The 2020 election involving the US president was one of the most massive and consequential elections in American history. The election cycle was marked by a global pandemic, racial justice protests, and widespread political polarization. Despite the challenges, the election saw record turnout, an unprecedented level of political engagement, and a result that was hotly contested by some.
2020 Election Voter Turnout
One of the most notable aspects of the 2020 election was the sheer number of people who turned out to vote. According to the United States Elections Project, over 159 million people cast their ballots in the 2020 election. This represents the highest voter turnout rate in over a century, with 66.7% of eligible voters participating in the election. The high turnout rate was driven in part by increased access to mail-in and early voting options due to the pandemic, which made it easier for people to vote safely and securely.
In the 2020 United States presidential election, Democratic candidate Joe Biden won with 306 electoral votes, while Republican incumbent Donald Trump received 232 electoral votes. Biden also won the popular vote, receiving over 81 million votes (51.3%), while Trump received over 74 million votes (46.8%).
The distribution of votes varied across different states, with some states being closely contested and others having more decisive outcomes. For example, Biden won the key swing states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin by small margins, while winning the more populous states of California and New York by larger margins. Trump won several states in the South and Midwest by relatively comfortable margins.
It is worth noting that the election saw a significant increase in the number of mail-in and early voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have affected the distribution of votes in some states.
Voter Ethnicities
Another massive aspect of the 2020 election was the diversity of the electorate. The election saw a record number of people of color, particularly Black and Hispanic voters, casting their ballots. According to the Pew Research Center, the share of eligible voters who identified as non-white increased by 4 percentage points since 2016. Black voter turnout was particularly strong, with over 60% of eligible Black voters casting their ballots in the 2020 election. These demographic shifts in the electorate have the potential to shape American politics for years to come.
The 2020 election saw a significant increase in voter turnout across all racial and ethnic groups compared to previous elections. According to exit polls, the following is a breakdown of the ethnic composition of the electorate and how it compared to previous elections:
- White voters: White voters accounted for around 67% of the electorate, down from around 71% in 2016. This reflects a trend of declining white voter participation over the past several decades.
- Black voters: Black voters accounted for around 12% of the electorate, up slightly from around 11% in 2016. Black voters were a key demographic for Joe Biden, with over 90% of them supporting him in the election.
- Latino voters: Latino voters accounted for around 13% of the electorate, up slightly from around 11% in 2016. Latino voters were a key demographic in several states, including Arizona and Nevada, where they played a critical role in helping Biden win those states.
- Asian American voters: Asian American voters accounted for around 4% of the electorate, up slightly from around 3% in 2016. Asian American voters were a key demographic in several states, including Georgia and Arizona, where they helped Biden win those states.
The 2020 election saw significant increases in voter turnout across all racial and ethnic groups compared to previous elections. This reflects a growing awareness of the importance of political participation and the need to ensure that all voices are heard in the democratic process. The increased participation of historically marginalized groups is a positive development for American democracy, as it suggests progress towards a more inclusive and representative political system.
Activism and COVID-19
COVID-19 and the George Floyd protests had a significant impact on the 2020 election. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many states to modify their voting procedures to allow for mail-in and early voting to reduce the risk of spreading the virus at polling stations. This led to a significant increase in the number of people voting by mail or early, which may have affected the distribution of votes in some states. The pandemic also led to concerns about voter safety and increased efforts to protect voting rights and ensure access to the ballot.
The George Floyd protests, which began in late May 2020 after the killing of George Floyd, an African American man, by police officers in Minneapolis, led to a national conversation about systemic racism and police brutality. The protests continued throughout the summer and fall and led to increased attention on issues of racial justice and police reform. This focus on social justice issues may have energized certain segments of the electorate and influenced their voting decisions.
The 2020 election was characterized by unprecedented levels of political engagement and activism. In the wake of the killing of George Floyd and other incidents of police brutality, racial justice protests swept across the country. These protests spurred a renewed focus on issues of race and racism in American society, and many activists saw the election as a way to effect change. Voter registration drives, get-out-the-vote campaigns, and other forms of activism played a major role in mobilizing voters and driving turnout in key swing states.
In addition, both the COVID-19 pandemic and the George Floyd protests were central issues in the presidential campaign. Donald Trump’s handling of the pandemic and his response to the protests were major topics of debate, and Joe Biden’s campaign focused heavily on his plans to address these issues if elected. Overall, COVID-19 and the George Floyd protests had a significant impact on the 2020 election, both in terms of the way it was conducted and the issues that were at the forefront of the campaign.
Voter Fraud and January 6
Of course, the massive scale of the 2020 election also led to controversy and conflict. The election results were closely contested, with President Trump and his supporters claiming widespread voter fraud and irregularities. These claims were thoroughly investigated and found to be without merit, but they fueled a narrative of political division and mistrust. The refusal of some Republicans to accept the results of the election ultimately led to the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in an attempt to overturn the election results.
On January 6, 2021, a violent insurrection took place at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. Supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which Trump had lost to Joe Biden.
The insurrectionists breached the Capitol building, breaking windows and doors and clashing with police officers. They occupied and vandalized parts of the building, including the Senate and House chambers, and stole property belonging to lawmakers. Five people died as a result of the violence, including a Capitol police officer who was attacked by the rioters.
The insurrection prompted widespread condemnation from politicians and leaders around the world. Congress reconvened later that day and certified the results of the election, officially declaring Joe Biden the winner. The events of January 6 have been described as an attack on democracy and the rule of law, and have led to calls for accountability and justice for those responsible.
Triumph of Democracy
Despite the challenges and controversies, the 2020 election was ultimately a triumph of American democracy. The massive turnout, diverse electorate, and unprecedented levels of political engagement and activism demonstrate that the American people are deeply committed to the democratic process. The peaceful transition of power from one administration to another, despite a fiercely contested election, is a testament to the strength and resilience of American democracy.
The 2020 election was widely considered a triumph of democracy for several reasons:
- High voter turnout: The election saw the highest voter turnout in over a century, with more than 159 million Americans casting their ballots. This represents a turnout rate of around 66.4%, the highest since the 1900 election. The high turnout suggests that more people were engaged in the democratic process and had their voices heard.
- Safe and secure: Despite concerns about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the election, the 2020 election was conducted safely and securely. There was no evidence of widespread voter fraud or irregularities, and numerous courts rejected challenges to the election results. This suggests that the democratic process was carried out fairly and transparently.
- Diverse participation: The election saw significant participation from diverse communities, including historically marginalized groups such as Black, Latino, and Asian American voters. This reflects progress towards a more inclusive democracy and suggests that a wider range of voices were heard in the election.
- Peaceful transfer of power: Despite attempts by some to overturn the election results, the transfer of power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden took place peacefully and without incident. This is a hallmark of democratic societies and reinforces the idea that democratic norms and institutions are strong and resilient.
The 2020 election demonstrated the strength and resilience of American democracy, as well as the commitment of citizens to participating in the democratic process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2020 US presidential election was one of the most massive and consequential elections in American history. The record turnout, unprecedented levels of political engagement, and diverse electorate all contributed to the significance of the election. While there were controversies and challenges, the election ultimately demonstrated the strength and resilience of American democracy. As we move forward, it is important to remember the lessons of the 2020 election and work together to build a more just, equitable, and inclusive society.