09/politics/second-presidential-debate-canceled/index.html|title=Commission cancels second debate between Trump and Biden|work=]|last1=Merica|first1=Dan|last2=Bohn|first2=Kevin|date=October 9, 2020|access-date=October 10, 2020|archive-date=October 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010000223/https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/09/politics/second-presidential-debate-canceled/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


The third scheduled debate took place on October 22 at ] in ], and was moderated by ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/23/politics/second-presidential-debate-miami-michigan/index.html|title=Second presidential debate moved to Miami after original host pulls out due to coronavirus concerns|work=]|last1=Stracquarlursi|first1=Veronica|date=June 23, 2020|access-date=July 3, 2020|archive-date=July 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725011053/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/23/politics/second-presidential-debate-miami-michigan/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2019/10/11/belmont-university-nashville-hosts-presidential-debate-2020/3941983002/|title=Belmont University awarded final 2020 presidential debate|website=The Tennessean|last1=Tamburin|first1=Adam|date=October 11, 2019|access-date=June 29, 2020|archive-date=October 12, 2019|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20191012012759/https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2019/10/11/belmont-university-nashville-hosts-presidential-debate-2020/3941983002/|url-status=live}}</ref> The changes to the debate rules, which included the candidates' microphones being muted while the other was speaking,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hudak |first=John |date=October 23, 2020 |title=The debate mute button was a gift to President Trump and all Americans |url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2020/10/22/the-debate-mute-button-was-a-gift-to-president-trump-and-all-americans/ |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=Brookings }}</ref> resulted in it being generally considered more civil than the first debate.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://time.com/5903061/presidential-debate-live-updates/|title=The Biggest Moments in the Final Presidential Debate|magazine=Time|last1=Elliot|first1=Phillip|last2=Abramson|first2=Alan|last3=Vesoulis|first3=Abby|date=October 22, 2020|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023051735/https://time.com/5903061/presidential-debate-live-updates/|url-status=live}}</ref> Welker's performance as moderator was praised, with her being regarded as having done a good job preventing the candidates from interrupting each other.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/23/arts/television/debate-kristen-welker.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023130603/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/23/arts/television/debate-kristen-welker.html |archive-date=October 23, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Moderation Returns to Politics. Or at Least to the Debate.|work=]|last1=Poniewozik|first1=James|date=October 23, 2020|access-date=November 9, 2020}}</ref> Biden was generally held to have won the debate, though it was considered unlikely to alter the race to any considerable degree.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/who-won-presidential-debate-winner-loser-trump-biden-b1236928.html|title=Who won the presidential debate?|website=The Independent|last1=Bennet|first1=John|last2=Boyle|first2=Louise|last3=Baxter|first3=Holly|last4=Gray|first4=Lucy|last5=Connolly|first5=Griffin|date=October 23, 2020|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023110423/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/who-won-presidential-debate-winner-loser-trump-biden-b1236928.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/22/politics/cnn-poll-final-presidential-debate/index.html|title=CNN Poll: Biden wins final presidential debate|work=]|last1=Agiesta|first1=Jennifer|date=October 23, 2020|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023052745/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/22/politics/cnn-poll-final-presidential-debate/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/10/23/who-cares-about-debate-431559|title=This Was a Pretty Good Debate. Who Cares?|work=]|last1=Harris|first1=John F.|author-link=John F. Harris|date=October 23, 2020|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023072157/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/10/23/who-cares-about-debate-431559|url-status=live}}</ref>
The second debate was initially set to be held at the ] in ], but the university withdrew in June 2020, over concerns regarding the ].<ref>{{cite news|author=David Jesse|url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/education/2020/06/23/university-michigan-safety-presidential-debate-withdrawal/3240966001/|title=University of Michigan confirms it won't host presidential debate. Here's why|date=June 23, 2020|newspaper=Detroit Free Press}}</ref> The planned debate was rescheduled for October 15 at the ] in ], but due to Trump contracting COVID-19, the Commission on Presidential Debates announced on October 8 that the debate would be held virtually, in which the candidates would appear from separate locations. However, Trump refused to participate in a virtual debate, and the commission subsequently announced that the debate had been cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/08/second-presidential-debate-between-trump-and-biden-on-oct-15-will-be-virtual.html|title=Trump refuses to participate in virtual debate on Oct. 15: 'I'm not going to waste my time'|website=CNBC|last1=Wilkie|first1=Christina|date=October 8, 2020|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008120414/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/08/second-presidential-debate-between-trump-and-biden-on-oct-15-will-be-virtual.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/09/politics/second-presidential-debate-canceled/index.html|title=Commission cancels second debate between Trump and Biden|work=]|last1=Merica|first1=Dan|last2=Bohn|first2=Kevin|date=October 9, 2020|access-date=October 10, 2020|archive-date=October 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010000223/https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/09/politics/second-presidential-debate-canceled/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable" style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center"
The third scheduled debate took place on October 22 at ] in ] and was moderated by ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/23/politics/second-presidential-debate-miami-michigan/index.html|title=Second presidential debate moved to Miami after original host pulls out due to coronavirus concerns|website=]|last1=Stracquarlursi|first1=Veronica|date=June 23, 2020|access-date=July 3, 2020|archive-date=July 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725011053/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/23/politics/second-presidential-debate-miami-michigan/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2019/10/11/belmont-university-nashville-hosts-presidential-debate-2020/3941983002/|title=Belmont University awarded final 2020 presidential debate|website=The Tennessean|last1=Tamburin|first1=Adam|date=October 11, 2019|access-date=June 29, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028194329/https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2019/10/11/belmont-university-nashville-hosts-presidential-debate-2020/3941983002/|url-status=live}}</ref> The changes to the debate rules resulted in it being generally considered more civil than the first debate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://time.com/5903061/presidential-debate-live-updates/|title=The Biggest Moments in the Final Presidential Debate|work=Time|last1=Elliot|first1=Phillip|last2=Abramson|first2=Alan|last3=Vesoulis|first3=Abby|date=October 22, 2020|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023051735/https://time.com/5903061/presidential-debate-live-updates/|url-status=live}}</ref> Welker's performance as moderator was praised, with her being regarded as having done a good job preventing the candidates from interrupting each other.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/23/arts/television/debate-kristen-welker.html|title=Moderation Returns to Politics. Or at Least to the Debate.|work=The New York Times|last1=Poniewozik|first1=James|date=October 23, 2020|accessdate=November 9, 2020}}</ref> Biden was generally held to have won the debate, though it was considered unlikely to alter the race to any considerable degree.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/who-won-presidential-debate-winner-loser-trump-biden-b1236928.html|title=Who won the presidential debate?|website=The Independent|last1=Bennet|first1=John|last2=Boyle|first2=Louise|last3=Baxter|first3=Holly|last4=Gray|first4=Lucy|last5=Connolly|first5=Griffin|date=October 23, 2020|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023110423/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/who-won-presidential-debate-winner-loser-trump-biden-b1236928.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/22/politics/cnn-poll-final-presidential-debate/index.html|title=CNN Poll: Biden wins final presidential debate|work=CNN|last1=Agiesta|first1=Jennifer|date=October 23, 2020|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023052745/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/22/politics/cnn-poll-final-presidential-debate/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/10/23/who-cares-about-debate-431559|title=This Was a Pretty Good Debate. Who Cares?|work=Politico|last1=Harris|first1=John F.|date=October 23, 2020|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023072157/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/10/23/who-cares-about-debate-431559|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center;"
|+ Debates for the 2020 U.S. presidential election sponsored by the CPD |+ Debates for the 2020 U.S. presidential election sponsored by the CPD
|- {{sup|†}}
|- |-
!No.|| Date || Time || Host || City || Moderator(s) || Participants ! No. || Date || Time || Host || City || Moderator(s) || Participants || Viewership<br/>(millions)
!Viewership
(millions)
|- |-
|P1 | P1
| September 29, 2020 | September 29, 2020
| 9:00{{nbsp}}p.m.{{nbsp}}] | 9:00&nbsp;p.m. ]
| ] | ]
| ] | ]
| ] | ]
|]<br />] | ]<br/>]
| 73.1<ref name="Viewership">{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/30/media/first-presidential-debate-tv-ratings/index.html|title=Trump-Biden clash was watched by at least 73 million viewers|work=]|last=Stelter|first=Brian|author-link=Brian Stelter|date=September 30, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106191414/https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/30/media/first-presidential-debate-tv-ratings/index.html}}</ref> | 73.1<ref name="Viewership">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/30/media/first-presidential-debate-tv-ratings/index.html|title=Trump-Biden clash was watched by at least 73 million viewers|work=]|last=Stelter|first=Brian|author-link=Brian Stelter|date=September 30, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106191414/https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/30/media/first-presidential-debate-tv-ratings/index.html}}</ref>
|- |-
|VP | VP
| October 7, 2020 | October 7, 2020
| 7:00{{nbsp}}p.m.{{nbsp}}] | 7:00&nbsp;p.m. ]
| ] | ]
| ] | ]
| ] | ]
|]<br />] | ]<br/>]
| 57.9<ref name="VP Viewership">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/08/business/media/pence-harris-debate-is-no-2-in-vice-presidential-ratings-with-58-million-tv-viewers.html|title=Pence-Harris Debate Is No. 2 in Vice-Presidential Ratings, With 58 Million TV Viewers|work=]|last1=Koblin|first1=John|date=October 8, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030052955/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/08/business/media/pence-harris-debate-is-no-2-in-vice-presidential-ratings-with-58-million-tv-viewers.html}}</ref> | 57.9<ref name="VP Viewership">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/08/business/media/pence-harris-debate-is-no-2-in-vice-presidential-ratings-with-58-million-tv-viewers.html|title=Pence-Harris Debate Is No. 2 in Vice-Presidential Ratings, With 58 Million TV Viewers|work=]|last1=Koblin|first1=John|date=October 8, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030052955/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/08/business/media/pence-harris-debate-is-no-2-in-vice-presidential-ratings-with-58-million-tv-viewers.html}}</ref>
|-style="background:#cccccc;" |- style="background:#ccc"
|(P2){{efn|name="second debate"|Following the cancellation of the planned second debate on October 9, both candidates held separate but simultaneous televised ] on the intended date of October 15. Trump's was broadcast on NBC, moderated by ], while Biden's was on ABC, moderated by ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/15/politics/nbc-abc-dueling-town-halls/index.html |title=Stark contrast between Trump and Biden on display in dueling town halls |last=Reston |first=Maeve |date=October 16, 2020 |work=CNN |access-date=October 23, 2020 |quote= |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021233645/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/15/politics/nbc-abc-dueling-town-halls/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>}} | (P2){{efn|name="second debate"|Following the cancellation of the planned second debate on October 9, both candidates held separate but simultaneous televised ] on the intended date of October 15. Trump's was broadcast on NBC, moderated by ], while Biden's was on ABC, moderated by ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/15/politics/nbc-abc-dueling-town-halls/index.html |title=Stark contrast between Trump and Biden on display in dueling town halls |last=Reston |first=Maeve |date=October 16, 2020 |work=] |access-date=October 23, 2020 |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021233645/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/15/politics/nbc-abc-dueling-town-halls/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| October 15, 2020 | October 15, 2020
| 9:00{{nbsp}}p.m.{{nbsp}}EDT | 9:00&nbsp;p.m. EDT
| ] (planned) | ] (planned)
| ] | ]
| ] (planned) | ] (planned)
| ]<br />] | ]<br/>]
| N/A | N/A
|- |-
|P2 | P2
| October 22, 2020 | October 22, 2020
| 8:00{{nbsp}}p.m.{{nbsp}}] | 8:00&nbsp;p.m. ]
| ] | ]
| ] | ]
| ] | ]
|]<br />] | ]<br/>]
| 63<ref>{{cite news |last1=Thorne |first1=Will |title=TV Ratings: Final Trump-Biden Debate Down 10 Million Viewers From First |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/trump-biden-final-presidential-tv-debate-ratings-1234814162/ |access-date=October 27, 2020 |work=] |date=October 23, 2020 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026234732/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/trump-biden-final-presidential-tv-debate-ratings-1234814162/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | 63<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Thorne |first1=Will |title=TV Ratings: Final Trump-Biden Debate Down 10 Million Viewers From First |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/trump-biden-final-presidential-tv-debate-ratings-1234814162/ |access-date=October 27, 2020 |work=] |date=October 23, 2020 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026234732/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/trump-biden-final-presidential-tv-debate-ratings-1234814162/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
|} |}
The ] held two debates with various third party and independent candidates, one on October 8, 2020, in ], ],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Second Open Presidential Debate 2020|last1=Tobin|first1=Christina|url=https://freeandequal.org/second-presidential-debate-2020/|work=Free and Equal Elections Foundation|year=2020|access-date=October 9, 2020|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031120413/https://freeandequal.org/second-presidential-debate-2020/|url-status=live}}</ref> and another on October 24, 2020, in ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Third Open Presidential Debate 2020|url=https://freeandequal.org/third-open-presidential-debate-2020/|work=Free and Equal Elections Foundation|access-date=October 25, 2020|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023171457/https://freeandequal.org/third-open-presidential-debate-2020/|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Polling ===
The ] held two debates with various third party and independent candidates, one on October 8, 2020, in ], ],<ref>{{cite web|title=Second Open Presidential Debate 2020|last1=Tobin|first1=Christina|url=https://freeandequal.org/second-presidential-debate-2020/|work=Free and Equal Elections Foundation|year=2020|access-date=October 9, 2020|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031120413/https://freeandequal.org/second-presidential-debate-2020/|url-status=live}}</ref> and another on October 24, 2020, in ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Third Open Presidential Debate 2020|url=https://freeandequal.org/third-open-presidential-debate-2020/|work=Free and Equal Elections Foundation|access-date=October 25, 2020|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023171457/https://freeandequal.org/third-open-presidential-debate-2020/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Main|Nationwide opinion polling for the 2020 United States presidential election|Statewide opinion polling for the 2020 United States presidential election}}


===Polling=== ==== Two-way ====
{{main|Nationwide opinion polling for the 2020 United States presidential election|Statewide opinion polling for the 2020 United States presidential election}} {{#section-h:Nationwide opinion polling for the 2020 United States presidential election|Two-way}}
==== Four-way ====
{{#section-h:Nationwide opinion polling for the 2020 United States presidential election|Four-way}}

{{#section-h:Nationwide opinion polling for the 2020 United States presidential election|Polling Aggregation}}
==== Swing states ====
{{#section-h:Statewide opinion polling for the 2020 United States presidential election|Polling aggregation in swing states}} {{#section-h:Statewide opinion polling for the 2020 United States presidential election|Polling aggregation in swing states}}
<!--Possible inclusion of two-way aggregate polling chart here, as provided on the main page. PLEASE DISCUSS ON TALK PAGE BEFORE ADDING ADDITIONAL INFO.--> <!--Possible inclusion of two-way aggregate polling chart here, as provided on the main page. PLEASE DISCUSS ON TALK PAGE BEFORE ADDING ADDITIONAL INFO.-->
<!--==Notable expressions, phrases, and statements==
*'''], stand back and stand by''': Said by Donald Trump in the first presidential debate when asked whether he condemns ]. This remark was interpreted by some members of that far-right group, as well as others, as a call to arms, while others claimed the statement was merely a wrong choice of words by the president.<ref name="Thrush">{{cite news|last1=Thrush |first1=Glenn |last2=Kanno-Youngs |first2=Zolan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/09/29/us/presidential-debate-trump-biden#refusing-to-categorically-denounce-white-supremacists-trump-falsely-says-extremist-violence-is-not-a-right-wing-problem |title=Refusing to categorically denounce white supremacists, Trump falsely says extremist violence is 'not a right-wing problem' |work=The New York Times |date=September 29, 2020 |access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Olorunnipa">{{cite news|last1=Olorunnipa |first1=Toluse |last2=Wootson Jr. |first2=Cleve R. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-debate-white-supremacist-question/2020/09/30/366df500-02c7-11eb-a2db-417cddf4816a_story.html |title=Trump refused to condemn white supremacists and militia members in presidential debate marked by disputes over race |work=The Washington Post |date=September 30, 2020 |access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=Alexx|last=Altman-Devilbiss|date=September 30, 2020|title=Sen. Tim Scott says Trump 'misspoke' when he told Proud Boys 'stand back and stand by'|url=https://wpde.com/news/local/sen-tim-scott-saystrump-misspoke-when-he-told-proud-boys-stand-back-and-stand-by|access-date=October 1, 2020|work=WPDE}}</ref>
*'''Will you shut up, man?''': Uttered by Joe Biden in the first presidential debate, a phrase aimed at Donald Trump, in response to his constant interruptions.<ref name="The Guardian">{{cite news|last1=Murray |first1=Warren |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/30/wednesday-briefing-shut-up-man-angry-debacle-as-biden-and-trump-clash |title=Wednesday briefing: 'Shut up man' – angry debacle as Biden and Trump clash |work=The Guardian |date=September 30, 2020 |access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref>-->


===Endorsements=== ==== Predictions ====
{{Main|2020 United States presidential election predictions}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;line-height:1.2"
|-
! Publisher
! Date
! Prediction
|-
| ]
| Nov 8, 2016
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | D: 232, '''R: 306'''
|-
| ]
| Nov 3, 2020
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | '''D: 306''', R: 232
|-
| ]
| Oct 28, 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=2020 Electoral College Ratings|url=https://cookpolitical.com/sites/default/files/2020-10/EC%20Ratings.102820.pdf|website=]|access-date=October 28, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028200154/https://cookpolitical.com/sites/default/files/2020-10/EC%20Ratings.102820.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''290''', R: 125, Tossup: 123
|-
| ]
|Oct 28, 2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=Presidential Ratings |url=https://insideelections.com/ratings/president |work=] |date=April 3, 2020 |access-date=April 14, 2020 |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527172010/http://insideelections.com/ratings/president |url-status=live }}</ref>
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''350''', R: 125, Tossup: 63
|-
| ]
| Nov 2, 2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 President |url=http://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2020-president/ |work=] |date=July 14, 2020 |access-date=July 14, 2020 |archive-date=April 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404113514/http://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2020-president/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''321''', R: 217, Tossup: 0
|-
| ]
| Nov 2, 2020<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/2020-election/race-forecasts-and-predictions/president/ |title=2020 Election Forecast |work=] |date=November 19, 2019 |last1=Shepard |first1=Steven |last2=Vestal |first2=Allan James |last3=Jin |first3=Beatrice |last4=Briz |first4=Andrew |last5=Bland |first5=Scott |last6=Mihalik |first6=Lily |last7=Mahtesian |first7=Charlie |last8=McGill |first8=Andrew |last9=Zapler |first9=Mike |last10=Goodwin |first10=Andy |last11=Sagar |first11=Sushant |last12=Robin |first12=Turner |display-authors=1 |access-date=November 19, 2019 |archive-date=June 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614095303/https://www.politico.com/2020-election/race-forecasts-and-predictions/president/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''279''', R: 163, Tossup: 96
|-
| ]
| Oct 29, 2020<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2020/president/2020_elections_electoral_college_map.html|title=Battle for White House|date=April 19, 2019|work=]|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=May 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503201848/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2020/president/2020_elections_electoral_college_map.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{Party shading/None}} | D: 216, R: 125, Tossup: 197
|-
| ]
| Nov 2, 2020<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/02/politics/electoral-college-outlook/index.html|title=CNN's final 2020 Electoral College outlook: A remarkably stable race comes to an end|work=]|date=November 2, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103012728/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/02/politics/electoral-college-outlook/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
<!--CNN-->| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''279''', R: 163, Tossup: 96
|-
| ]
| Nov 3, 2020<ref>{{Cite news |title=Forecasting the US elections |url=https://projects.economist.com/us-2020-forecast/president |newspaper=] |access-date=November 3, 2020 |archive-date=July 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705184025/https://projects.economist.com/us-2020-forecast/president |url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''334''', R: 164, Tossup: 40
|-
| ]
| Nov 1, 2020<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/2020-us-election-battleground-tracker/|title=2020 Election Battleground Tracker|work=]|date=July 12, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=July 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712224038/https://www.cbsnews.com/2020-us-election-battleground-tracker/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''279''', R: 163, Tossup: 96
|-
| ]
| Nov 3, 2020<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.270towin.com/maps/consensus-2020-electoral-map-forecast|title=2020 Presidential Election Interactive Map|website=270 to Win|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103022938/https://www.270towin.com/maps/consensus-2020-electoral-map-forecast|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''279''', R: 163, Tossup: 96
|-
| ]
| Nov 2, 2020<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/2020-Electoral-Interactive-Map?basemap=71662160|title=ABC News Race Ratings|website=]|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103225601/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/2020-Electoral-Interactive-Map?basemap=71662160|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''321''', R: 125, Tossup: 92
|-
| ]
| Oct 30, 2020<ref>{{Cite news|last=Montanaro|first=Domenico|title=Final NPR Electoral Map: Biden Has The Edge, But Trump Retains Narrow Path|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/30/929077049/final-npr-electoral-map-biden-has-the-edge-but-trump-retains-narrow-path|date=October 30, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|work=]|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103054128/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/30/929077049/final-npr-electoral-map-biden-has-the-edge-but-trump-retains-narrow-path|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''279''', R: 125, Tossup: 134
|-
| ]
| Oct 27, 2020<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Todd |first1=Chuck |last2=Murray |first2=Mark |last3=Dann |first3=Carrie |last4=Holzberg |first4=Melissa |date=October 27, 2020 |title=Biden continues to lead in our latest battleground map |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/biden-continues-lead-our-latest-battleground-map-n1244906 |work=] |location=] |access-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027213743/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/biden-continues-lead-our-latest-battleground-map-n1244906 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''279''', R: 125, Tossup: 134
|-
| ]
| Nov 3, 2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Presidential Election Model |publisher=] |work=Øptimus Consulting |date=November 3, 2020 |access-date=July 31, 2022 |url=https://forecast2020.decisiondeskhq.com/president |archive-date=August 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801003854/https://forecast2020.decisiondeskhq.com/president |url-status=live }}</ref>
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''308''', R: 163, Tossup: 67
|-
| ]
| Nov 2, 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=2020 Election Forecast|url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-election-forecast/|year=2020|website=]|access-date=November 2, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911151821/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-election-forecast/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''334''', R: 169, Tossup: 35{{efn|Tossup: 50%–59%, Lean: 60%–74%, Likely: 75%–94%, Solid: 95%–100%}}
|}

=== Endorsements ===
{{Main|List of Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign endorsements|List of Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign endorsements|List of Jo Jorgensen 2020 presidential campaign endorsements|List of Howie Hawkins 2020 presidential campaign endorsements}} {{Main|List of Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign endorsements|List of Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign endorsements|List of Jo Jorgensen 2020 presidential campaign endorsements|List of Howie Hawkins 2020 presidential campaign endorsements}}


== Campaign issues == === Total cost estimate ===
] estimated the total cost of the 2020 election nearly $14&nbsp;billion, making it the most expensive election in history and twice as expensive as the previous presidential election cycle.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2020/10/cost-of-2020-election-14billion-update/ |title=2020 election to cost $14 billion, blowing away spending records |publisher=] |date=October 28, 2020 |access-date=May 27, 2021 |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122022953/https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2020/10/cost-of-2020-election-14billion-update |url-status=live }}</ref>


== Campaign issues ==
=== COVID-19 pandemic === === COVID-19 pandemic ===
{{further|COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|U.S. federal government response to the COVID-19 pandemic|Trump administration communication during the COVID-19 pandemic}}
The ] was a major issue of the campaign, with Trump's responses being heavily criticized. The president spread mixed messages on the value of wearing face masks as protection, including criticizing Biden and reporters for wearing them, but has also encouraged their use at times.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Victor|first1=Daniel|last2=Serviss|first2=Lew|last3=Paybarah|first3=Azi|date=October 2, 2020|title=In His Own Words, Trump on the Coronavirus and Masks|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/02/us/politics/donald-trump-masks.html|access-date=November 3, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102225946/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/02/us/politics/donald-trump-masks.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During the campaign, Trump held many events across the country, including in coronavirus hotspots, where attendees did not wear masks and were not socially distancing; at the same time, he mocked those who wore face masks.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Restuccia|first=Andrew|date=October 2, 2020|title=Trump and His Aides Have Long Played Down Importance of Face Masks, Distancing|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-and-his-aides-have-long-downplayed-importance-of-face-masks-distancing-11601655164|access-date=October 30, 2020|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030080545/https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-and-his-aides-have-long-downplayed-importance-of-face-masks-distancing-11601655164|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Mills|first1=Doug|last2=Schaff|first2=Erin|date=October 29, 2020|title=As Trump Exaggerates Virus Progress and Mocks Masks, Biden Vows to 'Let Science Drive Our Decisions'|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/10/28/us/trump-biden-election|access-date=October 30, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029141108/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/10/28/us/trump-biden-election|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Vigdor|first=Neil|date=August 26, 2020|title=Masks and social distancing are mostly absent from Republican convention events.|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/26/us/politics/masks-and-social-distancing-are-mostly-absent-from-republican-convention-events.html|access-date=October 30, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907181212/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/26/us/politics/masks-and-social-distancing-are-mostly-absent-from-republican-convention-events.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


Biden advocated for expansion of federal funding, including funding under the ] for testing, personal protective equipment, and research.<ref name="moore-pandemic-plans">{{Cite web|last=Moore|first=Elena|title=Trump's And Biden's Plans On The Coronavirus Pandemic|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/16/919139204/trumps-and-biden-s-plans-on-the-coronavirus-pandemic|date=October 16, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|website=NPR|archive-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102235513/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/16/919139204/trumps-and-biden-s-plans-on-the-coronavirus-pandemic|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump has also invoked the Defense Production Act to a lesser extent to control the distribution of masks and ventillators,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Welna|first=David|date=March 18, 2020|title=Trump Invokes A Cold War Relic, The Defense Production Act, For Coronavirus Shortages|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/03/18/818069722/trump-invokes-a-cold-war-relic-the-defense-production-act-for-coronavirus-shorta|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319212323/https://www.npr.org/2020/03/18/818069722/trump-invokes-a-cold-war-relic-the-defense-production-act-for-coronavirus-shorta|archive-date=March 19, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|website=NPR}}</ref> but his response plan relies significantly on a vaccine being released by the end of 2020.<ref name="moore-pandemic-plans" /> At the second presidential debate, Trump claimed that Biden had called him xenophobic for restricting entry from foreign nationals who had visited China, but Biden clarified that he had not been referring to this decision.<ref>{{Cite web|author1=PolitiFact staff|author2=KHN staff|date=October 23, 2020|title=In Tamer Debate, Trump and Biden Clash (Again) on President's Pandemic Response|url=https://khn.org/news/in-tamer-debate-trump-and-biden-clash-again-on-presidents-pandemic-response/|access-date=November 3, 2020|website=Kaiser Health News|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101135540/https://khn.org/news/in-tamer-debate-trump-and-biden-clash-again-on-presidents-pandemic-response/|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] was a major issue of the campaign, with Trump's responses being heavily criticized. The president spread mixed messages on the value of wearing face masks as protection, including criticizing Biden and reporters for wearing them, but has also encouraged their use at times.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Victor|first1=Daniel|last2=Serviss|first2=Lew|last3=Paybarah|first3=Azi|date=October 2, 2020|title=In His Own Words, Trump on the Coronavirus and Masks|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/02/us/politics/donald-trump-masks.html|access-date=November 3, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102225946/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/02/us/politics/donald-trump-masks.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During the campaign, Trump held many events across the country, including in COVID-19 hotspots, where attendees did not wear masks and were not socially distancing; at the same time, he mocked those who wore face masks.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Restuccia|first=Andrew|date=October 2, 2020|title=Trump and His Aides Have Long Played Down Importance of Face Masks, Distancing|work=]|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-and-his-aides-have-long-downplayed-importance-of-face-masks-distancing-11601655164|access-date=October 30, 2020|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030080545/https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-and-his-aides-have-long-downplayed-importance-of-face-masks-distancing-11601655164|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Mills|first1=Doug|last2=Schaff|first2=Erin|date=October 29, 2020|title=As Trump Exaggerates Virus Progress and Mocks Masks, Biden Vows to 'Let Science Drive Our Decisions'|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/10/28/us/trump-biden-election|access-date=October 30, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029141108/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/10/28/us/trump-biden-election|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Vigdor|first=Neil|date=August 26, 2020|title=Masks and social distancing are mostly absent from Republican convention events.|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/26/us/politics/masks-and-social-distancing-are-mostly-absent-from-republican-convention-events.html|access-date=October 30, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907181212/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/26/us/politics/masks-and-social-distancing-are-mostly-absent-from-republican-convention-events.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


Biden advocated for the expansion of federal funding, including funding under the ] for testing, personal protective equipment, and research.<ref name="moore-pandemic-plans">{{Cite news|last=Moore|first=Elena|title=Trump's And Biden's Plans On The Coronavirus Pandemic|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/16/919139204/trumps-and-biden-s-plans-on-the-coronavirus-pandemic|date=October 16, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|work=]|archive-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102235513/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/16/919139204/trumps-and-biden-s-plans-on-the-coronavirus-pandemic|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump also invoked the Defense Production Act to control the distribution of masks and ventilators,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Welna|first=David|date=March 18, 2020|title=Trump Invokes A Cold War Relic, The Defense Production Act, For Coronavirus Shortages|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/03/18/818069722/trump-invokes-a-cold-war-relic-the-defense-production-act-for-coronavirus-shorta|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319212323/https://www.npr.org/2020/03/18/818069722/trump-invokes-a-cold-war-relic-the-defense-production-act-for-coronavirus-shorta|archive-date=March 19, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|work=]}}</ref> but his response plan relied significantly on a vaccine being released by the end of 2020.<ref name="moore-pandemic-plans"/> At the second presidential debate, Trump claimed Biden had called him xenophobic for restricting entry from foreign nationals who had visited China, but Biden responded that he had not been referring to this decision.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 23, 2020|title=In Tamer Debate, Trump and Biden Clash (Again) on President's Pandemic Response|url=https://khn.org/news/in-tamer-debate-trump-and-biden-clash-again-on-presidents-pandemic-response/|access-date=November 3, 2020|website=Kaiser Health News|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101135540/https://khn.org/news/in-tamer-debate-trump-and-biden-clash-again-on-presidents-pandemic-response/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Economy===
Trump claimed credit for the consistent economic expansion of his presidency's first three years, with the stock market at its longest growth period in history, and unemployment at a fifty-year low. Additionally, he has touted the 2020 third quarter rebound, in which GDP grew at an annualized rate of 33.1%, as evidence of the success of his economic policies.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Politi|first1=James|last2=Weaver|first2=Courtney|date=October 9, 2020|title=Trump and Biden spar over state of economy in final days of race|url=https://www.ft.com/content/dbe15063-8955-42e2-a757-b8d9b4bd9c60|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103042026/https://www.ft.com/content/dbe15063-8955-42e2-a757-b8d9b4bd9c60|archive-date=November 3, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|website=Financial Times}}</ref> Biden responded to Trump's claims by repeating that the strong economy under Trump's presidency was inherited from the Obama administration, and that Trump has aggravated the economic impact of the pandemic, including the need for 42&nbsp;million Americans to file for unemployment.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Pager|first=Tyler|date=June 8, 2020|title=Biden Says Trump Squandered Economic Expansion Begun With Obama|work=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-08/biden-says-trump-squandered-economic-expansion-begun-with-obama|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102192705/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-08/biden-says-trump-squandered-economic-expansion-begun-with-obama|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Economy ===
The ], which lowered income tax for most Americans, as well as lowering the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, were an important part of Trump's economic policy. Biden and the Democrats generally describe these cuts as unfairly benefiting the upper class. Biden plans to raise taxes on corporations and those making over $400,000 per year, while keeping the reduced taxes on lower income brackets, and raise ]es to a maximum bracket of 39.6%. In response, Trump said Biden's plans will destroy retirement accounts and the stock market.<ref>{{cite web|last=Crawford|first=Shannon K.|title=Trump vs. Biden on the issues: Economy|date=September 29, 2020|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-biden-issues-economy/story?id=73150658|access-date=November 3, 2020|website=ABC News|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103000009/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-biden-issues-economy/story?id=73150658|url-status=live}}</ref>
]
{{Main|Economic policy of the Donald Trump administration|Political_positions_of_Joe_Biden#Economic_issues|l2 = Economic policies of Joe Biden}}
Trump claimed credit for the consistent economic expansion of his presidency's first three years, with the stock market at its longest growth period in history and unemployment at a fifty-year low. Additionally, he has touted the 2020 third-quarter rebound, in which GDP grew at an annualized rate of 33.1%, as evidence of the success of his economic policies.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Politi|first1=James|last2=Weaver|first2=Courtney|date=October 9, 2020|title=Trump and Biden spar over state of economy in final days of race|url=https://www.ft.com/content/dbe15063-8955-42e2-a757-b8d9b4bd9c60|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103042026/https://www.ft.com/content/dbe15063-8955-42e2-a757-b8d9b4bd9c60|archive-date=November 3, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|website=Financial Times}}</ref> Biden responded to Trump's claims by repeating that the strong economy under Trump's presidency was inherited from the Obama administration, and that Trump has aggravated the economic impact of the pandemic, including the need for 42&nbsp;million Americans to file for unemployment.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Pager|first=Tyler|date=June 8, 2020|title=Biden Says Trump Squandered Economic Expansion Begun With Obama|work=]|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-08/biden-says-trump-squandered-economic-expansion-begun-with-obama|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102192705/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-08/biden-says-trump-squandered-economic-expansion-begun-with-obama|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ], which lowered ] for many Americans and lowered the ] from 35% to 21%, were a major component of Trump's economic policy. Biden and the Democrats generally describe these cuts as unfairly benefiting the upper class. Biden plans to raise taxes on corporations and those making over $400,000 per year, while keeping the reduced taxes on lower-income brackets and raise ]es to a maximum bracket of 39.6%. In response, Trump said Biden's plans would destroy ] accounts and the ].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Crawford|first=Shannon K.|title=Trump vs. Biden on the issues: Economy|date=September 29, 2020|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-biden-issues-economy/story?id=73150658|access-date=November 3, 2020|website=]|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103000009/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-biden-issues-economy/story?id=73150658|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Environment === === Environment ===
{{Main|Environmental policy of the Donald Trump administration|Political_positions_of_Joe_Biden#Environment_and_climate_change|Climate change policy of the United States|l2 = Environmental policy of Joe Biden}}
Trump and Biden's views on environmental policy differ significantly. Trump has stated at times that ] is a hoax, although he has also called it a serious subject.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Helier|first=Cheung|date=January 23, 2020|title=What does Trump actually believe on climate change?|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51213003|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103032420/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51213003|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump has condemned the ] on greenhouse gas reduction and began ]. Biden plans to rejoin it and announced a $2&nbsp;trillion climate action plan. However, Biden has not fully accepted the ]. Biden does not plan to ban ], but rather to outlaw new fracking on federal land. However, in a debate, Trump claimed that Biden wanted to ban it altogether. Trump's other environmental policies have included the removal of methane emission standards, and an expansion of mining.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McKeever|first=Amy|date=October 28, 2020|title=Latest: Trump's and Biden's environmental policy promises and actions|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/trackers/latest-trump-biden-environmental-policy-promises-actions/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101034202/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/trackers/latest-trump-biden-environmental-policy-promises-actions/|archive-date=November 1, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|website=Science}}</ref>
Trump and Biden's views on environmental policy differ significantly. Trump stated that ] is a hoax, although he also called it a serious subject.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Helier|first=Cheung|date=January 23, 2020|title=What does Trump actually believe on climate change?|work=]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51213003|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103032420/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51213003|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump condemned the ] on ] and began ]. Biden planned to rejoin it and announced a $2{{spaces}}trillion plan to combat climate change. Biden had not fully accepted the ]. Biden did not plan to ban ] but rather to outlaw new fracking on federal land. In a debate, Trump claimed Biden wanted to ban it altogether. Trump's other environmental policies included the removal of ] standards, and an expansion of mining.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McKeever|first=Amy|date=October 28, 2020|title=Latest: Trump's and Biden's environmental policy promises and actions|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/trackers/latest-trump-biden-environmental-policy-promises-actions/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101034202/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/trackers/latest-trump-biden-environmental-policy-promises-actions/|archive-date=November 1, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|website=Science}}</ref>


=== Health care === === Health care ===
{{Main|Health care in the United States}}
Health care was a divisive issue in both the Democratic primary campaign and the general campaign. While Biden, as well as other candidates, promised protection of the ], progressives within the Democratic Party advocated to replace the private insurance industry with ]. Biden's plan involves adding a ] to the American healthcare system,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kerns|first=Christopher|title=It's (nearly) official: Biden vs. Trump. Here's our take.|url=http://www.advisory.com/research/health-care-advisory-board/blogs/at-the-helm/2020/04/2020-election-bernie-sanders|access-date=November 3, 2020|website=www.advisory.com|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728040846/https://www.advisory.com/research/health-care-advisory-board/blogs/at-the-helm/2020/04/2020-election-bernie-sanders|url-status=live}}</ref> and the restoration of the ] to buy health care which was removed from the Affordable Care Act by the 2017 tax cut bill,<ref name="trump-dominate" /> as well as restoring funding for ]. Trump announced plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act, calling it "too expensive", but has not said what would replace it.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Moore|first=Elena|date=October 16, 2020|title=Trump's And Biden's Plans For Health Care|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/16/921237845/trumps-and-biden-s-plans-for-health-care|access-date=November 3, 2020|website=NPR|archive-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102235533/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/16/921237845/trumps-and-biden-s-plans-for-health-care|url-status=live}}</ref> At the time of the election, the Trump administration and Republican officials from 18 states had a lawsuit before the Supreme Court, asking the court to repeal the Affordable Care Act.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Stolberg|first=Sheryl Gay|date=September 24, 2020|title=Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Strike Down Affordable Care Act|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/26/us/politics/obamacare-trump-administration-supreme-court.html|access-date=November 3, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103045141/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/26/us/politics/obamacare-trump-administration-supreme-court.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Health care was a divisive issue in both the Democratic primary campaign and the general campaign. While Biden, as well as other candidates, promised protection of the ], progressives within the Democratic Party advocated to replace the private insurance industry with ]. Biden's plan involves adding a ] to the American healthcare system,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kerns|first=Christopher|title=It's (nearly) official: Biden vs. Trump. Here's our take.|url=http://www.advisory.com/research/health-care-advisory-board/blogs/at-the-helm/2020/04/2020-election-bernie-sanders|access-date=November 3, 2020|date=April 9, 2020|website=Advisory Board|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728040846/https://www.advisory.com/research/health-care-advisory-board/blogs/at-the-helm/2020/04/2020-election-bernie-sanders|url-status=live}}</ref> and the restoration of the ] to buy health care, which was removed from the Affordable Care Act by the 2017 tax cut bill,<ref name="trump-dominate"/> as well as restoring funding for ]. Trump announced plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act, calling it "too expensive", but he did not say what would replace it.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Moore|first=Elena|date=October 16, 2020|title=Trump's And Biden's Plans For Health Care|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/16/921237845/trumps-and-biden-s-plans-for-health-care|access-date=November 3, 2020|work=]|archive-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102235533/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/16/921237845/trumps-and-biden-s-plans-for-health-care|url-status=live}}</ref> At the time of the election, the Trump administration and Republican officials from 18 states had a lawsuit before the Supreme Court, asking the court to repeal the Affordable Care Act.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Stolberg|first=Sheryl Gay|date=September 24, 2020|title=Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Strike Down Affordable Care Act|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/26/us/politics/obamacare-trump-administration-supreme-court.html|access-date=November 3, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103045141/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/26/us/politics/obamacare-trump-administration-supreme-court.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Racial unrest === === Racial unrest ===
{{Main|2020–2021 United States racial unrest}}
] in ] on May 26]] ] in ] on May 26]]
As a result of the ] and other incidents of ] against African Americans, combined with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a series of ] and a wider ] erupted in mid-2020.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Healy|first1=Jack|last2=Searcey|first2=Dionne|date=June 4, 2020|title=Two Crises Convulse a Nation: A Pandemic and Police Violence|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/us/george-floyd-protests-coronavirus.html|access-date=November 3, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019222014/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/us/george-floyd-protests-coronavirus.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Many peaceful protests took place, but riots and looting have also occurred. Trump and the Republicans have suggested sending in the military to counter the protests, which was criticized, especially by Democrats, as heavy-handed and potentially illegal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52893540|title=Does Trump have the right to send in federal forces?|work=BBC News Online|last1=Horton|first1=Jake|date=September 2, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103205013/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52893540|url-status=live}}</ref> Particularly controversial was ], before which military police had forcefully cleared peaceful protestors from the area.<ref name="trump-dominate">{{Cite web|last1=Mosk|first1=Matthew|last2=Faulders|first2=Katherine|title=Trump's quest to 'dominate' amid George Floyd protests sparks new concerns about presidential powers|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/trumps-quest-dominate-amid-george-floyd-protests-sparks/story?id=71126346|access-date=November 3, 2020|date=June 8, 2020|website=ABC News|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001155859/https://abcnews.go.com/US/trumps-quest-dominate-amid-george-floyd-protests-sparks/story?id=71126346|url-status=live}}</ref> Biden condemned Trump for his actions against protestors; he described George Floyd's words "]" as a "wake-up call for our nation". He also promised he would create a police oversight commission in his first 100 days as president, and establish a uniform use of force standard, as well as other police reform measures.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Detrow|first1=Scott|last2=Sprunt|date=June 2, 2020|first2=Barbara|title='He Thinks Division Helps Him': Biden Condemns Trump's Protest Response|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/06/02/867671792/biden-to-condemn-trumps-protest-response-in-speech|access-date=November 3, 2020|website=NPR|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103000611/https://www.npr.org/2020/06/02/867671792/biden-to-condemn-trumps-protest-response-in-speech|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result of the ] and other incidents of ] against African Americans, combined with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a series of ] and a wider ] erupted in mid-2020. This was followed by the ] movement, which protested ] against ], and became a central point of the 2020 presidential campaign.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Healy|first1=Jack|last2=Searcey|first2=Dionne|date=June 4, 2020|title=Two Crises Convulse a Nation: A Pandemic and Police Violence|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/us/george-floyd-protests-coronavirus.html|access-date=November 3, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019222014/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/us/george-floyd-protests-coronavirus.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Protests were mostly peaceful; fewer than 4% involved property damage or violence (with most of the latter directed at BLM protesters themselves).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/10/16/this-summers-black-lives-matter-protesters-were-overwhelming-peaceful-our-research-finds/|newspaper=]|first1=Erica|last1=Chenoweth|first2=Jeremy|last2=Pressman|title=This summer's Black Lives Matter protesters were overwhelmingly peaceful, our research finds|date=October 16, 2021|quote=The overall levels of violence and property destruction were low, and most of the violence that did take place was, in fact, directed against the BLM protesters. In short, our data suggest that 96.3 percent of events involved no property damage or police injuries, and in 97.7 percent of events, no injuries were reported among participants, bystanders or police.|access-date=March 9, 2021|archive-date=April 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425181107/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/10/16/this-summers-black-lives-matter-protesters-were-overwhelming-peaceful-our-research-finds/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to a September 2020 estimate, arson, vandalism, and looting caused about $1–2{{nbsp}}billion in insured damage between May 26 and June 8, making this initial phase of the ] the civil disorder event with the highest recorded damage in United States history.<ref name="Riot damage">{{Cite web|title=Vandalism, looting after Floyd's death sparks at least $1 billion in damages:report|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/516742-vandalism-looting-after-floyd-death-sparks-at-least-1-billion-in-damages-report|work=]|date=September 17, 2020|access-date=October 9, 2020|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212124246/https://thehill.com/homenews/news/516742-vandalism-looting-after-floyd-death-sparks-at-least-1-billion-in-damages-report|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kingson|first=Jennifer A.|date=September 16, 2020|title=Exclusive: $1 billion-plus riot damage is most expensive in insurance history|url=https://www.axios.com/riots-cost-property-damage-276c9bcc-a455-4067-b06a-66f9db4cea9c.html|access-date=October 10, 2020|website=]|archive-date=December 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213110721/https://www.axios.com/riots-cost-property-damage-276c9bcc-a455-4067-b06a-66f9db4cea9c.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


In response, Trump and the Republicans suggested sending in the military to counter the protests, which was criticized, especially by Democrats, as heavy-handed and potentially illegal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52893540|title=Does Trump have the right to send in federal forces?|work=]|last1=Horton|first1=Jake|date=September 2, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103205013/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52893540|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump referred to Black Lives Matter protesters confronting diners in a restaurant as "thugs",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/09/08/Trump-tweet-reaction-viral-video-pittsburgh-protesters-diners/stories/202009080069|work=Post Gazette|first=Julian|last=Routh|title=Trump calls protesters who confronted Pittsburgh diners 'Thugs!'|date=September 8, 2020}}</ref> and called a street painting of the slogan a "symbol of hate".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/01/trump-black-lives-matter-347051|work=]|first=Max|last=Cohen|title=Trump: Black Lives Matter is a 'symbol of hate'|date=July 1, 2020}}</ref> Particularly controversial was ], before which military police had forcefully cleared peaceful protestors from the area.<ref name="trump-dominate">{{Cite web|last1=Mosk|first1=Matthew|last2=Faulders|first2=Katherine|title=Trump's quest to "dominate" amid George Floyd protests sparks new concerns about presidential powers|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/trumps-quest-dominate-amid-george-floyd-protests-sparks/story?id=71126346|access-date=November 3, 2020|date=June 8, 2020|website=]|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001155859/https://abcnews.go.com/US/trumps-quest-dominate-amid-george-floyd-protests-sparks/story?id=71126346|url-status=live}}</ref> Biden condemned Trump for his actions against protestors; he described George Floyd's words "]" as a "wake-up call for our nation". He also promised he would create a police oversight commission in his first 100 days as president, and establish a uniform use of force standard, as well as other police reform measures.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Detrow|first1=Scott|last2=Sprunt|date=June 2, 2020|first2=Barbara|title='He Thinks Division Helps Him': Biden Condemns Trump's Protest Response|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/06/02/867671792/biden-to-condemn-trumps-protest-response-in-speech|access-date=November 3, 2020|work=]|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103000611/https://www.npr.org/2020/06/02/867671792/biden-to-condemn-trumps-protest-response-in-speech|url-status=live}}</ref>
==State predictions==


=== Exit poll ===
Most election predictors use:
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible sortable" style="font-size:90%;line-height:1.2"
* ''tossup'': no advantage
|+ 2020 presidential election exit poll<ref>{{Cite news|title=National Results 2020 President exit polls.|url=https://www.cnn.com/election/2020/exit-polls/president/national-results|access-date=December 4, 2020|work=]}}</ref>
* ''tilt'': advantage that is not quite as strong as "lean"
* ''lean'': slight advantage
* ''likely'': significant, but surmountable, advantage (*highest rating given by ] and ])
* ''safe'' or ''solid'': near-certain chance of victory
<!--Colors and sorting:

In many cases, the incumbent has yet to say their intention of running for another term. If an incumbent intends to retire then place "<br />{{Small|(Retiring)}}" after the incumbent's name.

See ] for how to apply a rating.

