In 1960, John F. Kennedy (Democratic) won 303 of 537 electoral votes, defeating Richard Nixon by 84 EV during the New Deal Coalition era. In 2020, Joe Biden (Democratic) won 306 of 538, defeating Donald Trump by 74 EV during the Modern Polarization era. Turnout: 63.8% vs 66.6%.
vs
1960
New Deal Coalition
John F. Kennedy
Democratic
Electoral votes
303 of 537
EV margin
84
Popular vote
49.7%
Turnout
63.8%
Runner-up
Richard Nixon (Rep)
John F. Kennedy narrowly defeated Vice President Richard Nixon, becoming the first Catholic president and the youngest person elected to the office. The four televised debates were pivotal — Nixon appeared sweaty and haggard against Kennedy's tan, relaxed composure, and those who watched on TV thought Kennedy won while radio listeners called it a draw. Kennedy carried Illinois and Texas by razor-thin margins amid allegations of voter fraud. His popular vote margin was just 112,827 votes.
2020
Modern Polarization
Joe Biden
Democratic
Electoral votes
306 of 538
EV margin
74
Popular vote
51.3%
Turnout
66.6%
Runner-up
Donald Trump (Rep)
Joe Biden defeated incumbent Donald Trump in a high-turnout election dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had killed over 230,000 Americans before Election Day. Biden won 81.3 million votes — the most ever recorded — while Trump won 74.2 million, also a record for a losing candidate. Trump refused to concede, claiming widespread fraud, and his supporters stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Biden carried Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan — all states Trump had won in 2016.