The 2020 United States presidential election was held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. The Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, defeated the Republican nominee, President Donald Trump. Biden received 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232. Biden also won the popular vote, receiving 81.2 million votes to Trump's 74.2 million.
In addition to Biden and Trump, there were several other candidates who ran for president in 2020. These candidates included:
The 2020 presidential election was a highly contested and divisive race. The candidates had very different views on a range of issues, including the economy, healthcare, and climate change. The election was also marked by high levels of voter turnout. In the end, Joe Biden was able to win the election and become the 46th President of the United States.
Who Ran for President in 2020
The 2020 presidential election featured a diverse field of candidates with a wide range of views.
- Joe Biden: Former Vice President, Democrat
- Donald Trump: Incumbent President, Republican
- Kanye West: Rapper, Independent
- Jo Jorgensen: Libertarian Party nominee
- Howie Hawkins: Green Party nominee
These candidates debated a range of issues, including the economy, healthcare, and climate change.
Joe Biden: Former Vice President, Democrat
Joe Biden was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1942. He served as a senator from Delaware from 1973 to 2009 and as vice president to Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. He is a moderate Democrat who is known for his ability to work across the aisle and his focus on issues such as healthcare, education, and climate change.
- Experience: Biden has a long history of public service, having served in the Senate for 36 years and as vice president for eight years.
Platform: Biden's platform focused on issues such as healthcare, education, and climate change. He proposed expanding access to affordable healthcare, making college more affordable, and addressing climate change through a Green New Deal.
Strengths: Biden is a well-known and experienced politician who is seen as a moderate Democrat. He is also seen as someone who can work across the aisle and reach compromises.
Weaknesses: Biden is sometimes seen as too old and out of touch with the concerns of ordinary Americans. He has also been criticized for some of his past positions, such as his support for the Iraq War.
In the end, Biden was able to defeat Trump and become the 46th President of the United States.
Donald Trump: Incumbent President, Republican
Donald Trump was born in Queens, New York, in 1946. He is a businessman and former reality television star who was elected president in 2016. Trump is a controversial figure known for his brash and often offensive rhetoric. He is also a populist who has appealed to working-class voters who feel left behind by the global economy.
Trump's presidency was marked by a number of controversies, including his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, his impeachment by the House of Representatives, and his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. He was also criticized for his policies on immigration, trade, and foreign policy.
Despite the controversies, Trump remained a popular figure among his supporters. He was seen as a strong leader who was not afraid to challenge the status quo. He was also praised for his economic policies, which he claimed led to low unemployment and a strong stock market.
In the end, Trump was defeated by Biden in the 2020 election. However, he remains a powerful figure in the Republican Party and continues to have a significant following among his supporters.
Trump's presidency was a divisive one, and his legacy will be debated for years to come.
Kanye West: Rapper, Independent
Kanye West is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and fashion designer who is known for his outspoken personality and his innovative music. In 2020, he announced that he was running for president as an independent candidate.
West's campaign was unconventional, to say the least. He held few rallies and gave few interviews. He also made a number of controversial statements, including suggesting that Harriet Tubman "never actually freed the slaves." Despite this, he was able to get on the ballot in a number of states.
West's campaign was ultimately unsuccessful. He received only about 60,000 votes nationwide. However, his candidacy did generate a lot of attention and discussion about the role of celebrities in politics.
Some people believe that West's candidacy was a publicity stunt. Others believe that he was serious about running for president but was simply unprepared for the challenges of the campaign. Whatever his motivation, West's candidacy was a reminder that anyone can run for president in the United States.
West's candidacy was also a sign of the growing dissatisfaction with the two major political parties. Many Americans feel that neither party represents their interests. West's candidacy gave these voters a chance to express their frustration with the status quo.
Jo Jorgensen: Libertarian Party nominee
Jo Jorgensen is a libertarian political activist and academic who was the Libertarian Party's nominee for president in 2020. She is a strong advocate for individual liberty and limited government. She believes that the government should play a minimal role in people's lives and that individuals should be free to make their own choices, even if those choices are unpopular or unwise.
Jorgensen's platform focused on a number of issues, including:
Reducing the size and scope of government: Jorgensen believes that the government is too big and too powerful. She wants to reduce the size of the government by cutting taxes, reducing regulations, and eliminating unnecessary agencies.Protecting individual liberty: Jorgensen is a strong defender of individual liberty. She believes that individuals should be free to make their own choices, even if those choices are unpopular or unwise.
Promoting free markets: Jorgensen believes that free markets are the best way to create a prosperous and just society. She wants to reduce government intervention in the economy and allow businesses to operate freely.
Jorgensen's candidacy was unsuccessful, but she did receive over 1 million votes. This was the highest number of votes ever received by a Libertarian Party candidate for president.
