The 2020 United States presidential election was a landmark event, unfolding against the backdrop of a global pandemic and significant shifts in voting methods. It saw record-breaking voter turnout and ultimately resulted in Joe Biden’s victory over incumbent Donald Trump. Understanding the nuances of this election, particularly the question of How Many Votes Did Biden Get In 2020, requires a deeper examination of the electorate and the factors that shaped their choices.
This analysis, drawing on validated voter data from the esteemed Pew Research Center, will delve into the intricate details of the 2020 election. We will explore not just the raw numbers, but also the demographic shifts, voting patterns, and the various segments of the population that contributed to Biden’s win. By going beyond the surface level, we aim to provide a comprehensive and insightful understanding of the 2020 electorate and answer definitively: how many votes did Joe Biden receive in the 2020 presidential election?
Understanding Validated Voters and the 2020 Electorate
Pew Research Center’s methodology for analyzing the 2020 election is built upon the concept of “validated voters.” This rigorous approach combines survey data with official voting records to ensure a more accurate representation of the electorate than relying solely on self-reported voting behavior. Validated voters are individuals surveyed by Pew Research Center who confirmed they voted in the 2020 general election and for whom a corresponding voting record was found in commercial voter files. This method enhances the reliability of the data and allows for a more precise analysis of voter turnout and candidate preference across different demographic groups.
The 2020 election saw a significant surge in voter participation, with 66% of U.S. adult citizens casting their ballots – a 7 percentage point increase from the 2016 election. This historic turnout was fueled by several factors, including heightened political engagement, changes in voting access due to the pandemic, and the intensely contested nature of the election itself.
In the final count, Joe Biden received over 81 million popular votes, securing victory over Donald Trump. While this number is a crucial figure, it’s equally important to understand the context behind it. Biden’s popular vote margin was approximately 7 million votes ahead of Trump, and he won the Electoral College with 306 electoral votes to Trump’s 232.
This analysis will further break down the composition of the 2020 electorate, revealing the specific demographic groups that contributed to Biden’s vote total and examining how these groups shifted compared to previous elections.
Key Demographic Shifts and Voting Patterns in 2020
While the 2020 election exhibited continuity in many voting patterns along demographic and political lines, there were also notable shifts that contributed to Biden’s victory. These shifts, though sometimes subtle, collectively painted a picture of a changing electorate.
Suburban Voters Swing Towards Biden
One of the most significant shifts observed in the 2020 election was the increased support for the Democratic candidate among suburban voters. Biden significantly improved upon Hillary Clinton’s 2016 performance with this crucial demographic, garnering 54% of the suburban vote compared to Clinton’s 45%. This shift was particularly pronounced among White suburban voters, a group Trump won by 16 points in 2016 but only narrowly by 4 points in 2020. This suburban swing indicated a potential erosion of Republican support in these historically swing areas, driven by factors such as changing demographics and evolving political priorities of suburban residents.
Trump’s Gains with Hispanic Voters
Conversely, while Biden maintained a majority of the Hispanic vote, Trump made notable gains within this demographic group. This increase in support for Trump among Hispanic voters highlighted the diversity within this electorate and the varying political leanings across different segments of the Hispanic community. Notably, a significant education divide emerged within the Hispanic vote, with Trump performing considerably better among Hispanic voters without a college degree compared to those with a college education.
Gender Gap Narrowed, but Still Present
The gender gap, a consistent feature of recent US elections, narrowed in 2020. Biden made gains among men, while Trump improved his standing among women, resulting in a less pronounced difference in voting preferences between genders compared to 2016. Men were nearly evenly split between Biden and Trump in 2020, a shift from 2016 when Trump won men by a significant 11-point margin. While Biden still won women, his advantage narrowed slightly. This suggests a potential realignment of gender-based voting patterns, although the gender gap remained a relevant factor in the overall election outcome.
Education Divide Deepens, Especially Among White Voters
The education divide in voting preferences, particularly among White voters, remained prominent in 2020. Biden improved upon Clinton’s performance among White voters without a college degree, but Trump still maintained a strong majority within this group. Simultaneously, White voters with a college degree or higher continued to favor the Democratic candidate. This widening education gap underscores the increasing polarization of the electorate along educational lines, with different educational backgrounds potentially correlating with distinct political viewpoints and priorities.
Age and Generational Voting Patterns
Age continued to be a significant predictor of voting preference in 2020. Younger voters, particularly those under 30, overwhelmingly favored Biden, continuing a trend of strong Democratic support among younger generations. While older age groups were more evenly split between Biden and Trump, the consistent Democratic lean of younger voters highlights the long-term demographic shifts potentially favoring the Democratic party as younger, more liberal generations become a larger portion of the electorate.
