The Uncertain Journey to Biden's Victory in 2020
On the night of the 2020 US Presidential Election, the outcome was far from clear. Got to sleep believing a Trump win and woke up to news suggesting that Biden might emerge as the eventual victor. This article delves into the events and turning points that marked the transition from an initial Trump win to the eventual Biden victory.
Initial Predictions and Unexpected Swings
Many Americans went to bed on November 3, 2020, with Donald Trump leading in several key swing states, including Florida, Texas, and North Carolina. These states are considered to have a large number of undecided voters and thus were closely watched by both camps. However, as the night progressed, the narrative began to shift.
One of the critical moments was when Nebraska's 2nd district was called for Joe Biden. This outcome immediately changed the strategic map for Biden, as it indicated that he no longer needed a win in Pennsylvania. Should he secure victories in Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Nevada, he would have enough electoral votes to win the presidency.
Turning Points and Key States
As November 4th approached, the situation began to consolidate in favor of Biden. Wisconsin and Michigan were called for Biden, a strong blow to Trump’s re-election hopes. The race then intensified in battleground states like Pennsylvania and Georgia, where mail-in ballots started to be tallied.
By Friday, November 6th, the tide had clearly turned. Pennsylvania, along with Georgia, showed growing signs of favoring Biden. Michigan, Wisconsin, and Nevada stayed blue, with Arizona's lead narrowing but still holding. At this point, it was evident to most observers that Biden's victory was imminent, though it would take a few more days for the networks to officially call the election.
Election Night Results and Post-Election Developments
On election night, around 10 PM, networks were still projecting a Trump victory based on early returns from key states like Florida and Texas. However, as the vote-count progressed, especially in densely populated areas that predominantly favored Democrats, Biden began to take the lead.
The turning point came on November 7th, when the major networks officially called the election for Joe Biden. This call was based on the overwhelming support for Biden in key battleground states, particularly Pennsylvania, which saw a significant lead in mail-in votes.
Mail-In Ballots and Their Impact
While many attribute Biden's victory to the mail-in voter turnout, it is noteworthy that this surge in mail voting was largely concentrated in Democrat-leaning areas. Some argue that this led to a concentration of votes for Biden in certain states, while Republicans voted early and heavily in their favor.
Some critics point out that post-election day, mail-in votes continued to pour in, suggesting some level of irregularity. However, definitive proof of electoral fraud is hard to come by. What is more evident is the shift in voter behavior and the surge in mail voting, which undoubtedly impacted the final tally.
Despite widespread mail-in voting, the Democrats lost some previously expected seats in the Senate and House despite the strong support for Biden. This suggests that while mail-in ballots played a role, other factors also contributed to the final outcome.
Whether this outcome was due to strategic voting, increased distrust in the traditional voting process, or genuine changes in voter preference, it remains a topic of extensive debate and analysis.
Ultimately, the 2020 US Presidential Election was a testament to the complexity and the evolving nature of American politics. The clarity of a Biden win did not become apparent until well into the early hours of November 7th, reflecting the intricate and dynamic nature of the voting process.