-->
<div style="overflow-x:auto;>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"

|- style="vertical-align:bottom"

! {{vert header|stp=1|State}}
! {{vert header|stp=1|]}}
! {{vert header|stp=1|]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://decisiondeskhq.com/news/2016-state-pvi-changes |title=2016 State PVI Changes – Decision Desk HQ|last1=Coleman|first1=Miles|website=]|date=December 15, 2017|access-date=July 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613111559/https://decisiondeskhq.com/news/2016-state-pvi-changes/|archive-date=June 13, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
! {{vert header|stp=1|2016<br />result}}
! {{vert header|stp=1|]<br/>{{Small|October 28, 2020}}<ref>{{cite web|title=2020 Electoral College Ratings|url=https://cookpolitical.com/sites/default/files/2020-10/EC%20Ratings.102820.pdf|website=The Cook Political Report|access-date=October 28, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028200154/https://cookpolitical.com/sites/default/files/2020-10/EC%20Ratings.102820.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
! {{vert header|stp=1|]<br/>{{Small|October 28, 2020}}<ref name="mnDr9" />}}
! {{vert header|stp=1|]<br />{{Small|November 2, 2020}}<ref name="fx507"/>}}
! {{vert header|stp=1|]<br/>{{Small|November 2, 2020}}<ref name="v0rOU"/>}}
! {{vert header|stp=1|]<br/>{{Small|October 29, 2020}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2020/president/2020_elections_electoral_college_map.html|title=Battle for White House|date=April 19, 2019|work=]|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=May 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503201848/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2020/president/2020_elections_electoral_college_map.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
! {{vert header|stp=1|]<br />{{Small|November 2, 2020}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/02/politics/electoral-college-outlook/index.html|title=CNN's final 2020 Electoral College outlook: A remarkably stable race comes to an end|website=]|date=November 2, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103012728/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/02/politics/electoral-college-outlook/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
! {{vert header|stp=1|]<br />{{Small|November 3, 2020}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Forecasting the US elections |url=https://projects.economist.com/us-2020-forecast/president |website=The Economist |access-date=November 3, 2020 |archive-date=July 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705184025/https://projects.economist.com/us-2020-forecast/president |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
! {{vert header|stp=1|]<br />{{Small|November 1, 2020}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/2020-us-election-battleground-tracker/|title=2020 Election Battleground Tracker|website=CBS News|date=July 12, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=July 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712224038/https://www.cbsnews.com/2020-us-election-battleground-tracker/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
! {{vert header|stp=1|]<br />{{Small|November 3, 2020}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.270towin.com/maps/consensus-2020-electoral-map-forecast|title=2020 Presidential Election Interactive Map|website=270 to Win|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103022938/https://www.270towin.com/maps/consensus-2020-electoral-map-forecast|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
! {{vert header|stp=1|]<br />{{Small|November 2, 2020}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/2020-Electoral-Interactive-Map?basemap=71662160|title=ABC News Race Ratings|website=ABC News|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103225601/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/2020-Electoral-Interactive-Map?basemap=71662160|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
! {{vert header|stp=1|]<br />{{Small|October 30, 2020}}<ref>{{Cite web|last=Montanaro|first=Domenico|title=Final NPR Electoral Map: Biden Has The Edge, But Trump Retains Narrow Path|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/30/929077049/final-npr-electoral-map-biden-has-the-edge-but-trump-retains-narrow-path|date=October 30, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2020|website=]|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103054128/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/30/929077049/final-npr-electoral-map-biden-has-the-edge-but-trump-retains-narrow-path|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
! {{vert header|stp=1|]<br />{{Small|October 27, 2020}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Todd |first1=Chuck |last2=Murray |first2=Mark |last3=Dann |first3=Carrie |last4=Holzberg |first4=Melissa |date=October 27, 2020 |title=Biden continues to lead in our latest battleground map |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/biden-continues-lead-our-latest-battleground-map-n1244906 |work=] |location=] |access-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027213743/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/biden-continues-lead-our-latest-battleground-map-n1244906 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
! {{vert header|stp=1|]{{efn|Tossup: 50%–59%, Lean: 60%–74%, Likely: 75%–94%, Solid: 95%–100%}} <br/>{{Small|November 2, 2020}}<ref>{{cite web|title=2020 Election Forecast|url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-election-forecast/|year=2020|website=FiveThirtyEight|access-date=November 2, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911151821/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-election-forecast/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|- |-
! Response category
! ]
!{{party shading/Democratic}}| Biden
! 9
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="114" | R+14 !{{party shading/Republican}}| Trump
! % of<br/>total vote
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=62.1 | 62.1% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--IE--> | {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}

|- |-
| Total vote
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 51
! 3
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 47
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="109" | R+9
|style="text-align:right"| 100
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=51.3 | 51.3% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}

|- |-
!colspan="4"| Trump job approval
! ]
! 11
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="105" | R+5
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=48.9 | 48.9% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|flip}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Tilt|D|Flip}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}

|- |-
| Strongly approve
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 4
! 6
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 96
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="115" | R+15
|style="text-align:right"| 38
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=60.6 | 60.6% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}

|- |-
| Somewhat approve
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 20
! 55
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 75
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-12" | D+12
|style="text-align:right"| 12
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-61.7" | 61.7% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
| Somewhat disapprove
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 89
! 9
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 7
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="099" | D+1
|style="text-align:right"| 10
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-48.2" | 48.2% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
| Strongly disapprove
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 97
! 7
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 1
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="094" | D+6
|style="text-align:right"| 39
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-54.6" | 54.6% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
!colspan="4"| Quality of candidate that mattered most
! ]
! 3
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="094" | D+6
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-53.1" | 53.1% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
| Has good judgment
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 68
! 3
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 26
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-41" | D+41
|style="text-align:right"| 24
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-90.9" | 90.9% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
| Cares about people like me
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 49
! 29
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 50
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="102" | R+2
|style="text-align:right"| 21
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=49.0 | 49.0% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Tilt|D|Flip}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}

|- |-
| Can unite the country
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 75
! 16
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 24
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="105" | R+5
|style="text-align:right"| 19
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=50.8 | 50.8% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Tilt|D|Flip}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}

|- |-
| Is a strong leader
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 28
! 4
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 72
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-18" | D+18
|style="text-align:right"| 11
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-62.2 | 62.2% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
! ] !colspan="4"| More important to presidential vote
! 4
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="119" | R+19
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=59.3 | 59.3% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}

|- |-
| Candidate's positions on issues
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 47
! 20
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 53
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="093" | D+7
|style="text-align:right"| 74
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-55.8" | 55.8% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
| Candidate's personal qualities
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 64
! 11
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 31
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="109" | R+9
|style="text-align:right"| 23
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=56.8 | 56.8% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}

|- |-
!colspan="4"| Vote for president mainly
! ]
! 6
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="103" | R+3
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=51.2 | 51.2% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}

|- |-
| For your candidate
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 46
! 6
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 53
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="113" | R+13
|style="text-align:right"| 71
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=56.7 | 56.7% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}

|- |-
| Against his opponent
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 68
! 8
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 30
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="115" | R+15
|style="text-align:right"| 24
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=62.5 | 62.5% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}

|- |-
!colspan="4"| Life for the next generation of Americans will be
! ]
! 8
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="111" | R+11
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=58.1 | 58.1% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}

|- |-
| Better than today
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 55
! 2
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 44
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="097" | D+3
|style="text-align:right"| 54
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-47.8" | 47.8% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--Eco-->| rowspan="3" {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} <br /> {{small|(only statewide <br> rating given)}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}

|- |-
| About the same
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 40
! 1
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 58
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="092" | D+8
|style="text-align:right"| 21
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-54.0" | 54.0% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
| Worse than today
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 52
! 1
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 45
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="102" | R+2
|style="text-align:right"| 20
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="51.3" | 51.3% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}

|- |-
!colspan="4"| View of federal government
! ]
! 10
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-12" | D+12
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-60.3" | 60.3% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
| Angry
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 74
! 11
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 24
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="088" | D+12
|style="text-align:right"| 26
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-60.1" | 60.1% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
| Dissatisfied
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 67
! 16
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 31
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="099" | D+1
|style="text-align:right"| 32
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=47.5 | 47.5% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D|Flip}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D|Flip}}

|- |-
| Satisfied
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 29
! 10
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 70
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="099" | D+1
|style="text-align:right"| 27
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-46.4" | 46.4% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
| Enthusiastic
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 18
! 6
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 81
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="109" | R+9
|style="text-align:right"| 13
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=57.9 | 57.9% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}

|- |-
! ] !colspan="4"| Decided on presidential vote
! 10
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=109 | R+9
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=56.8 | 56.8% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}

|- |-
| Before September
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 51
! 3
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 46
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="111" | R+11
|style="text-align:right"| 73
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=56.2 | 56.2% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}

|- |-
| In September
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 52
! 2
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 45
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="114" | R+14
|style="text-align:right"| 11
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=58.8 | 58.8% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| rowspan="4" {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} <br /> {{small|(only statewide <br> rating given)}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}

|- |-
| In October
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 48
! 1
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 49
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="111" | R+11
|style="text-align:right"| 8
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="56.2" | 56.2% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}

|- |-
| In the last week
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 31
! 1
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 64
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="104" | R+4
|style="text-align:right"| 2
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="47.2" | 47.2% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Tilt|D|Flip}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D|Flip}}

|- |-
| In the last few days
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 49
! 1
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 47
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="127" | R+27
|style="text-align:right"| 3
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="73.9" | 73.9% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}

|- |-
!colspan="4"| Issue regarded as most important
! ]
! 6
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="099" | D+1
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-47.9" | 47.9% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}

|- |-
| ]
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 16
! 4
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 82
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="099" | D+1
|style="text-align:right"| 35
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-47.0" | 47.0% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}

|- |-
| ]
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 92
! 14
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 7
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="093" | D+7
|style="text-align:right"| 20
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-55.0" | 55.0% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
| ]
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 81
! 5
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 16
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="097" | D+3
|style="text-align:right"| 17
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-48.4" | 48.4% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
! ] | ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 27
! 29
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 71
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-11 | D+11
|style="text-align:right"| 11
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-59.0" | 59.0% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
| ]
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 62
! 15
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 37
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="103" | R+3
|style="text-align:right"| 11
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=49.8 | 49.8% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Tilt|D|Flip}}
<!--SCB-->|{{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}

|- |-
!colspan="4"| Condition of the nation's economy
! ]
! 3
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=116 | R+16
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=63.0 | 63.0% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}

|- |-
| Poor
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 87
! 18
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 10
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=103 | R+3
|style="text-align:right"| 19
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=51.7 | 51.7% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}

|- |-
| Not so good
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 76
! 7
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 22
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="120" | R+20
|style="text-align:right"| 31
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=65.3 | 65.3% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}

|- |-
| Good
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 24
! 7
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 75
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="095" | D+5
|style="text-align:right"| 36
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-50.1" | 50.1% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
| Excellent
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 16
! 20
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 84
| {{Party shading/None}} | {{sort|100|EVEN}}
|style="text-align:right"| 13
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=48.2 | 48.2% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D|Flip}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D|Flip}}

|- |-
!colspan="4"| Family's financial situation today
! ]
! 4
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="090" | D+10
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-54.4" | 54.4% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
| Better than four years ago
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 26
! 9
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 72
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="108" | R+8
|style="text-align:right"| 41
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=54.9 | 54.9% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}

|- |-
| About the same
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 65
! 3
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 34
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="114" | R+14
|style="text-align:right"| 39
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=61.5 | 61.5% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}

|- |-
| Worse than four years ago
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 77
! 11
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 20
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="114" | R+14
|style="text-align:right"| 20
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=60.7 | 60.7% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}

|- |-
!colspan="4"| Racism in the U.S.
! ]
! 38
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="108" | R+8
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=52.2 | 52.2% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}

|- |-
| The most important problem
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 87
! 6
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 11
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="120" | R+20
|style="text-align:right"| 18
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=45.5 | 45.5% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}

|- |-
| An important problem
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 61
! 3
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 37
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-15 | D+15
|style="text-align:right"| 51
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-56.7" | 56.7% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
| A minor problem
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 18
! 13
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 81
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="099" | D+1
|style="text-align:right"| 18
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-49.7" | 49.7% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
| Not a problem at all
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 8
! 12
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 91
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="093" | D+7
|style="text-align:right"| 10
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-52.5" | 52.5% D
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}}

|- |-
!colspan="4"| View of ]
! ]
! 5
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="119" | R+19
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=68.5 | 68.5% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}

|- |-
| Favorable
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 78
! 10
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 20
| {{Party shading/None}} | {{sort|100|EVEN}}
|style="text-align:right"| 57
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=47.2 | 47.2% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D|Flip}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D|Flip}}

|- |-
| Unfavorable
! ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 14
! 3
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 86
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="125" | R+25
|style="text-align:right"| 37
| {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=67.4 | 67.4% R
<!--Coo-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--IE-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--SCB-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--Pol-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--RCP-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--CNN-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Eco-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--CBS-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--270-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--ABC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--NPR-->| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
<!--NBC-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--538-->| {{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}

|- class="sortbottom"
! Overall
! 538
|
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | D: 232<br />R: '''306'''<br />
<!--Coo-->| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''290'''<br/>R: 125<br/>Tossup: 123
<!--IE -->| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''350'''<br/>R: 125<br/>Tossup: 63
<!--SCB-->| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''321'''<br/>R: 217<br/>Tossup: 0
<!--Pol-->| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''279'''<br/>R: 163<br/>Tossup: 96
<!--RCP-->| {{Party shading/None}} | D: 216<br/>R: 125<br/>Tossup: 197
<!--CNN-->| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''279'''<br/>R: 163<br/>Tossup: 96
<!--Eco-->| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''334'''<br/>R: 164<br/>Tossup: 40
<!--CBS-->| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''279'''<br/>R: 163<br/>Tossup: 96
<!--270-->| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''279'''<br/>R: 163<br/>Tossup: 96
<!--ABC-->| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''321'''<br/>R: 125<br/>Tossup: 92
<!--NPR-->| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''279'''<br/>R: 125<br/>Tossup: 134
<!--NBC-->| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''279'''<br/>R: 125<br/>Tossup: 134
<!--538-->| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D: '''334'''<br/>R: 169<br/>Tossup: 35

|}
</div>

== Voting process and results ==
]]]
<!-- PLEASE SEE ]. CONSENSUS IS SPLIT BETWEEN ADDING RESULTS NO SOONER THAN 12 HOURS AFTER POLLS CLOSE, AND WAITING CONSIDERABLY LONGER. PLEASE DO NOT UPDATE IF IT IS <12 HOURS AFTER POLL CLOSE -->

===Election night===
] in ]]]
Election night, November 3, ended without a clear winner, as many state results were too close to call and millions of votes remained uncounted, including in the battleground states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/politics/decision-2020/as-ballots-are-counted-no-clear-winner-on-election-night/2391210/|title=As Ballots Are Counted, No Clear Winner on Election Night|last=O'Donnell|first=Noreen|date=November 4, 2020|work=NBC Bay Area|access-date=November 4, 2020|archive-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104233811/https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/politics/decision-2020/as-ballots-are-counted-no-clear-winner-on-election-night/2391210/|url-status=live}}</ref> Results were delayed in these states due to local rules on counting mail-in ballots. In a victory declared after midnight, Trump won the swing state of Florida by three percentage points, an increase from his 1.2 percentage point margin in 2016, having seen significant gains in support among the Latino community in ].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Leary|first=Alex|date=November 4, 2020|title=Trump's Florida Election Win Hinged on Big Gains in Miami-Dade|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trumps-florida-election-win-hinged-on-big-gains-in-miami-dade-11604518272|access-date=November 5, 2020|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104234037/https://www.wsj.com/articles/trumps-florida-election-win-hinged-on-big-gains-in-miami-dade-11604518272|url-status=live}}</ref>

Shortly after 12:30{{nbsp}}a.m.{{nbsp}}EST, Biden made a short speech in which he urged his supporters to be patient while the votes are counted, and said he believed he was "on track to win this election".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-campaign-election-day/2020/11/03/91da2a22-1e00-11eb-b532-05c751cd5dc2_story.html|title=Biden says he is confident of victory but asks supporters to have patience as votes are counted|last=Sullivan|first=Sean|date=November 4, 2020|work=The Washington Post|access-date=November 4, 2020|archive-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104111837/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-campaign-election-day/2020/11/03/91da2a22-1e00-11eb-b532-05c751cd5dc2_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Goldmacher|first1=Shane|last2=Nagourney|first2=Adam|date=November 4, 2020|title=Biden and Trump Are Locked in Tight Race as Uncounted Votes Remain|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/03/us/trump-biden-election|access-date=November 4, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104001144/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/03/us/trump-biden-election|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly before 2:30{{nbsp}}a.m.{{nbsp}}EST, Trump made a speech to a roomful of supporters, falsely asserting that he had won the election and calling for a stop to all vote counting, saying that continued counting was "a fraud on the American people" and that "we will be going to the U.S. Supreme Court."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/04/trump-tries-to-claim-victory-even-as-ballots-are-being-counted-in-several-states-nbc-has-not-made-a-call.html|title=Trump tries to claim victory even as ballots are being counted in several states — NBC has not made a call|last=Wilkie|first=Christina|date=November 4, 2020|work=CNBC|access-date=November 4, 2020|archive-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104073218/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/04/trump-tries-to-claim-victory-even-as-ballots-are-being-counted-in-several-states-nbc-has-not-made-a-call.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bomey|first=Nathan|title=Facebook, Twitter label Trump claims over 'stealing the election' as potentially misleading|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2020/11/03/trump-twitter-facebook-election-tweet-label/6157256002/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105035952/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2020/11/03/trump-twitter-facebook-election-tweet-label/6157256002/|archive-date=November 5, 2020|date=November 4, 2020|access-date=November 4, 2020|website=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Burns|first1=Alexander|last2=Martin|first2=Jonathan|date=November 4, 2020|title=As America Awaits a Winner, Trump Falsely Claims He Prevailed|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/us/politics/election-trump-biden-recap.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 4, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104063229/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/us/politics/election-trump-biden-recap.html}}</ref> The Biden campaign denounced these attempts, claiming that the Trump campaign was engaging in a "naked effort to take away the democratic rights of American citizens".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.albawaba.com/news/usele-joe-bidens-campaign-denounces-trumps-bid-shut-down-counting-1390785|title=Joe Biden's Campaign Denounces Trump's Bid to Shut Down Counting|work=]|date=November 4, 2020|access-date=November 4, 2020|archive-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104100735/https://www.albawaba.com/news/usele-joe-bidens-campaign-denounces-trumps-bid-shut-down-counting-1390785|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Aftermath====
] after the major networks projected Biden the winner of the election on November 7.]]
]
In Pennsylvania, where the counting of mail-in ballots began on election night, Trump declared victory on November 4 with a lead of 675,000 votes, despite more than a million ballots remaining uncounted. Trump also declared victory in North Carolina and Georgia, despite many ballots being uncounted.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 5, 2020|title=EXPLAINER: States still in play and what makes them that way|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-courts-b3bb806485b150d32faec4dfa12c7b08|access-date=November 5, 2020|website=AP News|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105061830/https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-courts-b3bb806485b150d32faec4dfa12c7b08|url-status=live}}</ref> Fox News projected Biden would win Arizona at 11:20{{nbsp}}p.m.{{nbsp}}EST on election night, and the Associated Press called the state at 2:50{{nbsp}}a.m.{{nbsp}}EST on November 4;<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 4, 2020|title=EXPLAINER: Why AP called Arizona for Biden|url=https://apnews.com/article/ap-explains-arizona-joe-biden-bb16f91b04456b2513f40436248eb62d|access-date=November 5, 2020|website=AP News|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105002411/https://apnews.com/article/ap-explains-arizona-joe-biden-bb16f91b04456b2513f40436248eb62d|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/us/politics/trump-fox-news-arizona.html|title=Fox's Arizona Call for Biden Flipped the Mood at Trump Headquarters|work=The New York Times|last1=Karni|first1=Annie|last2=Haberman|first2=Maggie|date=November 4, 2020|access-date=November 5, 2020|archive-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104235726/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/us/politics/trump-fox-news-arizona.html|url-status=live}}</ref> however, several other media outlets concluded the state was too close to call.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Romero|first=Simon|title=With Arizona too close to call, Trump supporters gather at a vote-counting site in Phoenix.|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/us/politics/trump-supporters-protest-arizona.html|date=November 4, 2020|access-date=November 5, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105070022/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/us/politics/trump-supporters-protest-arizona.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Izadi|first=Elahe|title=Who won Arizona? Why the call differs by media organization.|work=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2020/11/04/fox-ap-arizona-biden/|date=November 4, 2020|access-date=November 5, 2020|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105014055/https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2020/11/04/fox-ap-arizona-biden/|url-status=live}}</ref> By the evening of November 4, the Associated Press reported that Biden had secured 264 electoral votes by winning Michigan and Wisconsin, with Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, and Nevada remaining uncalled.<ref name=apwins>{{Cite web|date=November 4, 2020|title=Biden wins Michigan, Wisconsin, now on brink of White House|url=https://apnews.com/article/84ba06c8d2dd3c16434f0b9a852a5d17|last1=Lemire|first1=Jonathan|last2=Miller|first2=Zeke|last3=Colvin|first3=Jill|last4=Jaffe|first4=Alexandra|access-date=November 5, 2020|website=AP News|archive-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104174646/https://apnews.com/article/84ba06c8d2dd3c16434f0b9a852a5d17|url-status=live}}</ref> Biden had a 1% lead in Nevada<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 5, 2020|title=Nevada Presidential Election Results|last1=Andre|first1=Michael|display-authors=et al|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-nevada-president.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 5, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104235321/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-nevada-president.html}}</ref> and maintained a 2.3% lead in Arizona by November 5,<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 5, 2020|title=Arizona Presidential Election Results|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-arizona-president.html|last1=Andre|first1=Michael|display-authors=et al|url-status=live|access-date=November 5, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105023711/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-arizona-president.html}}</ref> needing only to win Nevada and Arizona or win Pennsylvania to obtain the necessary 270 electoral votes.<ref name=apwins/>

On November 5, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by the Trump campaign to stop vote-counting in Pennsylvania. The Trump campaign had alleged that its observers were not given access to observe the vote, but its lawyers admitted during the hearing that its observers were already present in the vote-counting room.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shubber |first1=Kadhim |title=Trump Pennsylvania litigation getting tepid response from federal judge |url=https://www.ft.com/content/7ab94949-f654-3574-b710-14e415284551 |access-date=November 6, 2020 |work=] |date=November 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201106010742/https://www.ft.com/content/7ab94949-f654-3574-b710-14e415284551 |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Also that day, a state judge dismissed another lawsuit by the Trump campaign that alleged that in Georgia, late-arriving ballots were counted. The judge ruled no evidence had been produced that the ballots were late.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schrade |first1=Brad |title=Georgia judge dismisses Trump campaign case in Chatham ballot dispute |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-judge-dismisses-trump-campaign-case-in-chatham-ballot-dispute/YKBA6IYQKBB4JCSQEIJBQQT6QI/ |access-date=November 6, 2020 |work=] |date=November 6, 2020 |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106061804/https://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-judge-dismisses-trump-campaign-case-in-chatham-ballot-dispute/YKBA6IYQKBB4JCSQEIJBQQT6QI/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Meanwhile, a state judge in Michigan dismissed the Trump campaign's lawsuit requesting a pause in vote-counting to allow access to observers, as the judge noted that vote-counting had already finished in Michigan.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Egan |first1=Paul |title=Judge throws out Trump lawsuit over counting of Michigan ballots |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/05/poll-watcher-challenger-ballot-counting-detroit-tcf-center/6172210002/ |access-date=November 7, 2020 |work=] |date=November 5, 2020 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108023843/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/05/poll-watcher-challenger-ballot-counting-detroit-tcf-center/6172210002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That judge also noted the official complaint did not state "why", "when, where, or by whom" an election observer was allegedly blocked from observing ballot-counting in Michigan.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Herb |first1=Jeremy |last2=Polantz |first2=Katelyn |title='Democracy plain and simple': How the 2020 election defied fraud claims and pandemic fears |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/06/politics/us-election-process-success/index.html |accessdate=November 9, 2020 |work=] |date=November 7, 2020}}</ref>

On November 6, Biden assumed leads in Pennsylvania and Georgia as the states continued to count ballots, and absentee votes in those states heavily favored Biden.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Martin|first1=Jonathan|last2=Glueck|first2=Katie|title=Biden Pulls Ahead in Key States as Anxious Nation Awaits Winner|access-date=November 7, 2020|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/05/us/politics/biden-georgia-pennsylvania.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201107104659/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/05/us/politics/biden-georgia-pennsylvania.html|date=November 5, 2020|archivedate=November 7, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to the slim margin between Biden and Trump in the state, ] ] announced on November 6 that a recount would be held in Georgia. At that point, Georgia had not seen "any widespread irregularities" in this election, according to the voting system manager of the state, Gabriel Sterling.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Montellaro |first1=Zach |title=Georgia heading to recount, top election official says |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/06/georgia-election-official-recount-434703 |accessdate=November 7, 2020 |work=] |date=November 6, 2020 |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107001237/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/06/georgia-election-official-recount-434703 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Also on November 6, U.S. Supreme Court Justice ] issued an order requiring officials in Pennsylvania to segregate late-arriving ballots, amid a dispute as to whether the state's Supreme Court validly ordered a 3-day extension of the deadline for mail-in ballots to arrive.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gerstein|first=Josh|title=Pennsylvania Republicans win Supreme Court order to enforce separation of late-arriving ballots|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/06/pennsylvania-republicans-supreme-court-mail-ballots-434744|date=November 6, 2020|accessdate=November 10, 2020|website=Politico}}</ref> Several Republican attorneys general filed amicus briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court in subsequent days agreeing with the Pennsylvania GOP's view that only the state legislature could change the voting deadline.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Montellaro|first=Zach|title=GOP-led states back Trump's legal drive to challenge election|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/09/gop-states-back-trump-election-challenge-435437|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|accessdate=November 10, 2020|website=Politico|date=November 9, 2020}}</ref>

By November 7, several prominent Republicans had ], saying they were unsubstantiated, baseless or without evidence, damaging to the election process, undermining democracy and dangerous to political stability while others ] his demand of transparency.<ref>
*{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/06/republicans-break-ranks-with-donald-trump-over-baseless-vote-claim |title=Donald Trump's baseless vote fraud claim opens cracks in Republican ranks |first1=Tom |last1=Perkins |work=The Guardian |date=November 6, 2020 |access-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106152002/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/06/republicans-break-ranks-with-donald-trump-over-baseless-vote-claim |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/pat-toomey-no-evidence-vote-fraud-0ac291da7ab09f6336d24290ef81f53b |title=GOP divided over Trump's baseless claims of election fraud |first1=Matthew |last1=Daly |work=Associated Press |date=November 6, 2020 |access-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106153600/https://apnews.com/article/pat-toomey-no-evidence-vote-fraud-0ac291da7ab09f6336d24290ef81f53b |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite news |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/05/republicans-condemn-trump-after-baseless-claim-election-fraud/6182613002/ |title='This is getting insane': Republicans say Trump's attacks on election integrity are dangerous |first1=Christal |last1=Hayes |work=USA Today |date=November 5, 2020 |access-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106023719/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/05/republicans-condemn-trump-after-baseless-claim-election-fraud/6182613002/ |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/06/gop-pushes-back-trump-false-election-claims-434653 |title=GOP begins pushing back against Trump's false election claims |first1=Burgess |last1=Everett |first2=Melanie |last2=Zanona |work=Politico |date=November 6, 2020 |access-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106141222/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/06/gop-pushes-back-trump-false-election-claims-434653 |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/getting-insane-republicans-push-back-against-trump-s-false-election-n1246700 |title='This is getting insane': Republicans push back against Trump's false election claims |first1=Dareh |last1=Gregorian |work=NBC News |date=November 6, 2020 |access-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106020649/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/getting-insane-republicans-push-back-against-trump-s-false-election-n1246700 |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite news |author1=Ted Barrett |title=Top Republicans defend Trump on baseless voter fraud claims as concerns grow in the ranks |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/05/politics/election-2020-congressional-republicans-trump-election-fraud/index.html |work=CNN |date= November 6, 2020}}</ref> According to CNN, people close to Donald Trump, such as his son-in-law and senior adviser ] and his wife ], urged him to accept his defeat. While Donald Trump privately acknowledged the outcome of the presidential election, he nonetheless encouraged his legal team to continue pursuing legal challenges.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Kevin|last1=Liptak|display-authors=et al|title=Inside Trump's loss: A culmination of self-destructive decisions |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/08/politics/donald-trump-loss-election-2020/index.html |work=CNN |accessdate=November 8, 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108175038/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/08/politics/donald-trump-loss-election-2020/index.html |archivedate=November 8, 2020 |date=November 8, 2020}}</ref>

=== Election calls ===
Major news organizations project a state for a candidate when there is high mathematical confidence that the outstanding vote would be unlikely to prevent the projected winner from ultimately winning the state. Election projections are made by decision teams of political scientists and data scientists.<ref name= "math"></ref>

On November 6, election-calling organization '']'' projected that Biden had won the election after forecasting that Biden had won Pennsylvania. According to ''Decision Desk HQ ''(which had not yet called Arizona), Pennsylvania's 20 electoral votes gave Biden a total of 273 electoral votes, three over the threshold to make him president-elect. ''Decision Desk HQ''{{'}}s clients '']'' and '']'' also called the race at that time. ''Decision Desk HQ'' president Drew McCoy told ''Vox'' that the great majority of mail-in ballots from Pennsylvania were from heavily Democratic areas around Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. According to McCoy, Biden was winning the mail-in vote in those areas so overwhelmingly that Trump had no realistic path to hold the state.<ref>{{cite news |title=Decision Desk HQ calls the election for Biden |author=Jerusalem Post Staff |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/decision-desk-hq-calls-the-election-for-biden-648263 |access-date=November 7, 2020 |work=] |date=November 6, 2020 |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106182617/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/decision-desk-hq-calls-the-election-for-biden-648263 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=LaForme |first1=Ren |last2=Grau |first2=Mel |title=Vox.com, working with Decision Desk HQ, was one of the first news outlets to call the election |url=https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2020/vox-com-working-with-decision-desk-hq-was-one-of-the-first-news-outlets-to-call-the-election/ |access-date=November 7, 2020 |work=] |date=November 6, 2020 |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106182715/https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2020/vox-com-working-with-decision-desk-hq-was-one-of-the-first-news-outlets-to-call-the-election/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Prokop |first1=Andrew |title=Why Decision Desk called Pennsylvania, and the presidential race, for Joe Biden |url=https://www.vox.com/21552641/joe-biden-wins-pennsylvania-decision-desk |access-date=November 7, 2020 |work=] |date=November 6, 2020 |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106221719/https://www.vox.com/21552641/joe-biden-wins-pennsylvania-decision-desk |url-status=live }}</ref>

On the morning of November 7, ], ], ], the ], ] and ] all called the election for Biden, based on projections of votes in Pennsylvania showing him leading outside of the recount threshold (0.5% in that state).<ref>{{cite news|title=Joe Biden elected president|url=https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-biden-election-results-11-07-20/index.html|last1=Wagner|first1=Meg|display-authors=et al|accessdate=November 7, 2020|work=CNN|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107163554/https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-biden-election-results-11-07-20/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Joe Biden apparent winner of presidency|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/joe-biden-apparent-winner-presidency/story?id=73981165&cid=clicksource_4380645_9_heads_hero_live_hero_hed|first1=Libby|last1=Cathey|accessdate=November 7, 2020|work=ABC News|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108023852/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/joe-biden-apparent-winner-presidency/story?id=73981165&cid=clicksource_4380645_9_heads_hero_live_hero_hed|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Biden wins presidency, Trump denied second term in White House, Fox News projects|url=https://www.foxnews.com/elections/2020/general-results|date=November 7, 2020|accessdate=November 7, 2020|work=Fox News|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107003921/https://www.foxnews.com/elections/2020/general-results|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Biden wins White House, vowing new direction for divided US|last1=Lemire|first1=Jonathan|last2=Miller|first2=Zeke|last3=Weissert|first3=Will|date=November 8, 2020|url=https://apnews.com/article/Biden-Trump-US-election-2020-results-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9|access-date=November 7, 2020|work=AP News|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107135716/https://apnews.com/article/Biden-Trump-US-election-2020-results-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/biden-defeats-trump-win-white-house-nbc-news-projects-n1246912|title=Biden defeats Trump to win White House, NBC News projects|first1=Adam|last1=Edelman||work=]|date=November 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/2020-election-live-updates-2020-11-07/|title=Biden wins White House after taking Pennsylvania|work=]|last1=Becket|first1=Stefan|display-authors=et al|date=November 7, 2020}}</ref>

===Election protests===
{{see|2020 United States election protests}}
Protests against Trump's challenges to the election results took place in Minneapolis, Portland, New York, and other cities. Police in Minneapolis arrested more than 600 demonstrators for blocking traffic on an interstate highway. In Portland, the National Guard was called out after some protesters smashed windows and threw objects at police.<ref name = Bellisle/> At the same time, groups of Trump supporters gathered outside of election centers in Phoenix, Detroit, and Philadelphia, shouting objections to counts that showed Biden leading or gaining ground.<ref name = Bellisle>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-backers-converge-michigan-arizona-0b5711044a940703045953fe7833d6aa|title=More than a dozen arrested as protesters demand vote count|last1=Bellisle|first1=Martha|last2=Geller|first2=Adam|date=November 6, 2020|work=AP News|access-date=November 5, 2020|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105160108/https://apnews.com/article/trump-backers-converge-michigan-arizona-0b5711044a940703045953fe7833d6aa|url-status=live}}</ref> In Arizona, where Biden's lead was shrinking as more results were reported, the pro-Trump protesters mostly demanded that all remaining votes be counted, while in Michigan and Pennsylvania, where Trump's lead shrank and disappeared altogether as more results were reported, they called for the count to be stopped.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/05/arizona-trump-supporters-protest-at-voting-centre-over-early-election-call|title=Trump supporters protest at Arizona vote counting centre|last=Beaumont|first=Peter|date=November 5, 2020|work=The Guardian|access-date=November 5, 2020|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105111132/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/05/arizona-trump-supporters-protest-at-voting-centre-over-early-election-call|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== OSCE election monitoring ===
On the invitation of the U.S. State Department, the ]'s (OSCE) ] (ODIHR), which has been monitoring U.S. elections since 2002 (as it does for major elections in all other OSCE member countries), sent 102 observers from 39 countries.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|last=Rahman|first=Rema|date=November 3, 2020|title=Election observers on the ground in the US|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/524080-election-observers-on-the-ground-in-the-us|access-date=November 6, 2020|website=The Hill|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106022650/https://thehill.com/policy/international/524080-election-observers-on-the-ground-in-the-us|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web|date=November 5, 2020|title=Election observer says no evidence for Trump's fraud claims|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-observer-no-evidence-fraud-b30f3424736014a6b7405df71e32e36f|access-date=November 6, 2020|website=AP News|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105222506/https://apnews.com/article/election-observer-no-evidence-fraud-b30f3424736014a6b7405df71e32e36f|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Morello|first=Carol|date=November 4, 2020|title=European election observers decry Trump's 'baseless allegations' of voter fraud|work=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/election-observers-trump-allegations/2020/11/04/4a538500-1ee0-11eb-9ec3-3a81e23c4b5e_story.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 6, 2020|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105161029/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/election-observers-trump-allegations/2020/11/04/4a538500-1ee0-11eb-9ec3-3a81e23c4b5e_story.html}}</ref> The task force consisted of long-term observers from the ODIHR office (led by former Polish diplomat ]) deployed to 28 states from September on and covering 15 states on election day, and a group of European lawmakers acting as short-term observers (led by German parliamentarian ]), reporting from Maryland, Virginia, California, Nevada, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":2" /> Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was scaled down to a "limited election observation mission" from the originally planned 100 long-term observers and 400 short-term observers.<ref name=":02" />

An interim report published by the OSCE shortly before the election noted that many ODIHR interlocutors "expressed grave concerns about the risk of legitimacy of the elections being questioned due to the incumbent President's repeated allegations of a fraudulent election process, and postal vote in particular".<ref name=":02" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=October 22, 2020|title=United States of America, General Elections, 3 November 2020: Interim Report|url=https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/4/b/467964_0.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101064137/https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/4/b/467964_0.pdf|archive-date=November 1, 2020|access-date=November 6, 2020|work=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|page=2}}</ref> On the day after the election, the task force published preliminary findings,<ref name=":12" /> with part of the summary stating:
<blockquote>The 3 November general elections were competitive and well managed despite legal uncertainties and logistical challenges. In a highly polarized political environment, acrimonious campaign rhetoric fuelled tensions. Measures intended to secure the elections during the pandemic triggered protracted litigation driven by partisan interests. Uncertainty caused by late legal challenges and evidence-deficient claims about election fraud created confusion and concern among election officials and voters. Voter registration and identification rules in some states are unduly restrictive for certain groups of citizens. The media, although sharply polarized, provided comprehensive coverage of the campaign and made efforts to provide accurate information on the organization of elections.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 4, 2020|title=United States of America, General Elections, 3 November 2020: Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions|url=https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/9/6/469437.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105212346/https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/9/6/469437.pdf|archive-date=November 5, 2020|access-date=November 6, 2020|work=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|page=1}}</ref></blockquote>

Link stated that "on the election day itself, we couldn't see any violations" at the polling places visited by the observers.<ref name=":12" /> The task force also found "nothing untoward" while observing the handling of mail-in ballots at post offices, with Gacek being quoted as saying that "We feel that allegations of systemic wrongdoing in these elections have no solid ground" and that "The system has held up well".<ref name=":2" /> The OSCE's election monitoring branch is due to publish a more comprehensive report in early 2021.<ref name=":2" />

=== Candidate table ===
Candidates are included in this table if they are projected to receive any electoral votes, received more than 0.05% of the popular vote, had ] to more than 15 electoral votes, or had ballot access in more than one state and had ballot plus ] access in most states. Candidates are sorted first by electoral votes projected to be received, then popular vote received, then electoral votes to which they had ballot access.<!-- PLEASE SEE ]. CONSENSUS IS SPLIT BETWEEN ADDING POPULAR VOTE NO SOONER THAN 12 HOURS AFTER POLLS CLOSE, AND WAITING CONSIDERABLY LONGER. PLEASE DO NOT UPDATE IF IT IS <12 HOURS AFTER POLL CLOSE -->
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Electoral results
|- |-
! colspan="4" | Candidates and home states !! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Party !colspan="4"| Does the country's criminal justice system
! colspan="2" |Votes
|- |-
| Treat Black people unfairly
!Presidential
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 82
!Home state
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 17
!Vice Presidential
|style="text-align:right"| 53
!Home state
!Popular
!Projected Electoral
|- |-
| Treat all people fairly
| ''']'''||''' ]'''
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 14
| ''']'''||''' ]'''|| style="background:{{Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color}}" | || '''] '''
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 84
|
|style="text-align:right"| 40
|'''290'''
|- |-
!colspan="4"| U.S. efforts to contain coronavirus are going
| ] {{small|(incumbent)}}|| ]
| ]|| ]|| style="background-color:{{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}}" | || ]
|
|232
|- |-
| Very well
| ]|| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 13
| ]|| ]|| style="background:{{Libertarian Party (United States)/meta/color}}" | || ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 86
|
|style="text-align:right"| 18
|0
|- |-
| Somewhat well
| ]|| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 21
| ]|| ]|| style="background:{{Green Party (United States)/meta/color}}" | || ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 78
|
|style="text-align:right"| 33
|0
|- |-
| Somewhat badly
| ]|| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 74
| Sunil Freeman{{efn|The original vice presidential candidate was ], who withdrew<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ballot-access.org/2020/08/02/party-for-socialism-liberation-alters-its-vice-presidential-nominee/|title=Party for Socialism & Liberation Alters its Vice-Presidential Nominee|website=Ballot Access News|last1=Winger|first1=Richard|date=August 2, 2020|accessdate=August 3, 2020}}</ref> but remained listed on the ballot in Illinois<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/CandidateOfficeFilingSearch.aspx|title=Candidate office filing search|work=Illinois State Board of Elections}}</ref> and Minnesota,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://candidates.sos.state.mn.us/CandidateFilingResults.aspx?federal=True&title=U.S.+President+%26+Vice+President|title=Candidate filings, 2020 state general election|work=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> and as a write-in candidate in Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://candidate.texas-election.com/Elections/getQualifiedCandidatesInfo.do|title=Candidate information|work=Texas Secretary of Stat}}</ref>}} || ] || style="background:{{Party for Socialism and Liberation/meta/color}}" | || ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 24
|
|style="text-align:right"| 15
|0
|- |-
| Very badly
| rowspan="2" |]|| rowspan="2" |]|| ]|| ]|| style="background:{{Alliance Party (United States)/meta/color}}" | || ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 94
| rowspan="2" |
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 4
| rowspan="2" |0
|style="text-align:right"| 32
|- |-
!colspan="4"| Has the coronavirus pandemic caused you
| ]|| ]
| style="background:{{American Independent Party/meta/color}}" | || ]
|- |-
| Severe financial hardship
| ]|| ]|| ]|| ]|| style="background:{{Constitution Party (United States)/meta/color}}" | || ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 69
|
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 29
|0
|style="text-align:right"| 16
|- |-
| Moderate financial hardship
| ]|| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 59
| Karla Ballard || ]|| style="background:#093" | || ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 39
|
|style="text-align:right"| 39
|0
|- |-
| No financial hardship at all
| ]|| ]
| Michelle Tidball || ]|| style="background:#0071E9" | || Birthday |style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 38
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 60
|
|style="text-align:right"| 44
|0
|- |-
!colspan="4"| Which is more important to do now
| ]|| ]
| Amar Patel || ]|| style="background:{{American Solidarity Party/meta/color}}" | || ]
|
|0
|- |-
| Contain coronavirus
| ]|| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 79
| Malcolm Jarrett || ]|| style="background:{{Socialist Workers Party (United States)/meta/color}}" | || ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 19
|
|style="text-align:right"| 52
|0
|- |-
| Rebuild the economy
| William Robert Hammons || ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 20
| Eric Bodenstab || ]|| style="background:{{Unity Party of America/meta/color}}" | || ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 78
|
|style="text-align:right"| 42
|0
|- |-
!colspan="4"| Is wearing a ] in public more of a
| ]|| ]
| Billy Joe Parker || ]|| style="background:{{Prohibition Party/meta/color}}" | || ]
|
|0
|- |-
| Public health responsibility
| ]|| ]
| Dawn Neptune Adams || ]|| style="background:#F60" | || Progressive |style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 64
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 35
|
|style="text-align:right"| 67
|0
|- |-
| Personal choice
| ]|| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 24
| Claudeliah J. Roze{{efn|In Florida, where Jade Simmons only had write-in access, Melissa Nixon was listed as her vice presidential candidate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/candidates/CanDetail.asp?account=78798|title=Candidate Tracking System|work=Florida Division of Elections|date=June 30, 2020|access-date=November 6, 2020|archive-date=October 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018043459/https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/candidates/CanDetail.asp?account=78798|url-status=live}}</ref>}}|| ]|| style="background:#8CF" | || ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 73
|
|style="text-align:right"| 30
|0
|- |-
!colspan="4"| Importance of recent rise in coronavirus cases to presidential vote
| colspan="6" |Others
| |-
| The most important factor
|0
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 61
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 38
|style="text-align:right"| 23
|-
| An important factor
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 47
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 51
|style="text-align:right"| 37
|-
| A minor factor
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 13
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 86
|style="text-align:right"| 18
|-
| Not a factor at all
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 7
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 91
|style="text-align:right"| 16
|-
!colspan="4"| Better candidate to handle the coronavirus pandemic
|-
| Biden
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 92
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 6
|style="text-align:right"| 53
|-
| Trump
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 4
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 95
|style="text-align:right"| 43
|-
!colspan="4"| How confident that votes will be counted accurately
|-
| Very confident
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 52
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 47
|style="text-align:right"| 47
|-
| Somewhat confident
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 56
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 42
|style="text-align:right"| 40
|-
| Not very confident
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 34
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 61
|style="text-align:right"| 8
|-
| Not at all confident
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 31
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 66
|style="text-align:right"| 4
|-
!colspan="4"| Voting in your state is
|-
| Very easy
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 48
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 50
|style="text-align:right"| 69
|-
| Somewhat easy
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 60
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 39
|style="text-align:right"| 25
|-
| Somewhat difficult
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 52
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 46
|style="text-align:right"| 4
|-
| Very difficult
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| N/A
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| N/A
|style="text-align:right"| 2
|-
!colspan="4"| In vote for president, Supreme Court appointments were
|-
| The most important factor
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 47
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 51
|style="text-align:right"| 13
|-
| An important factor
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 54
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 45
|style="text-align:right"| 47
|-
| A minor factor
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 51
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 48
|style="text-align:right"| 18
|-
| Not a factor at all
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 49
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 49
|style="text-align:right"| 19
|-
!colspan="4"| On ], should the Supreme Court
|-
| Keep it as it is
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 80
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 18
|style="text-align:right"| 51
|-
| Overturn it
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 21
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 78
|style="text-align:right"| 44
|-
!colspan="4"| Abortion should be
|-
| Legal in all cases
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 80
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 18
|style="text-align:right"| 25
|-
| Legal in most cases
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 68
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 30
|style="text-align:right"| 26
|-
| Illegal in most cases
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 27
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 72
|style="text-align:right"| 25
|-
| Illegal in all cases
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 18
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 81
|style="text-align:right"| 17
|-
!colspan="4"| Climate change is a serious problem
|-
| Yes
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 69
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 29
|style="text-align:right"| 67
|-
| No
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 15
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 84
|style="text-align:right"| 30
|- |-
| colspan="6" style="background-color: lightgrey" ; | {{align|center|'''Total'''}}
|'''100%'''
|'''507 (out of 538)'''
|} |}


===Results by state=== == Timeline ==
{{Main|Timeline of the 2020 United States presidential election}}
<!-- PLEASE DO NOT ADD POPULAR VOTES AND PERCENTAGES IF THE STATE'S ELECTION RESULTS SAY "UNOFFICIAL" OR ARE NOT YET COMPLETE. WHEN ADDING OFFICIAL RESULTS, PLEASE COMPLETE ALL CELLS OF THE STATE'S ROW, INCLUDING OTHERS, MARGIN, TOTAL VOTES, AND THE SOURCE. -->


== Results ==
{| class="wikitable"
]]]
|+ Legend
{{See also|Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election}}

=== Statistics ===
More than 158&nbsp;million votes were cast in the election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cookpolitical.com/2020-national-popular-vote-tracker|title=2020 National Popular Vote Tracker|work=]|access-date=November 30, 2020|archive-date=January 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113060122/https://cookpolitical.com/2020-national-popular-vote-tracker|url-status=live}}</ref> More than 100&nbsp;million of them were cast before Election Day by ] or ], due to the ongoing ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/03/voter-turnout-2020-early-voting-tops-100-million/6133004002/|title=Voter turnout 2020: Early voting tops 100 million ballots cast|last=Garrison|first=Joey|date=November 3, 2020|work=]|access-date=November 29, 2020|archive-date=January 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107065213/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/03/voter-turnout-2020-early-voting-tops-100-million/6133004002/|url-status=live}}</ref> The election saw the highest ] as a percentage of eligible voters since ],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/elections/voter-turnout/|title=2020 turnout is the highest in over a century|date=November 30, 2020|newspaper=]|last1=Schaul|first1=Kevin|last2=Rabinowitz|first2=Kate|last3=Mellnik|first3=Ted|access-date=November 30, 2020|archive-date=January 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110085039/https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/elections/voter-turnout/|url-status=live}}</ref> with each of the two main tickets receiving more than 74&nbsp;million votes, surpassing ]'s record of 69.5&nbsp;million votes from ].<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last1=Park |first1=Andrea |date=November 5, 2020 |title=2020 Voter Turnout Was the Highest the U.S. Has Seen in Over a Century |url=https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a34589422/voter-turnout-2020/ |website=Marie Claire |access-date=November 10, 2020 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107065636/https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a34589422/voter-turnout-2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Biden–Harris ticket received more than 81&nbsp;million votes, the most votes ever in a ].<ref name=":7"/><ref name=":8"/> It was also the ninth consecutive presidential election where the victorious ] nominee did not receive a ] over the losing major party nominee(s), continuing the longest sequence of such presidential elections in U.S. history, which began in ] and in ] eclipsed the previous longest sequence, that from ] through ].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Chinni|first=Dante|title=Are close presidential elections the new normal?|date=December 6, 2020|work=]|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/are-close-presidential-elections-new-normal-n1250147|access-date=December 21, 2020|archive-date=December 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220120225/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/are-close-presidential-elections-new-normal-n1250147|url-status=live}}</ref><ref group=note>In every presidential election from ] through ], multiple state legislatures selected their presidential electors by discretionary appointment rather than upon the results of a poll, while the ] did so in ] through ] and the ] selected its ] by discretionary appointment in the ].</ref><ref name="Williams 2012 pp. 1539–1570">{{Cite journal|last=Williams|first=Norman R.|title=Why the National Popular Vote Compact is Unconstitutional|year=2012|journal=]|publisher=]|volume=2012|issue=5|pages=1539–1570|url=https://digitalcommons.law.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2686&context=lawreview|access-date=October 14, 2020|archive-date=May 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506175208/https://digitalcommons.law.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2686&context=lawreview|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, 58 percent of U.S. voters lived in ],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bishop|first=Bill|author-link=Bill Bishop (author)|date=December 17, 2020|title=For Most Americans, the Local Presidential Vote Was a Landslide|website=]|url=https://dailyyonder.com/for-most-americans-the-local-presidential-vote-was-a-landslide/2020/12/17/|access-date=August 3, 2021|archive-date=August 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804015647/https://dailyyonder.com/for-most-americans-the-local-presidential-vote-was-a-landslide/2020/12/17/|url-status=live}}</ref> a decline from 61 percent in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/purple-america-has-all-but-disappeared/|last=Wasserman|first=David|title=Purple America Has All But Disappeared|work=]|date=March 8, 2017|access-date=December 28, 2017|archive-date=May 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506150131/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/purple-america-has-all-but-disappeared/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Trump became the 11th incumbent in the country's history, and the first since ], to lose a bid for a second term. Biden's 51.3% of the popular vote was the highest for a challenger to an incumbent president since ].<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Haltiwanger|first=John|date=November 7, 2020|title=Trump is the first president in nearly 3 decades to lose a reelection|work=Business Insider|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-join-10-presidents-who-didnt-win-reelection-2020-10#george-hw-bush-1989-1993-10|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109010448/https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-join-10-presidents-who-didnt-win-reelection-2020-10#george-hw-bush-1989-1993-10|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|last=Herndon|first=Astead W.|date=November 14, 2020|title=Biden Asked Republicans to Give Him a Chance. They're Not Interested.|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/14/us/politics/biden-trump-republicans.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114162453/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/14/us/politics/biden-trump-republicans.html |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news|last=Hohmann|first=James|date=November 11, 2020|title=The Daily 202: Biden won with the weakest coattails in 60 years. That could make him dependent on GOP senators.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/11/11/daily-202-biden-won-with-weakest-coattails-60-years-that-could-make-him-dependent-gop-senators/|newspaper=]|access-date=November 21, 2020|archive-date=December 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215055241/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/11/11/daily-202-biden-won-with-weakest-coattails-60-years-that-could-make-him-dependent-gop-senators/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|Although ] in ] and ] in ] defeated their incumbent opponents by wider popular-vote margins than Biden's, their shares of the vote were kept lower by substantial ] voting.}} Biden is the sixth vice president to become president without ] on the death or resignation of a previous president.<ref name="Azari">{{Cite news |last=Azari |first=Julia |date=August 20, 2020 |title=Biden Had To Fight For The Presidential Nomination. But Most VPs Have To. |work=] |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/biden-had-to-fight-for-the-presidential-nomination-but-most-vps-have-to/ |access-date=August 25, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117190453/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/biden-had-to-fight-for-the-presidential-nomination-but-most-vps-have-to/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, Trump's loss marked the third time an elected president lost the popular vote twice, the first being ] in the 1820s and ] in the 1880s and 1890s.<ref name=CNN.Led>{{Cite news |last=Enten |first=Harry |date=January 10, 2021 |title=How Trump led Republicans to historic losses |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/10/politics/trump-losses-analysis/index.html |work=] |access-date=February 3, 2021 |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114182142/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/10/politics/trump-losses-analysis/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This was the first time since 1980, and the first for Republicans since ] that a party was voted out after a single four-year term. This was the second election in American history in which the incumbent president lost re-election despite winning a greater share of the popular vote than he did in the previous election, after 1828. It is also the third election in which the two candidates that received electoral votes carried the same number of states. This also happened in ] and ].

