2020 - All You Need To Know About The Presidential Race - BBC News PDF

2/27/2020 US election 2020 : All you need to know about the presidential race - BBC News
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US election 2020 : All you need to know about the presidential

race
12 February 2020
US election 2020
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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. So what stage are we at now and
how do you win the presidency?
A slew of Democrats vying for their party's nomination have been campaigning and debating
over the last year.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51070020 1/17
In the coming months we'll find out who has won over enough voters to challenge President
Donald Trump this November.
From caucuses to conventions, here's what you need to know about the presidential election.
What are the main parties?

Unlike many other countries, in the US, 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.
What's happening now?

Right now, presidential hopefuls are battling for their party's nomination in caucuses and
primary elections ("primaries") across the country.
There's nothing regarding primaries in the US Constitution, so the game play is determined by
party and state laws.
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State governments run primary elections - not the parties - in essentially the same way they
run the general election.
State laws determine if these primaries are closed, meaning only those registered with that
party can vote, or open, where unaffiliated voters can also participate.
If a candidate wins a primary election, they win either all or a proportion of the state's
delegates, depending on party rules. Those delegates will then vote for them at the party
convention, where the presidential nominee is officially named.
It's a system that became widespread for the presidential election in the 1970s. Before that, a
nominee was selected by party members at conventions.
In 2016, just over 57 million Americans - 28.5% of eligible voters - participated in the primaries
of both parties, according to the Pew Research Center.
The primary process is rather uniquely American, but there are some similarities in Australia
and Israel for "pre-selecting" candidates.
What about caucuses?

A handful of states, like Iowa, have caucuses instead of primaries. Caucuses are run by the
parties in precincts across the state.
As they are not run by the state governments, caucuses give parties more flexibility in
determining the rules, like who can vote. For Democratic caucuses, no ballots are cast, and
votes are determined by standing in groups around a room.
Are both parties having primaries?

As Democrats are looking to unseat Mr Trump, who is all but certain to be the Republican
nominee, their primaries are being closely watched.
Voters are choosing between moderate liberals - like former Vice-President Joe Biden and
mayor Pete Buttigieg - and progressive candidates - like Senators Bernie Sanders and
Elizabeth Warren.
As for Republicans?
Most states will also have primaries, with Mr Trump's name on the ballots, but a number of
states - including Alaska, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona and South Carolina - have cancelled
their primary elections in an effort to support Mr Trump's re-election bid.
The two long-shot Republican challengers to the president, Joe Walsh and Bill Weld, criticised
the states' decision as undemocratic, though this has happened before during President
Barack Obama and George W Bush's re-election campaigns. Mr Walsh has since dropped
out.
Why are Iowa and New Hampshire important?

Iowa and New Hampshire were the first states to hold a caucus and primary election, on 3
and 11 February, respectively. They are not necessarily good predictors of the general
election, but can help candidates gain momentum.
The last four eventual Democratic nominees all won Iowa. Since 1976, five out of eight
eventual Democratic candidates have won New Hampshire. So there is a chance that one of
the winners of the first two races - Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders - will become the
nominee this year.
As for Republicans, five out of seven eventual Republican candidates since 1976 have won
New Hampshire's primary, while Iowa has only picked the eventual nominee twice since 1980.
But there has been criticism over having these two states lead the election season as they are
among the least diverse in the nation.
What's Super Tuesday?

It's the day when the most states and territories hold their primary elections or caucuses.
Some of the most populous states, including California and Texas, will hold their elections on
Super Tuesday,
For Democrats, about 40% of all delegates are up for grabs, as are 30% for Republicans.
This year, Super Tuesday falls on 3 March.
So how long does all this last?

We'll see primaries and caucuses across the country from February until June.
That said, we will likely know the Democratic nominee before then as candidates rack up
delegates through each primary election or caucus.
What can Democrats learn from Labour’s defeat?
Unlike some countries with legally defined campaign periods - like the UK and France - US
candidates can campaign for as long as they wish, so presidential campaigns typically last
about 18 months from start to finish.
When exactly will Trump face a challenger?

The Democratic National Convention, where the party will name its nominees for president
and vice-president, will be held from 13 July to 16 July.
The Republican National Convention happens later, between 24 August and 27 August.
Technically, President Trump is not the official Republican candidate until it is announced at
the convention.
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After that, we can look forward to four debates when President Trump or Vice-President Mike
Pence take the stage along with their Democratic challengers.
How many US presidents were lawyers?
The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, established in 1987, sponsors and

runs these debates. The first of three presidential debates will take place in Indiana on 29
September, with two more in October.
The vice-presidential debate will take place 7 October in Utah.
So how does a candidate win the general election?

The popular vote - the sheer number of votes received by each candidate - will have nothing
to do with determining the winner of the 3 November general election.
That comes down to the "electoral college" vote. A simple majority of 270 out of the 538 votes
available wins the White House. This makes some states very important to candidates, as
more populous states have a bigger number of electoral votes.
It is possible to win the popular vote, but lose the electoral vote, as happened to Democrats Al
Gore in 2000 and Hillary Clinton in 2016.
What's the Electoral College?

