What Happened to 2020 United States Presidential Election?
The 2020 US Presidential Election saw Democrat Joe Biden defeat incumbent Republican Donald Trump, a result that Trump and his allies extensively challenged with unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud, culminating in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Despite these efforts, Biden was inaugurated, but the election's aftermath continues to shape American politics, with former President Trump, now in his second term after winning the 2024 election, still pursuing investigations and claims of fraud related to the 2020 results as of August 2026.
Quick Answer
The 2020 US Presidential Election resulted in Democrat Joe Biden's victory over incumbent Republican Donald Trump, with Biden securing 306 Electoral College votes and over 81 million popular votes. The election was marked by unprecedented challenges from Trump and his allies, who alleged widespread fraud, leading to numerous failed lawsuits and the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. As of August 2026, the election's legacy persists, with former President Trump, now serving his second term after winning the 2024 election, continuing to promote unverified claims of fraud and initiating new investigations into the 2020 results.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Election Day
Americans cast their votes in the 59th quadrennial presidential election amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a record number of mail-in ballots and delayed counting in some states.
Media Projects Biden as Winner
Major news organizations project Joe Biden as the winner of the presidential election, having secured enough electoral votes. Donald Trump immediately begins tweeting baseless claims of voter fraud.
Attorney General Barr Finds No Widespread Fraud
Attorney General William Barr announces that the Department of Justice has not found any widespread election fraud that would alter the outcome of the 2020 election.
Electoral College Casts Votes
Electors meet in their respective states to formally cast their votes, confirming Joe Biden's victory with 306 electoral votes to Donald Trump's 232.
Capitol Attack and Electoral Vote Certification
A mob of Trump supporters storms the US Capitol in an attempt to prevent the congressional certification of the Electoral College votes. Despite the violence, Congress reconvenes and certifies Biden's victory early the next morning.
Joe Biden Inaugurated
Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States, and Kamala Harris becomes the first female, first African American, and first South Asian American Vice President.
Electoral Count Reform Act Enacted
President Biden signs the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act into law, clarifying ambiguities in the 1887 Electoral Count Act and strengthening the process for certifying presidential elections.
Trump Indicted in Georgia
Donald Trump and 18 co-defendants are indicted in Fulton County, Georgia, on racketeering and other charges related to their efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.
Donald Trump Wins 2024 Presidential Election
Donald Trump is re-elected as President of the United States, defeating incumbent Joe Biden. This outcome sets the stage for his second term and continued focus on 2020 election claims.
Trump's Second Inauguration and Pardons
Donald Trump is inaugurated for his second term as President. On his first day, he issues pardons and commutations to many individuals convicted of offenses related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Fifth Anniversary of Capitol Attack
On the fifth anniversary of the January 6th attack, Democratic lawmakers condemn Trump's actions, while congressional Republicans are largely silent. Discussions continue regarding a commemorative plaque, which Speaker Mike Johnson has blocked.
Trump Administration Continues 2020 Election Investigations
The Trump administration's Justice Department continues to pursue investigations into alleged 2020 election fraud, including examining voting records in Georgia, signaling an ongoing focus on past election integrity.
Trump Revives Foreign Interference Claims
President Trump delivers a primetime address, declassifying documents he claims prove foreign compromise of voter rolls and Chinese meddling in the 2020 election. Experts and media reviews find no evidence to support claims of election manipulation.
Trump Cites Noncitizen Voting Data
President Trump re-ups claims of a rigged 2020 election, citing Census Bureau data that he says shows 24,000 noncitizens voted illegally. Experts note this figure is a tiny fraction of total votes and would not change the 2020 outcome.
California Ballot Seizure Case Heard
California's Supreme Court hears arguments in a case challenging Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco's 2026 seizure of 650,000 ballots, an action seen by advocates as an important test case for election administration amidst ongoing efforts to undermine faith in election outcomes.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The 2020 United States Presidential Election, held on November 3, 2020, was a landmark event in American history, characterized by high voter turnout amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and unprecedented challenges to its legitimacy. Democratic candidate Joe Biden, with running mate Kamala Harris, defeated incumbent Republican President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. Biden secured 306 Electoral College votes and over 81.2 million popular votes (51.3%), making him the first presidential candidate to exceed 80 million votes. Trump received 232 Electoral College votes and over 74.2 million popular votes (46.8%).
Following the election, President Trump and his campaign launched an extensive effort to overturn the results, propagating what became known as 'The Big Lie' – false claims of widespread voter fraud and irregularities. This involved filing dozens of lawsuits in multiple states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. These legal challenges were overwhelmingly dismissed by state and federal courts, often due to a lack of evidence. Even Trump's Attorney General, William Barr, stated that the Department of Justice found no evidence of widespread fraud that would have changed the election outcome.
The challenges culminated dramatically on January 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump supporters, incited by the President, stormed the US Capitol building in an attempt to disrupt the congressional certification of the Electoral College votes. This violent event led to multiple deaths, injuries, and significant damage to the Capitol. In its aftermath, Donald Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives for a second time, charged with incitement of insurrection, though he was acquitted by the Senate after leaving office.
In response to the vulnerabilities exposed by the January 6th attack, Congress passed the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022. This bipartisan legislation updated the 1887 Electoral Count Act, clarifying the Vice President's ministerial role in counting electoral votes and raising the threshold for congressional objections to a state's electoral slate, aiming to prevent future attempts to subvert election results.
As of August 2026, the 2020 election continues to be a focal point in American politics. Donald Trump, having won the 2024 presidential election and inaugurated for his second term in January 2025, has continued to press his claims of a rigged 2020 election. His administration has initiated new investigations into alleged voter fraud, including seizing ballots in Fulton County, Georgia, and subpoenaing records in Maricopa County, Arizona. In July and August 2026, President Trump revived claims of noncitizen voting in 2020, citing purported Census Bureau data, though election experts and independent reviews have consistently found no evidence of fraud significant enough to alter the 2020 outcome. The political polarization and legal battles surrounding election integrity, stemming from the 2020 election, remain a defining feature of the US political landscape, influencing ongoing debates about voting rights and election administration.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if 2020 United States Presidential Election made different choices?