Jorgensen's candidacy was a sign of the growing popularity of libertarianism in the United States. More and more Americans are attracted to libertarian ideas such as individual liberty, limited government, and free markets.
Howie Hawkins: Green Party nominee
Howie Hawkins is an American labor organizer, environmental activist, and socialist politician. He was the Green Party's nominee for president in 2020. Hawkins has a long history of activism, dating back to the 1960s. He was a leader in the anti-Vietnam War movement and the environmental movement.
Hawkins' platform focused on a number of issues, including:
Climate change: Hawkins believes that climate change is the most pressing issue facing humanity. He wants to transition the United States to 100% renewable energy by 2030.Economic inequality: Hawkins believes that the economy is rigged in favor of the wealthy and powerful. He wants to raise taxes on the wealthy, expand social programs, and create a more just and equitable economy.
Racial justice: Hawkins believes that the United States is a systemically racist society. He wants to end mass incarceration, reform the criminal justice system, and address the root causes of racism.
Hawkins' candidacy was unsuccessful, but he did receive over 400,000 votes. This was the highest number of votes ever received by a Green Party candidate for president.
Hawkins' candidacy was a sign of the growing popularity of the Green Party in the United States. More and more Americans are attracted to the Green Party's platform of environmentalism, social justice, and economic equality.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2020 presidential election:
Question 1: Who ran for president in 2020?
Answer 1: The major candidates who ran for president in 2020 were Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Kanye West, Jo Jorgensen, and Howie Hawkins.
Question 2: Who won the 2020 presidential election?
Answer 2: Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, defeating incumbent President Donald Trump.
Question 3: What were the key issues in the 2020 presidential election?
Answer 3: The key issues in the 2020 presidential election included the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy, healthcare, and racial justice.
Question 4: What were the candidates' positions on these key issues?
Answer 4: The candidates had different positions on the key issues. For example, Biden proposed a plan to address the COVID-19 pandemic, while Trump downplayed the severity of the virus. Biden also proposed expanding access to healthcare, while Trump wanted to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
Question 5: What was the voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election?
Answer 5: The voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election was the highest in over a century. Over 150 million people voted, with Biden receiving over 81 million votes and Trump receiving over 74 million votes.
Question 6: What were some of the challenges and controversies surrounding the 2020 presidential election?
Answer 6: There were a number of challenges and controversies surrounding the 2020 presidential election, including concerns about voter fraud, the role of social media in the election, and the unprecedented number of mail-in ballots due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Question 7: What is the significance of the 2020 presidential election?
Answer 7: The 2020 presidential election was a historic election that resulted in the defeat of an incumbent president for the first time in over 25 years. It was also the first time that a woman, Kamala Harris, was elected vice president.
These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about the 2020 presidential election. For more information, please visit the websites of the candidates and news organizations.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
Tips
Here are a few tips for staying informed about the 2020 presidential election:
Tip 1: Follow reputable news sources.
There is a lot of misinformation and disinformation circulating online, so it is important to get your news from reputable sources. Some good sources for election news include the major news networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News), the Associated Press, and Reuters.
Tip 2: Fact-check information before you share it.
It is easy to share information online, but it is important to make sure that the information is accurate before you do so. There are a number of websites that can help you fact-check information, such as Snopes, PolitiFact, and FactCheck.org.
Tip 3: Be aware of your own biases.
We all have biases, and it is important to be aware of them so that they don't cloud our judgment. When you are consuming news about the election, try to be mindful of your own biases and consider information from a variety of sources.
Tip 4: Talk to people with different viewpoints.
It is easy to get caught in an echo chamber, where you only hear information that confirms your existing beliefs. Try to talk to people who have different viewpoints than you do. This will help you to understand the different perspectives on the election and to make more informed decisions.
By following these tips, you can stay informed about the 2020 presidential election and make informed decisions about who to vote for.
The 2020 presidential election is a critical election that will have a major impact on the future of our country. It is important to stay informed about the election and to vote for the candidate who you believe will best serve the interests of the American people.
Conclusion
The 2020 presidential election was a historic election that saw the defeat of an incumbent president for the first time in over 25 years. It was also the first time that a woman, Kamala Harris, was elected vice president.
The election was a close one, with Joe Biden ultimately defeating Donald Trump by a margin of 306 electoral votes to 232. Biden also won the popular vote, receiving over 81 million votes to Trump's 74 million.
The election was marked by a number of challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to an unprecedented number of mail-in ballots. There were also concerns about voter fraud and the role of social media in the election.
Despite the challenges, the election was ultimately conducted smoothly and fairly. The results of the election were certified by the states and Congress, and Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on January 20, 2021.
The 2020 presidential election was a reminder of the importance of voting. Every vote counts, and it is important to make your voice heard on Election Day.