Biden won 25 states, the District of Columbia, and one congressional district in Nebraska, totaling 306 electoral votes. Trump won 25 states and one congressional district in Maine, totaling 232 electoral votes. This result was exactly the reverse of Trump's victory, 306 to 232, in ] (excluding ]s).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/presidential-election-results-2020-electoral-college-same-2016/|title=2020 election ends at same electoral vote as 2016 – 306 to 232, with Trump losing this time|last=Silverstein|first=Jason|date=November 13, 2020|work=]|access-date=November 29, 2020|archive-date=January 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111061806/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/presidential-election-results-2020-electoral-college-same-2016/|url-status=live}}</ref> Biden became the first Democrat to win the presidential election in ] since ] and in ] since ],<ref name="autogenerated1"/> and the first candidate to win nationally without ] since 1992 and ] since ], casting doubt on Ohio's continued status as a ].<ref name="cincinnati1960">{{Cite news |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/08/bellwether-no-more-ohio-misses-presidential-pick-first-time-since-1960/6207745002/ |title=Bellwether no more? Ohio misses presidential pick for first time since 1960 |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |date=November 8, 2020 |access-date=December 21, 2020 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115174429/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/08/bellwether-no-more-ohio-misses-presidential-pick-first-time-since-1960/6207745002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Biden carried five states won by Trump in 2016: ], ], ], ], and ]. He also became the first Democrat since ] to carry ]'s ], winning one electoral vote from the state. Trump did not win any states won by Clinton in 2016. Biden's three gains in the ]—Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin—were widely characterized as a rebuilding of the ], a term widely used in the press for the states consistently won by Democrats from 1992 to 2012, broken by Trump in 2016 when he narrowly flipped those three Rust Belt states.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/08/us/politics/joe-biden-voters.html |title=Biden Voters Rebuild a "Blue Wall" That Trump Smashed |newspaper=] |date=January 20, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505033651/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/08/us/politics/joe-biden-voters.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/blog/2020-11-07-trump-biden-election-results-n1246882/ncrd1246915#blogHeader |title=NBC News Exit Poll: How Biden rebuilt the Democrats' "blue wall" |publisher=] |date= November 7, 2020|access-date=May 5, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://thesuffolkjournal.com/31852/politics/race-to-270-rebuilding-the-blue-wall-proved-key-in-bidens-win/ |title=Race to 270: Rebuilding the "Blue Wall" proved key in Biden's win |first=Jamie |last=Taris |date=November 18, 2020 |newspaper=] |place=Boston |access-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-date=June 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616080825/https://thesuffolkjournal.com/31852/politics/race-to-270-rebuilding-the-blue-wall-proved-key-in-bidens-win/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/07/joe-biden-blue-wall/6203445002/ |title=Joe Biden wins Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, takes back blue wall |publisher=Freep.com |date= |access-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202054240/https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/07/joe-biden-blue-wall/6203445002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Nevertheless, amidst Trump's national and electoral defeat, his scoring decisive victories in Ohio, Iowa, and Florida for the second time, after their having backed Obama twice, has led many commentators to conclude they have shifted from perennial ]s to reliable ].<ref>{{Cite web|first1=Elena|last1=Mejía|first2=Geoffrey|last2=Skelley|url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-swing-states/|title=How The 2020 Election Changed The Electoral Map {{pipe}} FiveThirtyEight|publisher=Projects.fivethirtyeight.com|date=December 8, 2020|access-date=May 7, 2022|archive-date=April 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414215627/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-swing-states/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Chinni |first=Dante |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/vote-2020-shows-changing-battleground-map-n1247861 |title=Vote in 2020 shows changing battleground map |publisher=] |date= November 15, 2020|access-date=May 7, 2022}}</ref>

In light of the attempts to contest the election results, an important question is how many votes would have had to change in particular states in order to produce a different Electoral College outcome. If Biden's three narrowest state victories—Wisconsin, Georgia, and Arizona, all of which he won by less than a percentage point—had gone to Trump, there would have been a tie of 269 electors for each candidate,<ref name="tippingpointstate"/><ref name=Skelley-538/> causing a ] to be decided by the House of Representatives, where Trump had the advantage. (Even though Democrats controlled the House, contingent elections are determined by state delegations in which each state receives just one vote, and since a slight majority of states in 2020 contained more Republican than Democratic representatives, Republicans would have had more votes in such an election.) This scenario would have required a popular-vote shift of 0.63% or less in each of these three states, a total of about 43,000 votes, 0.03% of votes cast nationally.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Paz |first1=Ana Lucía González |last2=Blight |first2=Garry |last3=Levine |first3=Sam |title=Can 0.03% of US votes really swing the presidential election? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2024/sep/03/electoral-votes-swing-state-margins-explained |access-date=September 5, 2024 |website=The Guardian |date=September 3, 2024 }}</ref> This situation paralleled 2016, when a shift of 0.77% or less in each of the three most closely contested states (Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania), or about 77,000 votes, would have resulted in the popular vote winner Hillary Clinton also winning in the Electoral College.

This was the first time since 1948 that Democrats won the popular vote in four elections in a row. Biden was the second former vice president (after ] in ]) to win the presidency, as well as the first vice president since ] in 1988 to be elected president.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lozada |first1=Carlos |title=Joe Biden won the presidency by making the most of his lucky breaks |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/02/28/lucky-biden-book/ |newspaper=] |access-date=June 4, 2021 |date=February 28, 2021}}</ref>

Almost all counties previously considered reliable indicators of eventual success in presidential elections voted for Trump instead of Biden, meaning that they did not continue their streaks as ]. This was attributed to increasing political polarization throughout the country and to the urban-rural divide.<ref name="wiped">{{Cite web|last=McCormick|first=John|author-link=John D. McCormick|date=November 13, 2020|title=Bellwether Counties Nearly Wiped Out by 2020 Election|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bellwether-counties-nearly-wiped-out-by-2020-election-11605272400|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 17, 2020|work=]}}</ref>

While Trump still dominated rural America as a whole, there were rural areas that he lost. Biden won 50.5% of the rural counties that each had mostly non-white voters, particularly in the South and the West.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web|date=November 17, 2020|title=Rural America is not all Trump country: A closer look at the rural counties that Biden won|url=https://eig.org/news/rural-america-is-not-all-trump-country|access-date=July 18, 2021|website=Economic Innovation Group}}</ref> Rural counties in the South won by Biden had greater economic distress than those won by Trump; in the Northeast, the opposite was true.<ref name=":14"/> In the West, Biden did especially well in rural counties that had high shares of workers employed in leisure and hospitality.<ref name=":14"/> Such counties likewise had large constituencies of immigration from other states.<ref name=":14"/> Biden became the oldest president ever elected, besting Ronald Reagan's record in 1984, and the oldest non-incumbent ever, besting Trump in 2016; however, both records were broken by Trump in 2024. Of the 3,153 counties/districts/independent cities making returns, Trump won the most popular votes in 2,595 (82.30%) while Biden carried 558 (17.70%).

=== Election calls ===
] are ].]]
Major news organizations project a state for a candidate when there is high mathematical confidence that the outstanding vote would be unlikely to prevent the projected winner from ultimately winning the state. Election projections are made by decision teams of political scientists and data scientists.<ref name="math"/>

] after the major networks projected Biden the winner of the election on November 7.]]
] addresses a crowd celebrating in ], ], shortly after the election was called for Biden.]]

In the early hours of November 4, the Associated Press called Florida for Donald Trump at 12:35{{spaces}}a.m. EST, putting him at 164 electoral votes. By 1:06{{spaces}}a.m. EST, they called Texas for Trump, putting him at 202 electoral votes, compared to Joe Biden's 224. Arizona and Maine were called for Biden at 2:51{{spaces}}a.m. and 3:06{{spaces}}a.m. EST, respectively. At 1:24{{spaces}}p.m. EST that afternoon, the Associated Press called Maine's 2nd Congressional District for Trump, giving him 203 electoral votes. Then, Biden won Wisconsin and Michigan, at 2:16{{spaces}}p.m. and 3:58{{spaces}}p.m. EST, respectively, bringing him to 264 electoral votes, just 6 short of the presidency. On the morning of November 7 at approximately 11:25{{spaces}}a.m. EST, roughly three and a half days after polls had closed, ], ], ], the ], ], and ] all called the election and Pennsylvania's 20 electoral votes for Biden, based on projections of votes in Pennsylvania showing him leading outside of the recount threshold (0.5% in that state), placing him at 284 electoral votes.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Calling the 2020 presidential race state by state|url=https://blog.ap.org/behind-the-news/calling-the-2020-presidential-race-state-by-state|last1=Maks|first1=Patrick|date=November 8, 2020|access-date=June 14, 2024|agency=]|archive-date=November 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110170020/https://blog.ap.org/behind-the-news/calling-the-2020-presidential-race-state-by-state|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Joe Biden elected president|url=https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-biden-election-results-11-07-20/index.html|last1=Wagner|first1=Meg|display-authors=et al|date=November 7, 2020|access-date=November 7, 2020|work=]|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107163554/https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-biden-election-results-11-07-20/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Joe Biden apparent winner of presidency|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/joe-biden-apparent-winner-presidency/story?id=73981165&cid=clicksource_4380645_9_heads_hero_live_hero_hed|first1=Libby|last1=Cathey|access-date=November 7, 2020|work=]|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108023852/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/joe-biden-apparent-winner-presidency/story?id=73981165 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Biden wins presidency, Trump denied second term in White House, Fox News projects|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-wins-presidency-trump-fox-news-projects|date=November 7, 2020|access-date=November 7, 2020|work=]]|last1=Steinhauser|first1=Paul|last2=Singman|first2=Brooke|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107164300/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-wins-presidency-trump-fox-news-projects|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Biden wins White House, vowing new direction for divided US|last1=Lemire|first1=Jonathan|last2=Miller|first2=Zeke|last3=Weissert|first3=Will|date=November 8, 2020|url=https://apnews.com/article/Biden-Trump-US-election-2020-results-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9|access-date=November 7, 2020|work=]|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107135716/https://apnews.com/article/Biden-Trump-US-election-2020-results-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/biden-defeats-trump-win-white-house-nbc-news-projects-n1246912|title=Biden defeats Trump to win White House, NBC News projects|first1=Adam|last1=Edelman|work=]|date=November 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/2020-election-live-updates-2020-11-07/|title=Biden wins White House after taking Pennsylvania|work=]|last1=Becket|first1=Stefan|display-authors=et al|date=November 7, 2020}}</ref> That evening, Biden and Harris gave victory speeches in Wilmington, Delaware.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Nagourney|first=Adam|date=November 8, 2020|title=Five Takeaways From President-Elect Biden's Victory Speech|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/08/us/politics/biden-victory-speech-takeaways.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108063026/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/08/us/politics/biden-victory-speech-takeaways.html |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=November 18, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

=== OSCE election monitoring ===
On the invitation of the U.S. State Department, the ]'s (OSCE) ] (ODIHR), which has been monitoring U.S. elections since 2002 (as it does for major elections in all other OSCE member countries), sent 102 observers from 39 countries.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|last=Rahman|first=Rema|date=November 3, 2020|title=Election observers on the ground in the US|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/524080-election-observers-on-the-ground-in-the-us|access-date=November 6, 2020|website=]|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106022650/https://thehill.com/policy/international/524080-election-observers-on-the-ground-in-the-us|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web|date=November 5, 2020|title=Election observer says no evidence for Trump's fraud claims|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-observer-no-evidence-fraud-b30f3424736014a6b7405df71e32e36f|access-date=November 6, 2020|work=]|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105222506/https://apnews.com/article/election-observer-no-evidence-fraud-b30f3424736014a6b7405df71e32e36f|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Morello|first=Carol|date=November 4, 2020|title=European election observers decry Trump's "baseless allegations" of voter fraud|newspaper=]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/election-observers-trump-allegations/2020/11/04/4a538500-1ee0-11eb-9ec3-3a81e23c4b5e_story.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 6, 2020|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105161029/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/election-observers-trump-allegations/2020/11/04/4a538500-1ee0-11eb-9ec3-3a81e23c4b5e_story.html}}</ref> The task force consisted of long-term observers from the ODIHR office (led by former Polish diplomat ]) deployed to 28 states from September on and covering 15 states on election day, and a group of European lawmakers acting as short-term observers (led by German parliamentarian ]), reporting from Maryland, Virginia, California, Nevada, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, and D.C.<ref name=":02"/><ref name=":2"/> Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was scaled down to a "limited election observation mission" from the originally planned 100 long-term observers and 400 short-term observers.<ref name=":02"/>

An interim report published by the OSCE shortly before the election noted that many ODIHR interlocutors "expressed grave concerns about the risk of legitimacy of the elections being questioned due to the incumbent President's repeated allegations of a fraudulent election process, and postal vote in particular."<ref name=":02"/><ref>{{Cite web|date=October 22, 2020|title=United States of America, General Elections, 3 November 2020: Interim Report|url=https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/4/b/467964_0.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101064137/https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/4/b/467964_0.pdf|archive-date=November 1, 2020|access-date=November 6, 2020|work=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|page=2}}</ref> On the day after the election, the task force published preliminary findings,<ref name=":12"/> with part of the summary stating:
{{blockquote|The 3 November general elections were competitive and well managed despite legal uncertainties and logistical challenges. In a highly polarized political environment, harsh campaign rhetoric fuelled tensions. Measures intended to secure the elections during the pandemic triggered protracted litigation driven by partisan interests. The uncertainty caused by late legal challenges and evidence-deficient claims about election fraud created confusion and concern among election officials and voters. Voter registration and identification rules in some states are unduly restrictive for certain groups of citizens. The media, although sharply polarized, provided comprehensive coverage of the campaign and made efforts to provide accurate information on the organization of elections.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 4, 2020|title=United States of America, General Elections, 3 November 2020: Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions|url=https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/9/6/469437.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105212346/https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/9/6/469437.pdf|archive-date=November 5, 2020|access-date=November 6, 2020|work=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|page=1}}</ref>}}

Link said that "on the election day itself, we couldn't see any violations" at the polling places visited by the observers.<ref name=":12"/> The task force also found "nothing untoward" while observing the handling of mail-in ballots at post offices, with Gacek being quoted as saying: "We feel that allegations of systemic wrongdoing in these elections have no solid ground. The system has held up well."<ref name=":2"/> The OSCE's election monitoring branch published a more comprehensive report in early 2021.<ref name=":2"/><ref>{{Cite report|title=UNITED STATES OF AMERICA GENERAL ELECTIONS 3 November 2020: ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission Final Report|date=|url=https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/7/7/477823_2.pdf|publisher=OSCE and ] (ODIHR)|publication-date=February 9, 2021}}</ref>

=== Electoral results ===
{{See also|Third party and independent candidates for the 2020 United States presidential election}}
Candidates are listed individually below if they received more than 0.1% of the popular vote. Popular vote totals are from the ] report.<ref name=FEC>{{Cite web |title=Federal Elections 2020 |url=https://www.fec.gov/documents/4227/federalelections2020.pdf |publisher=] |date=October 2022}}</ref>

{{start U.S. presidential ticket box|pv_footnote=|ev_footnote=}}
{{U.S. presidential ticket box row|name=]|party=]|state=]|pv=81,283,501|pv_pct=51.31%|ev=306|vp_name=]|vp_state=]}}
{{U.S. presidential ticket box row|name=]<br/>(incumbent)|party=]|state=]|pv=74,223,975|pv_pct=46.85%|ev=232|vp_name=]<br/>(incumbent)|vp_state=]}}
{{U.S. presidential ticket box row|name=]|party=]|state=]|pv=1,865,535|pv_pct=1.18%|ev=0|vp_name=]|vp_state=]}}
{{U.S. presidential ticket box row|name=]|party=]|state=]|pv=407,068|pv_pct=0.26%|ev=0|vp_name=]|vp_state=]}}
{{U.S. presidential ticket box row|name=]|party=]|state=]|pv=301,016|pv_pct=0.19%|ev=0|vp_name=Darcy Richardson|vp_state=]}}
{{U.S. presidential ticket box other|footnote=|pv=348,536|pv_pct=0.22%}}
{{end U.S. presidential ticket box|pv=158,429,631|pv_pct=100.00%|ev=538|to_win=270}}

=== Results by state ===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;line-height:1.2"
|+ style=line-height:1.5|Legend
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| colspan="2" | States won by ]/] |colspan="2"| States won by ]/]
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| colspan="2" | States won by ]/] |colspan="2"| States won by ]/]
|- |-
| PEV || Projected electoral votes | EV || Electoral votes
|- |-
| † || At-large results (for states that split electoral votes) | † || At-large results (for Maine and Nebraska, which both split electoral votes)
|} |}
<div style="overflow:auto"> <div style="overflow:auto">
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;font-size:90%;" {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;font-size:90%;line-height:1.2"
|+style=line-height:1.5|Results by state<ref name=FEC/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Maine Official Election Results|url=https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/results/results20.html|access-date=November 24, 2020|website=Maine Secretary of State}}</ref><ref>, Nebraska Secretary of State.</ref>
!rowspan=2 {{verth|stp=1|State or<br/>district}}
!colspan="3"| Biden/Harris<br/>Democratic
!colspan="3"| Trump/Pence<br/>Republican
!colspan="3"| Jorgensen/Cohen<br/>Libertarian
!colspan="3"| Hawkins/Walker<br/>Green
!colspan="3"| Others
!colspan="2"| Margin
! Margin<br/>swing{{Efn|Percentage point difference in margin from the ]}}
!rowspan="2" data-sort-type="number"| Total<br/>votes
|- |-
!data-sort-type="number" style="padding-left:0.2em"| Votes
!rowspan=2 {{vertical header|stp=1|State or<br>district}}
!data-sort-type="number"| %
! colspan="3" | Biden/Harris<br />Democratic
!data-sort-type="number" {{verth|stp=1|va=middle|{{abbr|EV|Electoral votes}}}}
! colspan="3" | Trump/Pence<br />Republican
!data-sort-type="number" style="padding-left:0.2em"| Votes
! colspan="3" | Jorgensen/Cohen<br />Libertarian
!data-sort-type="number"| %
! colspan="3" | Hawkins/Walker<br />Green
!data-sort-type="number" {{verth|stp=1|va=middle|{{abbr|EV|Electoral votes}}}}
! colspan="3" | Others
!data-sort-type="number" style="padding-left:0.2em"| Votes
! colspan="2" | Margin
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="number" | Total<br />votes !data-sort-type="number"| %
!data-sort-type="number" {{verth|stp=1|va=middle|{{abbr|EV|Electoral votes}}}}
!rowspan=2 {{vertical header|stp=1|Sources}}
!data-sort-type="number" style="padding-left:0.2em"| Votes
|-
! data-sort-type="number" | Votes !data-sort-type="number"| %
! data-sort-type="number" | % !data-sort-type="number" {{verth|stp=1|va=middle|{{abbr|EV|Electoral votes}}}}
!data-sort-type="number" {{vertical header|stp=1|va=middle|{{abbr|PEV|Projected electoral votes}}}} !data-sort-type="number" style="padding-left:0.2em"| Votes
! data-sort-type="number" | Votes !data-sort-type="number"| %
! data-sort-type="number" | % !data-sort-type="number" {{verth|stp=1|va=middle|{{abbr|EV|Electoral votes}}}}
!data-sort-type="number" {{vertical header|stp=1|va=middle|{{abbr|PEV|Projected electoral votes}}}} !data-sort-type="number" style="padding-left:0.2em"| Votes
! data-sort-type="number" | Votes !data-sort-type="number"| %
! data-sort-type="number" | % !data-sort-type="number"| %
!data-sort-type="number" {{vertical header|stp=1|va=middle|{{abbr|PEV|Projected electoral votes}}}}
! data-sort-type="number" | Votes
! data-sort-type="number" | %
!data-sort-type="number" {{vertical header|stp=1|va=middle|{{abbr|PEV|Projected electoral votes}}}}
! data-sort-type="number" | Votes
! data-sort-type="number" | %
!data-sort-type="number" {{vertical header|stp=1|va=middle|{{abbr|PEV|Projected electoral votes}}}}
! data-sort-type="number" | Votes
! data-sort-type="number" | %
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||–|| || ||9|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||849,624||36.57%||–||1,441,170||62.03%||9||25,176||1.08%||–||–{{efn|name=write-in|These candidates may have received write-in votes, which were not reported individually and are included in ''others''.}}||–{{efn|name=write-in}}||–||7,312||0.31%||–||−591,546||−25.46%||2.27%||2,323,282
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
|style=text-align:center| ] ||153,778||42.77%||–||189,951||52.83%||3||8,897||2.47%||–||–{{efn|name=AK|Votes for ] and ], who were nominated to the ballot by the ] instead of the national candidates,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mustreadalaska.com/green-party-of-alaska-nominates-jesse-ventura-for-president/|title=Green Party of Alaska nominates Jesse Ventura for president|website=Must Read Alaska|last1=Downing|first1=Suzanne|date=September 1, 2020|access-date=December 1, 2020}}</ref> are included in ''others''. Hawkins/Walker may have received write-in votes, which were not reported individually and are also included in ''others''.}}||–{{efn|name=AK}}||–||6,904||1.92%||–||−36,173||−10.06%||4.67%||359,530
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||–|| || ||3|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || ||
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||11|| || || || || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||1,672,143||49.36%||11||1,661,686||49.06%||–||51,465||1.52%||–||1,557||0.05%||–||475||0.01%||–||10,457||0.31%||3.81%||3,387,326
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||–|| || ||6|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||423,932||34.78%||–||760,647||62.40%||6||13,133||1.08%||–||2,980||0.24%||–||18,377||1.51%||–||−336,715||−27.62%||−0.70%||1,219,069
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||55|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||11,110,639||63.48%||55||6,006,518||34.32%||–||187,910||1.07%||–||81,032||0.46%||–||115,281||0.66%||–||5,104,121||29.16%||−0.95%||17,501,380
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||9|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||1,804,352||55.40%||9||1,364,607||41.90%||–||52,460||1.61%||–||8,986||0.28%||–||26,575||0.82%||–||439,745||13.50%||8.59%||3,256,980
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||7|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||1,080,831||59.26%||7||714,717||39.19%||–||20,230||1.11%||–||7,538||0.41%||–||541||0.03%||–||366,114||20.07%||6.43%||1,823,857
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] ||296,268||58.78%||3||200,603||39.80%||–||5,000||0.99%||–||2,139||0.42%||–||336||0.07%||–||95,665||18.98%||504,346||{{efn|''Others'' are write-in candidates, whose votes are excluded from the denominator used to calculate the percentages of candidates listed on the ballot and of the margin of victory.}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://elections.delaware.gov/results/html/index.shtml?electionId=GE2020|title=Delaware Election Results|first=The State of Delaware-Department of|last=Elections|website=Department of Elections}}</ref> |style=text-align:center| ] ||296,268||58.74%||3||200,603||39.77%||–||5,000||0.99%||–||2,139||0.42%||–||336||0.07%||–||95,665||18.97%||7.60%||504,346
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||3|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||317,323||92.15%||3||18,586||5.40%||–||2,036||0.59%||–||1,726||0.50%||–||4,685||1.36%||–||298,737||86.75%||−0.02%||344,356
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||–|| || ||29|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||5,297,045||47.86%||–||5,668,731||51.22%||29||70,324||0.64%||–||14,721||0.13%||–||16,635||0.15%||–||−371,686||−3.36%||−2.16%||11,067,456
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
|-
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || || || || || || || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||2,473,633||49.47%||16||2,461,854||49.24%||–||62,229||1.24%||–||1,013||0.02%||–||1,231||0.02%||–||11,779||0.24%||5.37%||4,999,960
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||4|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||366,130||63.73%||4||196,864||34.27%||–||5,539||0.96%||–||3,822||0.67%||–||2,114||0.37%||–||169,266||29.46%||−2.72%||574,469
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||–|| || ||4|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||287,021||33.07%||–||554,119||63.84%||4||16,404||1.89%||–||407||0.05%||–||9,983||1.15%||–||−267,098||−30.77%||1.00%||867,934
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||20|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||3,471,915||57.54%||20||2,446,891||40.55%||–||66,544||1.10%||–||30,494||0.51%||–||17,900||0.30%||–||1,025,024||16.99%||−0.08%||6,033,744
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||–|| || ||11|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||1,242,498||40.96%||–||1,729,857||57.03%||11||58,901||1.94%||–||989||0.03%||–||965||0.03%||–||−487,359||−16.07%||3.10%||3,033,210
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||–|| || ||6|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||759,061||44.89%||–||897,672||53.09%||6||19,637||1.16%||–||3,075||0.18%||–||11,426||0.68%||–||−138,611||−8.20%||1.21%||1,690,871
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||–|| || ||6|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||570,323||41.51%||–||771,406||56.14%||6||30,574||2.23%||–||669||0.05%||–||1,014||0.07%||–||−201,083||−14.64%||5.96%||1,373,986
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||–|| || ||8|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||772,474||36.15%||–||1,326,646||62.09%||8||26,234||1.23%||–||716||0.03%||–||10,698||0.50%||–||−554,172||−25.94%||3.90%||2,136,768
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] ||856,034||39.85%||–||1,255,776||58.46%||8||21,645||1.01%||–||-||-||–||14,607||0.68%||–||399,742||17.50%||2,148,062||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/static/2020-11-03/resultsRace/Presidential|title=Louisiana Secretary of State - Election Results|website=voterportal.sos.la.gov}}</ref> |style=text-align:center| ] ||856,034||39.85%||–||1,255,776||58.46%||8||21,645||1.01%||–||–||–||–||14,607||0.68%||–||−399,742||−18.61%||1.03%||2,148,062
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] † || || ||2|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || rowspan="3" | |style=text-align:center class=nowrap| ] † ||435,072||53.09%||2||360,737||44.02%||–||14,152||1.73%||–||8,230||1.00%||–||1,270||0.15%||–||74,335||9.07%||6.11%||819,461
|- style="background:{{Political party color|Democratic shading}}; font-style:italic" |- style="background:{{Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading}};font-style:italic"
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | {{abbrlink|ME-1|Maine's 1st congressional district}} || || ||1|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || |style=text-align:center| {{abbrlink|ME-1|Maine's 1st congressional district}} ||266,376||60.11%||1||164,045||37.02%||–||7,343||1.66%||–||4,654||1.05%||–||694||0.16%||–||102,331||23.09%||8.28%||443,112
|- style="background:{{Political party color|Republican shading}}; font-style:italic" |- style="background:{{Republican Party (US)/meta/shading}};font-style:italic"
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | {{abbrlink|ME-2|Maine's 2nd congressional district}} || || ||–|| || ||1|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || |style=text-align:center| {{abbrlink|ME-2|Maine's 2nd congressional district}} ||168,696||44.82%||–||196,692||52.26%||1||6,809||1.81%||–||3,576||0.95%||–||576||0.15%||–||−27,996||−7.44%||2.85%||376,349
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||10|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||1,985,023||65.36%||10||976,414||32.15%||–||33,488||1.10%||–||15,799||0.52%||–||26,306||0.87% ||–||1,008,609||33.21%||6.79%||3,037,030
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||11|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||2,382,202||65.60%||11||1,167,202||32.14%||–||47,013||1.29%||–||18,658||0.51%||–||16,327||0.45%||–||1,215,000||33.46%||6.26%||3,631,402
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||16|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||2,804,040||50.62%||16||2,649,852||47.84%||–||60,381||1.09%||–||13,718||0.25%||–||11,311||0.20%||–||154,188||2.78%||3.01%||5,539,302
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||10|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||1,717,077||52.40%||10||1,484,065||45.28%||–||34,976||1.07%||–||10,033||0.31%||–||31,020||0.95%||–||233,012||7.11%||5.59%||3,277,171
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||–|| || ||6|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||539,398||41.06%||–||756,764||57.60%||6||8,026||0.61%||–||1,498||0.11%||–||8,073||0.61%||–||−217,366||−16.55%||1.28%||1,313,759
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||–|| || ||10|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ]
||1,253,014||41.41%||–||1,718,736||56.80%||10||41,205||1.36%||–||8,283||0.27%||–||4,724||0.16%||–||−465,722||−15.39%||3.25%||3,025,962
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||–|| || ||3|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||244,786||40.55%||–||343,602||56.92%||3||15,252||2.53%||–||–||–||–||34||0.01%||–||−98,816||−16.37%||4.05%||603,674
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] † || || ||–|| || ||2|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || rowspan="4" | |style=text-align:center| ] † ||374,583||39.17%||–||556,846||58.22%||2||20,283||2.12%||–||–{{efn|name=write-in}}||–{{efn|name=write-in}}||–||4,671||0.49%||–||−182,263||−19.06%||5.99%||956,383
|- style="background:{{Political party color|Republican shading}}; font-style:italic" |- style="background:{{Republican Party (US)/meta/shading}};font-style:italic"
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | {{abbrlink|NE-1|Nebraska's 1st congressional district}} || || ||–|| || ||1|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || |style=text-align:center| {{abbrlink|NE-1|Nebraska's 1st congressional district}} ||132,261||41.09%||–||180,290||56.01%||1||7,495||2.33%||–||–{{efn|name=write-in}}||–{{efn|name=write-in}}||–||1,840||0.57%||–||−48,029||−14.92%||5.80%||321,886
|- style="background:{{Political party color|Democratic shading}}; font-style:italic" |- style="background:{{Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading}};font-style:italic"
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | {{abbrlink|NE-2|Nebraska's 2nd congressional district}} || || ||1|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || |style=text-align:center| {{abbrlink|NE-2|Nebraska's 2nd congressional district}} ||176,468||51.95%||1||154,377||45.45%||–||6,909||2.03%||–||–{{efn|name=write-in}}||–{{efn|name=write-in}}||–||1,912||0.56%||–||22,091||6.50%||8.74%||339,666
|- style="background:{{Political party color|Republican shading}}; font-style:italic" |- style="background:{{Republican Party (US)/meta/shading}};font-style:italic"
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | {{abbrlink|NE-3|Nebraska's 3rd congressional district}} || || ||–|| || ||1|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || |style=text-align:center| {{abbrlink|NE-3|Nebraska's 3rd congressional district}} ||65,854||22.34%||–||222,179||75.36%||1||5,879||1.99%||–||–{{efn|name=write-in}}||–{{efn|name=write-in}}||–||919||0.31%||–||−156,325||−53.02%||1.17%||294,831
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||6|| || || –|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ]{{efn|''Others'' and ''total votes'' include votes for the ballot option "none of these candidates", which are counted as valid votes by the ].}}
||703,486||50.06%||6||669,890||47.67%||–||14,783||1.05%||–||–||–||–||17,217||1.23%||–||33,596||2.39%||−0.03%||1,405,376
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||4|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || ||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sos.nh.gov/elections/elections/election-results/2020/general-election/|title=NH-SOS - General Election|website=sos.nh.gov}}</ref> |style=text-align:center| ] ||424,937||52.71%||4||365,660||45.36%||–||13,236||1.64%||–||217||0.03%||–||2,155||0.27%||–||59,277||7.35%||6.98%||806,205
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||14|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ]{{efn|Additional candidates may have received write-in votes, which were not reported and are not included in ''others'', ''total votes'' or percentages.}} ||2,608,400||57.33%||14||1,883,313||41.40%||–||31,677||0.70%||–||14,202||0.31%||–||11,865||0.26%||–||725,087||15.94%||1.84%||4,549,457
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||5|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||501,614||54.29%||5||401,894||43.50%||–||12,585||1.36%||–||4,426||0.48%||–||3,446||0.37%||–||99,720||10.79%||2.58%||923,965
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||29|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||5,244,886||60.87%||29||3,251,997||37.74%||–||60,383||0.70%||–||32,832||0.38%||–||26,763||0.31%||–||1,992,889||23.13%||0.64%||8,616,861
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || || || || ||15|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||2,684,292||48.59%||–||2,758,775||49.93%||15||48,678||0.88%||–||12,195||0.22%||–||20,864||0.38%||–||−74,483||−1.35%||2.31%||5,524,804
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||–|| || ||3|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||115,042||31.78%||–||235,751||65.12%||3||9,371||2.59%||–||–{{efn|name=write-in}}||–{{efn|name=write-in}}||–||1,860||0.51%||–||−120,709||−33.34%||2.39%||362,024
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||–|| || ||18|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||2,679,165||45.24%||–||3,154,834||53.27%||18||67,569||1.14%||–||18,812||0.32%||–||1,822||0.03%||–||−475,669||−8.03%||0.10%||5,922,202
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] ||503,890||32.29%||–||1,020,280||65.37%||7||24,731||1.58%||–||–||–||–||11,798||0.76%||–||−516,390||−33.09%||1,560,699||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://results.okelections.us/OKER/?elecDate=20201103|title=OK Election Results|website=results.okelections.us}}</ref> |style=text-align:center| ] ||503,890||32.29%||–||1,020,280||65.37%||7||24,731||1.58%||–||–||–||–||11,798||0.76%||–||−516,390||−33.09%||3.99%||1,560,699
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||7|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||1,340,383||56.45%||7||958,448||40.37%||–||41,582||1.75%||–||11,831||0.50%||–||22,077||0.93% ||–||381,935||16.09%||5.10%||2,374,321
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || || 20 || || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||3,458,229||49.85%||20||3,377,674||48.69%||–||79,380||1.14%||–||1,282||0.02%||–||20,411||0.29%||–||80,555||1.16%||1.88%||6,936,976
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||4|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || ||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ri.gov/election/results/2020/general_election/|title=RI.gov: Election Results}}</ref> |style=text-align:center| ] ||307,486||59.39%||4||199,922||38.61%||–||5,053||0.98%||–||–{{efn|name=write-in}}||–{{efn|name=write-in}}||–||5,296||1.02%||–||107,564||20.77%||5.26%||517,757
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] ||1,091,541||43.43%||–||1,385,103||55.11%||9||27,916||1.11%||–||6,907||0.27%||–||1,862||0.07%||–||−293,562||−11.68%||2,513,329||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/106502/Web02-state.264691/#/?undefined|title=2020 Statewide General Election Election Night Reporting|website=enr-scvotes.org}}</ref> |style=text-align:center| ] ||1,091,541||43.43%||–||1,385,103||55.11%||9||27,916||1.11%||–||6,907||0.27%||–||1,862||0.07%||–||−293,562||−11.68%||2.59%||2,513,329
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] ||150,471||35.61%||–||261,043||61.77%||3||11,095||2.63%||–||–||–||–||–||–||–||−110,572||−26.16%||422,609||<ref>, South Dakota Secretary of State, November 10, 2020.</ref> |style=text-align:center| ] ||150,471||35.61%||–||261,043||61.77%||3||11,095||2.63%||–||–||–||–||–||–||–||−110,572||−26.16%||3.63%||422,609
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||–|| || ||11|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||1,143,711||37.45%||–||1,852,475||60.66%||11||29,877||0.98%||–||4,545||0.15%||–||23,243||0.76%||–||−708,764||−23.21%||2.80%||3,053,851
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
|style=text-align:center| ]{{efn|This table reflects the results certified by the state, which recorded some write-in votes differently from those reported by some counties.<ref>, Bexar County, Texas.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Write-in Letter.pdf|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j4zkTFDF6fajklhNo-BLqIvVkQ-tVrVB/view|access-date=November 14, 2022|website=Google Docs}}</ref>}} ||5,259,126||46.48%||–||5,890,347||52.06%||38||126,243||1.12%||–||33,396||0.30%||–||5,944||0.05%||–||−631,221||−5.58%||3.41%||11,315,056
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||–|| || ||38|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || ||
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||–|| || ||6|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||560,282||37.65%||–||865,140||58.13%||6||38,447||2.58%||–||5,053||0.34%||–||19,367||1.30%||–||−304,858||−20.48%||−2.40%||1,488,289
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] ||242,820||65.46%||3||112,704||30.38%||–||3,608||0.97%||–||1,310||0.35%||–||10,526||2.84%||–||130,116||35.07%||370,968||{{efn|''Others'', ''total votes'' and the denominator used to calculate all percentages include blank votes and overvotes.}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://electionresults.vermont.gov/Index.html#/federal|title=:: Vermont Election Night Results ::|website=electionresults.vermont.gov}}</ref> |style=text-align:center| ] ||242,820||66.09%||3||112,704||30.67%||–||3,608||0.98%||–||1,310||0.36%||–||6,986||1.90%||–||130,116||35.41%||9.00%||367,428
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||13|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||2,413,568||54.11%||13||1,962,430||44.00%||–||64,761||1.45%||–||–{{efn|name=write-in}}||–{{efn|name=write-in}}||–||19,765||0.44%||–||451,138||10.11%||4.79%||4,460,524
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||12|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||2,369,612||57.97%||12||1,584,651||38.77%||–||80,500||1.97%||–||18,289||0.45%||–||34,579||0.85%||–||784,961||19.20%||3.49%||4,087,631
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||–|| || ||5|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||235,984||29.69%||–||545,382||68.62%||5||10,687||1.34%||–||2,599||0.33%||–||79||0.01%||–||−309,398||−38.93%||3.14%||794,731
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}} |- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] || || ||10|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || ||–|| || || || |style=text-align:center| ] ||1,630,866||49.45%||10||1,610,184||48.82%||–||38,491||1.17%||–||1,089||0.03%||–||17,411||0.53%||–||20,682||0.63%||1.40%||3,298,041
|- {{Party shading/Republican}} |- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| style="white-space:nowrap;text-align:center;" | ] ||73,491||26.55%||–||193,559||69.94%||3||5,768||2.08%||–||–{{efn|name=write-in|May have received write-in votes, which were not reported individually and are included in ''others''.}}||–{{efn|name=write-in}}||–||3,947||1.43%||–||−120,068||−43.38%||276,765||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sos.wyo.gov/Elections/Docs/2020/Results/General/2020_General_Statewide_Candidates_Summary.pdf|title=Statewide Candidates Official SummaryWyoming General Election - November 3, 2020|website=sos.wyo.gov}}</ref> |style=text-align:center| ] ||73,491||26.55%||–||193,559||69.94%||3||5,768||2.08%||–||–{{efn|name=write-in}}||–{{efn|name=write-in}}||–||3,947||1.43%||–||−120,068||−43.38%||2.92%||276,765
|- |-
!Total ||{{right}} TBD ||{{right}} TBD% ||{{right}} 290||{{right}} TBD ||{{right}} TBD% ||{{right}} 232||{{right}} TBD ||{{right}} TBD% ||{{right}} – ||{{right}} TBD ||{{right}} TBD% ||{{right}} – ||{{right}} TBD ||{{right}} TBD% ||{{right}} – ||{{right}} TBD ||{{right}} TBD% ||{{right}} TBD !Total||style=padding:0|81,283,501||{{right}}51.31%||style=padding:0|306||style=padding:0|74,223,975||{{right}}46.85%||style=padding:0|232||style=padding:0|1,865,535||{{right}}1.18%||{{right}}–||style=padding:0|407,068||{{right}}0.26%||{{right}}–||style=padding:0|649,552||{{right}}0.41%||{{right}}–||style=padding:0|7,059,526||{{right}}4.46%||{{right}}2.36%||style=padding:0|158,429,631
!rowspan=2 {{vertical header|Sources}}
|- |-
! !
! colspan="3" | Biden/Harris<br />Democratic !colspan="3"| Biden/Harris<br/>Democratic
! colspan="3" | Trump/Pence<br />Republican !colspan="3"| Trump/Pence<br/>Republican
! colspan="3" | Jorgensen/Cohen<br />Libertarian !colspan="3"| Jorgensen/Cohen<br/>Libertarian
! colspan="3" | Hawkins/Walker<br />Green !colspan="3"| Hawkins/Walker<br/>Green
! colspan="3" | Others !colspan="3"| Others
! colspan="2" | Margin !colspan="2"| Margin
! Total<br />votes ! Margin<br/>swing
! Total<br/>votes
|} |}
</div> </div>


Note: Two states (Maine and Nebraska) allow for their electoral votes to be split between candidates by congressional districts. The winner within each congressional district gets one electoral vote for the district. The winner of the statewide vote gets two additional electoral votes.<ref>, Maine Revised Statutes, Maine Legislature.</ref><ref>, Nebraska Legislature.</ref> Two states, Maine and Nebraska, allow their electoral votes to be split between candidates by congressional districts. The winner of each congressional district gets one electoral vote for the district. The winner of the statewide vote gets two additional electoral votes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Title 21-A, §&nbsp;802: Representation|url=https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/21-A/title21-Asec802.html|access-date=November 14, 2022|website=legislature.maine.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Nebraska Legislature|url=https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=32-1038|access-date=November 14, 2022|website=nebraskalegislature.gov}}</ref>

=== States and EV districts that flipped from Republican to Democratic ===
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]

=== Close states ===
States where the margin of victory was under 1% (37 electoral votes; all won by Biden):
# <span style="color:darkblue;background:white">'''Georgia, 0.23% (11,779 votes) – 16 electoral votes'''</span>
# <span style="color:darkblue;background:white">'''Arizona, 0.30% (10,457 votes) – 11 electoral votes'''</span>
# <span style="color:darkblue;background:white">'''Wisconsin, 0.63% (20,682 votes) – 10 electoral votes'''</span> (] for Biden victory)<ref name="tippingpointstate">{{Cite news |url=https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/wisconsin-decisive-again-in-2020/ |title=Wisconsin: Decisive Again In 2020 |last=Coleman |first=J. Miles|date=November 19, 2020 |work=Center For Politics |access-date=December 9, 2020 }}</ref>

States where the margin of victory was between 1% and 5% (86 electoral votes; 42 won by Biden, 44 by Trump):
# '''<span style="color:darkblue;background:white">Pennsylvania, 1.16% (80,555 votes) – 20 electoral votes</span>''' (tipping-point state for Trump victory)'''<ref name="Skelley-538">{{Cite web |last1=Skelley |first1=Geoffrey |title=Even Though Biden Won, Republicans Enjoyed The Largest Electoral College Edge In 70 Years. Will That Last? |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/even-though-biden-won-republicans-enjoyed-the-largest-electoral-college-edge-in-70-years-will-that-last/ |website=] |access-date=June 5, 2021 |date=January 19, 2021 |quote=We can see just how large this advantage was if we average the margins in the two "tipping-point" states of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, or the states that delivered (or would have delivered) the decisive 270th electoral vote Biden and Trump needed to win, respectively. (Biden's tipping-point state was Wisconsin, while Trump's would have been Pennsylvania, provided he also won Georgia, Arizona and Wisconsin.)}}</ref>'''
# <span style="color:darkred;background:white">'''North Carolina, 1.34% (74,483 votes) – 15 electoral votes'''</span>
# <span style="color:darkblue;background:white">'''Nevada, 2.39% (33,596 votes) – 6 electoral votes'''</span>
# <span style="color:darkblue;background:white">'''Michigan, 2.78% (154,188 votes) – 16 electoral votes'''</span>
# <span style="color:darkred;background:white">'''Florida, 3.36% (371,686 votes) – 29 electoral votes'''</span>

States/districts where the margin of victory was between 5% and 10% (80 electoral votes; 17 won by Biden, 63 by Trump):
# <span style="color:darkred;background:white">'''Texas, 5.58% (631,221 votes) – 38 electoral votes'''</span>
# <span style="color:darkblue;background:white">'''Nebraska's 2nd congressional district, 6.50% (22,091 votes) – 1 electoral vote'''</span>
# <span style="color:darkblue;background:white">'''Minnesota, 7.12% (233,012 votes) – 10 electoral votes'''</span>
# <span style="color:darkblue;background:white">'''New Hampshire, 7.35% (59,267 votes) – 4 electoral votes'''</span>
# <span style="color:darkred;background:white">'''Maine's 2nd congressional district, 7.44% (27,996 votes) – 1 electoral vote'''</span>
# <span style="color:darkred;background:white">'''Ohio, 8.03% (475,669 votes) – 18 electoral votes'''</span>
# <span style="color:darkred;background:white">'''Iowa, 8.20% (138,611 votes) – 6 electoral votes'''</span>
# <span style="color:darkblue;background:white">'''Maine, 9.07% (74,335 votes) – 2 electoral votes'''</span>

<span style="color:darkblue;background:white">Blue</span> denotes states or congressional districts won by Democrat Joe Biden; <span style="color:darkred;background:white">red</span> denotes those won by Republican Donald Trump.

