UNITED STATES ELECTIONS 2020

UNITED STATES ELECTIONS 2020

Every four years in early November, Americans vote for their next president and vice president.The Democrats and the Republicans are the country’s major political parties. They each choose a two-person team, called a ticket, to run in the general election.

Donald Trump

Republican nominee for president

Who Is Donald Trump?

Donald Trump is the 45th and current President of the United States; he took office on January 20, 2017. Previously, he was a real estate mogul and a former reality TV star. In 1980, he opened the Grand Hyatt New York, which made him the city's best-known developer. In 2004, Trump began starring in the hit NBC reality series The Apprentice. Trump turned his attention to politics, and in 2015 he announced his candidacy for president of the United States on the Republican ticket. After winning a majority of the primaries and caucuses, Trump became the official Republican candidate for president on July 19, 2016. That November, Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States, after defeating Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

Mike Pence

Republican nominee for vice president

Mike Pence had spent 12 years in the United States House of Representatives and four years as governor of Indiana when presidential candidate Donald Trump picked him as his running mate in 2016.

Joe Biden

Democratic nominee for president

Who Is Joe Biden?

Joe Biden briefly worked as an attorney before turning to politics. He became the fifth-youngest U.S. senator in history as well as Delaware's longest-serving senator. His 2008 presidential campaign never gained momentum, but Democratic nominee Barack Obama selected him as his running mate, and Biden went on to serve two terms as the 47th vice president of the United States. In 2017, at the close of his administration, Obama presented Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Two years later Biden launched his campaign for U.S. president and is the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee.

Kamala Harris

Democratic nominee for vice president

Kamala Harris has a background of “firsts”: first female and first Black elected attorney general in California; first South Asian American to serve in the United States Senate; and first Asian American or Black woman nominated for vice president by a major U.S. political party.

Democrat vs. Republican: This comparison examines the differences between the policies and political positions of the Democratic and Republican parties on major issues such as taxes, the role of government, entitlements (Social Security, Medicare), gun control, immigration, healthcare, abortion, environmental policy and regulation. These two parties dominate America's political landscape but differ greatly in their philosophies and ideals.

Red states outnumber blue states: In February 2016, Gallup reported that for the first time since Gallup started tracking, red states now outnumber blue states.

Presidential Election Process

Learn about the presidential election process, including the Electoral College, caucuses and primaries, and the national conventions.

Multiple Choice

Democrat: Philosophy

• Liberal, left-leaning.

• Conservative, right-leaning.

Multiple Choice

Republican: Economic Ideas

• Minimum wages and progressive taxation, i.e., higher tax rates for higher income brackets. Born out of anti-federalist ideals but evolved over time to favor more government regulation.

• Believe taxes shouldn't be increased for anyone (including the wealthy) and that wages should be set by the free market.

Multiple Choice

Democrat: Social and human ideas

• Based on community and social responsibility

• Based on individual rights and justice

Multiple Choice

Republican: Stance on Military issues

• Decreased spending

• Increased spending

Multiple Choice

Democrat: Stance on Gay Marriage

• Oppose (some Republicans disagree)

• Support (some Democrats disagree)

Multiple Choice

Republican: Stance on Abortion

• Should not be legal (with some exceptions); oppose Roe v. Wade

• Should remain legal; support Roe v. Wade

Multiple Choice

Democrat: Stance on Death Penalty

• While support for the death penalty is strong among Democrats, opponents of the death penalty are a substantial fraction of the Democratic base.

• A large majority of Republicans support the death penalty.

Multiple Choice

Republican: Stance on Taxes

• Tend to favor a "flat tax" (same tax rate regardless of income). Generally opposed to raising taxes.

• Progressive (high income earners should be taxed at a higher rate). Generally not opposed to raising taxes to fund government.

Multiple Choice

Democrat: Stance on Government Regulation

• Government regulations hinder free market capitalism and job growth.

• Government regulations are needed to protect consumers.

Multiple Choice

Republican: Healthcare Policy

• Support universal healthcare; strong support of government involvement in healthcare, including Medicare and Medicaid. Generally support Obamacare.

• Private companies can provide healthcare services more efficiently than government-run programs. Oppose Obamacare provisions like (1) requirement for individuals to buy health insurance or pay a fine, (2) required coverage of contraceptives.

Multiple Choice

Democrat: Stance on Immigration

• There is greater overall support in the Democratic party for a moratorium on deporting - or offering a pathway to citizenship to - certain undocumented immigrants. e.g. those with no criminal record, who have lived in the U.S. for 5+ years.

• Republicans are generally against amnesty for any undocumented immigrants. They also oppose President Obama's executive order that put a moratorium on deporting certain workers. Republicans also fund stronger enforcement actions at the border.

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