Sign in Subscribe
Political campaigns

US Presidential Election 2020: A Tense Finish Awaits Amid COVID-19 Concerns and Electoral Anxieties

Strategic Insights

— 3 min read

The US presidential election is just around the corner, with President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden making final pitches to voters before the election on November 3rd. The campaign season has been heavily influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has infected over 9.1 million people and killed nearly 231,000 in the country. Despite precautions, the pandemic has drastically changed the campaigns, with Trump's return to the campaign trail in June despite concerns from health experts and local officials.

As the election nears, concerns about the possibility of violence on Election Day are rising, with three of four voters expressing worries about the outcome. The pandemic has also led to fears of disruptions to the electoral process, with some states extending deadlines for mail-in ballots. The high volume of mail-in ballots this year means that many states may not finish counting them by the end of Election Day, leaving uncertainty and anxiety among voters.

In terms of the presidential race, Biden's support stands at 52% to Trump's 42% among registered voters, according to the final NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. However, the race is tight in battleground states, with West suggesting that the outcome may be determined by disputes over mail-in ballots.

The pandemic has also dominated discussions on the campaign trail, with both candidates emphasizing their respective plans to tackle the crisis. Trump has repeatedly claimed the US is "rounding the corner," while Biden has promised to roll out a national strategy for testing, mandate mask wearing, and make vaccines free to everyone.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US presidential election is taking place amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has infected over 9.1 million people and killed nearly 231,000 in the country.
  • Concerns about the possibility of violence on Election Day are rising, with 75% of voters expressing worries about the outcome.
  • The high volume of mail-in ballots this year means that many states may not finish counting them by the end of Election Day, leaving uncertainty and anxiety among voters.
  • Biden's support stands at 52% to Trump's 42% among registered voters, according to the final NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.
  • The presidential race is tight in battleground states, with West suggesting that the outcome may be determined by disputes over mail-in ballots.
  • The pandemic has dominated discussions on the campaign trail, with both candidates emphasizing their respective plans to tackle the crisis.
  • Trump has repeatedly claimed the US is "rounding the corner," while Biden has promised to roll out a national strategy for testing, mandate mask wearing, and make vaccines free to everyone.
  • Americans are increasingly worried about what will happen at the finish line of the upcoming election, with three of four voters expressing concerns about the possibility of violence on Election Day.
  • Only 25% of voters say they are "very confident" that the country will have a peaceful transfer of power if Biden defeats Trump.
  • The pandemic has drastically changed this year's campaigns, with Trump's return to the campaign trail in June despite concerns from health experts and local officials.

Statistics:

  • Over 9.1 million people have been infected with COVID-19 in the US, as of Sunday.
  • Nearly 231,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the US, as of Sunday.
  • 75% of voters are worried about the possibility of violence on Election Day.
  • 25% of voters are "very confident" that the country will have a peaceful transfer of power if Biden defeats Trump.
  • Biden's support stands at 52% to Trump's 42% among registered voters, according to the final NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.
  • The presidential race is tight in battleground states, with West suggesting that the outcome may be determined by disputes over mail-in ballots.

Sources:

  • Xinhua News Agency, "US Presidential Election 2020: A Tense Finish Awaits Amid COVID-19 Concerns and Electoral Anxieties"
  • NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, final results
  • Brookings Institution, "Why battlegrounds will determine the winner of the 2020 US presidential election"
  • USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll, published on Oct. 28
  • Axios, "Trump team preparing to claim mail-in ballot fraud"
  • U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)
  • Postbox near the United States Postal Service headquarters in Washington, D.C. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Read more