=== County statistics ===
Counties with highest percentage of Democratic vote:<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Presidential Election Statistics |url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/stats.php?year=2020&f=0&off=0&elect=0 |website=uselectionatlas.org |access-date=January 30, 2021}}</ref>
# '''<span style="color:blue">] – 95.8%</span><ref>{{Cite web |title=Statewide Precinct Detail |url=https://elections.hawaii.gov/wp-content/results/precinct.pdf |website=State of Hawaii Office of Elections |publisher=State of Hawaii |access-date=January 30, 2021 |page=155 |date=January 19, 2020}}</ref>'''
# <span style="color:blue">'''] – 92.15%'''</span>
# <span style="color:blue">'''] – 89.26%'''</span>
# <span style="color:blue">'''] – 88.41%'''</span>
# <span style="color:blue">'''] – 87.75%'''</span>

Counties with highest percentage of Republican vote:
# <span style="color:red">'''] – 96.18%'''</span>
# <span style="color:red">'''] – 95.43%'''</span>
# <span style="color:red">'''] – 94.97%'''</span>
# <span style="color:red">'''] – 93.97%'''</span>
# <span style="color:red">'''] – 93.57%'''</span>


=== Maps === === Maps ===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="400"> <gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:Results by state, shaded according to winning candidate's percentage of the vote 2020.svg|Results by state, shaded according to winning candidate's percentage of the vote
United States presidential election results by county, 2020.svg|Preliminary election results by county
File:2020 Presidential Election by County.svg|Results by county{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="county clarification"|Alaska and Louisiana do not have counties. Alaska's ] and Louisiana's ] are pictured.}}
File:2020 United States presidential election results map by county.svg|Results by county,{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="county clarification"}} shaded according to winning candidate's percentage of the vote
File:2020 Scaled election map with Nebraska and Maine's differing votes.svg|A discontinuous ] of the 2020 United States presidential election
File:Results by county of the 2020 United States presidential election with counties scaled by number of votes cast.png|A continuous county-level ] of the 2020 United States presidential election{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="county clarification"}}
File:U.S. 2016 to 2020 presidential election swing.svg|County swing from 2016 to 2020{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="county clarification"}}
File:2020 presidential election, results by congressional district (popular vote margin).svg|Election results by congressional district
File:2020 Presidential Election by County (Red-Blue-Purple View).svg|Shaded election results by county{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="county clarification"}} (red-purple-blue scale)
File:2020 U.S. presidential election margins.svg|States shaded by margin of victory
File:2020 US presidential margins by county.svg|Counties shaded by margin of victory{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="county clarification"}}
File:Libertarian Party presidential election results, 2020 (United States of America).svg|Results by state, shaded according to percentage of the vote for Jo Jorgensen
</gallery> </gallery>


=== Viewership === == Voter demographics ==
Voter demographic data for 2020 were collected by Edison Research for the ], a consortium of ], ], ], ], ], and the ]. The voter survey is based on ]s completed by 15,590 voters in person as well as by phone.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 3, 2020|title=National Exit Polls: How Different Groups Voted|last1=Andre|first1=Michael|display-authors=et al|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/exit-polls-president.html|access-date=December 5, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
<!-- Note to editors: This is only a table of possibilities; with the broadcast networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox) going late into the night this time (unlike last time when they didn't), there might be an additional table that will need to be added. -->


{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible sortable" style="font-size:90%;line-height:1.2"
|+ 2020 presidential election voter demographics (exit polling)<ref>{{Cite news|title=National Results 2020 President exit polls.|url=https://www.cnn.com/election/2020/exit-polls/president/national-results|access-date=December 4, 2020|work=]}}</ref>
|-
! Demographic subgroup
!{{party shading/Democratic}}| Biden
!{{party shading/Republican}}| Trump
! % of<br/>total vote
|-
| Total vote
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 51
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 47
|style="text-align:right"| 100
|-
!colspan="4"| Ideology
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 89
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 10
|style="text-align:right"| 24
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 64
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 34
|style="text-align:right"| 38
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 14
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 85
|style="text-align:right"| 38
|-
!colspan="4"| Party
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 94
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 6
|style="text-align:right"| 37
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 6
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 94
|style="text-align:right"| 36
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 54
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 41
|style="text-align:right"| 26
|-
!colspan="4"| Gender
|-
| Men
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 45
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 53
|style="text-align:right"| 48
|-
| Women
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 57
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 42
|style="text-align:right"| 52
|-
!colspan="4"| Marital status
|-
| Married
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 45
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 53
|style="text-align:right"| 56
|-
| Unmarried
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 58
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 40
|style="text-align:right"| 44
|-
!colspan="4"| Gender by marital status
|-
| Married men
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 43
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 55
|style="text-align:right"| 30
|-
| Married women
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 48
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 51
|style="text-align:right"| 26
|-
| Unmarried men
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 52
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 45
|style="text-align:right"| 20
|-
| Unmarried women
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 62
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 36
|style="text-align:right"| 23
|-
!colspan="4"| Race/ethnicity
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 41
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 58
|style="text-align:right"| 67
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 87
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 12
|style="text-align:right"| 13
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 65
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 33
|style="text-align:right"| 13
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 63
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 36
|style="text-align:right"| 4
|-
| Other
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 55
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 41
|style="text-align:right"| 4
|-
!colspan="4"| Gender by race/ethnicity
|-
| White men
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 38
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 61
|style="text-align:right"| 35
|-
| White women
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 44
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 55
|style="text-align:right"| 32
|-
| Black men
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 79
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 19
|style="text-align:right"| 4
|-
| Black women
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 90
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 9
|style="text-align:right"| 8
|-
| Latino men
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 59
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 36
|style="text-align:right"| 5
|-
| Latina women
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 69
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 30
|style="text-align:right"| 8
|-
| Other
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 58
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 38
|style="text-align:right"| 8
|-
!colspan="4"| Religion
|-
| ]/Other ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 39
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 60
|style="text-align:right"| 43
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 52
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 47
|style="text-align:right"| 25
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 76
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 22
|style="text-align:right"| 2
|-
| Other religion
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 68
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 29
|style="text-align:right"| 8
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 65
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 31
|style="text-align:right"| 22
|-
!colspan="4"| White evangelical or born-again Christian
|-
| Yes
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 24
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 76
|style="text-align:right"| 28
|-
| No
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 62
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 36
|style="text-align:right"| 72
|-
!colspan="4"| Age
|-
| 18–24 years old
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 65
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 31
|style="text-align:right"| 9
|-
| 25–29 years old
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 54
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 43
|style="text-align:right"| 7
|-
| 30–39 years old
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 51
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 46
|style="text-align:right"| 16
|-
| 40–49 years old
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 54
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 44
|style="text-align:right"| 16
|-
| 50–64 years old
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 47
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 52
|style="text-align:right"| 30
|-
| 65 and older
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 47
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 52
|style="text-align:right"| 22
|-
!colspan="4"| Age by race
|-
| White 18–29 years old
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 44
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 53
|style="text-align:right"| 8
|-
| White 30–44 years old
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 41
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 57
|style="text-align:right"| 14
|-
| White 45–59 years old
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 38
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 61
|style="text-align:right"| 19
|-
| White 60 and older
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 42
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 57
|style="text-align:right"| 26
|-
| Black 18–29 years old
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 88
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 10
|style="text-align:right"| 3
|-
| Black 30–44 years old
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 78
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 19
|style="text-align:right"| 4
|-
| Black 45–59 years old
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 89
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 10
|style="text-align:right"| 3
|-
| Black 60 and older
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 92
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 7
|style="text-align:right"| 3
|-
| Latino 18–29 years old
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 69
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 28
|style="text-align:right"| 4
|-
| Latino 30–44 years old
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 62
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 35
|style="text-align:right"| 4
|-
| Latino 45–59 years old
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 68
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 30
|style="text-align:right"| 3
|-
| Latino 60 and older
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 58
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 40
|style="text-align:right"| 2
|-
| Others
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 59
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 38
|style="text-align:right"| 8
|-
!colspan="4"| Sexual orientation
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 75
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 23
|style="text-align:right"| 7
|-
| Non-LGBT
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 51
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 48
|style="text-align:right"| 93
|-
!colspan="4"| First time voter
|-
| Yes
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 64
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 32
|style="text-align:right"| 14
|-
| No
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 49
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 49
|style="text-align:right"| 86
|-
!colspan="4"| Education
|-
| ] or less
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 46
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 54
|style="text-align:right"| 19
|-
| Some ] education
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 51
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 47
|style="text-align:right"| 23
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 47
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 50
|style="text-align:right"| 16
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 51
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 47
|style="text-align:right"| 27
|-
| ] degree
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 62
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 37
|style="text-align:right"| 15
|-
!colspan="4"| Education by race
|-
| White college graduates
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 51
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 48
|style="text-align:right"| 32
|-
| White no college degree
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 32
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 67
|style="text-align:right"| 35
|-
| Non-white college graduates
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 70
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 27
|style="text-align:right"| 10
|-
| Non-white no college degree
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 72
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 26
|style="text-align:right"| 24
|-
!colspan="4"| Education by race/gender
|-
| White women with college degrees
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 54
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 45
|style="text-align:right"| 14
|-
| White women without college degrees
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 36
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 63
|style="text-align:right"| 17
|-
| White men with college degrees
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 48
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 51
|style="text-align:right"| 17
|-
| White men without college degrees
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 28
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 70
|style="text-align:right"| 18
|-
| Non-White
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 71
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 26
|style="text-align:right"| 33
|-
!colspan="4"| Income
|-
| Under $30,000
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 54
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 46
|style="text-align:right"| 15
|-
| $30,000–49,999
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 56
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 44
|style="text-align:right"| 20
|-
| $50,000–99,999
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 56
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 42
|style="text-align:right"|39
|-
| $100,000–199,999
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 41
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 57
|style="text-align:right"| 20
|-
| Over $200,000
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 48
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 48
|style="text-align:right"| 7
|-
!colspan="4"| Union households
|-
| Yes
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 56
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 41
|style="text-align:right"| 20
|-
| No
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 50
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 49
|style="text-align:right"| 80
|-
!colspan="4"| Military service
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 44
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 54
|style="text-align:right"| 15
|-
| Non-veterans
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 53
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 45
|style="text-align:right"| 85
|-
!colspan="4"| Region
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 58
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 40
|style="text-align:right"| 20
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 47
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 51
|style="text-align:right"| 23
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 46
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 53
|style="text-align:right"| 35
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 57
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 41
|style="text-align:right"| 22
|-
!colspan="4"| Area type
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 60
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 38
|style="text-align:right"| 29
|-
| ]an
|style="text-align:right;background:#b0ceff"| 50
|style="text-align:right;background:#fff3f3"| 48
|style="text-align:right"| 51
|-
| ]
|style="text-align:right;background:#f0f0ff"| 42
|style="text-align:right;background:#ffb6b6"| 57
|style="text-align:right"| 19
|-
|}

The ] released a report entitled "Exit polls show both familiar and new voting blocs sealed Biden's win" on November 12, 2020. In it, author ] attributes Obama's 2008 win to young people, people of color, and the college-educated. Frey contends Trump won in 2016 thanks to older White without college degrees.<ref name="frey">{{Cite web |last1=Frey |first1=William H. |title=Exit polls show both familiar and new voting blocs sealed Biden's win |url=https://www.brookings.edu/research/2020-exit-polls-show-a-scrambling-of-democrats-and-republicans-traditional-bases/ |website=The Brookings Institution|access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=November 5, 2020}}</ref> Frey says the same coalitions largely held in 2008 and 2016, although in key battleground states Biden increased his vote among some of the 2016 Trump groups, particularly among White and older Americans.<ref name="frey"/> Trump won the white vote in 2016 by 20% but in 2020 by only 16%. The Democratic Party won black voters by 75%, the lowest margin since ]. Democrats won the Latino vote by 32%, which is the smallest margin since 2004, and they won the Asian American vote by 27%, the lowest figure since 2008.<ref name="frey"/> Biden reduced the Republican margin of white men without college educations from 48% to 42%, and the Democrats made a slight improvement of 2% among white, college-educated women. People age 18 to 29 registered a rise in Democratic support between 2016 and 2020, with the Democratic margin of victory among that demographic increasing from 19% to 24%.<ref name="frey"/>

Post-election analysis using verified voter data found the ]'s Votecast was more accurate than the exit polls.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What Happened in 2020 National Analysis|url=https://catalist.us/wh-national/|access-date=May 17, 2021|website=Catalist}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Cohn|first=Nate|author-link=Nate Cohn|date=May 14, 2021|title=Tweet by Nate Cohn|url=https://twitter.com/Nate_Cohn/status/1393259395363049479}}</ref>

=== Voting patterns by ethnicity ===
==== Hispanic and Latino voters ====
Biden won 65% of the Latino vote according to ], and 63% according to the Associated Press. ] reported that the Latino vote was crucial to the Biden victory in ]. 40% of Latino voters who voted in 2020 did not vote in 2016, and 73% of those Latino voters voted for Biden (438,000 voters).<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gorden |first1=Max |title=Latino key to turning Arizona blue in 2020 presidential election, group says |url=https://www.azfamily.com/news/politics/arizona_politics/Latino-key-to-turning-arizona-blue-in-2020-presidential-election-group-says/article_c4606504-22ee-11eb-8983-0b7a452ea5cb.html |website=AZFamily |access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=November 9, 2020}}</ref> ] and ], which have large Latino populations, were carried by Trump. In Florida, Trump won a majority of ] voters in ].<ref name="latino">{{Cite news |last1=Aguilera |first1=Jasmine |title=The Complexities of the 2020 "Latino Vote" Were Overlooked, Again |url=https://time.com/5907525/latino-vote-2020-election/ |magazine=Time |access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=November 10, 2020}}</ref> The Latino vote was still crucial to enable Biden to carry states such as Nevada.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Polls show how Latino voters helped drive Biden win in Nevada, though Trump gained ground since 2016|url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/polls-show-how-latino-voters-helped-drive-biden-win-in-nevada-though-trump-gained-ground-since-2016|access-date=November 26, 2020|website=The Nevada Independent|last1=Strott|first1=Savannah|last2=Mueller|first2=Tabitha|date=November 16, 2020}}</ref> Latino voters were targeted by a major Spanish-language ] campaign in the final weeks of the election, with various falsehoods and conspiracy theories being pushed out by ] and ].<ref>{{Cite news|title=False News Targeting Latinos Trails the Election|first1=Patricia|last1=Mazzei|first2=Nicole|last2=Perlroth|date=November 4, 2020|newspaper=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/us/spanish-language-misinformation-latinos.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105001436/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/us/spanish-language-misinformation-latinos.html |archive-date=November 5, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/22/latinos-targets-election-disinformation|newspaper=]|date=October 22, 2020|title=Latinos the targets of election disinformation – but activists are fighting back|first1=Amy|last1=Yee}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Misinformation targeted Latino voters in the 2020 election|date=November 21, 2020|publisher=]|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/latino-voters-misinformation-targets-election-2020/story?id=74189342|first1=Catherine|last1=Sanz}}</ref>

Demographic patterns emerged having to do with ] and candidate preference. Pre- and post-election surveys showed Biden winning Latinos of ], ], ],<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 2, 2020|title=American Election Eve Poll 2020|url=https://electioneve2020.com/poll/#/en/demographics/latino/|website=The American Election Eve Poll|access-date=November 26, 2020|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115160731/https://electioneve2020.com/poll/#/en/demographics/latino/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and ] heritage,<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 3, 2020|title=New Mexico Voter Surveys: How Different Groups Voted|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/ap-polls-new-mexico.html|access-date=November 26, 2020|last1=Andre|first1=Michael|display-authors=et al|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> while Trump carried Latinos of Cuban heritage. Data from Florida showed Biden holding a narrow edge among ]ns.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 3, 2020|title=Florida Voter Surveys: How Different Groups Voted|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/ap-polls-florida.html|last1=Andre|first1=Michael|display-authors=et al|access-date=November 26, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==== Black voters ====
Biden won 87% of the Black vote, while Trump won 12%.<ref name="exit"/> Biden's advantage among Black voters was crucial in the large cities of ] and ]; the increase in the Democratic vote in ] of about 28,000 votes was more than the 20,000-vote lead Biden had in the state of ]. Almost half Biden's gains ] came from the four largest counties—Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Cobb—all in the Atlanta metro area with large Black populations.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Stafford |first1=Kat |last2=Morrison |first2=Aaron |last3=Kastanis |first3=Angeleki |title='This is proof': Biden's win reveals power of Black voters |url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-race-and-ethnicity-virus-outbreak-georgia-7a843bbce00713cfde6c3fdbc2e31eb7 |work=] |access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=November 9, 2020 |quote= African American community stood up again for me.}}</ref> Trump improved his overall share of the Black vote from 2016 by 4% and doubled the Black vote that ] received in 2012.<ref>{{Cite news|title=President Exit Polls|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2012/results/president/exit-polls.html|access-date=January 24, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Huang|first1=Jon|last2=Jacoby|first2=Samuel|last3=Strickland|first3=Michael|last4=Lai|first4=K. K. Rebecca|date=November 8, 2016|title=Election 2016: Exit Polls (Published 2016)|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/11/08/us/politics/election-exit-polls.html|access-date=January 24, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="exit">{{Cite news|date=January 5, 2021|title=National Exit Polls: How Different Groups Voted|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/exit-polls-president.html|access-date=January 24, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==== Asian American and Pacific Island voters ====
Polls showed that 68% of Asian American and Pacific Island (AAPI) voters supported Biden/Harris, while 28% supported Trump/Pence. ], a political science professor at the University of California Riverside and founder of AAPI Data, said Asian Americans supported Biden over Trump by about a 2:1 margin. ], ], ], and ] favored Biden by higher margins overall compared to ] and ].<ref name=":13">{{Cite web|last=Mehta|first=Dhrumil|date=September 18, 2020|title=How Asian Americans Are Thinking About The 2020 Election|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-asian-americans-are-thinking-about-the-2020-election/|access-date=January 27, 2021|website=]}}</ref> Many voters were turned off by Trump's language some of which was widely considered racist such as ("China virus" and "kung flu") but, according to ] reporter Terry Nguyen, many Vietnamese voters (and especially elderly, South Vietnamese migrants who populated coastal centers in the 1970s) appreciated his strong anti-China stance.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nguyen|first=Terry|date=October 30, 2020|title=48% of Vietnamese Americans say they're voting for Trump. Here's why.|url=https://www.vox.com/first-person/2020/10/30/21540263/vietnamese-american-support-trump-2020|access-date=January 29, 2021|website=]}}</ref>

==== Indian American voters ====
Data from ] indicated 65% of Indian American voters backed Joe Biden, and 28% supported Donald Trump.<ref name=":13"/> Some Indian Americans self-identified with Kamala Harris, but others approved of Donald Trump's support of Indian Prime Minister ].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Zhou |first1=Li |title=What we know about who Asian American voters supported in the election |url=https://www.vox.com/21561408/asian-american-voters-presidential-election |website=] |access-date=November 22, 2020 |date=November 14, 2020 |quote=With strong turnout this year and more voters joining the electorate, it's evident that AAPI voters are a key base that can't be neglected. The upcoming races in Georgia, too, are yet another opportunity for such outreach.}}</ref> In a speech given to 50,000 Indian-Americans during his ], Modi praised Trump with remarks that were interpreted as an indirect endorsement of his candidacy.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Desai|first1=Suyash|title=Donald Trump endorsement: India's calculated move|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/donald-trump-endorsement-indias-calculated-move-764118.html|access-date=February 11, 2021|website=]|date=September 26, 2019|publisher=DH}}</ref> Indian right-wing organizations like the ] had performed special ]s and ] for Trump's electoral victory.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US election result 2020: Hindu Sena performs "havan", "puja" for Donald Trump's victory|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/us-election-result-2020-hindu-sena-performs-havan-puja-for-donald-trump-victory/story/420915.html|access-date=January 9, 2021|website=]|date=November 4, 2020 |publisher=BT}}</ref>

==== American Indian and Alaska Native voters ====
Pre-election voter surveys by ] found 68% of ] and ] voters supporting Democratic nominee Joe Biden.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SURVEY: Indian Country overwhelmingly supports Joe Biden|url=https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/survey-indian-country-overwhelmingly-supports-joe-biden-for-president|access-date=November 26, 2020|website=Native News Online|date=October 21, 2020}}</ref> In particular, the ], which spans a large quadrant of eastern Arizona and western New Mexico, delivered up to 97% of their votes per precinct to Biden,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Caldera|first=Camille|date=November 12, 2020|title=Fact check: There was strong Navajo support for Biden, but numbers cited in claim have changed|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/11/11/fact-check-navajo-voters-backed-biden-but-not-broadly-claimed/6223660002/|access-date=November 26, 2020|website=]}}</ref> while overall support for Biden was between 60 and 90% on the Reservation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Native American voters critical to Biden's success in Arizona|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/native-american-voters-critical-to-bidens-success-in-arizona/|access-date=November 26, 2020|website=]|last1=Segers|first1=Grace|date=November 20, 2020 }}</ref> Biden also posted large turnout among ], ], and ] peoples,<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 19, 2020|title=Native American votes helped secure Biden's win in Arizona|last1=Fonseca|first1=Felicia|last2=Kastanis|first2=Angeliki|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-flagstaff-arizona-voting-rights-fa452fbd546fa00535679d78ac40b890|access-date=November 26, 2020|work=]}}</ref> delivering a large win in New Mexico and flipping Arizona.

In Montana, while the state went for Trump overall, Biden won counties overlapping reservations of the ], ], ] and ].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|first=Anna V.|last=Smith|date=November 6, 2020|title=How Indigenous voters swung the 2020 election|url=https://www.hcn.org/articles/indigenous-affairs-how-indigenous-voters-swung-the-2020-election|access-date=November 26, 2020|website=High Country News}}</ref> The same pattern held in South Dakota, with most of the counties overlapping the lands of the ], ], ] Sioux, ] and ] tribes going for Biden. For example, in ], which overlaps with the ], Biden won 88% of the vote.<ref name=":0"/>

Trump's strongest performance among Native tribes was with the ] Tribe of North Carolina, where he won a strong majority in ] and flipped ] from Democratic to Republican.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Fordham|first=Evie|date=November 6, 2020|title=Trump investment in North Carolina's Native American Lumbee Tribe pays off|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-north-carolina-lumbee-robeson-native-american|access-date=November 26, 2020|website=]}}</ref> Trump had campaigned in ], in Robeson County, and had promised the ]s ].<ref name=":1"/>

=== Polling accuracy ===
Although polls generally predicted the Biden victory, the national polls overestimated him by three to four points, and some state polling was even further from the actual result and greater than 2016's error (one or two points).<ref name=":10"/> The numbers represented the highest level of error since the ].<ref name=CNN.Happened>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/13/politics/2020-polling-error-research/index.html|title=Here's what pollsters think happened with 2020 election surveys|work=]|last=Edwards-Levy|first=Ariel|date=May 13, 2021|access-date=May 13, 2021}}</ref> This polling overestimation also applied in several Senate races, where the Democrats underperformed by about five points relative to the polls,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Matthews|first=Dylan|date=November 10, 2020|title=One pollster's explanation for why the polls got it wrong|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/11/10/21551766/election-polls-results-wrong-david-shor|access-date=November 12, 2020|website=]}}</ref> as well as the House elections, where Republicans gained seats instead of losing as polls predicted. Most pollsters underestimated support for Trump in several key battleground states, including Florida, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas, and Wisconsin. The discrepancy between poll predictions and the actual result persisted from the 2016 election despite pollsters' attempts to fix problems with polling in 2016, in which they underestimated the Republican vote in several states. The imprecise polls led to changes in campaigning and fundraising decisions for both Democrats and Republicans.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news|last=Leonhardt|first=David|date=November 12, 2020|title='A Black Eye': Why Political Polling Missed the Mark. Again.|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/12/us/politics/election-polls-trump-biden.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112201033/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/12/us/politics/election-polls-trump-biden.html |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=November 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

According to '']'', polling misses have been attributed to, among other issues, reduced average response to polling; the relative difficulty to poll certain types of voters; and pandemic-related problems, such as a theory which suggests Democrats were less willing to vote in person on Election Day than Republicans for fear of contracting COVID-19.<ref name=":10"/> According to ], research presented to the ] indicated one of the primary problems was an inability by pollsters to include a certain segment of Trump supporters, either due to inaccessibility or lack of participation.<ref name=CNN.Happened/> '']'' data journalist Ben Walker pointed to Hispanics as a historically difficult group to poll accurately, leading to pollsters underestimating the level of Trump support within the demographic group.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Walker|first=Ben|date=November 5, 2020|title=How accurate were the US presidential election polls?|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/world/2020/11/how-accurate-were-us-presidential-election-polls|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=New Statesman}}</ref> Election analyst ] of '']'' argued that the polling error in 2020 was normal by historical standards.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Silver |first=Nate |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-polls-werent-great-but-thats-pretty-normal/ |title=The Polls Weren't Great. But That's Pretty Normal. |work=]|date=November 11, 2020 |access-date=December 15, 2020}}</ref>

] reported that a significant source of polling error was the discounting of partial responses by "mistrustful Trump supporters" who "yelled" at their callers; when someone would "say 'I'm voting for Trump—fuck you,' and then hang up before completing the rest of the survey," it would not be counted as a response. Such "partials" made up "nearly half of Siena's error rate."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edelman |first=Gilad |date=August 22, 2024 |title=The Asterisk on Kamala Harris's Poll Numbers |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/08/election-polls-2020-mistakes/679545/ |access-date=September 29, 2024 |website=] }}</ref>

== Aftermath ==
{{See also|Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election}}

=== Election night ===
] in ]]]
Election night, November 3, ended without a clear winner, as many state results were too close to call and millions of votes remained uncounted, including in the battleground states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada.<ref>{{Cite news|last=O'Donnell|first=Noreen|date=November 4, 2020|title=As Ballots Are Counted, No Clear Winner on Election Night|work=NBC Bay Area|url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/politics/decision-2020/as-ballots-are-counted-no-clear-winner-on-election-night/2391210/|url-status=live|access-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104233811/https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/politics/decision-2020/as-ballots-are-counted-no-clear-winner-on-election-night/2391210/|archive-date=November 4, 2020}}</ref> Results were delayed in these states due to local rules on counting mail-in ballots.<ref name="BrenannCenter">{{cite web |last1=Norden |first1=Lawrence |last2=Tisler |first2=Derek |title=Why Does It Take So Long to Count Mail Ballots in Key States? Blame Legislatures |url=https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/why-does-it-take-so-long-count-mail-ballots-key-states-blame-legislatures |website=] |access-date=April 26, 2023 }}</ref> Mail-in ballots became particularly prevalent in the 2020 election due to the widespread outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over roughly 67&nbsp;million mail-in ballots were submitted, over doubling the previous election's 33.5&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeSilver |first=Drew |title=Most mail and provisional ballots got counted in past U.S. elections – but many did not |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/11/10/most-mail-and-provisional-ballots-got-counted-in-past-u-s-elections-but-many-did-not/ |access-date=March 5, 2024 |website=Pew Research Center |date=November 10, 2020 }}</ref> In a victory declared after midnight, Trump won the swing state of Florida by over three percentage points, an increase from his 1.2 percentage point margin in 2016, having seen significant gains in support among the Latino community in ].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Leary|first=Alex|date=November 4, 2020|title=Trump's Florida Election Win Hinged on Big Gains in Miami-Dade|work=]|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trumps-florida-election-win-hinged-on-big-gains-in-miami-dade-11604518272|url-status=live|access-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104234037/https://www.wsj.com/articles/trumps-florida-election-win-hinged-on-big-gains-in-miami-dade-11604518272|archive-date=November 4, 2020|issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

Shortly after 12:30{{spaces}}a.m.{{spaces}}EST, Biden made a short speech in which he urged his supporters to be patient while the votes are counted, and said he believed he was "on track to win this election".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Sean|date=November 4, 2020|title=Biden says he is confident of victory but asks supporters to have patience as votes are counted|newspaper=]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-campaign-election-day/2020/11/03/91da2a22-1e00-11eb-b532-05c751cd5dc2_story.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104111837/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-campaign-election-day/2020/11/03/91da2a22-1e00-11eb-b532-05c751cd5dc2_story.html|archive-date=November 4, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Goldmacher|first1=Shane|last2=Nagourney|first2=Adam|date=November 4, 2020|title=Biden and Trump Are Locked in Tight Race as Uncounted Votes Remain|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/03/us/trump-biden-election|url-status=live|access-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104001144/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/03/us/trump-biden-election|archive-date=November 4, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Shortly before 2:30{{spaces}}a.m.{{spaces}}EST, Trump made a speech to a roomful of supporters, falsely asserting that he had won the election and calling for a stop to all vote counting, saying that continued counting was "a fraud on the American people" and "we will be going to the U.S. Supreme Court."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wilkie|first=Christina|date=November 4, 2020|title=Trump tries to claim victory even as ballots are being counted in several states – NBC has not made a call|work=]|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/04/trump-tries-to-claim-victory-even-as-ballots-are-being-counted-in-several-states-nbc-has-not-made-a-call.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104073218/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/04/trump-tries-to-claim-victory-even-as-ballots-are-being-counted-in-several-states-nbc-has-not-made-a-call.html|archive-date=November 4, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Burns|first1=Alexander|last2=Martin|first2=Jonathan|date=November 4, 2020|title=As America Awaits a Winner, Trump Falsely Claims He Prevailed|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/us/politics/election-trump-biden-recap.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104063229/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/us/politics/election-trump-biden-recap.html|archive-date=November 4, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The Biden campaign denounced these attempts, claiming the Trump campaign was engaging in a "naked effort to take away the democratic rights of American citizens".<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 4, 2020|title=Joe Biden's Campaign Denounces Trump's Bid to Shut Down Counting|url=https://www.albawaba.com/news/usele-joe-bidens-campaign-denounces-trumps-bid-shut-down-counting-1390785|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104100735/https://www.albawaba.com/news/usele-joe-bidens-campaign-denounces-trumps-bid-shut-down-counting-1390785|archive-date=November 4, 2020|access-date=November 4, 2020|work=]}}</ref>

=== Late counting ===
In Pennsylvania, where the counting of mail-in ballots began on election night, Trump declared victory on November{{spaces}}4 with a lead of 675,000 votes, despite more than a million ballots remaining uncounted. Trump also declared victory in North Carolina and Georgia, despite many ballots being uncounted.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Slodyosko|first1=Brian|date=November 5, 2020|title=Explainer: States still in play and what makes them that way|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-courts-b3bb806485b150d32faec4dfa12c7b08|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105061830/https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-courts-b3bb806485b150d32faec4dfa12c7b08|archive-date=November 5, 2020|access-date=November 5, 2020|work=]}}</ref> At 11:20{{spaces}}p.m.{{spaces}}EST on election night, Fox News projected Biden would win Arizona, with the Associated Press making the same call at 2:50{{spaces}}a.m.{{spaces}}EST on November 4;<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Slodyosko|first1=Brian|date=November 4, 2020|title=Explainer: Why AP called Arizona for Biden|url=https://apnews.com/article/ap-explains-arizona-joe-biden-bb16f91b04456b2513f40436248eb62d|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105002411/https://apnews.com/article/ap-explains-arizona-joe-biden-bb16f91b04456b2513f40436248eb62d|archive-date=November 5, 2020|access-date=November 5, 2020|work=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Karni|first1=Annie|last2=Haberman|first2=Maggie|date=November 4, 2020|title=Fox's Arizona Call for Biden Flipped the Mood at Trump Headquarters|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/us/politics/trump-fox-news-arizona.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104235726/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/us/politics/trump-fox-news-arizona.html|archive-date=November 4, 2020}}</ref> several other media outlets concluded the state was too close to call.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Romero|first=Simon|date=November 4, 2020|title=With Arizona too close to call, Trump supporters gather at a vote-counting site in Phoenix.|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/us/politics/trump-supporters-protest-arizona.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105070022/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/us/politics/trump-supporters-protest-arizona.html|archive-date=November 5, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Izadi|first=Elahe|date=November 4, 2020|title=Who won Arizona? Why the call differs by media organization.|newspaper=]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2020/11/04/fox-ap-arizona-biden/|url-status=live|access-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105014055/https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2020/11/04/fox-ap-arizona-biden/|archive-date=November 5, 2020|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> By the evening of November 4, the Associated Press reported that Biden had secured 264 electoral votes by winning Michigan and Wisconsin, with Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, and Nevada remaining uncalled.<ref name="apwins">{{Cite web|last1=Lemire|first1=Jonathan|last2=Miller|first2=Zeke|last3=Colvin|first3=Jill|last4=Jaffe|first4=Alexandra|date=November 4, 2020|title=Biden wins Michigan, Wisconsin, now on brink of White House|url=https://apnews.com/article/84ba06c8d2dd3c16434f0b9a852a5d17|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104174646/https://apnews.com/article/84ba06c8d2dd3c16434f0b9a852a5d17|archive-date=November 4, 2020|access-date=November 5, 2020|work=]}}</ref> Biden had a 1% lead in Nevada<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Andre|first1=Michael|display-authors=et al|date=November 5, 2020|title=Nevada Presidential Election Results|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-nevada-president.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104235321/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-nevada-president.html|archive-date=November 4, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and maintained a 2.3% lead in Arizona by November 5,<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Andre|first1=Michael|display-authors=et al|date=November 5, 2020|title=Arizona Presidential Election Results|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-arizona-president.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105023711/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-arizona-president.html|archive-date=November 5, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> needing only to win Nevada and Arizona or to win Pennsylvania to obtain the necessary 270 electoral votes.<ref name=apwins/>

Some Trump supporters expressed concerns of possible fraud after seeing the president leading in some states on Election Night, only to see Biden take the lead in subsequent days. Election experts<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 13, 2022 |title=WATCH: Fox News editor says early indications of Trump victory a 'red mirage' |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-fox-news-editor-says-early-indications-of-trump-victory-a-red-mirage |access-date=May 9, 2023 |website=PBS NewsHour }}</ref> attributed this to several factors, including a "]" of early results being counted in relatively thinly populated rural areas that favored Trump, which are quicker to count, followed later by results from more heavily populated urban areas that favored Biden, which take longer to count. In some states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, Republican-controlled legislatures prohibited mail-in ballots from being counted before Election Day, and once those ballots were counted they generally favored Biden, at least in part because Trump had for months raised concerns about mail-in ballots, encouraging his supporters instead to vote in person. By contrast, in states such as Florida, which allowed counting of mail-in ballots for weeks prior to Election Day, an early ] giving the appearance of a Biden lead was later overcome by in-person voting that favored Trump, resulting in the state being called for the president on Election Night.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Wasserman|first1=David|date=November 3, 2020|title=Beware the "blue mirage" and the "red mirage" on election night|work=]|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/beware-blue-mirage-red-mirage-election-night-n1245925}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Blake|first1=Aaron|date=November 5, 2020|title=Trump blames Democrats for late-counted mail ballots. He should blame the GOP.|newspaper=]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/11/05/trump-blames-democrats-late-counted-mail-ballots-he-should-blame-gop/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Herndon|first1=Astead|date=November 15, 2020|title=Biden asked Republicans to give him a chance. They're not interested|work=]|url=https://gulfnews.com/amp/world/americas/biden-asked-republicans-to-give-him-a-chance-theyre-not-interested-1.75290863|via=Gulf News}}</ref>

On November 5, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by the Trump campaign to stop vote-counting in Pennsylvania. The Trump campaign had alleged that its observers were not given access to observe the vote, but its lawyers admitted during the hearing that its observers were already present in the vote-counting room.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Shubber|first1=Kadhim|date=November 6, 2020|title=Trump Pennsylvania litigation getting tepid response from federal judge|work=]|url=https://www.ft.com/content/7ab94949-f654-3574-b710-14e415284551|url-status=live|access-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201106010742/https://www.ft.com/content/7ab94949-f654-3574-b710-14e415284551|archive-date=November 6, 2020}}</ref> Also that day, a state judge dismissed another lawsuit by the Trump campaign which alleged that in Georgia, late-arriving ballots were counted. The judge ruled no evidence had been produced that the ballots were late.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Schrade|first1=Brad|date=November 6, 2020|title=Georgia judge dismisses Trump campaign case in Chatham ballot dispute|work=]|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-judge-dismisses-trump-campaign-case-in-chatham-ballot-dispute/YKBA6IYQKBB4JCSQEIJBQQT6QI/|url-status=live|access-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106061804/https://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-judge-dismisses-trump-campaign-case-in-chatham-ballot-dispute/YKBA6IYQKBB4JCSQEIJBQQT6QI/|archive-date=November 6, 2020}}</ref> Meanwhile, a state judge in Michigan dismissed the Trump campaign's lawsuit requesting a pause in vote-counting to allow access to observers, as the judge noted that vote-counting had already finished in Michigan.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Egan|first1=Paul|date=November 5, 2020|title=Judge throws out Trump lawsuit over counting of Michigan ballots|work=]|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/05/poll-watcher-challenger-ballot-counting-detroit-tcf-center/6172210002/|url-status=live|access-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108023843/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/05/poll-watcher-challenger-ballot-counting-detroit-tcf-center/6172210002/|archive-date=November 8, 2020}}</ref> That judge also noted the official complaint did not state "why", "when, where, or by whom" an election observer was allegedly blocked from observing ballot-counting in Michigan.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Herb|first1=Jeremy|last2=Polantz|first2=Katelyn|date=November 7, 2020|title='Democracy plain and simple': How the 2020 election defied fraud claims and pandemic fears|work=]|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/06/politics/us-election-process-success/index.html|access-date=November 9, 2020}}</ref>

On November 6, Biden assumed leads in Pennsylvania and Georgia as the states continued to count ballots, and absentee votes in those states heavily favored Biden.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Martin|first1=Jonathan|last2=Glueck|first2=Katie|date=November 5, 2020|title=Biden Pulls Ahead in Key States as Anxious Nation Awaits Winner|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/05/us/politics/biden-georgia-pennsylvania.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201107104659/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/05/us/politics/biden-georgia-pennsylvania.html|archive-date=November 7, 2020}}</ref> Due to the slim margin between Biden and Trump in the state, ] ] announced on November{{spaces}}6 that a recount would be held in Georgia. At that point, Georgia had not seen "any widespread irregularities" in this election, according to the voting system manager of the state, ].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Montellaro|first1=Zach|date=November 6, 2020|title=Georgia heading to recount, top election official says|work=]|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/06/georgia-election-official-recount-434703|url-status=live|access-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107001237/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/06/georgia-election-official-recount-434703|archive-date=November 7, 2020}}</ref>

Also, on November 6, U.S. Supreme Court Justice ] issued an order requiring officials in Pennsylvania to segregate late-arriving ballots, amid a dispute as to whether the state's Supreme Court validly ordered a 3-day extension of the deadline for mail-in ballots to arrive.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gerstein|first=Josh|date=November 6, 2020|title=Pennsylvania Republicans win Supreme Court order to enforce separation of late-arriving ballots|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/06/pennsylvania-republicans-supreme-court-mail-ballots-434744|access-date=November 10, 2020|website=]}}</ref> Several Republican attorneys general filed amicus briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court in subsequent days agreeing with the Pennsylvania Republican Party's view that only the state legislature could change the voting deadline.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Montellaro|first=Zach|date=November 9, 2020|title=GOP-led states back Trump's legal drive to challenge election|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/09/gop-states-back-trump-election-challenge-435437|access-date=November 10, 2020|website=]}}</ref>

By November 7, several prominent Republicans had ], saying they were unsubstantiated, baseless or without evidence, damaging to the election process, undermining democracy and dangerous to political stability while others ] his demand of transparency.<ref>Multiple sources:

* {{Cite news |last1=Perkins |first1=Tom |date=November 6, 2020 |title=Donald Trump's baseless vote fraud claim opens cracks in Republican ranks |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/06/republicans-break-ranks-with-donald-trump-over-baseless-vote-claim |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106152002/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/06/republicans-break-ranks-with-donald-trump-over-baseless-vote-claim |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |access-date=November 6, 2020 |work=] |ref=none}}
* {{Cite news |last1=Daly |first1=Matthew |date=November 6, 2020 |title=GOP divided over Trump's baseless claims of election fraud |url=https://apnews.com/article/pat-toomey-no-evidence-vote-fraud-0ac291da7ab09f6336d24290ef81f53b |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106153600/https://apnews.com/article/pat-toomey-no-evidence-vote-fraud-0ac291da7ab09f6336d24290ef81f53b |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |access-date=November 6, 2020 |work=] |ref=none}}
* {{Cite news |last1=Hayes |first1=Christal |date=November 5, 2020 |title='This is getting insane': Republicans say Trump's attacks on election integrity are dangerous |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/05/republicans-condemn-trump-after-baseless-claim-election-fraud/6182613002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106023719/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/05/republicans-condemn-trump-after-baseless-claim-election-fraud/6182613002/ |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |access-date=November 6, 2020 |work=] |ref=none}}
* {{Cite news |last1=Everett |first1=Burgess |last2=Zanona |first2=Melanie |date=November 6, 2020 |title=GOP begins pushing back against Trump's false election claims |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/06/gop-pushes-back-trump-false-election-claims-434653 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106141222/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/06/gop-pushes-back-trump-false-election-claims-434653 |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |access-date=November 6, 2020 |work=] |ref=none}}
* {{Cite news |last1=Gregorian |first1=Dareh |date=November 6, 2020 |title='This is getting insane': Republicans push back against Trump's false election claims |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/getting-insane-republicans-push-back-against-trump-s-false-election-n1246700 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106020649/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/getting-insane-republicans-push-back-against-trump-s-false-election-n1246700 |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |access-date=November 6, 2020 |work=] |ref=none}}
* {{Cite news |last1=Barrett |first1=Ted |date=November 6, 2020 |title=Top Republicans defend Trump on baseless voter fraud claims as concerns grow in the ranks |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/05/politics/election-2020-congressional-republicans-trump-election-fraud/index.html |work=] |ref=none}}</ref> According to ], people close to Donald Trump, such as his son-in-law and senior adviser ] and his wife ], urged him to accept his defeat. While Donald Trump privately acknowledged the outcome of the presidential election, he nonetheless encouraged his legal team to continue pursuing legal challenges.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Liptak|first1=Kevin|display-authors=et al|date=November 8, 2020|title=Inside Trump's loss: A culmination of self-destructive decisions|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/08/politics/donald-trump-loss-election-2020/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108175038/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/08/politics/donald-trump-loss-election-2020/index.html|archive-date=November 8, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020|work=]}}</ref> Trump expected to win the election in Arizona, but when Fox News declared Biden the victor of the state, Trump became furious and claimed the result was due to fraud.<ref name="WP20201128RuckerParker">{{Cite news|last1=Rucker|first1=Philip|display-authors=et al|date=November 28, 2020|title=20 days of fantasy and failure: Inside Trump's quest to overturn the election|newspaper=]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-election-overturn/2020/11/28/34f45226-2f47-11eb-96c2-aac3f162215d_story.html|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206163715/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-election-overturn/2020/11/28/34f45226-2f47-11eb-96c2-aac3f162215d_story.html|archive-date=December 6, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Trump and his allies suffered approximately 50 legal losses in four weeks after starting their litigation.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Viebeck|first1=Elise|last2=Brown|first2=Emma|last3=Helderman|first3=Rosalind S.|date=December 4, 2020|title=Judges turn back claims by Trump and his allies in six states as the president's legal effort founders|newspaper=]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/nevada-trump-lawsuit-dismissed/2020/12/04/844d420a-3682-11eb-a997-1f4c53d2a747_story.html|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201207132339/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/nevada-trump-lawsuit-dismissed/2020/12/04/844d420a-3682-11eb-a997-1f4c53d2a747_story.html|archive-date=December 7, 2020}}</ref> In view of these legal defeats, Trump began to employ "a public pressure campaign on state and local Republican officials to manipulate the electoral system on his behalf".<ref name="WP20201128RuckerParker"/><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Rucker|first1=Philip|last2=Gardner|first2=Amy|last3=Dawsey|first3=Josh|date=November 20, 2020|title=Trump uses power of presidency to try to overturn the election and stay in office|newspaper=]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-uses-power-of-presidency-to-try-to-overturn-the-election-and-stay-in-office/2020/11/19/bc89caa6-2a9f-11eb-8fa2-06e7cbb145c0_story.html|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201207133949/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-uses-power-of-presidency-to-try-to-overturn-the-election-and-stay-in-office/2020/11/19/bc89caa6-2a9f-11eb-8fa2-06e7cbb145c0_story.html|archive-date=December 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Martina|first1=Michael|last2=Freifeld|first2=Karen|last3=Renshaw|first3=Jarrett|date=November 19, 2020|title=Trump's election power play: Persuade Republican legislators to do what U.S. voters did not|work=]|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-strategy/trumps-election-power-play-persuade-republican-legislators-to-do-what-u-%20%20s-voters-did-not-idUSKBN27Z30G|access-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201208184640/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-strategy/trumps-election-power-play-persuade-republican-legislators-to-do-what-u-%20%20s-voters-did-not-idUSKBN27Z30G|archive-date=December 8, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Knowles|first1=David|date=November 21, 2020|title=Michigan lawmakers pledge to "follow the law" on picking electors after meeting with Trump|work=]|url=https://news.yahoo.com/michigan-lawmakers-pledge-to-follow-the-law-on-picking-electors-after-meeting-with-trump-000640411.html|access-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210823212012/https://news.yahoo.com/michigan-lawmakers-pledge-to-follow-the-law-on-picking-electors-after-meeting-with-trump-000640411.html|archive-date=August 23, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Election protests ===
{{Main|Demonstrations in support of Donald Trump#2021}}
] in New York City on November 7, 2020]]
Protests against Trump's challenges to the election results occurred in Minneapolis, Portland, New York, and other cities. Police in Minneapolis arrested more than 600 demonstrators for blocking traffic on an interstate highway. In Portland, the National Guard was called out after some protesters smashed windows and threw objects at police.<ref name = Bellisle/> At the same time, groups of Trump supporters gathered outside of election centers in Phoenix, Detroit, and Philadelphia, shouting objections to counts that showed Biden leading or gaining ground.<ref name = Bellisle>{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-backers-converge-michigan-arizona-0b5711044a940703045953fe7833d6aa|title=More than a dozen arrested as protesters demand vote count|last1=Bellisle|first1=Martha|last2=Geller|first2=Adam|date=November 6, 2020|work=]|access-date=November 5, 2020|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105160108/https://apnews.com/article/trump-backers-converge-michigan-arizona-0b5711044a940703045953fe7833d6aa|url-status=live}}</ref> In Arizona, where Biden's lead was shrinking as more results were reported, the pro-Trump protesters mostly demanded that all remaining votes be counted, while in Michigan and Pennsylvania, where Trump's lead shrank and disappeared altogether as more results were reported, they called for the count to be stopped.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/05/arizona-trump-supporters-protest-at-voting-centre-over-early-election-call|title=Trump supporters protest at Arizona vote counting centre|last=Beaumont|first=Peter|date=November 5, 2020|work=]|access-date=November 5, 2020|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105111132/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/05/arizona-trump-supporters-protest-at-voting-centre-over-early-election-call|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== False claims of fraud<span class="anchor" id="Fraud claims"></span><span class="anchor" id="Claims of fraud"></span> ===
{{See also|Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election|Republican reactions to Donald Trump's claims of 2020 election fraud|Big lie#Donald Trump's false claims of a stolen election}}
] |date=November 7, 2020}}</ref>]]
]
Trump and a variety of his surrogates and supporters made a series of observably false claims that the election was fraudulent. Claims that substantial fraud was committed have been repeatedly debunked.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Seitz|first1=Amanda|last2=Klepper|first2=David|last3=Ortutay|first3=Barbara|date=November 10, 2020|title=False claims of voting fraud, pushed by Trump, thrive online|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-politics-media-1bf96bf3910bdcbe0f125958357c8f1a|access-date=November 11, 2020|work=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Kessler|first1=Glenn|last2=Rizzo|first2=Salvador|date=November 6, 2020|title=President Trump's false claims of vote fraud: A chronology|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/11/05/president-trumps-false-claims-vote-fraud-chronology/|access-date=November 11, 2020|newspaper=]}}</ref> On November 9{{spaces}}and 10, '']'' called the offices of top election officials in every state; all 45 of those who responded said there was no evidence of fraud. Some described the election as remarkably successful considering the coronavirus pandemic, the record turnout, and the unprecedented number of ].<ref name="NY Times Officials"/> On November 12, the ] (CISA) issued a statement calling the 2020 election "the most secure in American history" and noting "here is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was in any way compromised."<ref name=Statement>{{Cite web|title=Joint Statement from Elections Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council & the Election Infrastructure Sector Coordinating Executive Committees|url=https://www.cisa.gov/news/2020/11/12/joint-statement-elections-infrastructure-government-coordinating-council-election|work=Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency|access-date=November 13, 2020 |date=November 12, 2020}}</ref> Five days later, Trump fired the director of CISA, whom he had appointed in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/11/17/936003057/cisa-director-chris-krebs-fired-after-trying-to-correct-voter-fraud-disinformati|title = Trump Fires Election Security Director Who Corrected Voter Fraud Disinformation|newspaper = ]|date = November 17, 2020|last1 = Wise|first1 = Alana}}</ref>

As ballots were still being counted two days after Election Day, Trump falsely asserted that there was "tremendous corruption and fraud going on", adding: "If you count the legal votes, I easily win. If you count the illegal votes, they can try to steal the election from us."<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Dale|first1=Daniel|date=November 5, 2020|title=Fact check: Trump delivers most dishonest speech of his presidency as Biden closes in on victory|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/05/politics/fact-check-trump-speech-thursday-election-rigged-stolen/index.html|work=]}}</ref> Trump has repeatedly claimed as suspicious that mail-in ballots showed significantly more support for Biden.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Boehm|first1=Eric|date=November 5, 2020|title=Trump Says Mail-in Votes Are Suspicious Because They Overwhelmingly Favor Joe Biden. He's Wrong.|url=https://reason.com/2020/11/05/trump-says-mail-in-votes-are-suspicious-because-they-overwhelmingly-favor-joe-biden-hes-wrong/|access-date=November 11, 2020|work=Reason}}</ref> This ] phenomenon is believed to occur because more Democrats than Republicans tend to vote by mail, and mail ballots are counted after Election Day in many states. Leading up to the 2020 election, the effect was predicted to be even greater than usual, as Trump's attacks on mail-in voting may have deterred Republicans from casting mail ballots.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Wasserman|first1=Dave|date=November 4, 2020|title=Beware the "blue mirage" and the "red mirage" on election night|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/beware-blue-mirage-red-mirage-election-night-n1245925|access-date=November 11, 2020|work=]}}</ref>

In early January 2021, Trump falsely proclaimed that he had by rights won all 50 states in the presidential election and a 535 to 3 electoral college victory. On January 2, during his phone call to ], the ], Trump said, "As you know, every single state. We won every state; we won every statehouse in the country... But we won every single statehouse."<ref>{{Cite news|title=Full transcript: Trump's audio call with Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffesperger|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/03/politics/trump-brad-raffensperger-phone-call-transcript/index.html|date=January 3, 2021|publisher=]|access-date=December 27, 2021}}</ref> Two days later, on January 4, Trump appeared at a campaign rally in ], supporting Republican senators ] and ]. During his speech at the rally, Trump again asserted that he won "every single state", and "We win every state, and they're going to have this guy be President?"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/video/campaign/532545-watch-live-trump-holds-rally-in-georgia-ahead-of-senate-runoffs|title=Watch live: Trump holds rally in Georgia ahead of Senate runoffs|date=January 5, 2021|newspaper=]|access-date=December 27, 2021}}</ref>

Many claims of purported voter fraud were discovered to be false or misleading. In Fulton County, Georgia, the number of votes affected was 342, with no breakdown of which candidates they were for.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 7, 2020|title=Update: Fulton County ballot scanning issue affected just 342 votes|url=https://www.wsbtv.com/news/politics/update-fulton-county-ballot-scanning-issue-affected-just-342-votes/W5OF32LWFRFFXGOHQ365UVQAOA/|access-date=November 11, 2020|work=WSBTV}}</ref> A ] of a Pennsylvania poll worker filling out a ballot was found to be a case of a damaged ballot being replicated to ensure proper counting, while a video claiming to show a man taking ballots illegally to a ] counting center was found to show a photographer transporting his equipment.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Iati|first1=Marisa|last2=Usero|first2=Adriana|title=A viral video implied a man was illegally moving ballots. It was a photographer and his equipment.|newspaper=]|date=November 5, 2020|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/11/05/video-claiming-detroit-ballot-fraud-debunked/|access-date=November 11, 2020|issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Pennsylvania poll worker was copying information from a damaged ballot, to ensure it was counted|url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/nov/06/facebook-posts/pennsylvania-poll-worker-was-copying-information-d/|access-date=November 11, 2020|date=November 6, 2020|last1=O'Rourke|first1=Clara|website=]}}</ref> Another video of a poll watcher being turned away in ] was found to be real, but the poll watcher had subsequently been allowed inside after a misunderstanding had been resolved.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fauzia|first=Miriam|title=Fact check: Poll watcher turned away at Philadelphia polling station in misunderstanding|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/11/03/fact-check-philadelphia-poll-watcher-turned-away-mistake/6144601002/|access-date=November 11, 2020|date=November 3, 2020|website=]}}</ref> A viral tweet claimed 14,000 votes in ], were cast by dead people, but the list of names included was found to be incorrect.<ref>{{Cite web|title=List does not show over 14,000 dead people cast ballots in Michigan's Wayne County|url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/nov/07/tweets/list-does-not-show-over-14000-dead-people-cast-bal/|access-date=November 11, 2020|date=November 6, 2020|last1=Hendrickson|first1=Clara|website=]}}</ref> The Trump campaign and Fox News commentator ] also claimed a man named James Blalock had voted in Georgia despite having died in 2006, but in fact his 94-year-old widow had registered and voted as Mrs. James Blalock.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Keefe |first1=Brendan |title=Two accused "dead" Georgia voters very much alive despite claims – and they voted legally|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/news/politics/elections/2-georgians-accused-of-being-dead-and-voting-are-alive/85-88dff3c1-8e78-4ac2-ae9c-96838e5b02a8 |work=11Alive News|location=Atlanta, Georgia|date=November 13, 2020}}</ref> In ], a postal worker who claimed the postmaster had instructed postal workers to backdate ballots mailed after Election Day later admitted he had fabricated the claim. Prior to this recantation, Republican senator ] cited the claim in a letter to the Justice Department calling for an investigation, and a ] page created for the postal worker "patriot" raised $136,000.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Boburg|first1=Shawn|last2=Bogage|first2=Jacob|title=Postal worker recanted allegations of ballot tampering, officials say|date=November 10, 2020|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/postal-worker-fabricated-ballot-pennsylvania/2020/11/10/99269a7c-2364-11eb-8599-406466ad1b8e_story.html|access-date=November 11, 2020|newspaper=]}}</ref>

Days after Biden had been declared the winner, White House press secretary ] asserted without evidence that the Democratic Party was welcoming fraud and illegal voting.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Izadi|first1=Elahe|last2=Ellison|first2=Sarah|date=November 9, 2020|title=Fox News cuts away from Kayleigh McEnany news conference after she alleges vote fraud with no evidence|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2020/11/09/fox-news-kayleigh-mcenany-cut-away-fraud/|newspaper=]}}</ref> Republican former speaker of the House ] stated on Fox News, "I think that it is a corrupt, stolen election."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Broadwater|first=Luke|date=November 8, 2020|title=As Biden Plans Transition, Republicans Decline to Recognize His Election|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/08/us/politics/republicans-trump-concede-election.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108200317/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/08/us/politics/republicans-trump-concede-election.html |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|website=]}}</ref> Appearing at a ] as Biden was being declared the winner, Trump's personal attorney ] asserted without evidence that hundreds of thousands of ballots were questionable.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Shannon|first1=Joel|last2=Ciavaglia|first2=Jo|last3=McGinnis|first3=James|date=November 8, 2020|title=Giuliani holds press conference at landscaping business, prompting confusion|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/11/07/giuliani-holds-press-conference-four-seasons-total-landscaping/6209235002/|website=]}}</ref> Responding to Giuliani, a spokesperson for Pennsylvania Attorney General ] said: "Many of the claims against the commonwealth have already been dismissed, and repeating these false attacks is reckless. No active lawsuit even alleges, and no evidence presented so far has shown, widespread problems."<ref name="NY Times Officials"/>

One week after the election, Republican ] ] said he had not seen any evidence of widespread fraud, stating, "I have seen the most fantastical things on ], making completely ridiculous allegations that have no basis in fact at all and see them spread." He added that his office had examined a list of dead people who purportedly voted in Philadelphia but "not a single one of them voted in Philadelphia after they died." Trump derided Schmidt, tweeting, "He refuses to look at a mountain of corruption & dishonesty. We win!"<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Stracqualursi|first1=Veronica|date=November 11, 2020|title=Republican election official in Philadelphia says he's seen no evidence of widespread fraud|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/politics/philadelphia-city-commissioner-2020-election-cnntv/index.html|work=]}}</ref>

Attorneys who brought accusations of voting fraud or irregularities before judges could not produce valid evidence to support the allegations. In one instance, a Trump attorney sought to have ballot counting halted in Detroit on the basis of a Republican poll watcher's claim that an unidentified person had said ballots were being backdated; ] judge ] dismissed the argument as "inadmissible hearsay within hearsay".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Blake|first=Aaron|date=November 12, 2020|title=Trump lawyers suffer embarrassing rebukes from judges over voter fraud claims|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/11/11/trump-lawyers-suffer-embarrassing-rebukes-judges-over-voter-fraud-claims/|newspaper=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Klasfield|first1=Adam|date=November 5, 2020|title='Come on Now': Michigan Judge Scoffs at and Tosses Trump Campaign Lawsuit Backed by "Hearsay" Evidence|url=https://lawandcrime.com/2020-election/come-on-now-michigan-judge-scoffs-at-and-tosses-trump-campaign-lawsuit-backed-by-hearsay-evidence/|website=Law & Crime}}</ref> Some senior attorneys at law firms working for Trump, notably ], expressed concerns that they were undermining the integrity of American elections by advancing arguments without evidence.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Silver-Greenberg|first1=Jessica|last2=Abrams|first2=Rachel|last3=Enrich|first3=David|date=November 9, 2020|title=Growing Discomfort at Law Firms Representing Trump in Election Lawsuits|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/business/jones-day-trump-election-lawsuits.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109225441/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/business/jones-day-trump-election-lawsuits.html |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=]}}</ref>

