The American Vote
Modern PolarizationCycle 59 / 60

2020

Pandemic-era turnout breaks records.
Joe Biden (Democratic) defeated Donald Trump (Republican), 51.3% to 46.9%.
Biden
306 EV
Trump
232 EV
0270 to win → 270538
The map · 2020
26 states for Dem · 25 for Rep
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Narrative

Pandemic-era turnout breaks records

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.

Key issue

COVID-19 pandemic; racial justice (George Floyd protests); democracy and election integrity

Notable

Record turnout (66.6%); most votes ever (81.3M); Trump's refusal to concede led to January 6 Capitol riot

States · 51 reporting