Overview of the 2020 Election Cycle
The 2020 election determined national leadership amid a global pandemic and widespread social debate. In the United States, voters chose between incumbent President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden in the presidential contest, while also selecting members of Congress and many state and local officials. This guide summarizes who was on the ballot in the most prominent races, the party contexts, and the verified outcomes of the 2020 cycle.
2020 Presidential Election: Candidates and Results
General Election Candidates
In the November 2020 general election, the presidential race featured the incumbent ticket of President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, running under the Republican Party, and the Democratic ticket of former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris. Additional candidates appeared on some state ballots, but Biden and Trump were the top contenders in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won 306 electoral votes to 232 electoral votes for Donald Trump and Mike Pence, while the popular vote margin was approximately 4.5 percentage points in favor of Biden.
Primary Elections and Notable Challengers
Multiple candidates sought the major party nominations in 2020. In the Democratic primaries, a large field included figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders, former Vice President Joe Biden, and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, though Biden ultimately secured the nomination. In the Republican primaries, incumbent President Donald Trump faced minimal organized opposition and secured the nomination. Third-party and independent candidates also appeared on ballots in various states, though none approached the national vote share of the major party tickets.
- Joe Biden (Democratic nominee) — former Vice President, 2020 presidential winner
- Donald Trump (Republican nominee) — incumbent President, 2020 re-election candidate
- Kamala Harris (Democratic vice-presidential nominee) — Senator from California
- Mike Pence (Republican vice-presidential nominee) — incumbent Vice President
Key U.S. Senate Races in 2020
Senate elections in 2020 determined party control of the chamber, with several competitive seats across the country. Notional outcomes below reflect verified results from post-election certification by state authorities and the U.S. Senate.
| State | Incumbent | 2020 Candidate (Party) | Verified Outcome | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Doug Jones (D) | Tuberville (R) | Tuberville won | State certification |
| Colorado | Gardner (R) | Hickenlooper (D) | Hickenlooper won | State certification |
| Maine | Collins (R) | Collins (R) | Collins re-elected | State certification |
| North Carolina | Cunningham (D) | Tuberville (R) | Tuberville won | State certification |
| Georgia | Loeffler (R) and Perdue (R) | Warnock (D) and Ossoff (D) | Both Democrats won runoffs in January 2021, decided for 2021 terms | Runoff election results |
Notable Gubernatorial and State-Level Races
Gubernatorial contests in 2020 featured a mix of incumbent retirements and competitive re-elections. In several states, the 2020 results shifted party control of governorships, with outcomes later certified by state election authorities.
| State | Incumbent | 2020 Candidate (Party) | Verified Outcome | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Newsom (D) | Newsom (D) | Newsom re-elected | State certification |
| Texas | Abbott (R) | Abbott (R) | Abbott re-elected | State certification |
| New Hampshire | Sununu (R) | Sununu re-elected | State certification | |
| Missouri | Parson (R) | Parson (R) | Parson elected to full term | State certification |
| Vermont | Scott (R) | Scott (R) | Scott re-elected | State certification |
Ballot Measures and Other Contests
In addition to offices, 2020 ballots featured prominent referenda on public health, taxation, and civil rights. Voters in multiple states considered measures related to voting access, health care, and environmental policy, with outcomes recorded by each state’s official election authority.
Post-Election Context and Certification
Following Election Day, states completed canvassing and certification processes throughout late 2020 and into early 2021. Disputed results in a few states underwent recounts or legal review, but all states ultimately certified outcomes that determined the allocation of electoral votes and legislative seats. These certified results form the factual basis for describing who was running and who won in 2020.
Summary of Major 2020 Outcomes
In summary, the 2020 election featured well-known national tickets and competitive state-level contests across the United States. The most prominent races had clear winners and losers, with outcomes documented by state election authorities and federal bodies. Understanding these verified results helps provide a durable reference for who was running and how the 2020 electoral landscape was decided.