Trump and his lawyers Giuliani and ] repeatedly made the false claim that the ], ]-based firm ], which had supplied voting machines for 27 states, was a "]" organization controlled by billionaire ], former Venezuelan president ] (who died in 2013), or the ], and that the machines had "stolen" hundreds of thousands of votes from Trump. Defamatory rumors about the company circulated on social media, amplified by more than a dozen tweets or retweets by Trump. The ] campaign prompted threats and harassment against Dominion employees.<ref>Multiple sources:

* {{Cite web |last1=Chait |first1=Jonathan |date=November 16, 2020 |title=Trump's New Vote Fraud Theory Is So Much Crazier Than You Realize |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/11/trumps-dominion-vote-fraud-election-conspiracy-theory-crazy.html |work=] |ref=none}}
* {{Cite news |last1=Swenson |first1=Ali |date=November 19, 2020 |title=AP Fact Check: Trump legal team's batch of false vote claims |url=https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-trump-legal-team-false-claims-5abd64917ef8be9e9e2078180973e8b3 |work=] |ref=none}}
* {{Cite news |last1=Rubin |first1=Olivia |last2=Bruggeman |first2=Lucien |last3=Mosk |first3=Matthew |date=November 19, 2020 |title=Dominion employees latest to face threats, harassment in wake of Trump conspiracy |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/dominion-employees-latest-face-threats-harassment-wake-trump/story?id=74288442 |work=] |ref=none}}
* {{Cite news |last1=Egan |first1=Paul |date=December 15, 2020 |title=Dominion Voting CEO says Antrim County report part of 'reckless disinformation campaign' |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/12/15/dominion-voting-ceo-antrim-county/3906017001/ |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |ref=none}}
* {{Cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Lori |last2=Kiely |first2=Eugene |last3=McDonald |first3=Jessica |last4=Gore |first4=D'Angelo |date=December 1, 2020 |title=Trump Repeats Baseless, False Claims About the Election |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2020/11/trump-repeats-baseless-false-claims-about-the-election/ |work=FactCheck.org |ref=none}}</ref>

A December 2020 poll showed 77% of Republicans believed widespread fraud occurred during the election, along with 35% of independent voters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/quinnipiac-poll-77-republicans-believe-204100654.html |title=Quinnipiac Poll: 77% of Republicans believe there was widespread fraud in the presidential election; 60% overall consider Joe Biden's victory legitimate |work=]|last1=Keating|first1=Christopher|via=Hartford Courant |date=December 10, 2020 |access-date=December 15, 2020}}</ref> Overall, 60% of Americans believed Biden's win was legitimate, 34% did not, and 6% were unsure. Another poll taken in late December showed a similar result, with 62% of Americans polled believing Biden was the legitimate winner of the election, while 37% did not.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/12/24/donald-trump-failed-president-50-usa-today-poll-say/3926190001/|title=Exclusive: As Trump leaves office, 50% of Americans say he'll be seen as "failed" president|last1=Page|first1=Susan|last2=Elbeshbishi|first2=Sarah|date=December 24, 2020|website=]}}</ref> This split in popular opinion remained largely stable, with a January 10, 2021, poll commissioned by ABC News showing 68% of Americans believed Biden's win was legitimate and 32% did not.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 10, 2021|title=ABC News/Ipsos Poll Jan 10|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/490283649/ABC-News-Ipsos-Poll-Jan-10|access-date=January 11, 2021|website=Scribd|publisher=]}}</ref> These numbers remained largely stagnant, with a June 2021 poll from Monmouth showing 61% believed Biden won fair and square, 32% believed he won due to fraud, and 7% were unsure.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/monmouthpoll_us_062121/|title=Public Supports Both Early Voting And Requiring Photo ID to Vote|date=June 21, 2021 |publisher=Monmouth University}}</ref> More than a year later, public opinion on the matter still remained stagnant, with a poll commissioned by ABC News finding that 65% of Americans believed Biden's win was legitimate, 33% believed it was not legitimate, and 2% were unsure. The same poll also found that 72% of Americans thought the people involved in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, were attacking democracy, while 25% thought they were protecting democracy, and 3% were unsure.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/550570372/ABC-News-Ipsos-Poll-December-27-29-2021 |title=ABC News / Ipsos Poll December 27-29, 2021 {{pipe}} PDF {{pipe}} Race And Ethnicity In The United States Census {{pipe}} Survey Methodology |publisher=Scribd.com |date= |access-date=January 9, 2022 }}</ref> A March 2022 poll commissioned by the conservative ] found that 52% of voters think that it is likely that cheating "affected the outcome of the 2020 presidential election." while 40% of voters believe that it is unlikely. 33% say that cheating was very likely, 19% say it was somewhat likely, 13% say it was somewhat unlikely, and 27% say it was very unlikely.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 15, 2022 |title=Rasmussen Reports Survey: Most voters think that cheating affected the outcome of the 2020 presidential election |url=https://crimeresearch.org/2022/03/rasmussen-reports-survey-most-voters-think-that-cheating-affected-the-outcome-of-the-2020-presidential-election/ |access-date=March 29, 2022 |website=Crime Prevention Research Center }}</ref>

Motivated by the myth of widespread fraud, Republican state lawmakers initiated a ].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wines|first=Michael|date=February 27, 2021|title=In Statehouses, Stolen-Election Myth Fuels a G.O.P. Drive to Rewrite Rules|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/27/us/republican-voter-suppression.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/27/us/republican-voter-suppression.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited|website=]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== Lawsuits ===
{{Main|Post-election lawsuits related to the 2020 United States presidential election}}
After the election, the ] filed lawsuits in multiple states, including Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.<ref name="bloomberg-law-davis-list">{{Cite web|last1=Davis|first1=Tina|date=November 7, 2020|title=Trump's Election Lawsuits: Where the Fights Are Playing Out|url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/trumps-election-lawsuits-where-the-fights-are-playing-out|access-date=November 10, 2020|work=Bloomberg Law}}</ref> Lawyers and other observers noted the suits were unlikely to affect the outcome. ] professor Justin Levitt said, "There's literally nothing that I've seen yet with the meaningful potential to affect the final result."<ref name="Time">{{Cite news|last1=Abramson|first1=Alana|last2=Abrams|first2=Abigail|date=November 9, 2020|title=Here Are All the Lawsuits the Trump Campaign Has Filed Since Election Day – And Why Most Are Unlikely to Go Anywhere|url=https://time.com/5908505/trump-lawsuits-biden-wins/|access-date=November 10, 2020|magazine=Time}}</ref>
Some law firms moved to drop their representation in lawsuits challenging results of the election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/13/law-firm-drops-trump-campaign-436418|title=Another law firm bails out on Trump campaign|work=]|date=November 13, 2020|access-date=November 13, 2020|last1=Gerstein|first1=Josh}}</ref>

Trump unsuccessfully sought to overturn Biden's win in Georgia through litigation; suits by the Trump campaign and allies were rejected by both the ]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ajc.com/politics/election/georgia-supreme-court-rejects-trump-appeal/BBXM726DABF55GO4A262RNPDJ4/|title=Georgia Supreme Court rejects Trump appeal|newspaper=Atlanta Journal-Constitution|first1=David|last1=Wickert|date=December 13, 2020}}</ref> and by federal courts.<ref name=Duster/><ref>{{Cite news|first1=Josh|last1=Gerstein|title=Federal judge rejects Trump ally's bid to block election certification in Georgia|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/19/federal-judge-rejects-trump-allys-bid-block-election-certification-georgia-438563|newspaper=]|date=November 19, 2020}}</ref> Trump also sought to overturn Biden's win by pressuring Kemp to call a special session of the ] so state legislators could override the Georgia election results and appoint a pro-Trump slate of electors, an entreaty rebuffed by Kemp.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-kemp-call-georgia/2020/12/05/fd8d677c-3721-11eb-8d38-6aea1adb3839_story.html|newspaper=]|date=December 5, 2020|title=Trump calls Georgia governor to pressure him for help overturning Biden's win in the state|first1=Amy|last1=Gardner|first2=Colby|last2=Itkowitz|first3=Josh|last3=Dawsey}}</ref>

On December 20, Giuliani filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court, asking them to overturn the results of the Pennsylvania election and direct the state legislature to appoint electors. The Supreme Court was regarded as very unlikely to grant this petition, and in any case Biden would still have a majority of Electoral College votes without Pennsylvania.<ref name="YH-20201220">{{Cite news |last1=Colvin |first1=Jill |last2=Levy |first2=Marc |title=Trump wants Supreme Court to overturn Pa. election results |url=https://news.yahoo.com/trump-wants-supreme-court-overturn-215117642.html |date=December 20, 2020 |work=] |access-date=December 20, 2020}}</ref> The Court set the deadline for reply briefs from the respondents for January 22, 2021, two days after ].<ref name="foxnews">{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/supreme-court-trump-campaign-case-no-hurry|title=Supreme Court in no hurry to hear Trump campaign case, sets response deadline two days after inauguration|date=December 24, 2020|access-date=December 27, 2020|website=]|last1=Olson|first1=Tyler|last2=Bream|first2=Shannon|last3=Mears|first3=Bill|archive-date=December 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230063005/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/supreme-court-trump-campaign-case-no-hurry|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== ''Texas v. Pennsylvania'' ====
{{Main|Texas v. Pennsylvania}}
On December 9, ], the Attorney General of Texas, filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court, asking the court to overturn the results in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Georgia. Attorneys general of seventeen other states also signed onto the lawsuit.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ludicrous Texas anti-election lawsuit jolts Republican politics|url=https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/ludicrous-texas-anti-election-lawsuit-jolts-republican-politics-n1250681|access-date=December 12, 2020|website=]|last1=Benen|first1=Steve|author-link1=Steve Benen|date=December 11, 2020}}</ref><ref name="SFC-20201210">{{Cite news|date=December 10, 2020|title=Editorial: The enduring cost of Trump's attempted coup|work=]|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Editorial-The-enduring-cost-of-Trump-s-15789752.php|access-date=December 10, 2020}}</ref><ref name="NYDN-20201210">{{Cite news|last=Louis|first=Errol|date=December 10, 2020|title=Trump's meddling was a failed coup|work=]|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-trumps-meddling-was-a-failed-coup-20201210-zy7baii7unbbde2yczg5wtfqcm-story.html|access-date=December 10, 2020}}</ref> In the House of Representatives, 126 Republicans—more than two-thirds of the Republican caucus—signed an ] in support of the lawsuit.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Solender|first=Andrew|title=126 House Republicans Now Support Lawsuit To Overturn Election In Updated Brief|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/12/11/126-house-republicans-now-support-lawsuit-to-overturn-election-in-updated-brief/|access-date=December 12, 2020|website=]|date=December 11, 2020}}</ref> The suit was rejected by the Supreme Court on December 11, due to a lack of ].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Gerstein|first1=Josh|last2=Cheney|first2=Kyle|date=December 11, 2020|title=Supreme Court rejects Texas-led effort to overturn Biden's victory|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/11/supreme-court-rejects-texas-led-effort-to-overturn-bidens-victory-444638|access-date=December 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=D'Angelo|first=Bob |title=U.S. Supreme Court rejects Texas lawsuit|url=https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/trending/us-supreme-court-rejects-texas-lawsuit/SRSJR7OXAJHMLKSSXHOATQ3LKQ/|access-date=December 12, 2020|website=WHBQ|date=December 12, 2020}}</ref>

=== Trump's refusal to concede ===
{{Main|Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election#Refusal to accept 2020 electoral loss}}
] reported that through June 9, 2021, Trump had issued 132 written statements since leaving office, of which "a third have included lies about the election"—more than any other subject.<ref name=CNN_20210612>{{Cite news |last1=Dale |first1=Daniel |title=Trump is doing more lying about the election than talking about any other subject |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/12/politics/analysis-trump-election-lies-blog-post-presidency |work=] |date=June 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616191647/https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/12/politics/analysis-trump-election-lies-blog-post-presidency |archive-date=June 16, 2021 |url-status=live}} Similar graphic in source attributed to Janie Boschma, CNN.</ref>]]
Early in the morning on November 4, with vote counts still going on in many states, Trump claimed he had won: "This is an embarrassment to our country. We were getting ready to win this election, frankly we did win this election."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/10-states-still-counting-millions-votes-trump-falsely-claims-he-n1246336|title=With states still counting, Trump falsely claims he won|last=Timm|first=Jane C.|date=November 4, 2020|work=]|access-date=November 13, 2020}}</ref> For weeks after the networks had called the election for Biden, Trump refused to ]. Unlike every ] before him, Trump refused to formally concede, breaking with the tradition of formal concession started in 1896, when ] sent a congratulatory telegram to President-elect ].<ref name="NatGeo 2020">{{Cite web |last1=McKeever |first1=Amy |title=No modern presidential candidate has refused to concede. Here's why that matters. |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/11/no-modern-presidential-candidate-refused-to-concede-heres-why-that-matters/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107025510/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/11/no-modern-presidential-candidate-refused-to-concede-heres-why-that-matters/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |work=National Geographic|access-date=November 14, 2020 |ref=NatGeo 2020 |date=November 8, 2020}}</ref> Biden described Trump's refusal as "an embarrassment".<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 11, 2020|last1=Zurcher|first1=Anthony|title=Biden: Trump refusal to concede 'an embarrassment'|work=]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54897627|access-date=November 12, 2020}}</ref>

In the wake of the election, Trump's White House ordered government agencies not to cooperate with the Biden transition team in any way,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-transition-agencies-biden/2020/11/09/ad9f2ba2-22b7-11eb-952e-0c475972cfc0_story.html|title=White House, escalating tensions, orders agencies to rebuff Biden transition team|last1=Rein|first1=Lisa|display-authors=et al|date=November 9, 2020|newspaper=]|access-date=November 13, 2020}}</ref> and the ] (GSA) refused to formally acknowledge Biden's victory,<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Shear|first1=Michael D.|last2=Haberman|first2=Maggie|last3=Crowley|first3=Michael|date=November 10, 2020|title=Trump Appointee Stands Between Biden's Team and a Smooth Transition|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/us/politics/emily-murphy-trump-biden.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110115710/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/us/politics/emily-murphy-trump-biden.html |archive-date=November 10, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=November 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Trump finally acknowledged Biden's victory in a tweet on November 15, although he refused to concede and blamed his loss on fraud, stating: "He won because the Election was Rigged." Trump then tweeted: "I concede NOTHING! We have a long way to go."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Vazquez |first1=Maegan |last2=Westwood |first2=Sarah |last3=Main |first3=Alison |title=Trump says for the first time Biden won the election but later insists he's not conceding |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/15/politics/trump-biden-election/index.html |access-date=November 15, 2020 |work=] |date=November 15, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Matthew |last2=Cummings |first2=William |title=Election 2020 updates: GOP governor expects Biden to be next president; John Bolton says Trump has no character |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/15/election-2020-live-updates-trump-admits-biden-won/6302435002/ |work=] |date=November 15, 2020 |access-date=November 15, 2020 }}</ref>

In a June 2021 interview with ], Trump stated that "we didn't win" and said that he wished President Biden success in international diplomacy, which '']'' declared as Trump " as close as he's ever been to conceding his 2020 election loss."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Solender|first=Andrew|date=June 17, 2021|title=Trump Says He 'Didn't Win' The 2020 Election And Wants Biden To 'Do Well'|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2021/06/17/trump-says-he-didnt-win-the-2020-election-and-wants-biden-to-do-well/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717160008/https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2021/06/17/trump-says-he-didnt-win-the-2020-election-and-wants-biden-to-do-well/|archive-date=July 17, 2021|access-date=July 1, 2021|website=]}}</ref>

=== GSA delays certifying Biden as president-elect ===
{{Main|Presidential transition of Joe Biden #Delays in initiating the transition}}
Although all major media outlets called the election for Biden on November 7, the head of the ] (GSA), Trump appointee ], refused for over two weeks to certify Biden as the president-elect. Without formal GSA ascertainment of the winner, the official transition process was delayed.<ref name = GSA>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-gsa-letter-biden-transition/2020/11/08/07093acc-21e9-11eb-8672-c281c7a2c96e_story.html|title=A little-known Trump appointee is in charge of handing transition resources to Biden – and she isn't budging|date=November 8, 2020|last1=Rein|first1=Lisa|last2=O'Connell|first2=Jonathan|last3=Dawsey|first3=Josh|newspaper=]|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> On November 23, Murphy acknowledged Biden as the winner and said the Trump administration would begin the transition. Trump said he had instructed his administration to "do what needs to be done" but did not concede, and indicated he would continue his fight to overturn the election results.<ref name = Holmes>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/transition-biden-gsa-begin|title=First on CNN: Key government agency acknowledges Biden's win and begins formal transition|last1=Holmes|first1=Kristen|last2=Herb|first2=Jeremy|date=November 23, 2020|work=]|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref>

=== Attempts to delay or deny election results ===
{{Main|Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election}}
]'' motion (left), which called for the Supreme Court to nullify the election, and '']'' brief from 17 states (right)]]
In November, Trump focused his efforts on trying to delay vote certifications at the county and state level.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-wants-delay-final-vote-count-throw-biden-victory-doubt-2020-11|title=Trump has reportedly given up on overturning battleground defeats and is trying to delay a final vote count in a desperate bid to throw Biden's victory into doubt|work=Business Insider|last1=Colson|first1=Thomas|date=November 20, 2020|access-date=November 20, 2020}}</ref> On December 2, Trump posted a 46-minute video to his ] in which he repeated his baseless claims that the election was "rigged" and fraudulent, and he called for either state legislatures or courts to overturn the election and allow him to stay in office.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/02/us/politics/trump-election-video.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203010445/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/02/us/politics/trump-election-video.html |archive-date=December 3, 2020|url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Trump, in Video From White House, Delivers a 46-Minute Diatribe on the "Rigged" Election|first=Michael D.|last=Shear|date=December 3, 2020|work=]}}</ref> He continued to pressure elected Republicans in Michigan, Georgia, and Pennsylvania in an unprecedented attempt to overturn his loss. Some commentators have characterized Trump's actions as an attempted ] or ].<ref name="coup-bundle"/>

On December 15, the day after the electoral college vote, Republican Senate Majority leader ], who was previously said he would not recognize the election results, publicly accepted Biden's win, saying, "Today, I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/15/politics/mitch-mcconnell-congratulates-joe-biden/index.html|title=McConnell for the first time recognizes Biden as President-elect|work=]|date=December 15, 2020|access-date=December 15, 2020}}</ref>

A December 18 meeting in the White House discussed ]'s suggestion to overturn the election by invoking ] and rerunning the election in several swing states under military supervision.<ref name="CNN-20201219">{{Cite news |last1=Lipak |first1=Kevin |last2=Brown |first2=Pamela |title=Heated Oval Office meeting included talk of special counsel, martial law as Trump advisers clash |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/19/politics/trump-oval-office-meeting-special-counsel-martial-law/index.html |date=December 19, 2020 |work=] News |access-date=December 19, 2020 }}</ref><ref name="NYT-20201219">{{Cite news |last1=Habberman |first1=Maggie |last2=Kanno-Youngs |first2=Zolan |title=Trump Weighed Naming Election Conspiracy Theorist as Special Counsel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/19/us/politics/trump-sidney-powell-voter-fraud.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219192114/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/19/us/politics/trump-sidney-powell-voter-fraud.html |archive-date=December 19, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |date=December 19, 2020 |work=] |access-date=December 19, 2020}}</ref><ref name="POL-20201219">{{Cite news |last1=Cheny |first1=Kyle |last2=Gerstein |first2=Josh |title=Trump sought to tap Sidney Powell as special counsel for election fraud |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/19/sidney-powell-trump-special-counsel-448694 |date=December 19, 2020 |work=] |access-date=December 19, 2020}}</ref> Army Secretary ] and Army Chief of Staff General ] later issued a joint statement saying: "There is no role for the U.S. military in determining the outcome of an American election."<ref name="WT-20201218">{{Cite news |last=Blake |first=Andrew |title=Army brass rejects calls for martial law: "No role" for military in determining election outcome |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/dec/19/army-brass-rejects-calls-for-martial-law-no-role-f/ |date=December 18, 2020 |work=] |access-date=December 20, 2020}}</ref> In a December 20 tweet, Trump dismissed accusations that he wanted to declare martial law as "fake news".<ref name="CNN-20201220">{{Cite news |last=Goodwin |first=Jazmin |title=Trump's talk of martial law sends White House staffers rushing to the press |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/20/media/stelter-trump-martial-law/index.html |date=December 20, 2020 |work=] |access-date=December 20, 2020}}</ref>

In a December 21 news conference, outgoing attorney general ] disavowed several actions reportedly being considered by Trump, including seizing voting machines, appointing a special counsel to investigate voter fraud, and appointing one to investigate ].<ref name="WP-20201221mz">{{Cite news |last=Zapotosky |first=Matt |title=Undercutting Trump, Barr says there's no basis for seizing voting machines, using special counsels for election fraud, Hunter Biden |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/barr-trump-special-counsel-voter-fraud-hunter-biden/2020/12/21/4d85f060-439c-11eb-b0e4-0f182923a025_story.html |date=December 21, 2020 |newspaper=] |access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref>

=== Plot for state legislatures to choose electors ===
{{Main|Trump fake electors plot#Plot for state legislatures to choose electors}}
Both before and after the election, Trump and other Republican leaders publicly considered asking certain Republican-controlled state legislatures to select ] favoring Trump, even if Biden won the popular vote in those states.<ref name="NYTTrumpElector">{{Cite news |last1=Gabriel |first1=Trip |last2=Saul |first2=Stephanie |title=Could State Legislatures Pick Electors to Vote for Trump? Not Likely |url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/electors-vote.html |access-date=November 18, 2020 |work=] |date=November 16, 2020}}</ref> In Pennsylvania, a state which Biden won, the president's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani asked a federal judge to consider allowing the Republican-controlled state legislature to select electors.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-election-strategy/2020/11/18/94fbe50e-29c9-11eb-92b7-6ef17b3fe3b4_story.html|title=As defeats pile up, Trump tries to delay vote count in last-ditch attempt to cast doubt on Biden victory|date=November 18, 2020|newspaper=]|last1=Gardner|first1=Amy|display-authors=et al|access-date=November 26, 2020}}</ref> Legal experts, including New York University law professor Richard Pildes, have raised numerous legal and political objections to this policy, noting that in various battleground states, Democratic Party members holding statewide office would thwart such efforts,<ref name="GuardianTrumpElector">{{Cite news|last1=Levine|first1=Sam|date=September 25, 2020|title=Could Republicans ignore the popular vote and choose their own pro-Trump electors?|work=]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/25/trump-attack-election-electors-republicans|access-date=November 18, 2020}}</ref> and ultimately Congress would probably reject the votes of legislatively appointed electors over those elected by the voters.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Muller |first1=Derek |title=Congress would stop the most rogue Electoral College scenarios in their tracks |url=https://excessofdemocracy.com/blog/2020/11/congress-would-stop-the-most-rogue-electoral-college-scenarios-in-their-tracks |date=November 12, 2020|website=Excess of Democracy |access-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref> Law professor ] noted that while the Constitution grants state legislatures the power to determine how electors are selected, including the power to directly appoint them, ] gives Congress the power to determine when electors must be appointed, which they have designated to be ], meaning that legislatures cannot change how electors are appointed for an election after this date.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Lessig |first1=Lawrence |date=November 18, 2020|author-link=Lawrence Lessig|title=State legislatures do not have the power to veto the people's choice in an election |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/11/18/voters-pick-president-state-legislatures-no-veto-power-column/6311981002/ |website=] |access-date=November 21, 2020}}</ref> In modern times, most states have used a popular vote within their state as the determining factor in who gets all the state's electors,<ref name="GuardianTrumpElector"/> and changing election rules after an election could also violate the Constitution's ].<ref name="VoxTrumpElector">{{Cite news |last1=Prokop |first1=Andrew |title=The many obstacles to the "GOP state legislatures steal the election for Trump" scenario |url=https://www.vox.com/21562815/biden-trump-fraud-state-legislatures-electors |access-date=November 18, 2020 |work=] |date=November 13, 2020}}</ref>

=== Pressure on state and local officials ===
{{Main|Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election#Trump's attempt to pressure state officials}}
As the Trump campaign's lawsuits were repeatedly rejected in court, Trump personally communicated with Republican local and state officials in at least three states, including state legislators, attorneys general, and governors who had supported him during and after the elections. He pressured them to overturn the election results in their states by recounting votes, throwing out certain votes, or getting the state legislature to replace the elected Democratic slate of Electoral College members with a Republican slate of electors chosen by the legislature.<ref name = Gardner>{{Cite news |last1=Gardner |first1=Amy |last2=Dawsey |first2=Josh |author2-link=Josh Dawsey |last3=Bade |first3=Rachael |author3-link=Rachael Bade |title=Trump asks Pennsylvania House speaker for help overturning election results, personally intervening in a third state |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-pennsylvania-speaker-call/2020/12/07/d65fe8c4-38bf-11eb-98c4-25dc9f4987e8_story.html |access-date=December 15, 2020 |newspaper=] |date=December 7, 2020}}</ref> In late November, he personally phoned Republican members of two county electoral boards in Michigan, urging them to reverse their vote certifications.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Anita |last2=Orr |first2=Gabby |last3=McGraw |first3=Meridith |title=Inside Trump's pressure campaign to overturn the election |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/21/trump-pressure-campaign-overturn-election-449486 |access-date=December 22, 2020 |work=] |date=December 21, 2020}}</ref> He invited members of the Michigan state legislature to the White House, where they declined his suggestion that they choose a new slate of electors.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/20/politics/michigan-house-speaker-will-meet-trump/index.html|title=Michigan lawmakers who met with Trump say they see nothing to change election outcome|last1=Grayer|first1=Annie|last2=Kelly|first2=Caroline|last3=Vazquez|first3=Maegan|date=November 21, 2020|work=]|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> He repeatedly spoke to the Republican governor of Georgia and the secretary of state, demanding that they reverse their state's election results, and retaliating when they did not, strongly criticizing them in speeches and tweets, and demanding that the governor resign.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/news/politics/trump-calls-on-georgia-gov-kemp-to-resign/85-f3d16351-b4bf-40ca-9581-5fc1b557d9e6|title=Trump calls Gov. Kemp "obstructionist," says he should resign|last=Raymond|first=Jonathan|date=December 30, 2020|work=11Alive|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref>

During the first week of December, Trump twice phoned the ] of the ], urging him to appoint a replacement slate of electors; the speaker said he did not have that power but later joined in a letter encouraging the state's representatives in Congress to dispute the results.<ref name="Gardner"/> On January 4 ''The Washington Post'' reported that in a phone call on January 2, Trump pressured Georgia secretary of state ] to overturn the state's result, telling him "I just want to find 11,780 votes" and threatening him with legal action if he did not cooperate.<ref name="WaPo Georgia call"/><ref name="NYT Georgia call">{{Cite news |last1=Shear |first1=Michael D. |last2=Saul |first2=Stephanie |author1-link=Michael D. Shear |author2-link=Stephanie Saul |title=Trump, in Taped Call, Pressured Georgia Official to "Find" Votes to Overturn Election |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/03/us/politics/trump-raffensperger-call-georgia.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/03/us/politics/trump-raffensperger-call-georgia.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited |access-date=January 4, 2021 |work=] |date=January 3, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On January 4, 2021, Democratic congressional leaders, believing Trump "engaged in solicitation of, or conspiracy to commit, a number of election crimes," requested the FBI to investigate the incident.<ref name="NBC-20210104">{{Cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Allan |last2=Moe |first2=Alex |title=Democrats ask FBI Director Wray to open criminal probe into Trump after leaked phone call – Reps. Ted Lieu and Kathleen Rice wrote that they believe Trump "engaged in solicitation of, or conspiracy to commit, a number of election crimes". |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/democrats-ask-fbi-director-wray-open-criminal-probe-trump-after-n1252732 |date=January 4, 2021 |work=] |access-date=January 4, 2021}}</ref> In addition, while some House Republicans tried to defend Trump's Georgia call, Democrats began drafting a ].<ref name="CNN-20210104">{{Cite news |last1=Raju |first1=Manu |last2=Herb |first2=Jeremy |title=House Republicans rush to Trump's defense over Georgia call as Democrats prep censure resolution |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/04/politics/trump-call-republican-reaction-censure-resolution/index.html |date=January 4, 2021|work=] |access-date=January 4, 2021}}</ref> Two months later ''The Washington Post'' acknowledged that they had misquoted Trump, and added a correction to the article.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-call-georgia-investigator/2021/01/09/7a55c7fa-51cf-11eb-83e3-322644d82356_story.html|access-date=March 21, 2021 |date=March 11, 2021 |first=Amy |last=Gardner |newspaper=] |title=Trump pressured a Georgia elections investigator in a separate call legal experts say could amount to obstruction}}</ref> Also on January 2, 2021, Trump took part in a mass phone call with nearly 300 state legislators from Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, in which he urged them to "decertify" the election results in their states.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/02/new-congress-live-updates/|title=Trump urges nearly 300 state legislators to decertify election results|last=Sonmez|first=Felicia|date=January 3, 2021|newspaper=]|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref>

=== Recounts ===
{{Main|2020 United States presidential election in Arizona#Audits and Recounts by Election Officials|2020 United States presidential election in Georgia#Statewide audit and recount|2020 United States presidential election in Wisconsin#Aftermath}}
On November 11, Georgia Secretary of State ] ordered a statewide hand recount of the vote in addition to the normal audit process. At the time, Biden held a lead of 13,558 votes.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Explainer: Is Georgia's upcoming ballot "audit" a recount? |url=https://apnews.com/article/ap-explains-georgia-audit-or-recount-9adf1d0ed50f8788572b4f7e0f04027e|last1=Cassidy|first1=Christina A.|access-date=November 22, 2020 |work=]|date=November 12, 2020}}</ref> The audit was concluded on November 19 and affirmed Biden's lead by 12,284 votes. Therefore, the results of the hand recount netted Trump 1,274 votes. The change in the count was due to a number of human errors, including memory cards that did not upload properly to the state servers, and was not attributable to any fraud in the original tally.<ref name="NY Times interactive">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/19/us/elections/georgia-recount.html|title=Where Georgia's Hand Recount Differed From the Initial Tally, by County|first1=Josh|last1=Holder|first2=Amy Schoenfeld|last2=Walker|newspaper=]|date=November 20, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Sprunt |first1=Barbara |title=Georgia's Recount Confirms Biden's Lead; AP Declares Him State's Winner |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-2020-election-results/2020/11/19/936647882/georgia-releases-hand-recount-results-affirming-bidens-lead |access-date=November 22, 2020 |work=]|date=November 19, 2020 }}</ref> After certifying the results Republican governor ] called for another hand audit, demanding to compare signatures on absentee ballot requests to actual ballots, despite the fact that this request was impossible,<ref name=Duster>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/07/politics/georgia-recount-recertification-biden/index.html|work=]|date=December 7, 2020|title=Georgia reaffirms Biden's victory for 3rd time after recount, dealing major blow to Trump's attempt to overturn the results|first1=Chandelis|last1=Duster}}</ref> as signatures on mail-in ballot applications and envelopes are checked when they are originally received by election offices, and that ballots are thereafter separated from envelopes to ensure the secrecy of the ballot.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Linton |first1=Caroline |title=Georgia governor calls for audit after state certifies election results |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/georgia-recount-brian-kemp-audit-certified-election-results/ |access-date=November 22, 2020 |work=]|date=November 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Brumback|first1=Kate|title=Georgia officials certify election results showing Biden win|url=https://apnews.com/article/georgia-certify-election-joe-biden-ea8f867d740f3d7d42d0a55c1aef9e69|work=]|date=November 20, 2020}}</ref> The Trump campaign requested a machine recount, which was estimated to cost taxpayers $200,000 in one Georgia county alone.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Jester |first1=Julia |last2=Romero |first2=Dennis |title=Trump campaign asks for another Georgia recount |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/trump-campaign-asks-another-georgia-recount-n1248538 |access-date=November 22, 2020 |work=]|date=November 21, 2020}}</ref> On December 7, Biden was confirmed as the winner of the recount requested by Trump's campaign.<ref name=Duster/>

On November 18, the Trump campaign wired $3{{spaces}}million to pay for partial recounts in ] and ], where Milwaukee and Madison, the two largest cities in the state and Democratic strongholds, are located.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gregorian |first1=Dareh |last2=Jackson |first2=Hallie |last3=Brewster |first3=Shaquille |last4=Alba |first4=Monica |title=Trump campaign requests costly partial recount in Wisconsin |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/trump-campaign-request-costly-partial-recount-wisconsin-n1248117 |access-date=October 24, 2023 |publisher=NBC News |date=November 18, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first1=Kevin |last1=Breuninger |first2=Dan |last2=Mangan |title=Trump campaign requests partial Wisconsin recount, deposits $3&nbsp;million to challenge Biden victory |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/18/trump-campaign-filing-for-partial-wisconsin-recount-challenging-biden-victory.html |access-date=November 22, 2020 |work=]|date=November 18, 2020}}</ref> During the recount, Milwaukee County election commissioner Tim Posnanski said several Republican observers were breaking rules by posing as independents.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Deese |first1=Kaelan |title=Milwaukee officials accuse Trump observers of obstructing recount |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/527040-wisconsin-county-election-officials-accuse-trump-observers-of |access-date=November 22, 2020 |work=] |date=November 21, 2020}}</ref> The recount started November 20 and concluded on November 29, increasing Biden's lead by 87 votes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2020/11/29/dane-county-recount-show-biden-won-wisconsin-trump-prepares-lawsuit/6455880002/|title=Biden gains 87 votes in Trump's $3 million Wisconsin recount as Dane County wraps up review. President plans lawsuit.|first=Patrick|last=Marley|work=]|date=November 29, 2020 }}</ref>

=== Electoral College votes ===
The ] met in the state capitol of each state and in the District of Columbia on December 14, 2020, and formalized Biden's victory, casting 306 votes for Biden/Harris and 232 votes for Trump/Pence.<ref name=APOfficial>{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-270-electoral-college-vote-d429ef97af2bf574d16463384dc7cc1e/|title=Electoral College makes it official: Biden won, Trump lost|work=]|date=December 14, 2020|access-date=December 14, 2020}}</ref><ref name=WillisDuda>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-backers-electoral-college/2020/12/14/f0fcc59c-3e52-11eb-9453-fc36ba051781_story.html|newspaper=]|date=December 14, 2020|first1=Haisten|last1=Willis|first2=Jeremy|last2=Duda|first3=Kathleen|last3=Masterson|first4=David A.|last4=Fahrenthold|title=As electoral college formalizes Biden's win, Trump backers hold their own vote}}</ref> Unlike the 2016 election, there were no ]s.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hutzler |first1=Alexandra |title=Electoral College Cements Joe Biden's Victory With Zero Faithless Electors |url=https://www.newsweek.com/electoral-college-cements-joe-bidens-victory-zero-faithless-electors-1554660 |website=] |access-date=December 14, 2020 |date=December 14, 2020}}</ref> In six ]s won by Biden, groups of self-appointed Republican "alternate electors" met on the same day to vote for Trump. These alternate slates were not signed by the governors of the states they claim to represent, did not have the backing of any state legislature, and have no legal status.<ref name=WillisDuda/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/why-trumps-latest-electoral-college-ploy-is-doomed-to-fail/2020/12/14/49df80f0-3e5d-11eb-b58b-1623f6267960_story.html|title=Why Trump's latest Electoral College ploy is doomed to fail|last=Riccardi|first=Nicholas|date=December 14, 2020|newspaper=]|access-date=December 15, 2020|archive-date=December 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215001422/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/why-trumps-latest-electoral-college-ploy-is-doomed-to-fail/2020/12/14/49df80f0-3e5d-11eb-b58b-1623f6267960_story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Even after the casting of the electoral votes and rejection of his lawsuits seeking to overturn the election by at least 86 judges,<ref name=WillisDuda/> Trump refused to concede defeat.<ref name=APOfficial/><ref name=WillisDuda/><ref name=Easley>{{Cite web|last=Easley|first=Jonathan|date=December 15, 2020|title=Biden rips Trump's refusal to concede after Electoral College vote|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/530200-biden-rips-trumps-refusal-to-concede-after-electoral-college-vote/|access-date=November 14, 2022|website=]}}</ref> In a speech following the Electoral College vote, Biden praised the resiliency of U.S. democratic institutions and the high election turnout (calling it "one of the most amazing demonstrations of civic duty we've ever seen in our country") and called for national unity. Biden also condemned Trump, and those who backed his efforts to subvert the election outcome, for adopting a stance "so extreme that we've never seen it before – a position that refused to respect the will of the people, refused to respect the rule of law and refused to honor our Constitution" and for exposing state election workers and officials to "political pressure, verbal abuse and even threats of physical violence" that was "simply unconscionable".<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 15, 2020|title=Biden hails democracy and rebukes Trump after electoral college victory|url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/14/joe-biden-electoral-college-victory-donald-trump|access-date=November 14, 2022|website=]}}</ref><ref name=Easley/>

=== Certification and January 6th===
{{Main|2021 United States Electoral College vote count|January 6 United States Capitol attack}}
] on January 6]]
{{January 6 United States Capitol attack sidebar}}
The ] first convened on January 3, 2021, and was scheduled to count and certify the Electoral College votes on January 6, 2021. There were 222 Democrats and 212 Republicans in the House; there were 51 Republicans, 46 Democrats, and two independents in the Senate. Several Republican members of the House and Senate said they would raise objections to the reported count in several states,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/13/us/politics/trump-allies-election-overturn-congress-pence.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213100253/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/13/us/politics/trump-allies-election-overturn-congress-pence.html |archive-date=December 13, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Trump Allies Eye Long-Shot Election Reversal in Congress, Testing Pence|last1=Fandos|first1=Nicholas|last2=Schmidt|first2=Michael S. |date=December 14, 2020|work=]|access-date=January 2, 2021}}</ref><ref name="WP-20210105">{{Cite news |last=Brockell |first=Gillian |title=The senators who were expelled after refusing to accept Lincoln's election |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/01/05/senators-expelled-lincoln-election-trump |date=January 5, 2021 |newspaper=] |access-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> meeting the requirement that if a member from each body objects, the two houses must meet separately to discuss whether to accept the certified state vote.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/gop-senator-object-electoral-college-results-forcing-congress-vote-overturning-n1252546|title=GOP senator to object to Electoral College results, forcing Congress to vote on overturning Biden's win|website=]|date=December 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/532366-11-senate-republicans-say-they-will-object-to-electoral-college-results-on|title=11 Senate Republicans say they will oppose Electoral College results Wednesday|first=Jordain|last=Carney|date=January 2, 2021|website=]}}</ref> A statement from the vice president's office said Pence welcomes the plan by Republicans to "raise objections and bring forward evidence" challenging the election results.<ref name="NYT-20210102lb">{{Cite news |last=Broadwater |first=Luke |title=Pence Welcomes Bid to Overturn Biden's Election as Republican Senators Join – The vice president's office said he welcomed the efforts of a group of Republican lawmakers who plan to object to the outcome of the election. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/02/us/politics/gop-senators-josh-hawley-election.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/02/us/politics/gop-senators-josh-hawley-election.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited |date=January 2, 2021 |work=] |access-date=January 2, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On December 28, 2020, Representative ] filed a lawsuit in Texas challenging the ] of the ], claiming Vice President Pence has the power and ability to unilaterally decide which slates of electoral votes get counted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/28/gohmert-suit-pence-overturn-trumps-defeat-451485|title=Gohmert suit may force Pence's hand in effort to overturn Trump's defeat|first=Kyle|last=Cheney|website=]|date=December 28, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/28/gohmert-other-republicans-sue-pence-in-last-ditch-effort-to-overturn-biden-win.html|title=Congressman, other Republicans sue Vice President Pence in last-ditch effort to overturn Biden win|first=Kevin|last=Breuninger|date=December 28, 2020|website=]}}</ref> The case was dismissed on January 1, 2021, for lack of both standing and jurisdiction.<ref name="gohmert dismissal">{{Cite case |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txed.203073/gov.uscourts.txed.203073.37.0.pdf |part=Order of Dismissal |title=Gohmert v. Pence |format=PDF }}</ref><ref name="NYT-20210101">{{Cite news |last1=Edmondson |first1=Catie |last2=Haberman |first2=Maggie |title=Federal Judge Dismisses Election Lawsuit Against Pence – President Trump's congressional allies had hoped to give the vice president the power to reject electoral votes that were cast for Joseph R. Biden Jr. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/us/politics/mike-pence-louie-gohmert-lawsuit.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/us/politics/mike-pence-louie-gohmert-lawsuit.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited |date=January 1, 2021 |work=] |access-date=January 2, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The plaintiffs filed an appeal, and the appeal was dismissed by a three-judge panel of the appeals court the next day.<ref name="TH-20210102">{{Cite news |first=Lauren|last=Vella |title=Appeals court dismisses Gohmert's election suit against Pence |url=https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/532390-appeals-court-dismisses-gohmerts-election-suit-against-pence|date=January 2, 2021 |work=] |access-date=January 2, 2021}}</ref>

As vice president, Pence was due to preside over the January 6, 2021, congressional session to count the electoral votes, which is normally a non-controversial, ceremonial event. In January 2021, Trump began to pressure Pence to take action to overturn the election, demanding both in public and in private that Pence use his position to overturn the election results in swing states and declare Trump and Pence the winners of the election.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/05/us/politics/pence-trump-election.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/05/us/politics/pence-trump-election.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited|title=Trump Says Pence Can Overturn His Loss in Congress. That's Not How It Works.|last=Schmidt|first=Michael S.|date=January 5, 2021|work=]|access-date=January 6, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Pence demurred that the law does not give him that power.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/05/us/politics/pence-trump-election-results.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/05/us/politics/pence-trump-election-results.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited|title=Pence Said to Have Told Trump He Lacks Power to Change Election Result|last1=Haberman|first1=Maggie|last2=Karni|first2=Annie|date=January 5, 2021|work=]|access-date=January 6, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Starting in December, Trump called for his supporters to stage a massive protest in Washington, D.C., on January{{spaces}}6 to argue against certification of the electoral vote, using tweets such as "Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!"<ref name="WP-20201230">{{Cite news |title=Trump is inciting chaos on Jan. 6, both in and outside the Capitol |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trump-is-inciting-chaos-on-jan-6-both-in-and-outside-the-capitol/2020/12/30/7c4196b0-4ad2-11eb-839a-cf4ba7b7c48c_story.html |date=December 30, 2020 |newspaper=] |access-date=January 2, 2021}}</ref> D.C. police were concerned, and the National Guard was alerted because several rallies in December had turned violent.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trump-is-inciting-chaos-on-jan-6-both-in-and-outside-the-capitol/2020/12/30/7c4196b0-4ad2-11eb-839a-cf4ba7b7c48c_story.html|title=Trump is inciting chaos on Jan. 6, both in and outside the Capitol|last=Editorial board|date=December 30, 2020|newspaper=]|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref>

On January 6, 2021, shortly after Trump continued to press false claims of ] at a rally on the ] in Washington, D.C., a crowd of Trump supporters ], interrupting the ] where the Electoral College ballots were being certified and forcing lawmakers to flee the chamber. As part of an organized effort by Republican lawmakers to challenge the results in close states, the House and the Senate were meeting separately to debate the results of Arizona's election and accepting the electoral college ballots submitted. Several other challenges were also planned. Congress reconvened that same night, after the Capitol was cleared of trespassers, and leaders of both parties, including Vice President Mike Pence, House Speaker ], and Senate Speaker Mitch McConnell urged the legislators to confirm the electors. The Senate resumed its session at around 8:00{{spaces}}p.m. to finish debating the objection to the Arizona and Pennsylvania electors were also considered. The joint session completed its work shortly before 4:00{{spaces}}a.m. on Thursday, January 7, declaring Biden and Harris the winners.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2021 |title=Roll Call Vote 117th Congress – 1st Session: On the Objection (Shall the Objection Submitted by the Gentleman from Arizona, Mr. Gosar, and the Senator from Texas, Mr. Cruz, and Others Be Sustained? ) |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=117&session=1&vote=00001 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107145609/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=117&session=1&vote=00001 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |access-date=January 7, 2021 |website=senate.gov |publisher=United States Senate}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=King |first1=Ledyard |last2=Groppe |first2=Maureen |last3=Wu |first3=Nicholas |last4=Jansen |first4=Bart |last5=Subramanian |first5=Courtney |last6=Garrison |first6=Joey |date=January 6, 2021 |title=Pence confirms Biden as winner, officially ending electoral count after day of violence at Capitol |website=] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/01/06/congress-count-electoral-college-votes-biden-win/6556555002/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107100543/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/01/06/congress-count-electoral-college-votes-biden-win/6556555002/ |archive-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2021 |title=Congress affirms Biden's Electoral College victory |url=https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/congress-electoral-college-vote-count-2021/h_47d7ee374435cc40a35a92cb450f3e25 |access-date=January 7, 2021 |website=] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 11, 2021 |title=Capitol assault a more sinister attack than first appeared |work=] |url=https://apnews.com/article/14c73ee280c256ab4ec193ac0f49ad54 |access-date=January 12, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Macias |first1=Amanda |last2=Mangan |first2=Dan |date=January 6, 2021 |title=U.S. Capitol secured hours after pro-Trump rioters invade Congress |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/06/buildings-in-us-capitol-complex-evacuated-amid-pro-trump-protests.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107030000/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/06/buildings-in-us-capitol-complex-evacuated-amid-pro-trump-protests.html |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |access-date=January 7, 2021 |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Capitol attack: Congress certifies Joe Biden's victory after deadly violence |website=] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55568621 |url-status=live |access-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107100538/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55568621 |archive-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Graham |first=David |date=January 6, 2021 |title=This Is a Coup |work=] |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/01/attempted-coup/617570/ |access-date=January 6, 2021}}</ref>

The rioters entered the House and Senate chambers and vandalized offices. Five people died as a result: one person was shot by police, one ] officer died from a stroke after fisticuffs with rioters,<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 19, 2021 |title=Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick died of natural causes after riot, medical examiner says |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/capitol-police-officer-brian-sicknick-died-natural-causes-after-riot-n1264562 |access-date=April 20, 2021 |website=]}}</ref> one person died of a heart attack, another of a stroke, and the final death is still under investigation. Trump was accused of inciting the violence with his rhetoric,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Dozier |first1=Kimberly |last2=Bergengruen |first2=Vera |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Incited by the President, Trump Supporters Violently Storm the Capitol |magazine=Time |url=https://time.com/5926883/trump-supporters-storm-capitol/ |access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref> an accusation reinforced with an ] on January 13 for "incitement of insurrection".<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 13, 2021 |title=Donald Trump becomes the first US president to be impeached for a second time – as it happened |newspaper=] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2021/jan/13/donald-trump-impeachment-nancy-pelosi-joe-biden-mike-pence-congress-covid-coronavirus-live-updates |access-date=January 21, 2021}}</ref> Several commentators viewed the attack on the Capitol Building as an indicator of political instability that could lead to political violence in future elections, ranging from ] to a second American Civil War.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Leah |title=Author Keith Boykin: "America Is In A Cold Civil War" |url=https://www.gpb.org/news/2021/09/21/author-keith-boykin-america-in-cold-civil-war |access-date=June 22, 2022 |website=Georgia Public Broadcasting |date=September 21, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Former White House Russia expert Fiona Hill warns the U.S. is on a path to autocracy |work=] |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/10/06/1043401926/russia-expert-fiona-hill-there-is-nothing-for-you-here |access-date=June 22, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2021 |title=UC San Diego Political Scientist Warns Of A Second Civil War After Capitol Riot |url=https://www.kpbs.org/news/midday-edition/2021/01/07/political-scientist-warns-second-civil-war-after-c |access-date=June 22, 2022 |website=KPBS Public Media }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Bernstein: There is a "civil war of untruth" in America – CNN Video |date=November 15, 2020 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2020/11/15/bernstein-there-is-a-civil-war-of-untruth-in-america.cnn |access-date=June 22, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 4, 2022 |title=The next US civil war is already here – we just refuse to see it |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/04/next-us-civil-war-already-here-we-refuse-to-see-it |access-date=June 22, 2022 |website=] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Doherty |first=Erin |date=February 10, 2022 |title=Kinzinger: "We have to recognize" possibility of a civil war |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/02/10/adam-kinzinger-censures-republicans |access-date=June 22, 2022 |website=]}}</ref>

=== Post-certification ===
On May 10, 2021, over 120 retired U.S. generals and admirals published an open letter alleging that there had been "election irregularities", suggesting that the election had not been "fair and honest" and did not "accurately reflect the "will of the people", and arguing for tighter restrictions on voting.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mathias|first=Christopher|date=May 12, 2021|title=Former U.S. Military Leaders Sign Bizarre Open Letter Pushing Election Lies|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/retired-generals-election-conspiracy-theories-letter_n_609c1d0ae4b0909247feb276|access-date=May 13, 2021|website=]}}</ref> On May 12, 2021, U.S. Representative ] was removed from her party leadership role as Chair of the ], partially for continuing to assert that the election had been fair and that the election results were final.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Edmondson|first1=Catie|last2=Fandos|first2=Nicholas|date=February 4, 2021|title=House Republicans Choose to Keep Liz Cheney in Leadership|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/03/us/liz-cheney-vote.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/03/us/liz-cheney-vote.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021|url-access=limited|access-date=February 7, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=":22">{{Cite news|last=Strauss|first=Daniel|date=May 12, 2021|title=Liz Cheney removed from House leadership over Trump criticism|work=]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/12/liz-cheney-house-leadership-republican-caucus-vote|access-date=May 12, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Peterson|first=Kristina|date=May 5, 2021|title=Behind Liz Cheney's Break With Kevin McCarthy Over Trump|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/scalise-backs-stefanik-to-replace-liz-cheney-as-gop-conference-chair-11620218211|work=]|access-date=May 12, 2021}}</ref>

