Election news - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Record voter turnout: The 2020 election saw a record-breaking voter turnout, with an estimated 160 million Americans casting their ballots. This was the highest turnout in over a century, with many states reporting unprecedented levels of voter participation.
- 2. Biden's victory: Joe Biden emerged as the winner of the election, defeating incumbent President Donald Trump. Biden secured 306 electoral votes compared to Trump's 232, and also won the popular vote by over 7 million votes.
- 3. Trump's legal challenges: Despite Biden's victory, President Trump and his legal team filed numerous lawsuits in several battleground states, alleging voter fraud and irregularities. However, many of these lawsuits were dismissed by the courts due to lack of evidence.
- 4. Senate control: The balance of power in the Senate remained uncertain for several weeks following the election, with two runoff elections in Georgia determining the final outcome. Ultimately, Democrats secured a narrow majority in the Senate with Vice President Kamala Harris serving as the tie-breaking vote.
- 5. House of Representatives: Democrats retained control of the House of Representatives, although they lost a few seats to Republicans. Speaker Nancy Pelosi was re-elected to lead the House for another term.
- 6. Historic firsts: The 2020 election saw several historic firsts, including the election of Kamala Harris as the first female, first Black, and first Asian American Vice President. Additionally, a record number of women and people of color were elected to Congress.
- 7. Voter demographics: The election highlighted the growing influence of minority voters, with Black, Latino, and Asian American voters playing a crucial role in key battleground states. Young voters also turned out in higher numbers, with many citing issues like climate change and racial justice as motivating factors.
- 8. COVID-19 impact: The pandemic had a significant impact on the election, with many states implementing new voting procedures to ensure safety and accessibility. Mail-in voting and early voting options were expanded in response to the public health crisis.
- 9. Social media's role: Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter played a prominent role in shaping the election, with concerns raised about misinformation and foreign interference. Both platforms implemented measures to combat misinformation and promote voter engagement.
- 10. Transition of power: Despite Trump's refusal to concede the election, the transition of power proceeded smoothly, with Biden and Harris preparing to take office on January 20th. The Biden administration has outlined its priorities, including addressing the pandemic, economic recovery, and climate change.