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Election Reports and Publications
Election Insight 2020
Biden Declared by News Networks To Be America’s Next President
While the states of Georgia and North Carolina have not yet been called, and President Trump has not conceded the election’s outcome, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., is expected to be the next President of the United States and Senator Kamala Harris the Vice President-elect, and the first woman and person of color to serve in that role.
After being declared the winner in Pennsylvania by many media organizations, President-elect Biden has won states with 290 Electoral College votes, more than the 270 votes required to be elected, while President Trump has won states with 217 Electoral College votes.
With over 5 million votes nationwide still to be counted, Biden holds a majority of the national popular vote, with a lead of about 5.1 million votes (about 3.4%) that is anticipated to expand as more votes from the West Coast, especially California, are counted. This is the seventh time in the last eight presidential elections that the Democratic candidate has won the popular vote.
President Trump and his supporters have initiated multiple lawsuits seeking to dispute and overturn these election results. However, unless these legal actions ultimately persuade the courts to disqualify sufficient ballots in states that have been called for Biden in a manner that would alter the Electoral College result, an outcome that appears highly unlikely, the presidential race is over.
Control of the Senate Will Be Determined by Two Georgia Runoff Elections on January 5, 2021
In the Senate, at this writing Republicans have secured 50 seats and Democrats control 48 seats. Democrats have achieved a net gain of only one seat to date, with 2 races in Georgia uncalled. With a Democratic White House, Democrats need to pick up two more seats in order to capture the Senate. Under Georgia law, US Senate candidates must receive 50% of the total votes cast or face a runoff election. As none of the candidates reached the 50% threshold, there will be two runoff Senate elections in Georgia on January 5, 2021. If Republicans win at least one of these two races, Senator Mitch McConnell will remain the Majority Leader, while Democrats will control the chamber if they win both runoffs.
Democrats will continue to have the majority in the House of Representatives, but with a narrowed margin, to the surprise of many Democrats who were expecting at least modest gains to their House majority. Thus far, Republicans have achieved a net pick-up of about six seats.
Click below to see our Election Results on One Page, our preview of the Biden Transition Team members and a look ahead to potential Biden Cabinet members.
Nov. 4, 2020 – Results of as of 4:30 p.m. ET
Nov. 4, 2020 – Results of as of 7:30 a.m. ET
Reports
PRESIDENTIAL PREVIEW: The Battle for 1600 Pennsylvania Ave
With a weekend to go before election day, the Dentons Public Policy team looks at the political climate, the polling, the battlegrounds and how and when the nation could learn the winner in our presidential preview, “The Battle for 1600 Pennsylvania Ave Report.” We believe the outcome of the presidential election will depend, to a significant degree, on whether voters view the race as a choice between two alternatives, each with positive and negative factors, or as a referendum on the President’s leadership. Pre-pandemic, President Trump was prepared to run hard on his record. But the pandemic robbed him of his strongest argument for re-election—a booming economy—leaving him no choice but to focus on Joe Biden’s flaws.
Whether the American people are buying this line of attack remains to be seen, but recent polls suggest it is not working.
On Wednesday morning, November 4, our Public Policy team will be issuing a detailed report on the election results that are then available. We will be updating this report later in the day, and on succeeding days as necessary, to provide not only the presidential results but a comprehensive picture of what the next US House and Senate will look like.
Whatever the outcome of the elections, once it becomes clear who will be taking the oath of office on January 20, 2021, and who will control the Congress, we also will be releasing additional reports that profile many of the people who are expected to play key roles in the next administration and that explore the central elements of, and prospects for, the legislative agenda of the winning presidential candidate.
US HOUSE AND SENATE ELECTIONS PREVIEW – The Battle For Control Of Congress
Dentons’ Public Policy team has developed a US House and Senate Elections Preview to provide the latest developments as we approach the November elections.
Labor Day 2020 Election Primer: A Look Ahead to November
This Election Primer, the first in Dentons’ Election Series, sets the stage for the race to November. From the “top of the ticket” to the down-ballot congressional and state house contests across the country, we track the races that could change majorities in November.
Upcoming Webinars
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Webinar Recordings
Catch up on the latest sessions from our “Road to November – Politics in America” webinar series during which our experienced bipartisan political leaders share their insights on national politics given current events as we approach the 2020 elections.
Road to November – Politics in America – November 5, 2020
A Post-Election Analysis
Road to November – Politics in America – October 29, 2020
Predictions for the Future
Road to November – Politics in America – October 23, 2020
Analysis of the Final Presidential Debate
Road to November – Politics in America – October 8, 2020
Analysis of Vice Presidential Debate
Road to November – Politics in America – October 1, 2020
Analysis of First Presidential Debate
Road to November: Politics in America – September 17, 2020
Road to November: Politics in America Democratic and Republican Post-Convention Briefings
Democratic Convention Recap – August 21, 2020
Republican Convention Recap – August 28, 2020