Well into Biden's presidency, Trump continues to insist that he had actually won the 2020 election.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10|title=AP Fact Check: Yes, Trump lost election despite what he says|last=Yen|first=Hope|date=May 6, 2021|work=]|access-date=August 22, 2021}}</ref> As of August 2021, surveys found that a majority of Republicans believe it.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/poll-two-thirds-of-republicans-still-think-the-2020-election-was-rigged-165934695.html|title=Poll: Two-thirds of Republicans still think the 2020 election was rigged|last=Dickson|first=Caitlin|date=August 4, 2021|work=]|access-date=August 22, 2021}}</ref> A widespread rumor predicted that Trump would be somehow reinstated to the presidency in August 2021, although the predicted date of August 13 passed without incident.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/critics-mock-believers-former-president-215037787.html|title=Critics mock believers in former President Donald Trump's 'reinstatement day'|last=Graziosi|first=Graig|date=August 13, 2021|work=]|access-date=August 22, 2021}}</ref>

===Election audits===
{{Main|2021 Maricopa County presidential ballot audit}}
On March 31, 2021, the Republican caucus of the ] hired several outside firms to ] of the presidential and senatorial elections in ], where Biden had won by a large margin.<ref name="AP May 10">{{Cite news|title=Inside Arizona's election audit, GOP fraud fantasies live on|url=https://apnews.com/article/arizona-election-recount-b38a9205c306796f914d62bbad601587 |access-date=August 6, 2021 |date=May 10, 2021|work=]|first1=Jonathan J.|last1=Cooper|first2=Bob|last2=Christie }}</ref> There had been three previous audits and recounts of that county's results.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Fifield |first1=Jen |title=Maricopa County's 2020 election votes were counted correctly, more county audits show |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/02/23/maricopa-countys-election-audits-show-2020-votes-counted-correctly/4550644001/ |website=] |access-date=June 8, 2021 |date=February 23, 2021}}</ref> The examination was initially funded by $150,000 from the State Senate operating budget; additional funding was to come from outside sources.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-arizona-elections-phoenix-dcb5478736188723b405a26e5b7031fc|title=CEO of firm eyeing ballots appeared to make political posts|date=March 31, 2021|first=Bob|last=Christie|work=]}}</ref> In July the lead firm conducting the review released a summary of major donors, indicating $5.7&nbsp;million was raised from five groups associated with individuals who had ] on the presidential election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-arizona-senate-elections-9b626b0fb2714b17279d832339d8a878 |first=Jonathan J. |last=Cooper |title=Trump supporters raise $5.7M for Arizona election audit|date=July 28, 2021|work=] |access-date=August 6, 2021}}</ref> The audit began on April 22, 2021, and was expected to last 60 days.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-elections-arizona-government-and-politics-voter-registration-290cc4989a40383a5b5f435c4cafbb02 |title=Arizona election auditors seek more records, voter canvass|date=July 16, 2021|work=] |first=Jonathan J. |last=Cooper}}</ref> The investigation was still ongoing in August when a judge issued an order for the release of documents.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tucson.com/news/local/judge-orders-arizona-senate-to-immediately-release-documents-about-election-audit/article_df305538-f499-11eb-baa3-dffee0a63b03.html|title=Judge orders Arizona Senate to immediately release documents about election audit|first=Howard |last=Fischer|website=Arizona Daily Star|date=August 3, 2021}}</ref> On September 24, a preliminary release of the audit claimed to have found minor discrepancies in the original, state-certified count, which had actually widened Biden's margin by 360 votes.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Helderman|first1=Rosalind S.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/arizona-ballot-review-draft-report/2021/09/24/7c19ac08-1562-11ec-b976-f4a43b740aeb_story.html|title=Arizona ballot review commissioned by Republicans reaffirms Biden's victory|newspaper=]|date=September 24, 2021|access-date=September 24, 2021}}</ref>

=== Viewership ===
{{col-begin}} {{col-begin}}
{{col-break}} {{col-break}}
'''Legend'''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/fox-news-is-the-no-1-network-for-2020-election-night-coverage/461857/ |url-access=registration |title=Fox News Is the No. 1 Network for 2020 Election Night Coverage |date=November 4, 2020 |last1=Katz |first1=A.J. |website=Adweek |access-date=November 4, 2020 |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104214607/https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/fox-news-is-the-no-1-network-for-2020-election-night-coverage/461857/ |url-status=live }}</ref> '''Legend'''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/fox-news-is-the-no-1-network-for-2020-election-night-coverage/461857/ |url-access=registration |title=Fox News Is the No. 1 Network for 2020 Election Night Coverage |date=November 4, 2020 |last1=Katz |first1=A.J. |website=Adweek |access-date=November 4, 2020 |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104214607/https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/fox-news-is-the-no-1-network-for-2020-election-night-coverage/461857/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;" {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%"
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;" |- style="background:#e5d1cb"
|cable news network |Cable news network
|- style="background:#dfe2e9;" |- style="background:#dfe2e9"
|broadcast network |Broadcast network
|} |}
{{col-break}} {{col-break}}
'''Total television viewers<br />8:00 to 11:00{{nbsp}}p.m.{{nbsp}}EST''' '''Total television viewers<br/>8:00 to 11:00{{nbsp}}p.m.{{nbsp}}EST'''
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|- |-
! Network !! Viewers ! Network !! Viewers
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;" |- style="background:#e5d1cb"
| ] || 13,638,000 | ] || 13,638,000
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;" |- style="background:#e5d1cb"
| ] || 9,084,000 | ] || 9,084,000
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;" |- style="background:#e5d1cb"
| ] || 7,310,000 | ] || 7,310,000
|- style="background:#dfe2e9;" |- style="background:#dfe2e9"
| ] || 6,095,000 | ] || 6,095,000
|- style="background:#dfe2e9;" |- style="background:#dfe2e9"
| ] || 5,633,000 | ] || 5,633,000
|- style="background:#dfe2e9;" |- style="background:#dfe2e9"
| ] || 4,344,000 | ] || 4,344,000
|- style="background:#dfe2e9;" |- style="background:#dfe2e9"
| ] || 3,278,000 | ] || 3,278,000
|} |}
{{col-break}} {{col-break}}
'''Total cable TV viewers<br />6:00{{nbsp}}p.m. to 3:00{{nbsp}}a.m.{{nbsp}}EST''' '''Total cable TV viewers<br/>6:00{{nbsp}}p.m. to 3:00{{nbsp}}a.m.{{nbsp}}EST'''
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|- |-
! Network !! Viewers ! Network !! Viewers
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;" |- style="background:#e5d1cb"
| ] || 10,533,000 | ] || 10,533,000
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;" |- style="background:#e5d1cb"
| ] || 6,771,000 | ] || 6,771,000
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;" |- style="background:#e5d1cb"
| ] || 5,404,000 | ] || 5,404,000
|} |}
{{col-break}} {{col-break}}
'''Television viewers 25 to 54<br />8:00 to 11:00{{nbsp}}p.m.{{nbsp}}EST''' '''Television viewers 25 to 54<br/>8:00 to 11:00{{nbsp}}p.m.{{nbsp}}EST'''
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|- |-
! Network !! Viewers ! Network !! Viewers
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;" |- style="background:#e5d1cb"
| ] || 4,901,000 | ] || 4,901,000
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;" |- style="background:#e5d1cb"
| ] || 4,444,000 | ] || 4,444,000
|- style="background:#dfe2e9;" |- style="background:#dfe2e9"
| ] || 2,510,000 | ] || 2,510,000
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;" |- style="background:#e5d1cb"
| ] || 2,381,000 | ] || 2,381,000
|- style="background:#dfe2e9;" |- style="background:#dfe2e9"
| ] || 2,283,000 | ] || 2,283,000
|- style="background:#dfe2e9;" |- style="background:#dfe2e9"
| ] || 1,663,000 | ] || 1,663,000
|- style="background:#dfe2e9;" |- style="background:#dfe2e9"
| ] || 1,608,000 | ] || 1,608,000
|} |}
{{col-break}} {{col-break}}
'''Cable TV viewers 25 to 54<br />6:00{{nbsp}}p.m. to 3:00{{nbsp}}a.m.{{nbsp}}EST''' '''Cable TV viewers 25 to 54<br/>6:00{{nbsp}}p.m. to 3:00{{nbsp}}a.m.{{nbsp}}EST'''
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|- |-
! Network !! Viewers ! Network !! Viewers
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;" |- style="background:#e5d1cb"
| ] || 3,853,000 | ] || 3,853,000
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;" |- style="background:#e5d1cb"
| ] || 3,312,000 | ] || 3,312,000
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;" |- style="background:#e5d1cb"
| ] || 1,739,000 | ] || 1,739,000
|} |}
{{col-end}} {{col-end}}


== Controversies == == See also ==
{{portal|2020s|Politics|United States}}

* ]
=== Polling accuracy ===
Although polls generally predicted the Biden victory, some states were much closer than anticipated, while in several Senate races they were wrong.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Matthews|first=Dylan|date=2020-11-10|title=One pollster's explanation for why the polls got it wrong|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/11/10/21551766/election-polls-results-wrong-david-shor|access-date=2020-11-12|website=Vox}}</ref> This was speculated to be a result of Trump supporters being less trustful of other people, and therefore less likely to respond to pollsters.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Matthews|first=Dylan|date=2020-11-10|title=One pollster's explanation for why the polls got it wrong|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/11/10/21551766/election-polls-results-wrong-david-shor|access-date=2020-11-12|website=Vox}}</ref>

===False claims of fraud===
{{See Also|Stop the Steal}}
Trump and a variety of his surrogates and supporters made a series of false claims that the election was fraudulent. Claims that substantial fraud was committed have been repeatedly debunked.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Seitz|first1=Amanda|last2=Klepper|first2=David|last3=Ortutay|first3=Barbara|date=November 10, 2020|title=False claims of voting fraud, pushed by Trump, thrive online|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-politics-media-1bf96bf3910bdcbe0f125958357c8f1a|accessdate=November 11, 2020|work=AP News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Kessler|first1=Glenn|last2=Rizzo|first2=Salvador|date=November 6, 2020|title=President Trump's false claims of vote fraud: A chronology|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/11/05/president-trumps-false-claims-vote-fraud-chronology/|accessdate=November 11, 2020|work=The Washington Post}}</ref> On November 9 and 10 ''The New York Times'' called the offices of top election officials in every state; all of the 45 state officials who responded stated that there was no evidence of fraud. Some described the election as remarkably successful considering the coronavirus pandemic, the record turnout, and the unprecedented number of ].<ref name="NY Times Officials" /> On November 12, the ] issued a statement calling the 2020 election "the most secure in American history" and noting "here is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was in any way compromised".<ref name="cisa-nov-12-statement">{{cite web|title=Joint Statement from Elections Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council & the Election Infrastructure Sector Coordinating Executive Committees|url=https://www.cisa.gov/news/2020/11/12/joint-statement-elections-infrastructure-government-coordinating-council-election|work=Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency|accessdate=November 13, 2020 |date=November 12, 2020}}</ref>

As ballots were still being counted two days after Election Day, Trump asserted without evidence that there was "tremendous corruption and fraud going on," adding, "If you count the legal votes, I easily win. If you count the illegal votes, they can try to steal the election from us."<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Dale|first=Daniel|date=November 5, 2020|title=Fact check: Trump delivers most dishonest speech of his presidency as Biden closes in on victory|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/05/politics/fact-check-trump-speech-thursday-election-rigged-stolen/index.html|website=CNN}}</ref> Trump has claimed repeatedly that the mail-in ballots being heavily pro-Biden is suspicious.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Boehm|first1=Eric|date=November 5, 2020|title=Trump Says Mail-in Votes Are Suspicious Because They Overwhelmingly Favor Joe Biden. He's Wrong.|url=https://reason.com/2020/11/05/trump-says-mail-in-votes-are-suspicious-because-they-overwhelmingly-favor-joe-biden-hes-wrong/|accessdate=November 11, 2020|work=Reason}}</ref> This is a common phenomenon known as the ], since more Democrats than Republicans tend to vote by mail, and mail ballots are counted late in many states. Leading up to the 2020 election the effect was predicted to be even greater than usual, as Trump's attacks on mail voting might have deterred Republicans from casting mail ballots.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Wasserman|first1=Dave|date=November 4, 2020|title=Beware the 'blue mirage' and the 'red mirage' on election night|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/beware-blue-mirage-red-mirage-election-night-n1245925|accessdate=November 11, 2020|website=NBC News}}</ref>

Many claims of purported voter fraud were discovered to be false or misleading. A '']'' story claimed that Biden had won an extra 3,000 votes in ], after a reporting error.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gardner|first=Amy|last2=Parker|first2=Ashley|last3=Dawsey|first3=Josh|last4=Brown|first4=Emma|date=November 9, 2020|title=Top Republicans back Trump's efforts to challenge election results|work=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-republicans-election-challenges/2020/11/09/49e2c238-22c4-11eb-952e-0c475972cfc0_story.html|accessdate=November 11, 2020|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> In fact, the number of votes affected was 342, with no breakdown of which candidates they were for.<ref>{{Cite web|author=WSBTV Staff|date=November 7, 2020|title=UPDATE: Fulton County ballot scanning issue affected just 342 votes|url=https://www.wsbtv.com/news/politics/update-fulton-county-ballot-scanning-issue-affected-just-342-votes/W5OF32LWFRFFXGOHQ365UVQAOA/|accessdate=November 11, 2020|website=WSBTV}}</ref> A ] of a Pennsylvania poll worker filling out a ballot was found to be a case of a damaged ballot being replicated to ensure proper counting, while a video claimed to show a man taking ballots illegally to a ] counting center was found to be actually depicting a photographer transporting his equipment.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Iati|first=Marisa|last2=Usero|first2=Adriana|title=A viral video implied a man was illegally moving ballots. It was a photographer and his equipment.|work=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/11/05/video-claiming-detroit-ballot-fraud-debunked/|access-date=2020-11-11|issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=PolitiFact - Pennsylvania poll worker was copying information from a damaged ballot, to ensure it was counted|url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/nov/06/facebook-posts/pennsylvania-poll-worker-was-copying-information-d/|accessdate=November 11, 2020|date=November 6, 2020|last1=O'Rourke|first1=Clara|website=Politifact}}</ref> Another video of a poll watcher being turned away in ] was found to be real, but the poll watcher had subsequently been allowed inside after a misunderstanding had been resolved.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fauzia|first=Miriam|title=Fact check: Poll watcher turned away at Philadelphia polling station in misunderstanding|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/11/03/fact-check-philadelphia-poll-watcher-turned-away-mistake/6144601002/|accessdate=November 11, 2020|date=November 3, 2020|website=USA Today}}</ref> A tweet that went viral claimed that 14,000 votes in ] — which encompasses Detroit — were cast by dead people, but the list of names included was found to be incorrect.<ref>{{cite web|title=PolitiFact - List does not show over 14,000 dead people cast ballots in Michigan's Wayne County|url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/nov/07/tweets/list-does-not-show-over-14000-dead-people-cast-bal/|access-date=2020-11-11|date=November 6, 2020|last1=Hendrickson|first1=Clara|website=Politifact}}</ref> In ], a postal worker who claimed that the postmaster had instructed postal workers to backdate ballots mailed after Election Day later admitted he had fabricated the claim. Prior to his recantation, Republican senator ] cited the claim in a letter to the Justice Department calling for an investigation, and the worker was praised as a patriot on a ] page created in his name that raised $136,000.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Boburg|first1=Shawn|last2=Bogage|first2=Jacob|title=Postal worker recanted allegations of ballot tampering, officials say|date=November 10, 2020|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/postal-worker-fabricated-ballot-pennsylvania/2020/11/10/99269a7c-2364-11eb-8599-406466ad1b8e_story.html|accessdate=November 11, 2020|website=The Washington Post}}</ref>

Days after Biden had been declared the winner, White House press secretary ] asserted without evidence that the Democratic Party was welcoming fraud and illegal voting.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Izadi|first1=Elahe|last2=Ellison|first2=Sarah|date=November 9, 2020|title=Fox News cuts away from Kayleigh McEnany news conference after she alleges vote fraud with no evidence|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2020/11/09/fox-news-kayleigh-mcenany-cut-away-fraud/|work=The Washington Post}}</ref> Republican former speaker of the House ] stated on Fox News, "I think that it is a corrupt, stolen election."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Broadwater|first=Luke|date=November 8, 2020|title=As Biden Plans Transition, Republicans Decline to Recognize His Election|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/08/us/politics/republicans-trump-concede-election.html|website=The New York Times}}</ref> Appearing at a ] as Biden was being declared the winner, Trump's personal attorney ] asserted without evidence that hundreds of thousands of ballots were questionable.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Shannon|first1=Joel|last2=Ciavaglia|first2=Jo|last3=McGinnis|first3=James|date=November 8, 2020|title=Giuliani holds press conference at landscaping business, prompting confusion|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/11/07/giuliani-holds-press-conference-four-seasons-total-landscaping/6209235002/|website=USA Today}}</ref> Responding to Giuliani, a spokesperson for Pennsylvania Attorney General ] said "Many of the claims against the commonwealth have already been dismissed, and repeating these false attacks is reckless. No active lawsuit even alleges, and no evidence presented so far has shown, widespread problems."<ref name="NY Times Officials" />

One week after the election, Republican ] Al Schmidt said he had not seen any evidence of widespread fraud, stating, "I have seen the most fantastical things on social media, making completely ridiculous allegations that have no basis in fact at all and see them spread." He added that his office had examined a list of dead people who purportedly voted in Philadelphia but "not a single one of them voted in Philadelphia after they died." Trump derided Schmidt, tweeting, "He refuses to look at a mountain of corruption & dishonesty. We win!"<ref>{{cite web|last1=Stracqualursi|first1=Veronica|date=November 11, 2020|title=Republican election official in Philadelphia says he's seen no evidence of widespread fraud|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/politics/philadelphia-city-commissioner-2020-election-cnntv/index.html|website=CNN}}</ref>

Attorneys who brought accusations of voting fraud or irregularities before judges were unable to produce actual evidence to support the allegations. In one instance, a Trump attorney sought to have ballot counting halted in Detroit on the basis of a claim by a Republican poll watcher that she had been told by an unidentified person that ballots were being backdated; ] judge ] dismissed the argument as "inadmissible hearsay within hearsay."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Blake|first=Aaron|date=November 12, 2020|title=Trump lawyers suffer embarrassing rebukes from judges over voter fraud claims|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/11/11/trump-lawyers-suffer-embarrassing-rebukes-judges-over-voter-fraud-claims/|work=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Klasfield|first1=Adam|date=November 5, 2020|title='Come on Now': Michigan Judge Scoffs at and Tosses Trump Campaign Lawsuit Backed by 'Hearsay' Evidence|url=https://lawandcrime.com/2020-election/come-on-now-michigan-judge-scoffs-at-and-tosses-trump-campaign-lawsuit-backed-by-hearsay-evidence/|website=Law & Crime}}</ref> Some senior attorneys at law firms working on Trump's behalf, notably ], expressed concerns that they were helping to undermine the integrity of American elections by advancing arguments lacking evidence.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Silver-Greenberg|first1=Jessica|last2=Abrams|first2=Rachel|last3=Enrich|first3=David|date=November 9, 2020|title=Growing Discomfort at Law Firms Representing Trump in Election Lawsuits|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/business/jones-day-trump-election-lawsuits.html|work=The New York Times}}</ref>

===Lawsuits===
{{Main|Lawsuits related to the 2020 United States presidential election}}
After the election, the ] filed a number of lawsuits in multiple states, including Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.<ref name="bloomberg-law-davis-list">{{cite web|last1=Davis|first1=Tina|date=7 November 2020|title=Trump's Election Lawsuits: Where the Fights Are Playing Out|url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/trumps-election-lawsuits-where-the-fights-are-playing-out|accessdate=10 November 2020|work=Bloomberg Law}}</ref> Lawyers and other observers have noted the suits are unlikely to have an effect on the outcome. ] professor Justin Levitt said "here's literally nothing that I've seen yet with the meaningful potential to affect the final result".<ref name="Time">{{cite web|last1=Abramson|first1=Alana|last2=Abrams|first2=Abigail|date=9 November 2020|title=Here Are All the Lawsuits the Trump Campaign Has Filed Since Election Day—And Why Most Are Unlikely to Go Anywhere|url=https://time.com/5908505/trump-lawsuits-biden-wins/|accessdate=10 November 2020|work=Time}}</ref>
Some law firms have moved to drop their representation in lawsuits challenging results of the election.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/13/law-firm-drops-trump-campaign-436418|title=Another law firm bails out on Trump campaign|work=Politico|date=November 13, 2020|acccessdate=November 13, 2020|last1=Gerstein|first1=Josh}}</ref>

=== Trump's refusal to concede ===
On Election Night, with vote counts still going on in many states, Trump claimed that he had won.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/10-states-still-counting-millions-votes-trump-falsely-claims-he-n1246336|title=With states still counting, Trump falsely claims he won|last=Timm|first=Jane C.|date=November 4, 2020|work=NBC News|accessdate=13 November 2020}}</ref> A week later and days after the networks had called the election for Biden, Trump was still refusing to concede. Biden described Trump's refusal as "an embarrassment".<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-11-11|title=Biden: Trump refusal to concede 'an embarrassment'|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54897627|access-date=2020-11-12}}</ref> The ] was blocking preparations for a transfer of power from proceeding.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shear|first=Michael D.|last2=Haberman|first2=Maggie|last3=Crowley|first3=Michael|date=2020-11-10|title=Trump Appointee Stands Between Biden's Team and a Smooth Transition|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/us/politics/emily-murphy-trump-biden.html|access-date=2020-11-12|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The White House ordered government agencies not to cooperate with the Biden transition team in any way.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-transition-agencies-biden/2020/11/09/ad9f2ba2-22b7-11eb-952e-0c475972cfc0_story.html|title=White House, escalating tensions, orders agencies to rebuff Biden transition team|date=November 9, 2020|work=The Washington Post|accessdate=13 November 2020}}</ref> Secretary of State ] declared that there would be "a smooth transition to a second Trump Administration".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-2020-election-results/2020/11/10/933516479/pompeo-promises-a-smooth-transition-to-a-second-trump-administration|title=Pompeo Promises 'A Smooth Transition To A Second Trump Administration'|date=November 10, 2020|accessdate=Novmber 12, 2020|website=NPR|last1=Chappell|first1=Bill}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Modern history|Politics|United States}}
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ] * ]
* ]
* ]


==Notes== == Notes ==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} {{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
{{reflist|group=nb}} {{Reflist|group=nb}}
{{Reflist|group=note}}


==References== == References ==
{{reflist|refs= {{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="Politiconov1">{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/31/impeachment-democratic-candidadtes-063478|title='There's no model for this': Impeachment timeline crashes into Democratic primary|first=Marc|last=Caputo|website=Politico|date=November 1, 2019|access-date=December 18, 2019}}</ref> <ref name="Politiconov1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/31/impeachment-democratic-candidadtes-063478|title='There's no model for this': Impeachment timeline crashes into Democratic primary|first=Marc|last=Caputo|website=]|date=November 1, 2019|access-date=December 18, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="rQNzf">{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-election/9480396/US-Election-guide-how-does-the-election-work.html |title=US Election guide: how does the election work? |date=November 6, 2012 |work=] |access-date=October 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151110114127/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-election/9480396/US-Election-guide-how-does-the-election-work.html |archive-date=November 10, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
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<ref name="politico20190506">{{cite news|title=Rhode Island GOP switches to "winner-take-all" primary vote|url=https://apnews.com/bf5036b4c0c64842b37ec2805a3fbbdb|work=Associated Press|date=September 20, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="AP20190920">{{cite news|title=Massachusetts Republicans move to protect Trump in 2020 primary|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/06/massachusetts-republicans-trump-2020-primary-1302875|work=Politico|first=Stephanie|last=Murray|date=May 6, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="NYTimesSanford">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/08/us/politics/mark-sanford-president.html|title=Mark Sanford Will Challenge Trump in Republican Primary|website=The New York Times|last1=Burns|first1=Alexander|date=September 8, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="SanfordSuspends">{{cite news |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/former-sc-gov-mark-sanford-has-dropped-out-of-presidential/article_3def9eee-0171-11ea-84ec-8bd313d6fd8a.html|title=Former SC Gov. Mark Sanford has dropped out of presidential race |date=November 12, 2019|access-date=November 12, 2019|work=]|last=Byrd|first=Caitlin}}</ref>
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<ref name="klobuchar announcement2">{{cite news |last=Golshan |first=Tara |url=https://www.vox.com/2019/2/10/18136170/amy-klobuchar-running-president-announcement |title=Sen. Amy Klobuchar has won every one of her elections by huge margins. Now she's running for president |date=February 10, 2019 |access-date=February 10, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210203324/https://www.vox.com/2019/2/10/18136170/amy-klobuchar-running-president-announcement |archive-date=February 10, 2019 |website=]}}</ref>
<ref name="KlobucharDrops">{{cite news |last1=Schnieder |first1=Elena |title=Klobuchar drops out of 2020 campaign, endorses Biden |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/02/klobuchar-to-drop-out-of-2020-campaign-endorse-biden-118823 |access-date=March 2, 2020 |work=Politico |date=March 2, 2020}}</ref>
<ref name="ButtigiegAnnounce22">{{cite news |last1=Karson |first1=Kendall |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mayor-presidential-contender-pete-buttigieg-officially-enter-2020/story?id=62345455 |title=Pete Buttigieg, little-known mayor turned presidential contender, makes historic bid |date=April 14, 2019 |work=] |access-date=April 14, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414101148/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mayor-presidential-contender-pete-buttigieg-officially-enter-2020/story?id=62345455 |archive-date=April 14, 2019 |last2=Gomez |first2=Justin}}</ref>
<ref name="ButtgiegOut2">{{cite news |last1=Epstein |first1=Reid J. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/01/us/politics/pete-buttigieg-drops-out.html |title=Pete Buttigieg Drops Out of Democratic Presidential Race |date=March 1, 2020 |work=The New York Times |access-date=March 1, 2020 |url-status=live |last2=Gabriel |first2=Trip |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
<ref name="Steyer22">{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Alexander |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/09/us/politics/tom-steyer-president.html |title=Tom Steyer Will Run for President and Plans to Spend $100 Million on His Bid |date=July 9, 2019 |work=] |access-date=July 9, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="PatrickEnters22">{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/latest-deval-patrick-announces-2020-presidential-bid-67003208 |title=Deval Patrick announces 2020 presidential bid |date=November 14, 2019 |work=] |access-date=November 14, 2019 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
<ref name="usatoday22">{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/02/12/deval-patrick-drops-out-democratic-presidential-race/4692297002/ |title=Deval Patrick drops out of Democratic presidential race |last1=Morin |first1=Rebecca |date=February 12, 2020 |website=USA Today |access-date=February 12, 2020}}</ref>
<ref name="Bennet-announce22">{{cite news |last1=Gregorian |first1=Dareh |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/colorado-sen-bennet-enters-presidential-race-after-prostrate-cancer-treatment-n1000971 |title=Colorado Sen. Bennet enters presidential race after prostate cancer treatment |date=May 2, 2019 |access-date=May 2, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502230609/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/colorado-sen-bennet-enters-presidential-race-after-prostrate-cancer-treatment-n1000971 |archive-date=May 2, 2019 |website=]}}</ref>
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<ref name="williamson">{{cite web |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Marianne-Williamson-Announces-Presidential-Candidacy-505014341.html |title=Author Marianne Williamson Announces Presidential Candidacy |agency=City News Service |website=] |date=January 29, 2019 |access-date=November 1, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="williamsonends">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/10/us/politics/marianne-williamson-drops-out.html |title=Marianne Williamson Drops Out of 2020 Presidential Race |first=Maggie |last=Astor |website=] |date=January 10, 2020 |access-date=January 10, 2020}}</ref>
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<ref name="politicod3c">{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/03/kamala-harris-drops-out-out-of-presidential-race-074902 |title=Kamala Harris drops out of presidential race |date=December 3, 2019 |first=Christopher |last=Cadelago |work=] |access-date=December 3, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="BullockAnnounce">{{cite tweet |number=1128238526330359808 |user=GovernorBullock |title=To give everyone a fair shot, we must do more than defeat Donald Trump. We have to defeat the corrupt system that keeps people like him in power, and we need a fighter who's done it before. That's why I'm running for President. Join our team: http://stevebullock.com |first=Steve |last=Bullock |date=May 14, 2019 |access-date=May 14, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="bullockdropout">{{cite web |last1=Weigel |first1=David |title=Montana Gov. Steve Bullock drops out of presidential race |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/montana-gov-steve-bullock-drops-out-of-presidential-race/2019/12/01/26c220ec-14a0-11ea-a659-7d69641c6ff7_story.html?tidr=a_breakingnews&hpid=hp_no-name_mhp-breaking-news%3Apage%2Fbreaking-news-bar |work=The Washington Post|date=December 2, 2019|access-date=December 2, 2019 }}</ref>
<ref name="axiosdec1">{{cite news |last1=Perano |first1=Ursala |title=Democrat Joe Sestak drops out of 2020 presidential race |url=https://www.axios.com/joe-sestak-drops-out-2020-presidential-race-413ab22a-6132-4d5d-80a0-81a0b6655245.html |newspaper=Axios |date=December 1, 2019 |access-date=December 1, 2019}}</ref>
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<ref name="Beto-announce">{{cite web |last1=Bradner |first1=Eric |last2=Santiago |first2=Leyla |title=Beto O'Rourke announces he's running for president in 2020 |url=https://us.cnn.com/2019/03/14/politics/beto-orourke-announces-2020-campaign/index.html |date=March 14, 2019 |website=] |access-date=March 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190314104508/https://us.cnn.com/2019/03/14/politics/beto-orourke-announces-2020-campaign/index.html |archive-date=March 14, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
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<ref name="ccAm2">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/01/politics/inslee-2020-presidential-campaign/index.html |title=Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announces 2020 presidential bid |first=Dan |last=Merica |date=March 1, 2019 |website=] |access-date=March 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303004005/https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/01/politics/inslee-2020-presidential-campaign/index.html |archive-date=March 3, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="rRVOz">{{cite web |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2019/08/15/Democrat-Hickenlooper-drops-out-of-2020-presidential-race/7271565884334/ |title=Democrat Hickenlooper drops out of 2020 presidential race |website=UPI |last1=Hughes |first1=Clyde |date=August 15, 2019 |access-date=August 15, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="oh0au">{{cite news |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/mike-gravel-president-2020-twitter-819247/ |title=The Teens Have Officially Convinced Mike Gravel to Run for President |last=Stuart |first=Tessa |website=] |access-date=April 8, 2019 |date=April 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408200928/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/mike-gravel-president-2020-twitter-819247/ |archive-date=April 8, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="fjlaq">{{cite web |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mike-gravel-2020-campaign-ends_n_5d277ea5e4b0bd7d1e195918 |title=Ex-Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel Ends Unorthodox 2020 Campaign, Endorses Bernie Sanders And Tulsi Gabbard |last=Shen-Berro |first=Julian |date=August 7, 2019 |website=HuffPost |access-date=August 7, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="BQZCb">{{cite news |url=https://theintercept.com/2018/11/11/richard-ojeda-2020-president/ |title=Richard Ojeda, West Virginia Lawmaker Who Backed Teachers Strikes, Will Run for President |last=Grim |first=Ryan |date=November 11, 2018 |work=] |access-date=December 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219220521/https://theintercept.com/2018/11/11/richard-ojeda-2020-president/ |archive-date=December 19, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="mnDr9">{{cite web |title=Presidential Ratings |url=https://insideelections.com/ratings/president |work=] |date=April 3, 2020 |access-date=April 14, 2020}}</ref>
<ref name="fx507">{{cite web |title=2020 President |url=http://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2020-president/ |work=] |date=July 14, 2020 |access-date=July 14, 2020}}</ref>
<ref name="v0rOU">{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/2020-election/race-forecasts-and-predictions/president/ |title=2020 Election Forecast |work=] |date=November 19, 2019 |last1=Shepard |first1=Steven |last2=Vestal |first2=Allan James |last3=Jin |first3=Beatrice |last4=Briz |first4=Andrew |last5=Bland |first5=Scott |last6=Mihalik |first6=Lily |last7=Mahtesian |first7=Charlie |last8=McGill |first8=Andrew |last9=Zapler |first9=Mike |last10=Goodwin |first10=Andy |last11=Sagar |first11=Sushant |last12=Robin |first12=Turner |display-authors=1|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="JoWins">{{cite web|url=http://ballot-access.org/2020/05/23/jo-jorgensen-wins-libertarian-presidential-nomination-on-fourth-vote/|title=Jo Jorgensen Wins Libertarian Presidential Nomination on Fourth Vote|website=Ballot Access News|last1=Winger|first1=Richard|date=May 23, 2020|access-date=May 24, 2020}}</ref>
}} }}


==Further reading== == Further reading ==
* {{Cite journal|url=https://www.sharifamlani.com/s/elj-2021-0015.pdf |doi=10.1089/elj.2021.0015|title=The Impact of Vote-By-Mail Policy on Turnout and Vote Share in the 2020 Election |year=2022 |last1=Amlani |first1=Sharif |last2=Collitt |first2=Samuel |journal=Election Law Journal: Rules, Politics, and Policy |volume=21 |issue=2 |pages=135–149 |s2cid=246940693}}
* {{cite news |last1=Karni |first1=Annie |author1-link=Annie Karni |date=October 12, 2020 |title=The Crowded, Competitive World of Anti-Trump G.O.P. Groups |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/12/us/politics/never-trump-republicans.html |work=] |access-date=November 8, 2020}}
* {{Cite journal|pmc=8242570 |year=2021 |last1=Clarke |first1=Harold |last2=Stewart |first2= Marianne C. |last3=Ho |first3=Karl |title=Did Covid-19 Kill Trump Politically? The Pandemic and Voting in the 2020 Presidential Election |journal=Social Science Quarterly |volume=102 |issue=5 |pages=2194–2209 |doi=10.1111/ssqu.12992 |pmid=34226770}}
* {{cite news |last1=Wasserman |first1=Dave |date=October 1, 2020 |title=Trump Is Winning the Voter Registration Battle Against Biden in Key States |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/trump-s-winning-voter-registration-battle-against-biden-key-states-n1241674 |publisher=] |access-date=November 8, 2020}}
* {{cite news |last1=Witte |first1=Griff |last2=Kelley |first2=Pam |last3=Spolar |first3=Christine |date=October 11, 2020 |title=As Trump Stumbles, Voters Finalize Their Choices, and Biden's Lead Grows |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/as-trump-stumbles-voters-finalize-their-choices-and-bidens-lead-grows/2020/10/11/0ed19f6e-0a7f-11eb-991c-be6ead8c4018_story.html |work=] |access-date=November 8, 2020}} * {{Cite news |last1=Karni |first1=Annie |author1-link=Annie Karni |date=October 12, 2020 |title=The Crowded, Competitive World of Anti-Trump G.O.P. Groups |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/12/us/politics/never-trump-republicans.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012091357/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/12/us/politics/never-trump-republicans.html |archive-date=October 12, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=] |access-date=November 8, 2020 |ref=none}}
* Martin, Jonathan, and Alexander Burns. ''This Will Not Pass : Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America's Future'' (2022) by two ''New York Times'' reporters
* {{Cite journal|url=https://costaspanagopoulos.com/files/costas-panagopoulos/files/panagopoulos_2021_psq_poll_accuracy.pdf |doi=10.1111/psq.12710|title=Polls and Elections Accuracy and Bias in the 2020 U.S. General Election Polls |year=2021 |last1=Panagopoulos |first1=Costas |journal=Presidential Studies Quarterly |volume=51 |pages=214–227 |s2cid=233802562}}
* {{Cite journal|url=https://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/138152/SSRN-id3790904.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y |hdl=1721.1/138152 |doi=10.1353/JOD.2021.0026|title=The Miracle and Tragedy of the 2020 U.S. Election |year=2021 |last1=Persily |first1=Nathaniel |last2=Stewart III |first2=Charles |journal=Journal of Democracy |volume=32 |issue=2 |pages=159–178 |s2cid=234919959 |hdl-access=free}}
* Sides, John; Tausanovitch, Chris; Vavreck, Lynn (2023). ''''. Princeton University Press.
* {{Cite news |last1=Wasserman |first1=Dave |date=October 1, 2020 |title=Trump Is Winning the Voter Registration Battle Against Biden in Key States|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/trump-s-winning-voter-registration-battle-against-biden-key-states-n1241674 |work=]|access-date=November 8, 2020 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite news |last1=Witte |first1=Griff |last2=Kelley |first2=Pam |last3=Spolar |first3=Christine |date=October 11, 2020 |title=As Trump Stumbles, Voters Finalize Their Choices, and Biden's Lead Grows |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/as-trump-stumbles-voters-finalize-their-choices-and-bidens-lead-grows/2020/10/11/0ed19f6e-0a7f-11eb-991c-be6ead8c4018_story.html|newspaper=] |access-date=November 8, 2020 |ref=none}}


=== Voter fraud ===
==External links==
* {{Cite journal|doi=10.1073/pnas.2103619118 |doi-access=free|title=No evidence for systematic voter fraud: A guide to statistical claims about the 2020 election |year=2021 |last1=Eggers |first1=Andrew C. |last2=Garro |first2=Haritz |last3=Grimmer |first3=Justin |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |volume=118 |issue=45 |pmid=34728563 |pmc=8609310 |bibcode=2021PNAS..11803619E}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Cite journal|doi=10.1177/1742715021994352|title=The 2020 election and its aftermath: Love, lies, and ensorceling leadership |year=2021 |last1=Goethals |first1=George R. |journal=Leadership |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=240–250 |s2cid=232162258}}
* Reports and findings from the ]/] election observation mission
* {{Cite journal|url=https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/37367184/pennycook_voter_fraud_elections_20210111.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |doi=10.37016/mr-2020-51|title=Research note: Examining false beliefs about voter fraud in the wake of the 2020 Presidential Election |year=2021 |last1=Pennycook |first1=Gordon |last2=Rand |first2=David G. |journal=Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review |s2cid=234314659 |doi-access=free}}

=== Policy implications ===
* {{Cite journal|doi=10.1056/NEJMsr2031592|title=Implications of the 2020 Election for U.S. Health Policy |year=2020 |last1=Blendon |first1=Robert J. |last2=Benson |first2=John M. |journal=New England Journal of Medicine |volume=383 |issue=18 |pages=e105 |pmid=33113302 |s2cid=226026573 |doi-access=free}}
* {{Citation |last1=Wright |first1=Thomas |title=The point of no return: the 2020 election and the crisis of American foreign policy |publisher=Lowy Institute for International Policy |year=2020 |url=https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/Wright%2C%20Point%20of%20No%20Return%2C%20Lowy%20Institute%20Analysis%20Oct%2020_0.pdf |access-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-date=January 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124005401/https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/Wright%2C%20Point%20of%20No%20Return%2C%20Lowy%20Institute%20Analysis%20Oct%2020_0.pdf |url-status=dead}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|b=no|c=yes|d=yes|n=yes|q=yes|s=no|v=no|wikt=no}}
* , Reports and findings from the ]/] election observation mission
* from ]
* {{youTube|U2aWw-C27Rk|Video (18:49): "Inside Trump's Election Plot"}} (''] News''; July 29, 2022)
<!---* {{youtube|fXRsWyqQ908|Video (40:26): "Inside Trump's Election Plot"}} (''] News''; July 29, 2022)--->
* {{cite episode|title=The Choice 2020: Trump vs. Biden|series=Frontline|series-link=Frontline (American TV program)|network=]|station=]|date=September 22, 2020|season=39|number=3|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/the-choice-2020-trump-vs-biden/|access-date=November 28, 2024}}


{{2020 United States presidential election}} {{2020 United States presidential election}}
{{State results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election}}
{{2020 United States elections}} {{2020 United States elections}}
{{United States presidential elections}} {{United States presidential elections}}
{{Joe Biden}} {{Joe Biden}}
{{Donald Trump}} {{Donald Trump}}
{{Kamala Harris}}
{{Mike Pence}}
{{January 6 United States Capitol attack navbox}}
{{COVID-19 pandemic in the United States}} {{COVID-19 pandemic in the United States}}
{{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 12:17, 21 January 2025

For related races, see 2020 United States elections.

2020 United States presidential election
← 2016 November 3, 2020 2024 →
538 members of the Electoral College
270 electoral votes needed to win
Opinion polls
Turnout66.6% (Increase6.5 pp)
 
Nominee Joe Biden Donald Trump
Party Democratic Republican
Home state Delaware Florida
Running mate Kamala Harris Mike Pence
Electoral vote 306 232
States carried 25 + DC + NE-02 25 + ME-02
Popular vote 81,283,501 74,223,975
Percentage 51.3% 46.8%
2020 United States presidential election in California2020 United States presidential election in Oregon2020 United States presidential election in Washington (state)2020 United States presidential election in Idaho2020 United States presidential election in Nevada2020 United States presidential election in Utah2020 United States presidential election in Arizona2020 United States presidential election in Montana2020 United States presidential election in Wyoming2020 United States presidential election in Colorado2020 United States presidential election in New Mexico2020 United States presidential election in North Dakota2020 United States presidential election in South Dakota2020 United States presidential election in Nebraska2020 United States presidential election in Kansas2020 United States presidential election in Oklahoma2020 United States presidential election in Texas2020 United States presidential election in Minnesota2020 United States presidential election in Iowa2020 United States presidential election in Missouri2020 United States presidential election in Arkansas2020 United States presidential election in Louisiana2020 United States presidential election in Wisconsin2020 United States presidential election in Illinois2020 United States presidential election in Michigan2020 United States presidential election in Indiana2020 United States presidential election in Ohio2020 United States presidential election in Kentucky2020 United States presidential election in Tennessee2020 United States presidential election in Mississippi2020 United States presidential election in Alabama2020 United States presidential election in Georgia2020 United States presidential election in Florida2020 United States presidential election in South Carolina2020 United States presidential election in North Carolina2020 United States presidential election in Virginia2020 United States presidential election in West Virginia2020 United States presidential election in the District of Columbia2020 United States presidential election in Maryland2020 United States presidential election in Delaware2020 United States presidential election in Pennsylvania2020 United States presidential election in New Jersey2020 United States presidential election in New York2020 United States presidential election in Connecticut2020 United States presidential election in Rhode Island2020 United States presidential election in Vermont2020 United States presidential election in New Hampshire2020 United States presidential election in Maine2020 United States presidential election in Massachusetts2020 United States presidential election in Hawaii2020 United States presidential election in Alaska2020 United States presidential election in the District of Columbia2020 United States presidential election in Maryland2020 United States presidential election in Delaware2020 United States presidential election in New Jersey2020 United States presidential election in Connecticut2020 United States presidential election in Rhode Island2020 United States presidential election in Massachusetts2020 United States presidential election in Vermont2020 United States presidential election in New Hampshire
Presidential election results map. Blue denotes states won by Biden/Harris and red denotes those won by Trump/Pence. Numbers indicate electoral votes cast by each state and the District of Columbia.
President before election

Donald Trump
Republican

Elected President

Joe Biden
Democratic

2020 U.S. presidential election
Attempts to overturn
Democratic Party
Republican Party
Third parties
Related races
← 2016 2020 2024 →

Presidential elections were held in the United States on November 3, 2020. The Democratic ticket of former vice president Joe Biden and the junior U.S. senator from California Kamala Harris defeated the incumbent Republican president Donald Trump, and vice president Mike Pence. The election took place against the backdrop of the global COVID-19 pandemic and related recession. The election saw the highest voter turnout by percentage since 1900. Biden received more than 81 million votes, the most votes ever cast for a presidential candidate in U.S. history.

In a competitive primary that featured the most candidates for any political party in the modern era of American politics, Biden secured the Democratic presidential nomination. Biden's running mate, Harris, became the first African-American, first Asian-American, and third female vice presidential nominee on a major party ticket. Trump secured re-nomination, getting a total of 2,549 delegates, one of the most in presidential primary history, in the Republican primaries. Jo Jorgensen secured the Libertarian presidential nomination with Spike Cohen as her running mate, and Howie Hawkins secured the Green presidential nomination with Angela Nicole Walker as his running mate.

The central issues of the election included the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; civil unrest in reaction to the police murder of George Floyd, the Supreme Court following the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett, and the future of the Affordable Care Act. Due to the ongoing pandemic, a record number of ballots were cast early and by mail. Thirty-eight states had over half of all votes cast using these methods, and only three states had fewer than 25%.

Many more registered Democrats voted by mail than registered Republicans. As a result of a large number of mail-in ballots, some swing states saw delays in vote counting and reporting; this led to major news outlets delaying their projection of Biden and Harris as the president-elect and vice president-elect until the morning of November 7, 2020. Major media networks tentatively call a state for a candidate once there is high statistical confidence that the outstanding vote would be unlikely to prevent the projected winner from ultimately winning that state.

Biden received the majority in the Electoral College with 306 electoral votes, while Trump received 232. Trump was the first president to lose re-election since George H. W. Bush in 1992. Key to Biden's victory were his wins in the Democratic-leaning Rust Belt states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, which Trump narrowly carried in 2016 and whose combined 46 electoral votes were enough to swing the election to either candidate. Biden also became the first Democrat to win a presidential election in Georgia since 1992 and in Arizona since 1996, as well as Nebraska's 2nd congressional district since 2008. Despite his relatively comfortable 74 vote margin in the Electoral College, Biden only won the decisive states of Wisconsin, Georgia and Arizona by a combined 43,000 votes.

Before, during, and after Election Day, Trump and numerous other Republicans engaged in an aggressive and unprecedented attempt to subvert the election and overturn the results, falsely alleging widespread voter fraud and trying to influence the vote-counting process in swing states in what has been described as an attempted self-coup d'état. Attorney General William Barr and officials in each of the 50 states found no evidence of fraud (widespread or otherwise) or irregularities in the election. Federal agencies overseeing election security said it was the most secure in American history. The Trump campaign and its allies, including Republican members of Congress, continued to attempt to overturn the results of the election by filing numerous lawsuits in several states (most of which were withdrawn or dismissed), spreading conspiracy theories alleging fraud, pressuring Republican state election officials (including, notably, Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger, in a phone call that later became widely publicized) and legislators to change results, pressuring the Department of Justice to declare the election "corrupt" and intervene, objecting to the Electoral College certification in Congress, and refusing to cooperate with the presidential transition of Biden. With Trump vowing that he would never concede the election and after exhorting his followers to "fight like hell", a mob of Trump supporters attacked the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, during the joint session of Congress held to certify the Electoral College count. On January 7, Trump acknowledged the incoming administration without mentioning Biden's name. Biden and Harris were inaugurated on January 20, 2021; in a break from tradition, Trump did not attend his successor's inauguration. Trump was indicted in August 2023 on four counts relating to conspiring to overturn the results. The case was dismissed following Trump's victory in the 2024 election in which he defeated Democratic nominee Harris who had replaced Biden after he dropped out of his bid for reelection.

Background

Further information: United States presidential election § Procedure

Article Two of the Constitution of United States states that for a person to serve as president, the individual must be a natural-born U.S. citizen, be at least 35 years old, and have been a U.S. resident for at least 14 years. Candidates for the presidency typically seek the nomination of one of the various American political parties. Each party develops a method (such as a primary election) to choose the candidate the party deems best suited to run for the position. Primary elections are usually indirect elections where voters cast ballots for a slate of party delegates pledged to a particular candidate. The party's delegates then officially nominate a candidate to run on the party's behalf. The presidential nominee typically chooses a vice presidential running mate to form that party's ticket, which is then ratified by the delegates at the party's convention (except for the Libertarian Party, which nominates its vice-presidential candidate by delegate vote regardless of the presidential nominee's preference). The general election in November is also an indirect election, in which voters cast ballots for a slate of members of the Electoral College; these electors then directly elect the president and vice president. If no candidate receives the minimum 270 electoral votes needed to win the election, the United States House of Representatives will select the president from among the three candidates who received the most electoral votes, and the United States Senate will select the vice president from among the candidates who received the two highest totals. The presidential election occurred simultaneously alongside elections for the House of Representatives, the Senate, and various state and local-level elections.

The Maine Legislature passed a bill in August 2019 adopting ranked-choice voting (RCV) both for presidential primaries and for the general election. Governor Janet Mills allowed the bill to become law without her signature, which delayed its taking effect until after the 2020 Democratic primary in March and made Maine the first state to use RCV for a presidential general election. The Maine Republican Party filed signatures for a veto referendum to preclude the use of RCV for the 2020 election, but Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap found there were insufficient valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. A challenge in Maine Superior Court was successful for the Maine Republican Party, but the Maine Supreme Judicial Court stayed the ruling pending appeal on September 8, 2020. Nevertheless, ballots began being printed later that day without the veto referendum and including RCV for the presidential election, and the Court ruled in favor of the secretary of state on September 22, allowing RCV to be used. An emergency appeal to the Supreme Court was denied on October 6. The law continues the use of the congressional district method for the allocation of Maine's electors (Nebraska is the only other state that apportions its electoral votes this way). While multiple rounds of vote counting were not needed due to a single candidate receiving a majority of first-choice votes statewide and in each district, use of RCV complicates interpretation of the national popular vote because voters are more likely to vote for third-party or independent candidates.

On December 14, 2020, pledged electors for each candidate, known collectively as the United States Electoral College, gathered in their states' capitols to cast their official votes. Pursuant to the processes laid out by the Electoral Count Act of 1887, certificates of ascertainment listing the names of the electors and separate certificates recording their votes are distributed to various officials across the branches of government. The newly elected Congress, with the vice president in his role as Senate president presiding, met in a joint session to formally open the certificates and count the votes, which began on January 6, 2021, was interrupted by the January 6 United States Capitol attack, and finished the following day.

Nominations

Further information: 2020 United States presidential primary elections
This article is part of
a series aboutJoe Biden
Personal
U.S. Senator from Delaware
47th Vice President of the United States
Vice presidential campaigns
46th President of the United States
Tenure
Policies
Appointments
Presidential campaigns
Joe Biden's signature Seal of the President of the United States
This article is part of
a series aboutKamala Harris
Personal
27th District Attorney of San Francisco
32nd Attorney General of California
U.S. Senator from California
49th Vice President of the United States
Vice presidential campaigns
Presidential campaigns
Kamala Harris's signature

Democratic Party

Main articles: 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, 2020 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection, 2020 Democratic National Convention, and Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign

The Democratic Party chose its nominee in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries. Joe Biden became the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party on June 5, 2020, when he secured enough delegates to ensure his nomination at the national convention. Biden picked Kamala Harris as his vice-presidential nominee, and the ticket was formally nominated at the convention on August 18.

