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presidential election in the United States

By purposePublished 2 years ago 3 min read

Every four years, the United States holds a presidential election that captivates the entire world. The United States presidential election is a long and arduous process that lasts for more than a year. During that time, candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties will face off against each other in countless debates, stump speeches, and interviews, all in an effort to convince the American people that they are the best person to lead the count.

The 2020 presidential election was one of the most contentious and divisive in US history. It was a fight between incumbent Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden. The campaigns took place against the backdrop of an ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, one of the deadliest global crises in recent memory.

The election process started in February 2020, with the Iowa caucuses, which kicked off the primary process. Several Democrats entered the primaries, but it became a head-to-head battle between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. Sanders, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, generated significant enthusiasm among young voters, but ultimately dropped out in April, paving the way for Biden to clinch the nomination.

Trump's campaign was focused on energizing his base, particularly working-class Americans who felt left behind by the economic and political elites. Trump positioned Biden as a puppet of the far-left, painting him as someone who would destroy American values and liberties. Biden's campaign, on the other hand, focused on Trump's perceived failures, particularly in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as his erratic behavior and controversial policies.

The debates were a critical part of the election campaign. There were three scheduled presidential debates, but the first was marred by chaos and interruptions. The second was canceled after Trump refused to participate virtually due to his positive COVID-19 diagnosis, and the final debate was relatively subdued but still contentious. The debates gave voters the chance to see the candidates directly address each other and articulate their policy positions.

The election day in November 2020 saw an unprecedented number of mail-in votes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In many states, these ballots were not counted until several days after the election, leading to uncertainty and concern about the legitimacy of the results. The election results were close, but ultimately, Biden emerged as the winner, with 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232. Biden won the popular vote with over 81 million votes, the highest-ever number of votes cast for a presidential candidate in US history.

Despite Biden's clear victory, Trump refused to accept the results of the election, falsely claiming that it was stolen from him. He filed dozens of lawsuits and pressured state officials to overturn the results, but his efforts were unsuccessful. On January 6, 2021, Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol in a violent attempt to prevent the certification of the election results, which resulted in the deaths of several people.

The election and its aftermath highlighted the extreme polarization that exists in the United States and the challenges facing the democratic process. Trump's refusal to concede, the subsequent impeachment hearings, and the Capitol insurrection underscored the need for a peaceful transfer of power and respect for the democratic process.

The 2020 presidential election was one of the most consequential elections in recent US history, with far-reaching implications for domestic and international policy. Joe Biden's victory marks a return to more traditional democratic governance, but it is clear that the challenges facing the country are significant. The election was a testament to the resilience of the US democratic system, but it also exposed the deep polarization and division within the country. It remains to be seen how Biden's presidency will address these issues and whether the country can come together for a better future.

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