It's the term for the officials, "electors", who vote on behalf of the states for president.
Each state is worth a number of electors proportionate to its representation in Congress: the
sum of its senators (every state has two) and representatives in the House (determined by
populous).
Read more about the electoral college system here
The six biggest states are California (55), Texas (38), New York (29), Florida (29), Illinois (20)
and Pennsylvania (20).
This system gives greater weight to smaller states and means a presidential candidate must
get a spread of votes from across the nation.
What are swing, red and blue states?

Republican bastions such as Idaho, Alaska, and many southern states are considered "red
states" while Democrat-dominated states such as California, Illinois and much of the New
England region of the northeast coast are called "blue states".
Swing states are states that can change hands depending on the candidate.
As campaigns often choose not to send candidates or invest resources to states they
consider unwinnable, the presidential contest mostly takes place in these few swing states,
like Ohio and Florida.
Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin may be considered swing states in 2020.
GETTY IMAGES
How long do voters have to cast ballots?

As with many things in America, it depends on the state.
Most offer early voting, which allows registered voters to cast their ballots ahead of Election
Day (3 November).
There's also mail-in absentee voting, for voters who are unable to go to a polling place due to
illness, disability, travel plans or attending an out-of-state school.
For those voting on Election Day, they have to go in-person to an official polling place. There
is no online voting.
Each state handles its own vote counting and a winner is usually determined on the same
night.
What happens if no-one wins the Electoral College?

If no single candidate receives the majority of electoral votes, then the House of
Representatives will select the president from the top three candidates. The Senate will
choose the vice-president from the remaining two candidates.
It's a rare situation, but it's happened once before: John Quincy Adams won the White House
this way in 1824.
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What happens after a winner is announced?

There will be a brief transition period following the election, allowing a new president to select
cabinet members and make plans.
In January, the new president (or returning incumbent) is sworn in at an event called the
inauguration. The 20th Amendment to the Constitution - ratified in 1933 - mandates
inauguration take place on 20 January.
After a ceremony at Congress, the president makes his way back to the White House in a
parade to begin their four year term.
Who will take on Trump in 2020?
Find out who is running and what they stand for
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2/27/2020 US election 2020 : All you need to know about the presidential race - BBC News

Home News Sport Reel Worklife Travel Future M

US election 2020 : All you need to know about the presidential

What are the main parties?

What's happening now?

Ask a question on the primaries or election

Type your question here

Here's what others have been asking

What's the diﬀerence between a primary and a caucus? ▼

Will Donald Trump win? ▼

How do you pronounce Buttigieg? ▼

What about caucuses?

Are both parties having primaries?

Why are Iowa and New Hampshire important?

What's Super Tuesday?

This year, Super Tuesday falls on 3 March.

So how long does all this last?

What can Democrats learn from Labour’s defeat?

When exactly will Trump face a challenger?

How many US presidents were lawyers?

The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, established in 1987, sponsors and

The vice-presidential debate will take place 7 October in Utah.

So how does a candidate win the general election?

What's the Electoral College?

Read more about the electoral college system here

What are swing, red and blue states?

Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin may be considered swing states in 2020.

How long do voters have to cast ballots?

As with many things in America, it depends on the state.

What happens if no-one wins the Electoral College?

What happens after a winner is announced?

Who will take on Trump in 2020?

Find out who is running and what they stand for

US election 2020 United States

Share this story About sharing

More on this story

Democrats 2020: What their key issues are

Could killing of Iranian general help Trump get re-elected?

Joe Biden's campaign trail across Iowa

What can US Democrats learn from Labour’s UK election defeat?

Trump: VP will head coronavirus response

Obama slams 'despicable' attack ad against Biden

US House passes landmark anti-lynching law

Japan to close all schools to halt virus spread

Anger as judge critical of Delhi violence removed

The woman who negotiated with the Taliban

How China is keeping busy during quarantine

Australia's wild summer sees blast of snow

Pressure on big investors to act on climate change

'They removed my uterus and I had no idea for 11 years'

The perfume that's meant to smell of terror

Landscapes of chemical and biological warfare

Eighteen things Bernie Sanders believes

BBC Travel: A tiny German isle that loves Manhattan

Elsewhere on the BBC

Coronavirus: Fight against spread at 'decisive point', says WHO 2

Easton Bavents: Farmer's cliff-top cottage demolished 3

Climate campaigners win Heathrow expansion case 4

Post-Brexit talks: UK prepared to walk away in June if no 5

China prepares 100,000 ducks to battle Pakistan's locust 6

Hampshire's Bob Weighton set to be named world's oldest man 8

Taylor Swift literally plays The Man in new video 9

Coronavirus in Europe: epidemic or 'infodemic'? 10