Democratic Party (United States)
Democratic Party (United States)
2020 Democratic Party ticket
Joe Biden Kamala Harris
for President for Vice President
47th
Vice President of the United States
(2009–2017) 		U.S. Senator
from California
(2017–2021)
Campaign
[REDACTED]

Republican Party

Main articles: 2020 Republican Party presidential primaries, 2020 Republican National Convention, and Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign
This article is part of
a series aboutDonald Trump
Business and personal
45th and 47th President of
the United States
Incumbent
Tenure
Policies
Appointments (first  · second)
Presidential campaigns
Impeachments
Civil and criminal prosecutions
COVID-19 pandemic
Donald Trump's signature Seal of the President of the United States
This article is part of
a series aboutMike Pence
Vice President of the United States
Governor of Indiana
U.S. Representative
for Indiana's 2nd and 6th districts
2024 presidential campaign
Vice presidential campaigns
Mike Pence's signature

Incumbent president Donald Trump and incumbent vice president Mike Pence were able to easily secure the nomination after Trump received enough delegates in the 2020 Republican presidential primaries. They were formally nominated at the Republican National Convention on August 24, 2020.

Republican Party (United States)
Republican Party (United States)
2020 Republican Party ticket
Donald Trump Mike Pence
for President for Vice President
45th
President of the United States
(2017–2021) 		48th
Vice President of the United States
(2017–2021)
Campaign

Libertarian Party

Main articles: 2020 Libertarian Party presidential primaries, 2020 Libertarian National Convention, and Jo Jorgensen 2020 presidential campaign

Jo Jorgensen, who was the running mate of author Harry Browne in 1996, received the Libertarian nomination at the national convention on May 23, 2020. She achieved ballot access in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

2020 Libertarian Party ticket
Jo Jorgensen Spike Cohen
for President for Vice President
Senior Lecturer at Clemson University Podcaster and businessman

Green Party

Main articles: 2020 Green Party presidential primaries, 2020 Green National Convention, and Howie Hawkins 2020 presidential campaign

Howie Hawkins became the presumptive nominee of the Green Party on June 21, 2020, and was officially nominated by the party on July 11, 2020. Hawkins secured ballot access in 29 states and the District of Columbia, representing 381 electoral votes, and write-in access in 16 more states, representing 130 electoral votes.

2020 Green Party ticket
Howie Hawkins Angela Walker
for President for Vice President
Co-founder of the Green Party ATU Local 998 Legislative Director
(2011–2013)
[REDACTED]

General election campaigns

Ballot access

Presidential
candidate 		Vice presidential
candidate 		Party or label Ballot access (including write-in)
States/DC Electors Voters
Joe Biden Kamala Harris Democratic 51 538 100%
Donald Trump Mike Pence Republican 51 538 100%
Jo Jorgensen Spike Cohen Libertarian 51 538 100%
Howie Hawkins Angela Walker Green 30 (46) 381 (511) 73.2% (95.8%)
Gloria La Riva Sunil Freeman Socialism and Liberation 15 (33) 195 (401) 37.0% (76.1%)
Rocky De La Fuente Darcy Richardson Reform 15 (25) 183 (289) 34.7% (54.1%)
Don Blankenship William Mohr Constitution 18 (30) 166 (305) 31.2% (56.8%)
Brock Pierce Karla Ballard Independent 16 (31) 115 (285) 19.1% (50.1%)
Brian Carroll Amar Patel American Solidarity 8 (39) 66 (463) 11.4% (87.7%)
Jade Simmons Claudeliah J. Roze Becoming One Nation 2 (38) 15 (372) 2.7% (68.9%)

Party conventions

Map of the United States showing Milwaukee, Charlotte, Austin, and DetroitMilwaukeeMilwaukeeCharlotteCharlotteVirtualVirtualVirtualVirtualclass=notpageimage|   Democratic Party   Republican Party   Libertarian Party (virtual)   Green Party (virtual)

The 2020 Democratic National Convention was originally scheduled for July 13–16 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but was delayed to August 17–20 due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 24, 2020, it was announced that the convention would be held in a mixed online in-person format, with most delegates attending remotely but a few still attending the physical convention site. On August 5, the in-person portion of the convention was scaled down even further; major speeches, including Biden's, were switched to a virtual format.

The 2020 Republican National Convention took place from August 24–27 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and various remote locations. Originally, a three-day convention was planned to be held in North Carolina, but due to North Carolina's insistence that the convention follow COVID-19 social distancing rules, the speeches and celebrations were moved to Jacksonville, Florida (official convention business was still contractually obligated to be conducted in Charlotte). Due to the worsening situation with regards to COVID-19 in Florida, the plans there were cancelled, and the convention was moved back to Charlotte in a scaled-down capacity.

The 2020 Libertarian National Convention was originally scheduled to be held in Austin, Texas, over Memorial Day weekend from May 22 to 25, but all reservations at the JW Marriott Downtown Austin for the convention were cancelled on April 26 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Libertarian National Committee eventually decided the party would hold two conventions, one online from May 22–24 to select the presidential and vice-presidential nominees and one at a physical convention in Orlando, Florida, from July 8–12 for other business.

The 2020 Green National Convention was originally to be held in Detroit, Michigan, from July 9 to 12. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the convention was instead held online, without a change in date.

Issues unique to the election

Impeachment

Further information: First impeachment of Donald Trump

The House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump on two counts on December 18, 2019. The trial in the Senate began on January 21, 2020, and ended on February 5, resulting in acquittal by the United States Senate.

This is the second time a president has been impeached during his first term while running for a second term. Trump continued to hold campaign rallies during the impeachment. This is also the first time since the modern presidential primaries were established in 1911 that a president has been subjected to impeachment while the primary season was underway. The impeachment process overlapped with the primary campaigns, forcing senators running for the Democratic nomination to remain in Washington for the trial in the days before and after the Iowa caucuses.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

States and territories with at least one local, state, or federal primary election date or method of voting altered as of August 5, 2020.
Further information: COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics, and White House COVID-19 outbreak

Several events related to the 2020 presidential election were altered or postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and its effects, such as stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines by local governments. On March 10, following primary elections in six states, Democratic candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders cancelled planned campaign night events and further in-person campaigning and campaign rallies. On March 12, Trump also stated his intent to postpone further campaign rallies. The 11th Democratic debate was held on March 15 without an audience at the CNN studios in Washington, D.C. Several states also postponed their primaries to a later date, including Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, and Maryland. As of March 24, 2020, all major-party presidential candidates had halted in-person campaigning and campaign rallies over COVID-19 concerns. Political analysts speculated at the time that the moratorium on traditional campaigning, coupled with the effects of the pandemic on the nation, could have unpredictable effects on the voting populace and possibly, how the election will be conducted.

A poll worker sanitizes an election booth in Davis, California

Some presidential primary elections were severely disrupted by COVID-19-related issues, including long lines at polling places, greatly increased requests for absentee ballots, and technology issues. Due to a shortage of election workers able or willing to work during the pandemic, the number of polling places was often greatly reduced. Most states expanded or encouraged voting by mail as an alternative, but many voters complained that they never received the absentee ballots they had requested.

The March 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act included money for states to increase mail-in voting. By May, Trump and his campaign strongly opposed mail-in voting, claiming that it would cause widespread voter fraud, a belief that has been discredited by a number of media organizations. Government response to the impact of the pandemic from the Trump administration, coupled with the differing positions taken by congressional Democrats and Republicans regarding economic stimulus, became a major campaign issue for both parties.

On April 6, the Supreme Court and Republicans in the State Legislature of Wisconsin rebuffed Wisconsin governor Tony Evers's request to move the state's spring elections to June. As a result, the elections, which included a presidential primary, went ahead on April 7 as planned. At least seven new cases of COVID-19 were traced to this election. Voting-rights advocates expressed fear of similar chaos on a nationwide scale in November, recommending states move to expand vote-by-mail options.

On June 20, 2020, Trump's campaign held an in-person rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that the event could go ahead despite continuing concerns over COVID-19. Attendance at the rally was far lower than expected, being described as a "flop", and it led to a significant worsening of relations between Trump and his campaign manager, Brad Parscale. 7.7 million people watched the event on Fox News, a Saturday audience record for that channel. Three weeks after the rally, the Oklahoma State Department of Health recorded record numbers of cases of COVID-19, and former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain died of the virus, although it was not confirmed that he caught the disease due to his attendance at the rally.

On October 2, 2020, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 following a positive test from his senior advisor, Hope Hicks, as part of the larger COVID-19 outbreak among White House personnel. Both the president and first lady immediately entered quarantine, which prevented Trump from further campaigning, notably at campaign rallies. Later that day, the President was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center with a low grade fever, where he was reported to have received an experimental antibody treatment. Trump's diagnosis came only two days after he had shared the stage with Biden at the first presidential debate and raised the possibility that Biden had caught the virus from Trump; Biden tested negative. Trump was discharged from the hospital on October 5.

Trump being diagnosed with COVID-19 was widely seen as having a negative effect on his campaign and shifted the attention of the public back onto COVID-19, an issue which is generally seen as a liability for Trump, due to his response to the COVID-19 pandemic suffering from low approval ratings. Being in quarantine also meant Trump was unable to attend rallies, which were a major part of his campaign. As a result of Trump contracting COVID-19, Biden continued campaigning but temporarily ceased running attack ads against him. On October 12, one week after his discharge from the hospital, Trump resumed in-person rallies. Trump continued to travel to battleground states and hold mass rallies, sometimes two or three in a day. His rallies were criticized for their lack of social distancing or mask wearing, and some polls suggested that voters saw him less favorably for potentially endangering attendees.

Foreign interference

Further information: Russian interference in the 2020 United States elections and Foreign electoral intervention

U.S. officials accused Russia, China, and Iran of trying to influence the 2020 United States elections. On October 4, 2019, Microsoft announced that "Phosphorus", a group of hackers linked to the Iranian government, had attempted to compromise e-mail accounts belonging to journalists, U.S. government officials and the campaign of a U.S. presidential candidate. The American Government owned Voice of America reported in April 2020 that "Internet security researchers say there have already been signs that China-allied hackers have engaged in so-called 'spear-phishing' attacks on American political targets ahead of the 2020 vote." Chinese spokesman Geng Shuang denied the allegations and said he would "hope the people of the U.S. not drag China into its electoral politics".

On February 13, 2020, American intelligence officials advised members of the House Intelligence Committee that Russia was interfering in the 2020 election in an effort to get Trump re-elected. The briefing was delivered by Shelby Pierson, the intelligence community's top election security official and an aide to acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire. On February 21, The Washington Post reported that, according to unnamed U.S. officials, Russia was interfering in the Democratic primary in an effort to support the nomination of Senator Bernie Sanders. Sanders issued a statement after the news report, saying in part, "I don't care, frankly, who Putin wants to be president. My message to Putin is clear: stay out of American elections, and as president, I will make sure that you do." Sanders acknowledged that his campaign was briefed about Russia's alleged efforts about a month prior. In a February 2020 briefing to the House Intelligence Committee, U.S. intelligence officials warned Congress that Russia was interfering in the 2020 campaign to support Trump's reelection campaign; Trump was angered that Congress had been informed of the threat, and the day after the briefing castigated the acting director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, for allowing the briefing to go forward. China and some government-linked Chinese individuals have been accused of interfering in the election to support the candidacy of both Biden and Trump, though whether it is actually doing so is disputed among the intelligence community.

On October 21, threatening emails were sent to Democrats in at least four states. The emails warned, "You will vote for Trump on Election Day or we will come after you." Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe announced that evening that the emails, using a spoofed return address, had been sent by Iran. He added that both Iran and Russia are known to have obtained American voter registration data, possibly from publicly available information, and "This data can be used by foreign actors to attempt to communicate false information to registered voters that they hope will cause confusion, sow chaos and undermine your confidence in American democracy." A spokesman for Iran denied the allegation. In his announcement, Ratcliffe said Iran's intent had been "to intimidate voters, incite social unrest, and damage President Trump", raising questions as to how ordering Democrats to vote for Trump would be damaging to Trump. It was later reported that the reference to Trump had not been in Ratcliffe's prepared remarks as signed off by the other officials on the stage; he had added it on his own. On November 18, 2021, the Justice Department charged two Iranian hackers with attempting to intimidate American voters ahead of the 2020 U.S. election by sending threatening emails and spreading false information.

Throughout the election period, several Colombian lawmakers and the Colombian ambassador to the United States issued statements supporting the Donald Trump campaign, which has been viewed as potentially harmful to Colombia–United States relations. On October 26, the U.S. Ambassador to Colombia, Philip Goldberg, requested that Colombian politicians abstain from getting involved in the elections.

The Department of Justice is investigating whether the Trump Victory Committee accepted a $100,000 donation from Malaysian businessman and international fugitive Jho Low, who is accused of being the mastermind behind the multibillion-dollar 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal involving a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund, 1MDB.

Government officials and American corporate security officers braced for a repeat of 2016's election infrastructure hacking and similar twenty-first century attacks, and in fact conducted what were characterized as preemptive counter-strikes on botnet infrastructure which might be used in large-scale coordination of hacking, and some incidents earlier in the year appeared to foreshadow such possibilities. Nonetheless, after his dismissal, in a December 2020 interview, Chris Krebs, the Trump administration's director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), described monitoring Election Day from CISA's joint command center along with representatives from the military's United States Cyber Command, the National Security Agency (NSA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Secret Service (USSS), the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), representatives of vendors of voting machine equipment, and representatives of state and local governments, as well as his agency's analysis preceding and after that day, saying, "It was quiet. There was no indication or evidence that there was any sort of hacking or compromise of election systems on, before, or after November third." Responding to spurious claims of foreign outsourcing of vote counting as a rationale behind litigation attempting to stop official vote-counting in some areas, Krebs also affirmed that, "All votes in the United States of America are counted in the United States of America."

Acts of foreign interference included Russian state-directed application of computational propaganda approaches, more conventional state-sponsored Internet propaganda, smaller-scale disinformation efforts, "information laundering" and "trading up the chain" propaganda tactics employing some government officials, Trump affiliates, and US media outlets.

Trump's potential rejection of election results

Main article: Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election § Uncertainty over Trump accepting an electoral loss in 2020 Further information: Blue shift (politics) and Peaceful transition of power

During the campaign, Trump indicated in Twitter posts, interviews, and speeches that he might refuse to recognize the outcome of the election if he were defeated; Trump falsely suggested that the election would be rigged against him. In July 2020, Trump declined to answer whether he would accept the results, just as he did in the 2016 presidential election, telling Fox News anchor Chris Wallace that "I have to see. No, I'm not going to just say yes. I'm not going to say no." Trump repeatedly claimed that "the only way" he could lose would be if the election was "rigged" and repeatedly refused to commit to a peaceful transition of power after the election. Trump also attacked mail-in voting throughout the campaign, falsely claiming that the practice contains high rates of fraud; at one point, Trump said, "We'll see what happens ... Get rid of the ballots and you'll have a very peaceful—there won't be a transfer, frankly. There will be a continuation." Trump's statements have been described as a threat "to upend the constitutional order". In September 2020, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, who was appointed by Trump, testified under oath that the FBI has "not seen, historically, any kind of coordinated national voter fraud effort in a major election, whether it's by mail or otherwise".

A number of congressional Republicans insisted they were committed to an orderly and peaceful transition of power, but declined to criticize Trump for his comments. On September 24, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution affirming the Senate's commitment to a peaceful transfer of power. Trump also stated he expected the Supreme Court to decide the election and that he wanted a conservative majority in case of an election dispute, reiterating his commitment to quickly install a ninth justice following the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Election delay suggestion

In April 2020, Biden predicted that Trump would try to delay the election, saying he "is gonna try to kick back the election somehow, come up with some rationale why it can't be held". In May, Jared Kushner did not rule out delaying the election, saying "I'm not sure I can commit one way or the other". On July 30, Trump tweeted that "With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history" and proposed that the election should be delayed. Asked whether Trump had the relevant authority, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said "the United States Department of Justice will make that determination." However, only Congress has the power to schedule elections, and the Constitution sets the end of the presidential and vice-presidential terms at January 20, a hard deadline which can only be altered by constitutional amendment. Congress refused to consider Trump's proposal, and the election went ahead as scheduled.

Postal voting

See also: Expansion of postal voting in the 2020 United States elections and 2020 United States Postal Service crisis
Chart of July 2020 opinion survey on likelihood of voting by mail in November election, compared to 2016

Postal voting in the United States has become increasingly common, with 25% of voters mailing their ballots in 2016 and 2018. By June 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was predicted to cause a large increase in mail voting because of the possible danger of congregating at polling places. An August 2020 state-by-state analysis concluded that 76% of Americans were eligible to vote by mail in 2020, a record number. The analysis predicted that 80 million ballots could be cast by mail in 2020—more than double the number in 2016.

The Postal Service sent a letter to multiple states in July 2020, warning that the service would not be able to meet the state's deadlines for requesting and casting last-minute absentee ballots. In addition to the anticipated high volume of mailed ballots, the prediction was due in part to numerous measures taken by Louis DeJoy, the newly installed United States Postmaster General, including banning overtime and extra trips to deliver mail, which caused delays in delivering mail, and dismantling and removing hundreds of high-speed mail sorting machines from postal centers. On August 18, after the House of Representatives had been recalled from its August break to vote on a bill reversing the changes, DeJoy announced that he would roll back all the changes until after the November election. He said he would reinstate overtime hours, roll back service reductions, and halt the removal of mail-sorting machines and collection boxes.

The House of Representatives voted an emergency grant of $25 billion to the post office to facilitate the predicted flood of mail ballots. Although Trump has repeatedly denounced mail voting, he has mailed in ballots due to being in a different state than the one where he votes at the time of the election. In August 2020, Trump conceded that the post office would need additional funds to handle the additional mail-in voting, but said he would block any additional funding for the post office to prevent any increase in balloting by mail.

In the end, an estimated 42 percent of votes were cast by mail across 41 reporting states, approximately 65.6 million ballots out of 154.6 million cast by all methods.

The Trump campaign filed lawsuits seeking to block the use of official ballot dropboxes in Pennsylvania in locations other than an election office, and also sought to "block election officials from counting mail-in ballots if a voter forgets to put their mail-in ballot in a secrecy sleeve within the ballot return-envelope". The Trump campaign and the Republican Party both failed to produce any evidence of vote-by-mail fraud after being ordered by a federal judge to do so.

On Election Day, a judge ordered mail inspectors to search "mail facilities in .... key battleground states" for ballots. The agency refused to comply with the order and nearly 7% of ballots in USPS facilities on Election Day were not processed in time.

Federal Election Commission issues

The Federal Election Commission, which was created in 1974 to enforce campaign finance laws in federal elections, has not functioned since July 2020 due to vacancies in membership. In the absence of a quorum, the commission cannot vote on complaints or give guidance through advisory opinions. As of May 19, 2020, there were 350 outstanding matters on the agency's enforcement docket and 227 items waiting for action. As of September 1, 2020, Trump had not nominated anyone to fill the FEC vacancies.

Supreme Court vacancy

Further information: Amy Coney Barrett Supreme Court nomination and Death and state funeral of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
President Donald Trump with Amy Coney Barrett and her family, just prior to Barrett being announced as the nominee, September 26, 2020

On September 18, 2020, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell immediately said the precedent he had set regarding the Merrick Garland nomination was inoperative and that a replacement would be voted on as soon as possible, setting the stage for a confirmation battle and an unexpected intrusion into the campaign. The death of Justice Ginsburg resulted in large increases in momentum for both the Democrats and Republicans. The president, vice president, and several Republican members of Congress said a full Supreme Court bench was needed to decide the upcoming election.

On September 26, the day after Justice Ginsburg's body lay in state at the Capitol, Trump held a Rose Garden ceremony at the White House to announce and introduce his candidate, Amy Coney Barrett. After four days of confirmation hearings, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted the nomination out of committee on October 22, and on October 26, Barrett was confirmed on a party-line vote of 52–48, with no Democrats voting for her confirmation. This was the closest Supreme Court confirmation ever to a presidential election, and the first Supreme Court nomination since 1869 with no supporting votes from the minority party. It was also one of the fastest timelines from nomination to confirmations in U.S. history.

Pre-election litigation

Main article: Pre-election lawsuits related to the 2020 U.S. presidential election

By September 2020, several hundred legal cases relating to the election had been filed. About 250 of these had to do with the mechanics of voting in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Supreme Court ruled on a number of these cases, primarily issuing emergency stays instead of going through the normal process due to the urgency. In October 2020, there was speculation that the election might be decided through a Supreme Court case, as happened following the 2000 election.

Debates

Main article: 2020 United States presidential debates Map of United States showing debate locationsCase Western Reserve UniversityCase Western Reserve UniversityUniversity of UtahUniversity of UtahBelmont UniversityBelmont Universityclass=notpageimage| Sites of the 2020 general election presidential () and vice presidential () debates

On October 11, 2019, the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) announced that three general election debates would be held in the fall of 2020.

The first, moderated by Chris Wallace, took place on September 29, and was co-hosted by Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. The debate was originally to be hosted at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana, but the university decided against holding the debate as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Biden was generally held to have won the first debate, with a significant minority of commentators deeming it a draw.

One exchange that was particularly noted was when Trump did not directly denounce the white supremacist and neo-fascist group Proud Boys, instead responding that they should "stand back and stand by". On the next day, Trump told reporters the group should "stand down" while also claiming that he was not aware of what the group was. The debate was described as "chaotic and nearly incoherent" because of Trump's repeated interruptions, causing the CPD to consider adjustments to the format of the remaining debates.

The vice presidential debate was held on October 7, 2020, at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. The debate was widely held to be subdued, with no clear victor. One incident that was particularly commented on was when a fly landed on vice-president Pence's head, and remained there unbeknownst to him for two minutes.

The second debate was initially set to be held at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but the university withdrew in June 2020, over concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The planned debate was rescheduled for October 15 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami; due to Trump contracting COVID-19, the CPD announced on October 8 that the debate would be held virtually, in which the candidates would appear from separate locations. Trump refused to participate in a virtual debate, and the commission subsequently announced that the debate had been cancelled.

The third scheduled debate took place on October 22 at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and was moderated by Kristen Welker. The changes to the debate rules, which included the candidates' microphones being muted while the other was speaking, resulted in it being generally considered more civil than the first debate. Welker's performance as moderator was praised, with her being regarded as having done a good job preventing the candidates from interrupting each other. Biden was generally held to have won the debate, though it was considered unlikely to alter the race to any considerable degree.

Debates for the 2020 U.S. presidential election sponsored by the CPD
No. Date Time Host City Moderator(s) Participants Viewership
(millions)
P1 September 29, 2020 9:00 p.m. EDT Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio Chris Wallace Donald Trump
Joe Biden 		73.1
VP October 7, 2020 7:00 p.m. MDT University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah Susan Page Mike Pence
Kamala Harris 		57.9
(P2) October 15, 2020 9:00 p.m. EDT Arsht Center (planned) Miami, Florida Steve Scully (planned) Donald Trump
Joe Biden 		N/A
P2 October 22, 2020 8:00 p.m. CDT Belmont University Nashville, Tennessee Kristen Welker Donald Trump
Joe Biden 		63

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation held two debates with various third party and independent candidates, one on October 8, 2020, in Denver, Colorado, and another on October 24, 2020, in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Polling

Main articles: Nationwide opinion polling for the 2020 United States presidential election and Statewide opinion polling for the 2020 United States presidential election

Two-way

The following graph depicts the standing of each candidate in the poll aggregators from September 2019 to November 2020. Former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee, had an average polling lead of 7.9 percentage points over incumbent President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee. Biden would win the national popular vote by 4.4 percentage points.

Polling aggregates
Active candidates
  Joe Biden (Democratic)
  Donald Trump (Republican)
  Others/Undecided
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. Updates on reimplementing the Graph extension, which will be known as the Chart extension, can be found on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
Donald Trump vs. Joe Biden
Source of poll aggregation Dates administered Dates updated Joe Biden Donald Trump Other/Undecided Margin
270 to Win Oct 28 – Nov 2, 2020 Nov 2, 2020 51.1% 43.1% 5.8% Biden +8.0
RealClear Politics Oct 25 – Nov 2, 2020 51.2% 44.0% 4.8% Biden +7.2
FiveThirtyEight until Nov 2, 2020 51.8% 43.4% Biden +8.4
Average 51.4% 43.5% 5.1% Biden +7.9
2020 results 51.3% 46.8% 1.9% Biden +4.5

Four-way

Calculated averages are not comparable to those for the Biden vs. Trump polls. As polling with third parties has been very limited, the polls included in the average are often different.

Donald Trump vs. Joe Biden vs. Jo Jorgensen vs. Howie Hawkins
Source of poll
aggregation 		Dates
administered 		Dates
updated 		Joe
Biden 		Donald
Trump 		Jo
Jorgensen 		Howie
Hawkins 		Other/
Undecided 		Margin
270 to Win Oct 23 – Nov 2, 2020 Nov 2, 2020 50.6% 43.2% 1.2% 1.0% 4.0% Biden +7.4
RealClear Politics Oct 15 – Nov 2, 2020 Nov 2, 2020 50.6% 43.2% 1.8% 0.8% 3.6% Biden +7.4
2020 results 51.3% 46.8% 1.1% 0.2% 0.6% Biden +4.5

Swing states

The following graph depicts the difference between Joe Biden and Donald Trump in each swing state in the poll aggregators from March 2020 to the election, with the election results for comparison.

Polls by state/district
  New Hampshire
  Minnesota
  Wisconsin
  Michigan
  Nevada
  Pennsylvania
  Nebraska CD-2
  Maine CD-2
  Arizona
  Florida
  North Carolina
  Georgia
  Ohio
  Texas
  Iowa
  Montana
  Missouri
  Alaska
  South Carolina
  Nebraska
  Kansas
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. Updates on reimplementing the Graph extension, which will be known as the Chart extension, can be found on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.

Predictions

Main article: 2020 United States presidential election predictions
Publisher Date Prediction
2016 result Nov 8, 2016 D: 232, R: 306
2020 result Nov 3, 2020 D: 306, R: 232
Cook Political Report Oct 28, 2020 D: 290, R: 125, Tossup: 123
Inside Elections Oct 28, 2020 D: 350, R: 125, Tossup: 63
Sabato's Crystal Ball Nov 2, 2020 D: 321, R: 217, Tossup: 0
Politico Nov 2, 2020 D: 279, R: 163, Tossup: 96
RealClearPolitics Oct 29, 2020 D: 216, R: 125, Tossup: 197
CNN Nov 2, 2020 D: 279, R: 163, Tossup: 96
The Economist Nov 3, 2020 D: 334, R: 164, Tossup: 40
CBS News Nov 1, 2020 D: 279, R: 163, Tossup: 96
270toWin Nov 3, 2020 D: 279, R: 163, Tossup: 96
ABC News Nov 2, 2020 D: 321, R: 125, Tossup: 92
NPR Oct 30, 2020 D: 279, R: 125, Tossup: 134
NBC News Oct 27, 2020 D: 279, R: 125, Tossup: 134
Decision Desk HQ Nov 3, 2020 D: 308, R: 163, Tossup: 67
FiveThirtyEight Nov 2, 2020 D: 334, R: 169, Tossup: 35

Endorsements

Main articles: List of Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign endorsements, List of Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign endorsements, List of Jo Jorgensen 2020 presidential campaign endorsements, and List of Howie Hawkins 2020 presidential campaign endorsements

Total cost estimate

OpenSecrets estimated the total cost of the 2020 election nearly $14 billion, making it the most expensive election in history and twice as expensive as the previous presidential election cycle.

Campaign issues

COVID-19 pandemic

Further information: COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, U.S. federal government response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Trump administration communication during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic was a major issue of the campaign, with Trump's responses being heavily criticized. The president spread mixed messages on the value of wearing face masks as protection, including criticizing Biden and reporters for wearing them, but has also encouraged their use at times. During the campaign, Trump held many events across the country, including in COVID-19 hotspots, where attendees did not wear masks and were not socially distancing; at the same time, he mocked those who wore face masks.

Biden advocated for the expansion of federal funding, including funding under the Defense Production Act for testing, personal protective equipment, and research. Trump also invoked the Defense Production Act to control the distribution of masks and ventilators, but his response plan relied significantly on a vaccine being released by the end of 2020. At the second presidential debate, Trump claimed Biden had called him xenophobic for restricting entry from foreign nationals who had visited China, but Biden responded that he had not been referring to this decision.

Economy

Proposed tax plan payment rates by income group as a percentage of income, including mandatory health insurance
Main articles: Economic policy of the Donald Trump administration and Economic policies of Joe Biden

Trump claimed credit for the consistent economic expansion of his presidency's first three years, with the stock market at its longest growth period in history and unemployment at a fifty-year low. Additionally, he has touted the 2020 third-quarter rebound, in which GDP grew at an annualized rate of 33.1%, as evidence of the success of his economic policies. Biden responded to Trump's claims by repeating that the strong economy under Trump's presidency was inherited from the Obama administration, and that Trump has aggravated the economic impact of the pandemic, including the need for 42 million Americans to file for unemployment.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which lowered income taxes for many Americans and lowered the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, were a major component of Trump's economic policy. Biden and the Democrats generally describe these cuts as unfairly benefiting the upper class. Biden plans to raise taxes on corporations and those making over $400,000 per year, while keeping the reduced taxes on lower-income brackets and raise capital gains taxes to a maximum bracket of 39.6%. In response, Trump said Biden's plans would destroy retirement accounts and the stock market.

Environment

Main articles: Environmental policy of the Donald Trump administration, Environmental policy of Joe Biden, and Climate change policy of the United States

Trump and Biden's views on environmental policy differ significantly. Trump stated that climate change is a hoax, although he also called it a serious subject. Trump condemned the Paris Agreement on greenhouse gas reduction and began the withdrawal process. Biden planned to rejoin it and announced a $2 trillion plan to combat climate change. Biden had not fully accepted the Green New Deal. Biden did not plan to ban fracking but rather to outlaw new fracking on federal land. In a debate, Trump claimed Biden wanted to ban it altogether. Trump's other environmental policies included the removal of methane emission standards, and an expansion of mining.

Health care

Main article: Health care in the United States

Health care was a divisive issue in both the Democratic primary campaign and the general campaign. While Biden, as well as other candidates, promised protection of the Affordable Care Act, progressives within the Democratic Party advocated to replace the private insurance industry with Medicare for All. Biden's plan involves adding a public option to the American healthcare system, and the restoration of the individual mandate to buy health care, which was removed from the Affordable Care Act by the 2017 tax cut bill, as well as restoring funding for Planned Parenthood. Trump announced plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act, calling it "too expensive", but he did not say what would replace it. At the time of the election, the Trump administration and Republican officials from 18 states had a lawsuit before the Supreme Court, asking the court to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Racial unrest

Main article: 2020–2021 United States racial unrest
George Floyd protests in Minneapolis on May 26

As a result of the murder of George Floyd and other incidents of police brutality against African Americans, combined with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a series of protests and a wider period of racial unrest erupted in mid-2020. This was followed by the Black Lives Matter movement, which protested police brutality against black people, and became a central point of the 2020 presidential campaign. Protests were mostly peaceful; fewer than 4% involved property damage or violence (with most of the latter directed at BLM protesters themselves). According to a September 2020 estimate, arson, vandalism, and looting caused about $1–2 billion in insured damage between May 26 and June 8, making this initial phase of the George Floyd protests the civil disorder event with the highest recorded damage in United States history.

In response, Trump and the Republicans suggested sending in the military to counter the protests, which was criticized, especially by Democrats, as heavy-handed and potentially illegal. Trump referred to Black Lives Matter protesters confronting diners in a restaurant as "thugs", and called a street painting of the slogan a "symbol of hate". Particularly controversial was a photo-op Trump took in front of St. John's Church in Washington, D.C., before which military police had forcefully cleared peaceful protestors from the area. Biden condemned Trump for his actions against protestors; he described George Floyd's words "I can't breathe" as a "wake-up call for our nation". He also promised he would create a police oversight commission in his first 100 days as president, and establish a uniform use of force standard, as well as other police reform measures.

Exit poll

2020 presidential election exit poll
Response category Biden Trump % of
total vote
Total vote 51 47 100
Trump job approval
Strongly approve 4 96 38
Somewhat approve 20 75 12
Somewhat disapprove 89 7 10
Strongly disapprove 97 1 39
Quality of candidate that mattered most
Has good judgment 68 26 24
Cares about people like me 49 50 21
Can unite the country 75 24 19
Is a strong leader 28 72 11
More important to presidential vote
Candidate's positions on issues 47 53 74
Candidate's personal qualities 64 31 23
Vote for president mainly
For your candidate 46 53 71
Against his opponent 68 30 24
Life for the next generation of Americans will be
Better than today 55 44 54
About the same 40 58 21
Worse than today 52 45 20
View of federal government
Angry 74 24 26
Dissatisfied 67 31 32
Satisfied 29 70 27
Enthusiastic 18 81 13
Decided on presidential vote
Before September 51 46 73
In September 52 45 11
In October 48 49 8
In the last week 31 64 2
In the last few days 49 47 3
Issue regarded as most important
Economy 16 82 35
Racial inequality 92 7 20
COVID-19 pandemic 81 16 17
Crime and safety 27 71 11
Health care 62 37 11
Condition of the nation's economy
Poor 87 10 19
Not so good 76 22 31
Good 24 75 36
Excellent 16 84 13
Family's financial situation today
Better than four years ago 26 72 41
About the same 65 34 39
Worse than four years ago 77 20 20
Racism in the U.S.
The most important problem 87 11 18
An important problem 61 37 51
A minor problem 18 81 18
Not a problem at all 8 91 10
View of Black Lives Matter
Favorable 78 20 57
Unfavorable 14 86 37
Does the country's criminal justice system
Treat Black people unfairly 82 17 53
Treat all people fairly 14 84 40
U.S. efforts to contain coronavirus are going
Very well 13 86 18
Somewhat well 21 78 33
Somewhat badly 74 24 15
Very badly 94 4 32
Has the coronavirus pandemic caused you
Severe financial hardship 69 29 16
Moderate financial hardship 59 39 39
No financial hardship at all 38 60 44
Which is more important to do now
Contain coronavirus 79 19 52
Rebuild the economy 20 78 42
Is wearing a face mask in public more of a
Public health responsibility 64 35 67
Personal choice 24 73 30
Importance of recent rise in coronavirus cases to presidential vote
The most important factor 61 38 23
An important factor 47 51 37
A minor factor 13 86 18
Not a factor at all 7 91 16
Better candidate to handle the coronavirus pandemic
Biden 92 6 53
Trump 4 95 43
How confident that votes will be counted accurately
Very confident 52 47 47
Somewhat confident 56 42 40
Not very confident 34 61 8
Not at all confident 31 66 4
Voting in your state is
Very easy 48 50 69
Somewhat easy 60 39 25
Somewhat difficult 52 46 4
Very difficult N/A N/A 2
In vote for president, Supreme Court appointments were
The most important factor 47 51 13
An important factor 54 45 47
A minor factor 51 48 18
Not a factor at all 49 49 19
On Obamacare, should the Supreme Court
Keep it as it is 80 18 51
Overturn it 21 78 44
Abortion should be
Legal in all cases 80 18 25
Legal in most cases 68 30 26
Illegal in most cases 27 72 25
Illegal in all cases 18 81 17
Climate change is a serious problem
Yes 69 29 67
No 15 84 30

Timeline

Main article: Timeline of the 2020 United States presidential election

Results

Early voting in Cleveland, Ohio
See also: Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election

Statistics

More than 158 million votes were cast in the election. More than 100 million of them were cast before Election Day by early voting or mail ballot, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The election saw the highest voter turnout as a percentage of eligible voters since 1900, with each of the two main tickets receiving more than 74 million votes, surpassing Barack Obama's record of 69.5 million votes from 2008. The Biden–Harris ticket received more than 81 million votes, the most votes ever in a U.S. presidential election. It was also the ninth consecutive presidential election where the victorious major party nominee did not receive a popular vote majority by a double-digit margin over the losing major party nominee(s), continuing the longest sequence of such presidential elections in U.S. history, which began in 1988 and in 2016 eclipsed the previous longest sequence, that from 1876 through 1900. In 2020, 58 percent of U.S. voters lived in landslide counties, a decline from 61 percent in 2016.

Trump became the 11th incumbent in the country's history, and the first since 1992, to lose a bid for a second term. Biden's 51.3% of the popular vote was the highest for a challenger to an incumbent president since 1932. Biden is the sixth vice president to become president without succeeding to the office on the death or resignation of a previous president. Additionally, Trump's loss marked the third time an elected president lost the popular vote twice, the first being John Quincy Adams in the 1820s and Benjamin Harrison in the 1880s and 1890s. This was the first time since 1980, and the first for Republicans since 1892 that a party was voted out after a single four-year term. This was the second election in American history in which the incumbent president lost re-election despite winning a greater share of the popular vote than he did in the previous election, after 1828. It is also the third election in which the two candidates that received electoral votes carried the same number of states. This also happened in 1880 and 1848.

Biden won 25 states, the District of Columbia, and one congressional district in Nebraska, totaling 306 electoral votes. Trump won 25 states and one congressional district in Maine, totaling 232 electoral votes. This result was exactly the reverse of Trump's victory, 306 to 232, in 2016 (excluding faithless electors). Biden became the first Democrat to win the presidential election in Georgia since 1992 and in Arizona since 1996, and the first candidate to win nationally without Florida since 1992 and Ohio since 1960, casting doubt on Ohio's continued status as a bellwether state. Biden carried five states won by Trump in 2016: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. He also became the first Democrat since 2008 to carry Nebraska's 2nd congressional district, winning one electoral vote from the state. Trump did not win any states won by Clinton in 2016. Biden's three gains in the Rust Belt—Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin—were widely characterized as a rebuilding of the blue wall, a term widely used in the press for the states consistently won by Democrats from 1992 to 2012, broken by Trump in 2016 when he narrowly flipped those three Rust Belt states. Nevertheless, amidst Trump's national and electoral defeat, his scoring decisive victories in Ohio, Iowa, and Florida for the second time, after their having backed Obama twice, has led many commentators to conclude they have shifted from perennial swing states to reliable red states.

In light of the attempts to contest the election results, an important question is how many votes would have had to change in particular states in order to produce a different Electoral College outcome. If Biden's three narrowest state victories—Wisconsin, Georgia, and Arizona, all of which he won by less than a percentage point—had gone to Trump, there would have been a tie of 269 electors for each candidate, causing a contingent election to be decided by the House of Representatives, where Trump had the advantage. (Even though Democrats controlled the House, contingent elections are determined by state delegations in which each state receives just one vote, and since a slight majority of states in 2020 contained more Republican than Democratic representatives, Republicans would have had more votes in such an election.) This scenario would have required a popular-vote shift of 0.63% or less in each of these three states, a total of about 43,000 votes, 0.03% of votes cast nationally. This situation paralleled 2016, when a shift of 0.77% or less in each of the three most closely contested states (Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania), or about 77,000 votes, would have resulted in the popular vote winner Hillary Clinton also winning in the Electoral College.

This was the first time since 1948 that Democrats won the popular vote in four elections in a row. Biden was the second former vice president (after Richard Nixon in 1968) to win the presidency, as well as the first vice president since George H. W. Bush in 1988 to be elected president.

Almost all counties previously considered reliable indicators of eventual success in presidential elections voted for Trump instead of Biden, meaning that they did not continue their streaks as bellwether counties. This was attributed to increasing political polarization throughout the country and to the urban-rural divide.

While Trump still dominated rural America as a whole, there were rural areas that he lost. Biden won 50.5% of the rural counties that each had mostly non-white voters, particularly in the South and the West. Rural counties in the South won by Biden had greater economic distress than those won by Trump; in the Northeast, the opposite was true. In the West, Biden did especially well in rural counties that had high shares of workers employed in leisure and hospitality. Such counties likewise had large constituencies of immigration from other states. Biden became the oldest president ever elected, besting Ronald Reagan's record in 1984, and the oldest non-incumbent ever, besting Trump in 2016; however, both records were broken by Trump in 2024. Of the 3,153 counties/districts/independent cities making returns, Trump won the most popular votes in 2,595 (82.30%) while Biden carried 558 (17.70%).

Election calls

Hexagonal cartogram of the number of electoral college votes. States with opposite outcomes from 2016 are hatched.

Major news organizations project a state for a candidate when there is high mathematical confidence that the outstanding vote would be unlikely to prevent the projected winner from ultimately winning the state. Election projections are made by decision teams of political scientists and data scientists.

People celebrate in the streets near the White House after the major networks projected Biden the winner of the election on November 7.
Senator Chuck Schumer addresses a crowd celebrating in Times Square, New York City, shortly after the election was called for Biden.

In the early hours of November 4, the Associated Press called Florida for Donald Trump at 12:35 a.m. EST, putting him at 164 electoral votes. By 1:06 a.m. EST, they called Texas for Trump, putting him at 202 electoral votes, compared to Joe Biden's 224. Arizona and Maine were called for Biden at 2:51 a.m. and 3:06 a.m. EST, respectively. At 1:24 p.m. EST that afternoon, the Associated Press called Maine's 2nd Congressional District for Trump, giving him 203 electoral votes. Then, Biden won Wisconsin and Michigan, at 2:16 p.m. and 3:58 p.m. EST, respectively, bringing him to 264 electoral votes, just 6 short of the presidency. On the morning of November 7 at approximately 11:25 a.m. EST, roughly three and a half days after polls had closed, ABC News, NBC News, CBS News, the Associated Press, CNN, and Fox News all called the election and Pennsylvania's 20 electoral votes for Biden, based on projections of votes in Pennsylvania showing him leading outside of the recount threshold (0.5% in that state), placing him at 284 electoral votes. That evening, Biden and Harris gave victory speeches in Wilmington, Delaware.

OSCE election monitoring

On the invitation of the U.S. State Department, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which has been monitoring U.S. elections since 2002 (as it does for major elections in all other OSCE member countries), sent 102 observers from 39 countries. The task force consisted of long-term observers from the ODIHR office (led by former Polish diplomat Urszula Gacek) deployed to 28 states from September on and covering 15 states on election day, and a group of European lawmakers acting as short-term observers (led by German parliamentarian Michael Georg Link), reporting from Maryland, Virginia, California, Nevada, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, and D.C. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was scaled down to a "limited election observation mission" from the originally planned 100 long-term observers and 400 short-term observers.

An interim report published by the OSCE shortly before the election noted that many ODIHR interlocutors "expressed grave concerns about the risk of legitimacy of the elections being questioned due to the incumbent President's repeated allegations of a fraudulent election process, and postal vote in particular." On the day after the election, the task force published preliminary findings, with part of the summary stating:

The 3 November general elections were competitive and well managed despite legal uncertainties and logistical challenges. In a highly polarized political environment, harsh campaign rhetoric fuelled tensions. Measures intended to secure the elections during the pandemic triggered protracted litigation driven by partisan interests. The uncertainty caused by late legal challenges and evidence-deficient claims about election fraud created confusion and concern among election officials and voters. Voter registration and identification rules in some states are unduly restrictive for certain groups of citizens. The media, although sharply polarized, provided comprehensive coverage of the campaign and made efforts to provide accurate information on the organization of elections.

Link said that "on the election day itself, we couldn't see any violations" at the polling places visited by the observers. The task force also found "nothing untoward" while observing the handling of mail-in ballots at post offices, with Gacek being quoted as saying: "We feel that allegations of systemic wrongdoing in these elections have no solid ground. The system has held up well." The OSCE's election monitoring branch published a more comprehensive report in early 2021.

Electoral results

See also: Third party and independent candidates for the 2020 United States presidential election

Candidates are listed individually below if they received more than 0.1% of the popular vote. Popular vote totals are from the Federal Election Commission report.

Electoral results
Presidential candidate Party Home state Popular vote Electoral
vote 		Running mate
Count Percentage Vice-presidential candidate Home state Electoral vote
Joe Biden Democratic Delaware 81,283,501 51.31% 306 Kamala Harris California 306
Donald Trump
(incumbent) 		Republican Florida 74,223,975 46.85% 232 Mike Pence
(incumbent) 		Indiana 232
Jo Jorgensen Libertarian South Carolina 1,865,535 1.18% 0 Spike Cohen South Carolina 0
Howie Hawkins Green New York 407,068 0.26% 0 Angela Nicole Walker South Carolina 0
Rocky De La Fuente Reform California 301,016 0.19% 0 Darcy Richardson Florida 0
Other 348,536 0.22% — Other —
Total 158,429,631 100% 538 538
Needed to win 270 270

Results by state

Legend
States won by Biden/Harris
States won by Trump/Pence
EV Electoral votes
† At-large results (for Maine and Nebraska, which both split electoral votes)
Results by state
State or
district 		Biden/Harris
Democratic 		Trump/Pence
Republican 		Jorgensen/Cohen
Libertarian 		Hawkins/Walker
Green 		Others Margin Margin
swing 		Total
votes
Votes % EV Votes % EV Votes % EV Votes % EV Votes % EV Votes % %
Alabama 849,624 36.57% – 1,441,170 62.03% 9 25,176 1.08% – – – – 7,312 0.31% – −591,546 −25.46% 2.27% 2,323,282
Alaska 153,778 42.77% – 189,951 52.83% 3 8,897 2.47% – – – – 6,904 1.92% – −36,173 −10.06% 4.67% 359,530
Arizona 1,672,143 49.36% 11 1,661,686 49.06% – 51,465 1.52% – 1,557 0.05% – 475 0.01% – 10,457 0.31% 3.81% 3,387,326
Arkansas 423,932 34.78% – 760,647 62.40% 6 13,133 1.08% – 2,980 0.24% – 18,377 1.51% – −336,715 −27.62% −0.70% 1,219,069
California 11,110,639 63.48% 55 6,006,518 34.32% – 187,910 1.07% – 81,032 0.46% – 115,281 0.66% – 5,104,121 29.16% −0.95% 17,501,380
Colorado 1,804,352 55.40% 9 1,364,607 41.90% – 52,460 1.61% – 8,986 0.28% – 26,575 0.82% – 439,745 13.50% 8.59% 3,256,980
Connecticut 1,080,831 59.26% 7 714,717 39.19% – 20,230 1.11% – 7,538 0.41% – 541 0.03% – 366,114 20.07% 6.43% 1,823,857
Delaware 296,268 58.74% 3 200,603 39.77% – 5,000 0.99% – 2,139 0.42% – 336 0.07% – 95,665 18.97% 7.60% 504,346
District of Columbia 317,323 92.15% 3 18,586 5.40% – 2,036 0.59% – 1,726 0.50% – 4,685 1.36% – 298,737 86.75% −0.02% 344,356
Florida 5,297,045 47.86% – 5,668,731 51.22% 29 70,324 0.64% – 14,721 0.13% – 16,635 0.15% – −371,686 −3.36% −2.16% 11,067,456
Georgia 2,473,633 49.47% 16 2,461,854 49.24% – 62,229 1.24% – 1,013 0.02% – 1,231 0.02% – 11,779 0.24% 5.37% 4,999,960
Hawaii 366,130 63.73% 4 196,864 34.27% – 5,539 0.96% – 3,822 0.67% – 2,114 0.37% – 169,266 29.46% −2.72% 574,469
Idaho 287,021 33.07% – 554,119 63.84% 4 16,404 1.89% – 407 0.05% – 9,983 1.15% – −267,098 −30.77% 1.00% 867,934
Illinois 3,471,915 57.54% 20 2,446,891 40.55% – 66,544 1.10% – 30,494 0.51% – 17,900 0.30% – 1,025,024 16.99% −0.08% 6,033,744
Indiana 1,242,498 40.96% – 1,729,857 57.03% 11 58,901 1.94% – 989 0.03% – 965 0.03% – −487,359 −16.07% 3.10% 3,033,210
Iowa 759,061 44.89% – 897,672 53.09% 6 19,637 1.16% – 3,075 0.18% – 11,426 0.68% – −138,611 −8.20% 1.21% 1,690,871
Kansas 570,323 41.51% – 771,406 56.14% 6 30,574 2.23% – 669 0.05% – 1,014 0.07% – −201,083 −14.64% 5.96% 1,373,986
Kentucky 772,474 36.15% – 1,326,646 62.09% 8 26,234 1.23% – 716 0.03% – 10,698 0.50% – −554,172 −25.94% 3.90% 2,136,768
Louisiana 856,034 39.85% – 1,255,776 58.46% 8 21,645 1.01% – – – – 14,607 0.68% – −399,742 −18.61% 1.03% 2,148,062
Maine † 435,072 53.09% 2 360,737 44.02% – 14,152 1.73% – 8,230 1.00% – 1,270 0.15% – 74,335 9.07% 6.11% 819,461
ME-1Tooltip Maine's 1st congressional district 266,376 60.11% 1 164,045 37.02% – 7,343 1.66% – 4,654 1.05% – 694 0.16% – 102,331 23.09% 8.28% 443,112
ME-2Tooltip Maine's 2nd congressional district 168,696 44.82% – 196,692 52.26% 1 6,809 1.81% – 3,576 0.95% – 576 0.15% – −27,996 −7.44% 2.85% 376,349
Maryland 1,985,023 65.36% 10 976,414 32.15% – 33,488 1.10% – 15,799 0.52% – 26,306 0.87% – 1,008,609 33.21% 6.79% 3,037,030
Massachusetts 2,382,202 65.60% 11 1,167,202 32.14% – 47,013 1.29% – 18,658 0.51% – 16,327 0.45% – 1,215,000 33.46% 6.26% 3,631,402
Michigan 2,804,040 50.62% 16 2,649,852 47.84% – 60,381 1.09% – 13,718 0.25% – 11,311 0.20% – 154,188 2.78% 3.01% 5,539,302
Minnesota 1,717,077 52.40% 10 1,484,065 45.28% – 34,976 1.07% – 10,033 0.31% – 31,020 0.95% – 233,012 7.11% 5.59% 3,277,171
Mississippi 539,398 41.06% – 756,764 57.60% 6 8,026 0.61% – 1,498 0.11% – 8,073 0.61% – −217,366 −16.55% 1.28% 1,313,759
Missouri 1,253,014 41.41% – 1,718,736 56.80% 10 41,205 1.36% – 8,283 0.27% – 4,724 0.16% – −465,722 −15.39% 3.25% 3,025,962
Montana 244,786 40.55% – 343,602 56.92% 3 15,252 2.53% – – – – 34 0.01% – −98,816 −16.37% 4.05% 603,674
Nebraska † 374,583 39.17% – 556,846 58.22% 2 20,283 2.12% – – – – 4,671 0.49% – −182,263 −19.06% 5.99% 956,383
NE-1Tooltip Nebraska's 1st congressional district 132,261 41.09% – 180,290 56.01% 1 7,495 2.33% – – – – 1,840 0.57% – −48,029 −14.92% 5.80% 321,886
NE-2Tooltip Nebraska's 2nd congressional district 176,468 51.95% 1 154,377 45.45% – 6,909 2.03% – – – – 1,912 0.56% – 22,091 6.50% 8.74% 339,666
NE-3Tooltip Nebraska's 3rd congressional district 65,854 22.34% – 222,179 75.36% 1 5,879 1.99% – – – – 919 0.31% – −156,325 −53.02% 1.17% 294,831
Nevada 703,486 50.06% 6 669,890 47.67% – 14,783 1.05% – – – – 17,217 1.23% – 33,596 2.39% −0.03% 1,405,376
New Hampshire 424,937 52.71% 4 365,660 45.36% – 13,236 1.64% – 217 0.03% – 2,155 0.27% – 59,277 7.35% 6.98% 806,205
New Jersey 2,608,400 57.33% 14 1,883,313 41.40% – 31,677 0.70% – 14,202 0.31% – 11,865 0.26% – 725,087 15.94% 1.84% 4,549,457
New Mexico 501,614 54.29% 5 401,894 43.50% – 12,585 1.36% – 4,426 0.48% – 3,446 0.37% – 99,720 10.79% 2.58% 923,965
New York 5,244,886 60.87% 29 3,251,997 37.74% – 60,383 0.70% – 32,832 0.38% – 26,763 0.31% – 1,992,889 23.13% 0.64% 8,616,861
North Carolina 2,684,292 48.59% – 2,758,775 49.93% 15 48,678 0.88% – 12,195 0.22% – 20,864 0.38% – −74,483 −1.35% 2.31% 5,524,804
North Dakota 115,042 31.78% – 235,751 65.12% 3 9,371 2.59% – – – – 1,860 0.51% – −120,709 −33.34% 2.39% 362,024
Ohio 2,679,165 45.24% – 3,154,834 53.27% 18 67,569 1.14% – 18,812 0.32% – 1,822 0.03% – −475,669 −8.03% 0.10% 5,922,202
Oklahoma 503,890 32.29% – 1,020,280 65.37% 7 24,731 1.58% – – – – 11,798 0.76% – −516,390 −33.09% 3.99% 1,560,699
Oregon 1,340,383 56.45% 7 958,448 40.37% – 41,582 1.75% – 11,831 0.50% – 22,077 0.93% – 381,935 16.09% 5.10% 2,374,321
Pennsylvania 3,458,229 49.85% 20 3,377,674 48.69% – 79,380 1.14% – 1,282 0.02% – 20,411 0.29% – 80,555 1.16% 1.88% 6,936,976
Rhode Island 307,486 59.39% 4 199,922 38.61% – 5,053 0.98% – – – – 5,296 1.02% – 107,564 20.77% 5.26% 517,757
South Carolina 1,091,541 43.43% – 1,385,103 55.11% 9 27,916 1.11% – 6,907 0.27% – 1,862 0.07% – −293,562 −11.68% 2.59% 2,513,329
South Dakota 150,471 35.61% – 261,043 61.77% 3 11,095 2.63% – – – – – – – −110,572 −26.16% 3.63% 422,609
Tennessee 1,143,711 37.45% – 1,852,475 60.66% 11 29,877 0.98% – 4,545 0.15% – 23,243 0.76% – −708,764 −23.21% 2.80% 3,053,851
Texas 5,259,126 46.48% – 5,890,347 52.06% 38 126,243 1.12% – 33,396 0.30% – 5,944 0.05% – −631,221 −5.58% 3.41% 11,315,056
Utah 560,282 37.65% – 865,140 58.13% 6 38,447 2.58% – 5,053 0.34% – 19,367 1.30% – −304,858 −20.48% −2.40% 1,488,289
Vermont 242,820 66.09% 3 112,704 30.67% – 3,608 0.98% – 1,310 0.36% – 6,986 1.90% – 130,116 35.41% 9.00% 367,428
Virginia 2,413,568 54.11% 13 1,962,430 44.00% – 64,761 1.45% – – – – 19,765 0.44% – 451,138 10.11% 4.79% 4,460,524
Washington 2,369,612 57.97% 12 1,584,651 38.77% – 80,500 1.97% – 18,289 0.45% – 34,579 0.85% – 784,961 19.20% 3.49% 4,087,631
West Virginia 235,984 29.69% – 545,382 68.62% 5 10,687 1.34% – 2,599 0.33% – 79 0.01% – −309,398 −38.93% 3.14% 794,731
Wisconsin 1,630,866 49.45% 10 1,610,184 48.82% – 38,491 1.17% – 1,089 0.03% – 17,411 0.53% – 20,682 0.63% 1.40% 3,298,041
Wyoming 73,491 26.55% – 193,559 69.94% 3 5,768 2.08% – – – – 3,947 1.43% – −120,068 −43.38% 2.92% 276,765
Total 81,283,501 51.31% 306 74,223,975 46.85% 232 1,865,535 1.18% – 407,068 0.26% – 649,552 0.41% – 7,059,526 4.46% 2.36% 158,429,631
Biden/Harris
Democratic 		Trump/Pence
Republican 		Jorgensen/Cohen
Libertarian 		Hawkins/Walker
Green 		Others Margin Margin
swing 		Total
votes

Two states, Maine and Nebraska, allow their electoral votes to be split between candidates by congressional districts. The winner of each congressional district gets one electoral vote for the district. The winner of the statewide vote gets two additional electoral votes.