Generational analysis further reinforced this trend. Generation Z and Millennials strongly favored Biden, while Generation X and Baby Boomers were more divided. Only the Silent Generation leaned towards Trump, reflecting the evolving political landscape across different age cohorts.
Party Loyalty and Ideological Polarization
Party loyalty remained a dominant factor in 2020, with both Biden and Trump enjoying high levels of support within their respective parties. Ideological polarization within parties was also evident, with both candidates performing even stronger among the ideological core of their parties. This reinforces the trend of increasing partisan alignment in American politics, where voters are increasingly likely to vote along party lines, driven by strong partisan identities and ideological divides.
Geographic Divides Persist
The geographic divide between urban, suburban, and rural areas continued to shape voting patterns in 2020. Biden performed strongly in urban areas and made gains in suburban areas, while Trump maintained his dominance in rural areas. This geographic polarization reflects the distinct political cultures and priorities often associated with different community types, with urban areas generally leaning Democratic and rural areas strongly Republican.
Religious Voting Blocs
Religion remained a significant factor in voter preference, with distinct voting patterns observed across different religious groups. White evangelical Protestants remained a crucial base of support for Trump, voting overwhelmingly in his favor. Conversely, religiously unaffiliated voters strongly supported Biden. While Catholics were more divided, White Catholics leaned towards Trump, while Hispanic Catholics favored Biden. These religious voting blocs highlight the intersection of religious identity and political affiliation, with certain religious groups consistently aligning with specific political parties.
Voting Methods and Their Impact
The 2020 election witnessed a dramatic shift in voting methods due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A record number of voters cast their ballots by mail or absentee (46%), a significant increase from previous elections. This surge in mail-in voting was driven by expanded access to absentee voting options in many states as a response to public health concerns.
Voting method preferences also exhibited partisan divides. Biden voters were significantly more likely to have voted by mail, while Trump voters were more inclined to vote in person, either on or before Election Day. This partisan divergence in voting methods became a point of contention during and after the election, with debates surrounding the security and accessibility of mail-in voting.
Demographic Profiles of Biden and Trump Voters
Examining the demographic profiles of Biden and Trump voters reveals stark contrasts and continuities from previous elections. Biden’s coalition was more racially and ethnically diverse, younger, and more suburban-centric compared to Trump’s. In contrast, Trump’s voter base remained predominantly White, older, and with a stronger representation from rural areas.
Specifically:
- Race and Ethnicity: Biden voters were significantly more diverse, with a larger proportion of Black, Hispanic, and Asian voters compared to Trump’s overwhelmingly White voter base.
- Community Type: A majority of Biden voters resided in suburban areas, reflecting the suburban shift towards the Democrats. Trump voters were more likely to live in rural communities.
- Education: Trump’s coalition had a higher proportion of voters without a college degree, while Biden’s voters were more evenly divided between those with and without a college education.
- Age: Biden’s voters were younger on average, with nearly half under the age of 50. Trump’s voter base was comparatively older.
- Religion: White evangelical Protestants were a cornerstone of Trump’s coalition, while religiously unaffiliated voters were a significant segment of Biden’s support.
Voters vs. Nonvoters in 2020
Despite the record-high turnout, significant demographic differences persisted between voters and nonvoters in 2020, mirroring patterns observed in previous elections. Voters were generally older, wealthier, and more educated than nonvoters. Nonvoters also leaned more Democratic in their candidate preferences compared to the overall electorate.
This persistent gap between voters and nonvoters underscores the ongoing challenges of civic engagement and voter turnout in the US, particularly among younger, lower-income, and less educated segments of the population.
Conclusion: Biden’s 81 Million Votes and the Shifting Electorate
In conclusion, Joe Biden received over 81 million votes in the 2020 presidential election, securing a decisive victory in both the popular vote and the Electoral College. This historic vote total was a result of record-breaking voter turnout and shifts in voting preferences across key demographic groups.
Biden’s victory was propelled by:
- Gains among suburban voters, particularly White suburban voters.
- Strong support from younger voters, racially and ethnically diverse voters, and religiously unaffiliated voters.
- Improved performance among men and White voters without a college degree compared to Hillary Clinton in 2016.
While Trump made gains with Hispanic voters and maintained strong support in rural areas and among White evangelical Protestants, these gains were insufficient to overcome Biden’s advantages in other key demographics.
The 2020 election analysis, based on validated voter data, provides a nuanced understanding of the electorate that delivered Biden’s victory. It reveals a complex interplay of demographic shifts, persistent voting patterns, and evolving political alignments that shaped the outcome of this historic election. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for comprehending the current political landscape and anticipating future electoral trends in the United States.
Data Source:
- Pew Research Center analysis of validated voters in the 2020, 2018, and 2016 US elections. For detailed methodology and further information, please refer to the original Pew Research Center report and methodology documentation:
- Validated Voters 2020 Methodology
- Questions Used in the 2020 Validated Voter Survey
