All you need to know about US Elections.
                     ALL YOU NEED TO 
KNOW ABOUT US 
ELECTIONS 2020
INTRODUCTION
• The race for the White House has begun in earnest, 
and the outcome of the 2020 US general election 
will have an impact around the world. 
• President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, 
and Mr. Biden, the presumptive Democratic 
nominee, have effectively moved their campaigns 
indoors, skipping the rallies and rope lines that are 
typically front and center in an election season.
Source: bbc.com
What are the main 
parties?
• There are only two parties considered by most 
voters: the Democrats (the liberal, left-of-centre 
party) and the Republicans (the conservative, right-
of-centre party).
• Other "third-party" candidates sometimes 
participate, with the Libertarian, Green and 
Independent parties occasionally putting forth a 
nominee.
Source: bbc.com
What is happening?
• The US presidency is determined by the electoral college. 
It is not a straight vote count but a state-by-state battle 
and is a four-year term.
• In 2016, Hillary Clinton received 2.8 million more 
individual votes than incumbent president Donald Trump. 
• Joe Biden currently has a six-point national polling lead, 
which would equate to 9 million more votes than Donald 
Trump based on the 2016 turnout.
Source: Sky News
Electoral college
• It's the term for the officials, "electors", who vote on 
behalf of the states for president.
• The number of electoral college votes per state 
(electors) is equal to the sum of the state’s seats in 
the Senate (2 each) and the House of 
Representatives. 
• There are 538 electors in the Electoral College with 
at least 270 votes required for victory.
Source: The New York Times
Congress
• All 435 members in the House of Representatives are 
up for election (currently 232 Democrat, 198 
Republican, 1 Libertarian, 4 vacant). This is a two-year 
term.
• The Senate is comprised of 100 members each with 
six-year terms; a third are up for election every two 
years. Currently, the Senate membership is 53 
Republican, 45 Democrat, and two independents who 
vote with the Democrats
Source: Wikipedia
Covid-19 
• Consumer confidence crushed on renewed 
containment measured implemented by states that 
had re-opened too quickly. 
• A vaccine could be a game-changer, but even with 
a million inoculations a day, it would take a year to 
complete. 
• Containment measures will continue through the 
election.
Source: indianexpress.com
Jobs
• Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania have been hit 
hard by job losses, worse than the national average. 
• Jobs growth is plateauing and 31 million peoples’ 
incomes dropped after the ending of $600 
unemployment benefit payment. 
• President Trump has introduced a new $400 
payment, with states contributing 25%, but many 
can’t afford to.
Source: bbc.com
Trump's re-election 
campaign
• Campaign slogans: "Keep America Great" and 
"Promises Made, Promises Kept"
• A continuation of the tax cut and deregulation policy 
thrust from his first term, this time centered on the 
payroll tax
• "America First" worldview equates to prioritizing 
America's economic interests over leadership roles 
in global affairs
Source: NBC News
Biden’s policy 
stance
• Campaign Slogans: "Unite for a Better Future" and 
"Build Back Better"
• He may remove some tariffs on China, which have 
put up costs for US business and instead offer 
financial incentives to US companies to bring jobs 
back to America.
• Promoting unionized labor in rebuilding infrastructure 
roads, bridges, water systems, electricity grid.
Source: think.ing.com
Three possible 
scenarios
• Trump wins a narrow victory
• Policy thrust is low tax, low regulation with some 
infrastructure spending
• A continuation of somewhat unpredictable and 
impulsive decision making
• Biden landslide with Democrats controlling both the 
House and the Senate
• Policy thrust and behaviors identical to above.
• Biden wins the presidency, but Senate held by 
Republicans
• Policy thrust is higher taxation for corporates and 
wealthier/higher incomes with more spending on 
health/education & infrastructure. Greater 
regulation of big tech, energy and financial 
services
Source: think.ing.com