States and EV districts that flipped from Republican to Democratic

Close states

States where the margin of victory was under 1% (37 electoral votes; all won by Biden):

  1. Georgia, 0.23% (11,779 votes) – 16 electoral votes
  2. Arizona, 0.30% (10,457 votes) – 11 electoral votes
  3. Wisconsin, 0.63% (20,682 votes) – 10 electoral votes (tipping-point state for Biden victory)

States where the margin of victory was between 1% and 5% (86 electoral votes; 42 won by Biden, 44 by Trump):

  1. Pennsylvania, 1.16% (80,555 votes) – 20 electoral votes (tipping-point state for Trump victory)
  2. North Carolina, 1.34% (74,483 votes) – 15 electoral votes
  3. Nevada, 2.39% (33,596 votes) – 6 electoral votes
  4. Michigan, 2.78% (154,188 votes) – 16 electoral votes
  5. Florida, 3.36% (371,686 votes) – 29 electoral votes

States/districts where the margin of victory was between 5% and 10% (80 electoral votes; 17 won by Biden, 63 by Trump):

  1. Texas, 5.58% (631,221 votes) – 38 electoral votes
  2. Nebraska's 2nd congressional district, 6.50% (22,091 votes) – 1 electoral vote
  3. Minnesota, 7.12% (233,012 votes) – 10 electoral votes
  4. New Hampshire, 7.35% (59,267 votes) – 4 electoral votes
  5. Maine's 2nd congressional district, 7.44% (27,996 votes) – 1 electoral vote
  6. Ohio, 8.03% (475,669 votes) – 18 electoral votes
  7. Iowa, 8.20% (138,611 votes) – 6 electoral votes
  8. Maine, 9.07% (74,335 votes) – 2 electoral votes

Blue denotes states or congressional districts won by Democrat Joe Biden; red denotes those won by Republican Donald Trump.

County statistics

Counties with highest percentage of Democratic vote:

  1. Kalawao County, Hawaii – 95.8%
  2. Washington, D.C. – 92.15%
  3. Prince George's County, Maryland – 89.26%
  4. Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota – 88.41%
  5. Petersburg, Virginia – 87.75%

Counties with highest percentage of Republican vote:

  1. Roberts County, Texas – 96.18%
  2. Borden County, Texas – 95.43%
  3. King County, Texas – 94.97%
  4. Garfield County, Montana – 93.97%
  5. Glasscock County, Texas – 93.57%

Maps

  • Results by state, shaded according to winning candidate's percentage of the vote Results by state, shaded according to winning candidate's percentage of the vote
  • Results by county Results by county
  • Results by county, shaded according to winning candidate's percentage of the vote Results by county, shaded according to winning candidate's percentage of the vote
  • A discontinuous cartogram of the 2020 United States presidential election A discontinuous cartogram of the 2020 United States presidential election
  • A continuous county-level cartogram of the 2020 United States presidential election A continuous county-level cartogram of the 2020 United States presidential election
  • County swing from 2016 to 2020 County swing from 2016 to 2020
  • Election results by congressional district Election results by congressional district
  • Shaded election results by county (red-purple-blue scale) Shaded election results by county (red-purple-blue scale)
  • States shaded by margin of victory States shaded by margin of victory
  • Counties shaded by margin of victory Counties shaded by margin of victory
  • Results by state, shaded according to percentage of the vote for Jo Jorgensen Results by state, shaded according to percentage of the vote for Jo Jorgensen

Voter demographics

Voter demographic data for 2020 were collected by Edison Research for the National Election Pool, a consortium of ABC News, CBS News, MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, and the Associated Press. The voter survey is based on exit polls completed by 15,590 voters in person as well as by phone.

2020 presidential election voter demographics (exit polling)
Demographic subgroup Biden Trump % of
total vote
Total vote 51 47 100
Ideology
Liberals 89 10 24
Moderates 64 34 38
Conservatives 14 85 38
Party
Democrats 94 6 37
Republicans 6 94 36
Independents 54 41 26
Gender
Men 45 53 48
Women 57 42 52
Marital status
Married 45 53 56
Unmarried 58 40 44
Gender by marital status
Married men 43 55 30
Married women 48 51 26
Unmarried men 52 45 20
Unmarried women 62 36 23
Race/ethnicity
White 41 58 67
Black 87 12 13
Latino 65 33 13
Asian 63 36 4
Other 55 41 4
Gender by race/ethnicity
White men 38 61 35
White women 44 55 32
Black men 79 19 4
Black women 90 9 8
Latino men 59 36 5
Latina women 69 30 8
Other 58 38 8
Religion
Protestant/Other Christian 39 60 43
Catholic 52 47 25
Jewish 76 22 2
Other religion 68 29 8
None 65 31 22
White evangelical or born-again Christian
Yes 24 76 28
No 62 36 72
Age
18–24 years old 65 31 9
25–29 years old 54 43 7
30–39 years old 51 46 16
40–49 years old 54 44 16
50–64 years old 47 52 30
65 and older 47 52 22
Age by race
White 18–29 years old 44 53 8
White 30–44 years old 41 57 14
White 45–59 years old 38 61 19
White 60 and older 42 57 26
Black 18–29 years old 88 10 3
Black 30–44 years old 78 19 4
Black 45–59 years old 89 10 3
Black 60 and older 92 7 3
Latino 18–29 years old 69 28 4
Latino 30–44 years old 62 35 4
Latino 45–59 years old 68 30 3
Latino 60 and older 58 40 2
Others 59 38 8
Sexual orientation
LGBT 75 23 7
Non-LGBT 51 48 93
First time voter
Yes 64 32 14
No 49 49 86
Education
High school or less 46 54 19
Some college education 51 47 23
Associate degree 47 50 16
Bachelor's degree 51 47 27
Postgraduate degree 62 37 15
Education by race
White college graduates 51 48 32
White no college degree 32 67 35
Non-white college graduates 70 27 10
Non-white no college degree 72 26 24
Education by race/gender
White women with college degrees 54 45 14
White women without college degrees 36 63 17
White men with college degrees 48 51 17
White men without college degrees 28 70 18
Non-White 71 26 33
Income
Under $30,000 54 46 15
$30,000–49,999 56 44 20
$50,000–99,999 56 42 39
$100,000–199,999 41 57 20
Over $200,000 48 48 7
Union households
Yes 56 41 20
No 50 49 80
Military service
Veterans 44 54 15
Non-veterans 53 45 85
Region
East 58 40 20
Midwest 47 51 23
South 46 53 35
West 57 41 22
Area type
Urban 60 38 29
Suburban 50 48 51
Rural 42 57 19

The Brookings Institution released a report entitled "Exit polls show both familiar and new voting blocs sealed Biden's win" on November 12, 2020. In it, author William H. Frey attributes Obama's 2008 win to young people, people of color, and the college-educated. Frey contends Trump won in 2016 thanks to older White without college degrees. Frey says the same coalitions largely held in 2008 and 2016, although in key battleground states Biden increased his vote among some of the 2016 Trump groups, particularly among White and older Americans. Trump won the white vote in 2016 by 20% but in 2020 by only 16%. The Democratic Party won black voters by 75%, the lowest margin since 1980. Democrats won the Latino vote by 32%, which is the smallest margin since 2004, and they won the Asian American vote by 27%, the lowest figure since 2008. Biden reduced the Republican margin of white men without college educations from 48% to 42%, and the Democrats made a slight improvement of 2% among white, college-educated women. People age 18 to 29 registered a rise in Democratic support between 2016 and 2020, with the Democratic margin of victory among that demographic increasing from 19% to 24%.

Post-election analysis using verified voter data found the Associated Press's Votecast was more accurate than the exit polls.

Voting patterns by ethnicity

Hispanic and Latino voters

Biden won 65% of the Latino vote according to Edison Research, and 63% according to the Associated Press. Voto Latino reported that the Latino vote was crucial to the Biden victory in Arizona. 40% of Latino voters who voted in 2020 did not vote in 2016, and 73% of those Latino voters voted for Biden (438,000 voters). Florida and Texas, which have large Latino populations, were carried by Trump. In Florida, Trump won a majority of Cuban American voters in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The Latino vote was still crucial to enable Biden to carry states such as Nevada. Latino voters were targeted by a major Spanish-language disinformation campaign in the final weeks of the election, with various falsehoods and conspiracy theories being pushed out by WhatsApp and viral social media posts.

Demographic patterns emerged having to do with country of origin and candidate preference. Pre- and post-election surveys showed Biden winning Latinos of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Spanish heritage, while Trump carried Latinos of Cuban heritage. Data from Florida showed Biden holding a narrow edge among South Americans.

Black voters

Biden won 87% of the Black vote, while Trump won 12%. Biden's advantage among Black voters was crucial in the large cities of Pennsylvania and Michigan; the increase in the Democratic vote in Milwaukee County of about 28,000 votes was more than the 20,000-vote lead Biden had in the state of Wisconsin. Almost half Biden's gains in Georgia came from the four largest counties—Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Cobb—all in the Atlanta metro area with large Black populations. Trump improved his overall share of the Black vote from 2016 by 4% and doubled the Black vote that Mitt Romney received in 2012.

Asian American and Pacific Island voters

Polls showed that 68% of Asian American and Pacific Island (AAPI) voters supported Biden/Harris, while 28% supported Trump/Pence. Karthick Ramakrishnan, a political science professor at the University of California Riverside and founder of AAPI Data, said Asian Americans supported Biden over Trump by about a 2:1 margin. Korean Americans, Japanese Americans, Indian Americans, and Chinese Americans favored Biden by higher margins overall compared to Vietnamese Americans and Filipino Americans. Many voters were turned off by Trump's language some of which was widely considered racist such as ("China virus" and "kung flu") but, according to Vox reporter Terry Nguyen, many Vietnamese voters (and especially elderly, South Vietnamese migrants who populated coastal centers in the 1970s) appreciated his strong anti-China stance.

Indian American voters

Data from FiveThirtyEight indicated 65% of Indian American voters backed Joe Biden, and 28% supported Donald Trump. Some Indian Americans self-identified with Kamala Harris, but others approved of Donald Trump's support of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a speech given to 50,000 Indian-Americans during his 2019 visit to the US, Modi praised Trump with remarks that were interpreted as an indirect endorsement of his candidacy. Indian right-wing organizations like the Hindu Sena had performed special havans and pujas for Trump's electoral victory.

American Indian and Alaska Native voters

Pre-election voter surveys by Indian Country Today found 68% of American Indian and Alaska Native voters supporting Democratic nominee Joe Biden. In particular, the Navajo Reservation, which spans a large quadrant of eastern Arizona and western New Mexico, delivered up to 97% of their votes per precinct to Biden, while overall support for Biden was between 60 and 90% on the Reservation. Biden also posted large turnout among Havasupai, Hopi, and Tohono O'odham peoples, delivering a large win in New Mexico and flipping Arizona.

In Montana, while the state went for Trump overall, Biden won counties overlapping reservations of the Blackfeet, Fort Belknap, Crow and Northern Cheyenne. The same pattern held in South Dakota, with most of the counties overlapping the lands of the Standing Rock Sioux, Cheyenne River Sioux, Oglala Sioux, Rosebud Sioux and Crow Creek tribes going for Biden. For example, in Oglala Lakota County, which overlaps with the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Biden won 88% of the vote.

Trump's strongest performance among Native tribes was with the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, where he won a strong majority in Robeson County and flipped Scotland County from Democratic to Republican. Trump had campaigned in Lumberton, in Robeson County, and had promised the Lumbees federal recognition.

Polling accuracy

Although polls generally predicted the Biden victory, the national polls overestimated him by three to four points, and some state polling was even further from the actual result and greater than 2016's error (one or two points). The numbers represented the highest level of error since the 1980 presidential election. This polling overestimation also applied in several Senate races, where the Democrats underperformed by about five points relative to the polls, as well as the House elections, where Republicans gained seats instead of losing as polls predicted. Most pollsters underestimated support for Trump in several key battleground states, including Florida, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas, and Wisconsin. The discrepancy between poll predictions and the actual result persisted from the 2016 election despite pollsters' attempts to fix problems with polling in 2016, in which they underestimated the Republican vote in several states. The imprecise polls led to changes in campaigning and fundraising decisions for both Democrats and Republicans.

According to The New York Times, polling misses have been attributed to, among other issues, reduced average response to polling; the relative difficulty to poll certain types of voters; and pandemic-related problems, such as a theory which suggests Democrats were less willing to vote in person on Election Day than Republicans for fear of contracting COVID-19. According to CNN, research presented to the American Association for Public Opinion Research indicated one of the primary problems was an inability by pollsters to include a certain segment of Trump supporters, either due to inaccessibility or lack of participation. New Statesman data journalist Ben Walker pointed to Hispanics as a historically difficult group to poll accurately, leading to pollsters underestimating the level of Trump support within the demographic group. Election analyst Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight argued that the polling error in 2020 was normal by historical standards.

Siena College Research Institute reported that a significant source of polling error was the discounting of partial responses by "mistrustful Trump supporters" who "yelled" at their callers; when someone would "say 'I'm voting for Trump—fuck you,' and then hang up before completing the rest of the survey," it would not be counted as a response. Such "partials" made up "nearly half of Siena's error rate."

Aftermath

See also: Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election

Election night

Voters cast ballots at Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa

Election night, November 3, ended without a clear winner, as many state results were too close to call and millions of votes remained uncounted, including in the battleground states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada. Results were delayed in these states due to local rules on counting mail-in ballots. Mail-in ballots became particularly prevalent in the 2020 election due to the widespread outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over roughly 67 million mail-in ballots were submitted, over doubling the previous election's 33.5 million. In a victory declared after midnight, Trump won the swing state of Florida by over three percentage points, an increase from his 1.2 percentage point margin in 2016, having seen significant gains in support among the Latino community in Miami-Dade County.

Shortly after 12:30 a.m. EST, Biden made a short speech in which he urged his supporters to be patient while the votes are counted, and said he believed he was "on track to win this election". Shortly before 2:30 a.m. EST, Trump made a speech to a roomful of supporters, falsely asserting that he had won the election and calling for a stop to all vote counting, saying that continued counting was "a fraud on the American people" and "we will be going to the U.S. Supreme Court." The Biden campaign denounced these attempts, claiming the Trump campaign was engaging in a "naked effort to take away the democratic rights of American citizens".

Late counting

In Pennsylvania, where the counting of mail-in ballots began on election night, Trump declared victory on November 4 with a lead of 675,000 votes, despite more than a million ballots remaining uncounted. Trump also declared victory in North Carolina and Georgia, despite many ballots being uncounted. At 11:20 p.m. EST on election night, Fox News projected Biden would win Arizona, with the Associated Press making the same call at 2:50 a.m. EST on November 4; several other media outlets concluded the state was too close to call. By the evening of November 4, the Associated Press reported that Biden had secured 264 electoral votes by winning Michigan and Wisconsin, with Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, and Nevada remaining uncalled. Biden had a 1% lead in Nevada and maintained a 2.3% lead in Arizona by November 5, needing only to win Nevada and Arizona or to win Pennsylvania to obtain the necessary 270 electoral votes.

Some Trump supporters expressed concerns of possible fraud after seeing the president leading in some states on Election Night, only to see Biden take the lead in subsequent days. Election experts attributed this to several factors, including a "red mirage" of early results being counted in relatively thinly populated rural areas that favored Trump, which are quicker to count, followed later by results from more heavily populated urban areas that favored Biden, which take longer to count. In some states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, Republican-controlled legislatures prohibited mail-in ballots from being counted before Election Day, and once those ballots were counted they generally favored Biden, at least in part because Trump had for months raised concerns about mail-in ballots, encouraging his supporters instead to vote in person. By contrast, in states such as Florida, which allowed counting of mail-in ballots for weeks prior to Election Day, an early blue shift giving the appearance of a Biden lead was later overcome by in-person voting that favored Trump, resulting in the state being called for the president on Election Night.

On November 5, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by the Trump campaign to stop vote-counting in Pennsylvania. The Trump campaign had alleged that its observers were not given access to observe the vote, but its lawyers admitted during the hearing that its observers were already present in the vote-counting room. Also that day, a state judge dismissed another lawsuit by the Trump campaign which alleged that in Georgia, late-arriving ballots were counted. The judge ruled no evidence had been produced that the ballots were late. Meanwhile, a state judge in Michigan dismissed the Trump campaign's lawsuit requesting a pause in vote-counting to allow access to observers, as the judge noted that vote-counting had already finished in Michigan. That judge also noted the official complaint did not state "why", "when, where, or by whom" an election observer was allegedly blocked from observing ballot-counting in Michigan.

On November 6, Biden assumed leads in Pennsylvania and Georgia as the states continued to count ballots, and absentee votes in those states heavily favored Biden. Due to the slim margin between Biden and Trump in the state, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced on November 6 that a recount would be held in Georgia. At that point, Georgia had not seen "any widespread irregularities" in this election, according to the voting system manager of the state, Gabriel Sterling.

Also, on November 6, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito issued an order requiring officials in Pennsylvania to segregate late-arriving ballots, amid a dispute as to whether the state's Supreme Court validly ordered a 3-day extension of the deadline for mail-in ballots to arrive. Several Republican attorneys general filed amicus briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court in subsequent days agreeing with the Pennsylvania Republican Party's view that only the state legislature could change the voting deadline.

By November 7, several prominent Republicans had publicly denounced Trump's claims of electoral fraud, saying they were unsubstantiated, baseless or without evidence, damaging to the election process, undermining democracy and dangerous to political stability while others supported his demand of transparency. According to CNN, people close to Donald Trump, such as his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner and his wife Melania Trump, urged him to accept his defeat. While Donald Trump privately acknowledged the outcome of the presidential election, he nonetheless encouraged his legal team to continue pursuing legal challenges. Trump expected to win the election in Arizona, but when Fox News declared Biden the victor of the state, Trump became furious and claimed the result was due to fraud. Trump and his allies suffered approximately 50 legal losses in four weeks after starting their litigation. In view of these legal defeats, Trump began to employ "a public pressure campaign on state and local Republican officials to manipulate the electoral system on his behalf".

Election protests

Main article: Demonstrations in support of Donald Trump § 2021
Spontaneous celebration of Trump's loss at Frederick Douglass Circle in New York City on November 7, 2020

Protests against Trump's challenges to the election results occurred in Minneapolis, Portland, New York, and other cities. Police in Minneapolis arrested more than 600 demonstrators for blocking traffic on an interstate highway. In Portland, the National Guard was called out after some protesters smashed windows and threw objects at police. At the same time, groups of Trump supporters gathered outside of election centers in Phoenix, Detroit, and Philadelphia, shouting objections to counts that showed Biden leading or gaining ground. In Arizona, where Biden's lead was shrinking as more results were reported, the pro-Trump protesters mostly demanded that all remaining votes be counted, while in Michigan and Pennsylvania, where Trump's lead shrank and disappeared altogether as more results were reported, they called for the count to be stopped.

False claims of fraud

See also: Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election, Republican reactions to Donald Trump's claims of 2020 election fraud, and Big lie § Donald Trump's false claims of a stolen election
Screenshot of a tweet from Trump's Twitter account where he repeatedly and falsely claimed he had won.
To sow election doubt, Trump escalated use of "rigged election" and "election interference" statements in advance of the 2024 election compared to the previous two elections—the statements described as part of a "heads I win; tails you cheated" rhetorical strategy.

Trump and a variety of his surrogates and supporters made a series of observably false claims that the election was fraudulent. Claims that substantial fraud was committed have been repeatedly debunked. On November 9 and 10, The New York Times called the offices of top election officials in every state; all 45 of those who responded said there was no evidence of fraud. Some described the election as remarkably successful considering the coronavirus pandemic, the record turnout, and the unprecedented number of mailed ballots. On November 12, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a statement calling the 2020 election "the most secure in American history" and noting "here is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was in any way compromised." Five days later, Trump fired the director of CISA, whom he had appointed in 2018.

As ballots were still being counted two days after Election Day, Trump falsely asserted that there was "tremendous corruption and fraud going on", adding: "If you count the legal votes, I easily win. If you count the illegal votes, they can try to steal the election from us." Trump has repeatedly claimed as suspicious that mail-in ballots showed significantly more support for Biden. This blue shift phenomenon is believed to occur because more Democrats than Republicans tend to vote by mail, and mail ballots are counted after Election Day in many states. Leading up to the 2020 election, the effect was predicted to be even greater than usual, as Trump's attacks on mail-in voting may have deterred Republicans from casting mail ballots.

In early January 2021, Trump falsely proclaimed that he had by rights won all 50 states in the presidential election and a 535 to 3 electoral college victory. On January 2, during his phone call to Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia Secretary of State, Trump said, "As you know, every single state. We won every state; we won every statehouse in the country... But we won every single statehouse." Two days later, on January 4, Trump appeared at a campaign rally in Dalton, Georgia, supporting Republican senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler. During his speech at the rally, Trump again asserted that he won "every single state", and "We win every state, and they're going to have this guy be President?"

Many claims of purported voter fraud were discovered to be false or misleading. In Fulton County, Georgia, the number of votes affected was 342, with no breakdown of which candidates they were for. A viral video of a Pennsylvania poll worker filling out a ballot was found to be a case of a damaged ballot being replicated to ensure proper counting, while a video claiming to show a man taking ballots illegally to a Detroit counting center was found to show a photographer transporting his equipment. Another video of a poll watcher being turned away in Philadelphia was found to be real, but the poll watcher had subsequently been allowed inside after a misunderstanding had been resolved. A viral tweet claimed 14,000 votes in Wayne County, Michigan, were cast by dead people, but the list of names included was found to be incorrect. The Trump campaign and Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson also claimed a man named James Blalock had voted in Georgia despite having died in 2006, but in fact his 94-year-old widow had registered and voted as Mrs. James Blalock. In Erie, Pennsylvania, a postal worker who claimed the postmaster had instructed postal workers to backdate ballots mailed after Election Day later admitted he had fabricated the claim. Prior to this recantation, Republican senator Lindsey Graham cited the claim in a letter to the Justice Department calling for an investigation, and a GoFundMe page created for the postal worker "patriot" raised $136,000.

Days after Biden had been declared the winner, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany asserted without evidence that the Democratic Party was welcoming fraud and illegal voting. Republican former speaker of the House Newt Gingrich stated on Fox News, "I think that it is a corrupt, stolen election." Appearing at a press conference outside a Philadelphia landscaping business as Biden was being declared the winner, Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani asserted without evidence that hundreds of thousands of ballots were questionable. Responding to Giuliani, a spokesperson for Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said: "Many of the claims against the commonwealth have already been dismissed, and repeating these false attacks is reckless. No active lawsuit even alleges, and no evidence presented so far has shown, widespread problems."

One week after the election, Republican Philadelphia city commissioner Al Schmidt said he had not seen any evidence of widespread fraud, stating, "I have seen the most fantastical things on social media, making completely ridiculous allegations that have no basis in fact at all and see them spread." He added that his office had examined a list of dead people who purportedly voted in Philadelphia but "not a single one of them voted in Philadelphia after they died." Trump derided Schmidt, tweeting, "He refuses to look at a mountain of corruption & dishonesty. We win!"

Attorneys who brought accusations of voting fraud or irregularities before judges could not produce valid evidence to support the allegations. In one instance, a Trump attorney sought to have ballot counting halted in Detroit on the basis of a Republican poll watcher's claim that an unidentified person had said ballots were being backdated; Michigan Court of Appeals judge Cynthia Stephens dismissed the argument as "inadmissible hearsay within hearsay". Some senior attorneys at law firms working for Trump, notably Jones Day, expressed concerns that they were undermining the integrity of American elections by advancing arguments without evidence.

Trump and his lawyers Giuliani and Sidney Powell repeatedly made the false claim that the Toronto, Ontario-based firm Dominion Voting Systems, which had supplied voting machines for 27 states, was a "communist" organization controlled by billionaire George Soros, former Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez (who died in 2013), or the Chinese Communist Party, and that the machines had "stolen" hundreds of thousands of votes from Trump. Defamatory rumors about the company circulated on social media, amplified by more than a dozen tweets or retweets by Trump. The disinformation campaign prompted threats and harassment against Dominion employees.

A December 2020 poll showed 77% of Republicans believed widespread fraud occurred during the election, along with 35% of independent voters. Overall, 60% of Americans believed Biden's win was legitimate, 34% did not, and 6% were unsure. Another poll taken in late December showed a similar result, with 62% of Americans polled believing Biden was the legitimate winner of the election, while 37% did not. This split in popular opinion remained largely stable, with a January 10, 2021, poll commissioned by ABC News showing 68% of Americans believed Biden's win was legitimate and 32% did not. These numbers remained largely stagnant, with a June 2021 poll from Monmouth showing 61% believed Biden won fair and square, 32% believed he won due to fraud, and 7% were unsure. More than a year later, public opinion on the matter still remained stagnant, with a poll commissioned by ABC News finding that 65% of Americans believed Biden's win was legitimate, 33% believed it was not legitimate, and 2% were unsure. The same poll also found that 72% of Americans thought the people involved in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, were attacking democracy, while 25% thought they were protecting democracy, and 3% were unsure. A March 2022 poll commissioned by the conservative Rasmussen Reports found that 52% of voters think that it is likely that cheating "affected the outcome of the 2020 presidential election." while 40% of voters believe that it is unlikely. 33% say that cheating was very likely, 19% say it was somewhat likely, 13% say it was somewhat unlikely, and 27% say it was very unlikely.

Motivated by the myth of widespread fraud, Republican state lawmakers initiated a push to make voting laws more restrictive.

Lawsuits

Main article: Post-election lawsuits related to the 2020 United States presidential election

After the election, the Trump campaign filed lawsuits in multiple states, including Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. Lawyers and other observers noted the suits were unlikely to affect the outcome. Loyola Law School professor Justin Levitt said, "There's literally nothing that I've seen yet with the meaningful potential to affect the final result." Some law firms moved to drop their representation in lawsuits challenging results of the election.

Trump unsuccessfully sought to overturn Biden's win in Georgia through litigation; suits by the Trump campaign and allies were rejected by both the Georgia Supreme Court and by federal courts. Trump also sought to overturn Biden's win by pressuring Kemp to call a special session of the Georgia General Assembly so state legislators could override the Georgia election results and appoint a pro-Trump slate of electors, an entreaty rebuffed by Kemp.

On December 20, Giuliani filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court, asking them to overturn the results of the Pennsylvania election and direct the state legislature to appoint electors. The Supreme Court was regarded as very unlikely to grant this petition, and in any case Biden would still have a majority of Electoral College votes without Pennsylvania. The Court set the deadline for reply briefs from the respondents for January 22, 2021, two days after President Elect Biden's inauguration.

Texas v. Pennsylvania

Main article: Texas v. Pennsylvania

On December 9, Ken Paxton, the Attorney General of Texas, filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court, asking the court to overturn the results in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Georgia. Attorneys general of seventeen other states also signed onto the lawsuit. In the House of Representatives, 126 Republicans—more than two-thirds of the Republican caucus—signed an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit. The suit was rejected by the Supreme Court on December 11, due to a lack of standing.

Trump's refusal to concede

Main article: Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election § Refusal to accept 2020 electoral loss
CNN fact checker Daniel Dale reported that through June 9, 2021, Trump had issued 132 written statements since leaving office, of which "a third have included lies about the election"—more than any other subject.

Early in the morning on November 4, with vote counts still going on in many states, Trump claimed he had won: "This is an embarrassment to our country. We were getting ready to win this election, frankly we did win this election." For weeks after the networks had called the election for Biden, Trump refused to acknowledge that Biden had won. Unlike every losing major party presidential candidate before him, Trump refused to formally concede, breaking with the tradition of formal concession started in 1896, when William Jennings Bryan sent a congratulatory telegram to President-elect William McKinley. Biden described Trump's refusal as "an embarrassment".

In the wake of the election, Trump's White House ordered government agencies not to cooperate with the Biden transition team in any way, and the General Services Administration (GSA) refused to formally acknowledge Biden's victory,

Trump finally acknowledged Biden's victory in a tweet on November 15, although he refused to concede and blamed his loss on fraud, stating: "He won because the Election was Rigged." Trump then tweeted: "I concede NOTHING! We have a long way to go."

In a June 2021 interview with Sean Hannity, Trump stated that "we didn't win" and said that he wished President Biden success in international diplomacy, which Forbes declared as Trump " as close as he's ever been to conceding his 2020 election loss."

GSA delays certifying Biden as president-elect

Main article: Presidential transition of Joe Biden § Delays in initiating the transition

Although all major media outlets called the election for Biden on November 7, the head of the General Services Administration (GSA), Trump appointee Emily W. Murphy, refused for over two weeks to certify Biden as the president-elect. Without formal GSA ascertainment of the winner, the official transition process was delayed. On November 23, Murphy acknowledged Biden as the winner and said the Trump administration would begin the transition. Trump said he had instructed his administration to "do what needs to be done" but did not concede, and indicated he would continue his fight to overturn the election results.

Attempts to delay or deny election results

Main article: Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election
Texas v. Pennsylvania motion (left), which called for the Supreme Court to nullify the election, and amicus curiae brief from 17 states (right)

In November, Trump focused his efforts on trying to delay vote certifications at the county and state level. On December 2, Trump posted a 46-minute video to his social media in which he repeated his baseless claims that the election was "rigged" and fraudulent, and he called for either state legislatures or courts to overturn the election and allow him to stay in office. He continued to pressure elected Republicans in Michigan, Georgia, and Pennsylvania in an unprecedented attempt to overturn his loss. Some commentators have characterized Trump's actions as an attempted coup d'état or self-coup.

On December 15, the day after the electoral college vote, Republican Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell, who was previously said he would not recognize the election results, publicly accepted Biden's win, saying, "Today, I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden."

A December 18 meeting in the White House discussed Michael Flynn's suggestion to overturn the election by invoking martial law and rerunning the election in several swing states under military supervision. Army Secretary Ryan D. McCarthy and Army Chief of Staff General James McConville later issued a joint statement saying: "There is no role for the U.S. military in determining the outcome of an American election." In a December 20 tweet, Trump dismissed accusations that he wanted to declare martial law as "fake news".

In a December 21 news conference, outgoing attorney general William Barr disavowed several actions reportedly being considered by Trump, including seizing voting machines, appointing a special counsel to investigate voter fraud, and appointing one to investigate Hunter Biden.

Plot for state legislatures to choose electors

Main article: Trump fake electors plot § Plot for state legislatures to choose electors

Both before and after the election, Trump and other Republican leaders publicly considered asking certain Republican-controlled state legislatures to select presidential electors favoring Trump, even if Biden won the popular vote in those states. In Pennsylvania, a state which Biden won, the president's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani asked a federal judge to consider allowing the Republican-controlled state legislature to select electors. Legal experts, including New York University law professor Richard Pildes, have raised numerous legal and political objections to this policy, noting that in various battleground states, Democratic Party members holding statewide office would thwart such efforts, and ultimately Congress would probably reject the votes of legislatively appointed electors over those elected by the voters. Law professor Lawrence Lessig noted that while the Constitution grants state legislatures the power to determine how electors are selected, including the power to directly appoint them, Article II, Section 1, Clause 4 gives Congress the power to determine when electors must be appointed, which they have designated to be Election Day, meaning that legislatures cannot change how electors are appointed for an election after this date. In modern times, most states have used a popular vote within their state as the determining factor in who gets all the state's electors, and changing election rules after an election could also violate the Constitution's Due Process Clause.

Pressure on state and local officials

Main article: Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election § Trump's attempt to pressure state officials

As the Trump campaign's lawsuits were repeatedly rejected in court, Trump personally communicated with Republican local and state officials in at least three states, including state legislators, attorneys general, and governors who had supported him during and after the elections. He pressured them to overturn the election results in their states by recounting votes, throwing out certain votes, or getting the state legislature to replace the elected Democratic slate of Electoral College members with a Republican slate of electors chosen by the legislature. In late November, he personally phoned Republican members of two county electoral boards in Michigan, urging them to reverse their vote certifications. He invited members of the Michigan state legislature to the White House, where they declined his suggestion that they choose a new slate of electors. He repeatedly spoke to the Republican governor of Georgia and the secretary of state, demanding that they reverse their state's election results, and retaliating when they did not, strongly criticizing them in speeches and tweets, and demanding that the governor resign.

During the first week of December, Trump twice phoned the speaker of the Pennsylvania state House of Representatives, urging him to appoint a replacement slate of electors; the speaker said he did not have that power but later joined in a letter encouraging the state's representatives in Congress to dispute the results. On January 4 The Washington Post reported that in a phone call on January 2, Trump pressured Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger to overturn the state's result, telling him "I just want to find 11,780 votes" and threatening him with legal action if he did not cooperate. On January 4, 2021, Democratic congressional leaders, believing Trump "engaged in solicitation of, or conspiracy to commit, a number of election crimes," requested the FBI to investigate the incident. In addition, while some House Republicans tried to defend Trump's Georgia call, Democrats began drafting a censure resolution. Two months later The Washington Post acknowledged that they had misquoted Trump, and added a correction to the article. Also on January 2, 2021, Trump took part in a mass phone call with nearly 300 state legislators from Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, in which he urged them to "decertify" the election results in their states.

Recounts

Main articles: 2020 United States presidential election in Arizona § Audits and Recounts by Election Officials, 2020 United States presidential election in Georgia § Statewide audit and recount, and 2020 United States presidential election in Wisconsin § Aftermath

On November 11, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger ordered a statewide hand recount of the vote in addition to the normal audit process. At the time, Biden held a lead of 13,558 votes. The audit was concluded on November 19 and affirmed Biden's lead by 12,284 votes. Therefore, the results of the hand recount netted Trump 1,274 votes. The change in the count was due to a number of human errors, including memory cards that did not upload properly to the state servers, and was not attributable to any fraud in the original tally. After certifying the results Republican governor Brian Kemp called for another hand audit, demanding to compare signatures on absentee ballot requests to actual ballots, despite the fact that this request was impossible, as signatures on mail-in ballot applications and envelopes are checked when they are originally received by election offices, and that ballots are thereafter separated from envelopes to ensure the secrecy of the ballot. The Trump campaign requested a machine recount, which was estimated to cost taxpayers $200,000 in one Georgia county alone. On December 7, Biden was confirmed as the winner of the recount requested by Trump's campaign.

On November 18, the Trump campaign wired $3 million to pay for partial recounts in Milwaukee County and Dane County, Wisconsin, where Milwaukee and Madison, the two largest cities in the state and Democratic strongholds, are located. During the recount, Milwaukee County election commissioner Tim Posnanski said several Republican observers were breaking rules by posing as independents. The recount started November 20 and concluded on November 29, increasing Biden's lead by 87 votes.

Electoral College votes

The presidential electors met in the state capitol of each state and in the District of Columbia on December 14, 2020, and formalized Biden's victory, casting 306 votes for Biden/Harris and 232 votes for Trump/Pence. Unlike the 2016 election, there were no faithless electors. In six swing states won by Biden, groups of self-appointed Republican "alternate electors" met on the same day to vote for Trump. These alternate slates were not signed by the governors of the states they claim to represent, did not have the backing of any state legislature, and have no legal status.

Even after the casting of the electoral votes and rejection of his lawsuits seeking to overturn the election by at least 86 judges, Trump refused to concede defeat. In a speech following the Electoral College vote, Biden praised the resiliency of U.S. democratic institutions and the high election turnout (calling it "one of the most amazing demonstrations of civic duty we've ever seen in our country") and called for national unity. Biden also condemned Trump, and those who backed his efforts to subvert the election outcome, for adopting a stance "so extreme that we've never seen it before – a position that refused to respect the will of the people, refused to respect the rule of law and refused to honor our Constitution" and for exposing state election workers and officials to "political pressure, verbal abuse and even threats of physical violence" that was "simply unconscionable".

Certification and January 6th

Main articles: 2021 United States Electoral College vote count and January 6 United States Capitol attack
Pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6
January 6 United
States Capitol attack
Timeline • Planning
Background
2020 presidential election
and other causes
Related groups and persons
Participants
Notable people
Organizations
Law enforcement response
Aftermath
Biden inauguration
Investigations and charges
Corporate actions
Reactions
Impeachment and 2024 presidential election

The 117th United States Congress first convened on January 3, 2021, and was scheduled to count and certify the Electoral College votes on January 6, 2021. There were 222 Democrats and 212 Republicans in the House; there were 51 Republicans, 46 Democrats, and two independents in the Senate. Several Republican members of the House and Senate said they would raise objections to the reported count in several states, meeting the requirement that if a member from each body objects, the two houses must meet separately to discuss whether to accept the certified state vote. A statement from the vice president's office said Pence welcomes the plan by Republicans to "raise objections and bring forward evidence" challenging the election results.

On December 28, 2020, Representative Louie Gohmert filed a lawsuit in Texas challenging the constitutionality of the Electoral Count Act of 1887, claiming Vice President Pence has the power and ability to unilaterally decide which slates of electoral votes get counted. The case was dismissed on January 1, 2021, for lack of both standing and jurisdiction. The plaintiffs filed an appeal, and the appeal was dismissed by a three-judge panel of the appeals court the next day.

As vice president, Pence was due to preside over the January 6, 2021, congressional session to count the electoral votes, which is normally a non-controversial, ceremonial event. In January 2021, Trump began to pressure Pence to take action to overturn the election, demanding both in public and in private that Pence use his position to overturn the election results in swing states and declare Trump and Pence the winners of the election. Pence demurred that the law does not give him that power.

Starting in December, Trump called for his supporters to stage a massive protest in Washington, D.C., on January 6 to argue against certification of the electoral vote, using tweets such as "Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!" D.C. police were concerned, and the National Guard was alerted because several rallies in December had turned violent.

On January 6, 2021, shortly after Trump continued to press false claims of election fraud at a rally on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., a crowd of Trump supporters stormed the United States Capitol, interrupting the Joint session of the United States Congress where the Electoral College ballots were being certified and forcing lawmakers to flee the chamber. As part of an organized effort by Republican lawmakers to challenge the results in close states, the House and the Senate were meeting separately to debate the results of Arizona's election and accepting the electoral college ballots submitted. Several other challenges were also planned. Congress reconvened that same night, after the Capitol was cleared of trespassers, and leaders of both parties, including Vice President Mike Pence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Speaker Mitch McConnell urged the legislators to confirm the electors. The Senate resumed its session at around 8:00 p.m. to finish debating the objection to the Arizona and Pennsylvania electors were also considered. The joint session completed its work shortly before 4:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 7, declaring Biden and Harris the winners.

The rioters entered the House and Senate chambers and vandalized offices. Five people died as a result: one person was shot by police, one Capitol Police officer died from a stroke after fisticuffs with rioters, one person died of a heart attack, another of a stroke, and the final death is still under investigation. Trump was accused of inciting the violence with his rhetoric, an accusation reinforced with an article of impeachment on January 13 for "incitement of insurrection". Several commentators viewed the attack on the Capitol Building as an indicator of political instability that could lead to political violence in future elections, ranging from domestic terrorism to a second American Civil War.

Post-certification

On May 10, 2021, over 120 retired U.S. generals and admirals published an open letter alleging that there had been "election irregularities", suggesting that the election had not been "fair and honest" and did not "accurately reflect the "will of the people", and arguing for tighter restrictions on voting. On May 12, 2021, U.S. Representative Liz Cheney was removed from her party leadership role as Chair of the House Republican Conference, partially for continuing to assert that the election had been fair and that the election results were final.

Well into Biden's presidency, Trump continues to insist that he had actually won the 2020 election. As of August 2021, surveys found that a majority of Republicans believe it. A widespread rumor predicted that Trump would be somehow reinstated to the presidency in August 2021, although the predicted date of August 13 passed without incident.

Election audits

Main article: 2021 Maricopa County presidential ballot audit

On March 31, 2021, the Republican caucus of the Arizona State Senate hired several outside firms to examine the results of the presidential and senatorial elections in Maricopa County, where Biden had won by a large margin. There had been three previous audits and recounts of that county's results. The examination was initially funded by $150,000 from the State Senate operating budget; additional funding was to come from outside sources. In July the lead firm conducting the review released a summary of major donors, indicating $5.7 million was raised from five groups associated with individuals who had cast doubt on the presidential election. The audit began on April 22, 2021, and was expected to last 60 days. The investigation was still ongoing in August when a judge issued an order for the release of documents. On September 24, a preliminary release of the audit claimed to have found minor discrepancies in the original, state-certified count, which had actually widened Biden's margin by 360 votes.

Viewership

Legend

Cable news network
Broadcast network

Total television viewers
8:00 to 11:00 p.m. EST

Network Viewers
Fox News 13,638,000
CNN 9,084,000
MSNBC 7,310,000
ABC 6,095,000
NBC 5,633,000
CBS 4,344,000
Fox 3,278,000

Total cable TV viewers
6:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. EST

Network Viewers
Fox News 10,533,000
CNN 6,771,000
MSNBC 5,404,000

Television viewers 25 to 54
8:00 to 11:00 p.m. EST

Network Viewers
Fox News 4,901,000
CNN 4,444,000
NBC 2,510,000
MSNBC 2,381,000
ABC 2,283,000
CBS 1,663,000
Fox 1,608,000

Cable TV viewers 25 to 54
6:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. EST

Network Viewers
Fox News 3,853,000
CNN 3,312,000
MSNBC 1,739,000

See also

Notes

  1. ^ About 64% of voters voted early before November 3 in person or by mail, with the earliest state starting on September 4.
  2. The Federal Election Commission calculated a voter turnout of 62.8% in 2020, as the votes for president divided by the estimated U.S. population at or over age 18. The denominator included U.S. residents ineligible to vote due to not being U.S. citizens or due to a criminal conviction, and excluded U.S. citizens residing in other countries who were eligible to vote. This turnout was an increase of 7.1pp compared to the turnout of 55.7% in the 2016 election, calculated by the same institution with the same basis.

    The U.S. Census Bureau calculated a voter turnout of 66.8% in 2020, as the people reporting having voted divided by the estimated U.S. population at or over age 18 who were U.S. citizens. The denominator excluded U.S. residents ineligible to vote due to not being U.S. citizens, but included those ineligible due to a criminal conviction and excluded U.S. citizens residing in other countries who were eligible to vote. This turnout was an increase of 5.4pp compared to the turnout of 61.4% in the 2016 election, calculated by the same institution with the same basis.

    The U.S. Elections Project calculated a voter turnout of 66.6% in 2020, as the total ballots divided by the estimated population that was eligible to vote. The denominator excluded U.S. residents ineligible to vote due to not being U.S. citizens or due to a criminal conviction, and included U.S. citizens residing in other countries who were eligible to vote. This turnout was an increase of 6.5pp compared to the turnout of 60.1% in the 2016 election, calculated by the same institution with the same basis.
  3. Trump's official state of residence was New York in the 2016 election, but it was changed to Florida when his permanent residence was switched from Trump Tower to Mar-a-Lago in 2019.
  4. The previous two female vice presidential nominees were Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 and Sarah Palin in 2008.
  5. Although claimed in Hawkins's campaign website, he did not obtain write-in access in Montana.
  6. Candidates in bold were listed on ballots of states representing most of the electoral college. Other candidates were listed on ballots of more than one state and were listed on ballots or were write-in candidates in states representing most of the electoral college.
  7. In some states, some presidential candidates were listed with a different or no vice presidential candidate.
  8. In some states, some candidates were listed with a different or additional party, a label, or as independent or unaffiliated.
  9. Andrew Johnson received votes during the 1868 Democratic National Convention, four months after having been impeached.
  10. Following the cancellation of the planned second debate on October 9, both candidates held separate but simultaneous televised town hall events on the intended date of October 15. Trump's was broadcast on NBC, moderated by Savannah Guthrie, while Biden's was on ABC, moderated by George Stephanopoulos.
  11. ^ Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
  12. Tossup: 50%–59%, Lean: 60%–74%, Likely: 75%–94%, Solid: 95%–100%
  13. Although Ronald Reagan in 1980 and Bill Clinton in 1992 defeated their incumbent opponents by wider popular-vote margins than Biden's, their shares of the vote were kept lower by substantial third-party voting.
  14. Percentage point difference in margin from the 2016 election
  15. ^ These candidates may have received write-in votes, which were not reported individually and are included in others.
  16. ^ Votes for Jesse Ventura and Cynthia McKinney, who were nominated to the ballot by the Green Party of Alaska instead of the national candidates, are included in others. Hawkins/Walker may have received write-in votes, which were not reported individually and are also included in others.
  17. Others and total votes include votes for the ballot option "none of these candidates", which are counted as valid votes by the Nevada Secretary of State.
  18. Additional candidates may have received write-in votes, which were not reported and are not included in others, total votes or percentages.
  19. This table reflects the results certified by the state, which recorded some write-in votes differently from those reported by some counties.
  20. ^ Alaska and Louisiana do not have counties. Alaska's boroughs and census areas and Louisiana's parishes are pictured.
  1. In every presidential election from 1788–89 through 1828, multiple state legislatures selected their presidential electors by discretionary appointment rather than upon the results of a poll, while the South Carolina General Assembly did so in every presidential election through 1860 and the Colorado General Assembly selected its state's electors by discretionary appointment in the 1876 election.

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Further reading

Voter fraud

Policy implications

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