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Presidential election

2020 presidential election

Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump, winning 306 of 538 electoral votes and 51.3% of the popular vote.

November 3, 2020

Joe Biden

Democratic

Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election with 306 of 538 electoral votes, and 51.3% of the popular vote. Running mate: Kamala Harris.

306
of 538 electoral votes
51.3%
popular vote
66.3%
turnout

Results

Vote breakdown
Joe BidenDemocratic
51.3%(81.3M votes)
306 EV
Donald TrumpRepublican
46.9%(74.2M votes)
232 EV
Jo JorgensenLibertarian
1.2%(1.9M votes)
0 EV
Voter turnout

66.3%

Turnout rate

158.4M

Total votes cast

239.0M

Eligible voters

State results
StateElectoral votesWinnerMargin
Pennsylvania(PA)20
DemocraticBiden
+1.2%
Michigan(MI)16
DemocraticBiden
+2.8%
Wisconsin(WI)10
DemocraticBiden
+0.6%
Georgia(GA)16
DemocraticBiden
+0.2%
Arizona(AZ)11
DemocraticBiden
+0.3%
Nevada(NV)6
DemocraticBiden
+2.4%
North Carolina(NC)15
RepublicanTrump
+1.3%
Florida(FL)29
RepublicanTrump
+3.3%
Texas(TX)38
RepublicanTrump
+5.6%
Ohio(OH)18
RepublicanTrump
+8%
Swing states
Georgia
Flipped
Electoral votes:16
Margin:0.2%
Previous:Trump
Arizona
Flipped
Electoral votes:11
Margin:0.3%
Previous:Trump
Wisconsin
Flipped
Electoral votes:10
Margin:0.6%
Previous:Trump
Pennsylvania
Flipped
Electoral votes:20
Margin:1.2%
Previous:Trump
Michigan
Flipped
Electoral votes:16
Margin:2.8%
Previous:Trump
Nevada
Held
Electoral votes:6
Margin:2.4%
Previous:Clinton

Candidates

Joe Biden
Winner

Party

Democratic

Running mate

Kamala Harris

Home state

Delaware

Age at election

77

Previous position

47th Vice President of the United States

Campaign slogan

"Build Back Better"

Popular vote

81.3M

(51.3%)

Electoral votes

306

Donald Trump

Party

Republican

Running mate

Mike Pence

Home state

Florida

Age at election

74

Previous position

45th President of the United States (Incumbent)

Campaign slogan

"Keep America Great"

Popular vote

74.2M

(46.9%)

Electoral votes

232

Voting demographics

Men

Trump

53%

Women

Biden

57%

White Voters

Trump

58%

Black Voters

Biden

87%

Hispanic/Latino

Biden

65%

18-29 Age

Biden

60%

65+ Age

Biden

52%

College Graduates

Biden

55%

Non-College

Trump

50%

Key events

Campaign timeline
moderate
February 3, 2020

Iowa Caucus Chaos

Technical failures delayed results for days

major
March 11, 2020

COVID-19 Pandemic Declared

WHO declared global pandemic, reshaping entire campaign

major
May 25, 2020

George Floyd Killed

Death sparked nationwide protests on racial justice

major
September 18, 2020

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dies

Supreme Court vacancy became major campaign issue

moderate
September 29, 2020

First Presidential Debate

Chaotic debate with frequent interruptions

major
October 2, 2020

Trump Tests Positive for COVID

President hospitalized at Walter Reed

Presidential debates

Issues & context

Key campaign issues
COVID-19 Pandemic Response
Economy and Jobs
Racial Justice and Police Reform
Healthcare
Climate Change
Supreme Court
Historical context

First election held during a global pandemic since 1918. Massive expansion of mail-in voting. Record turnout. Race following George Floyd protests.

Economic conditions

Deep recession triggered by COVID-19 lockdowns. Unemployment peaked at 14.7%. Stock market volatile. CARES Act stimulus passed.

Incumbent factors

Trump was the incumbent but faced unprecedented pandemic. Approval ratings hurt by COVID response. Biden ran on restoration of normalcy.

Legacy and impact

Highest voter turnout in 120 years. Biden became oldest person elected president. First African American and South Asian American woman elected VP. January 6 Capitol riot followed.

Did you know?

  • 1.Highest turnout since 1900 (66.3%)
  • 2.Biden received more votes than any presidential candidate in history
  • 3.First Democrat to win Georgia since 1992
  • 4.First Democrat to win Arizona since 1996
  • 5.Kamala Harris became first woman, Black, and South Asian VP

This site explains the structure and history of U.S. federal elections and is not an official government resource. All data shown is for educational purposes only.