2020 Election Update

(Updated August 28, 2020 at 4:36 p.m. (EDT))

1. 2020 Presidential Candidates 

• Former Vice President Joe Biden (D-DE). If you know about this former vice president’s personal story, then you won’t be surprised that he is an advocate for mental health. According to the candidate’s website, one of his primary objectives is: “Achieving mental health parity and expanding access to mental health care. As Vice President, Biden was a champion for efforts to implement the federal mental health parity law, improve access to mental health care and eliminate the stigma around mental health. As President, he will redouble these efforts to ensure enforcement of mental health parity laws and expand funding for mental health services.” Source: Joe Biden for President: Official Campaign Website

• President Donald Trump (R-Incumbent). Trump’s 2018 executive order, "Supporting Our Veterans During Their Transition From Uniformed Service to Civilian Life," permits the Veterans Affairs Department to provide up to one year of mental health care to transitioning service members and veterans after discharge from the service. Source: Donald J. Trump for President Website
  

2. Top issues voters are concerned about this election cycle. Based on research from Morning Consult, a Washington, D.C.-based research and survey firm, voters ranked health care as an important issue in 2020. The following information is based on the results from Morning Consult’s survey:

• IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH CARE TO 2020 VOTE. Sixty-six percent of Democrats, 54% of independents, and 46% of Republicans selected health care as one of the most important issues in their 2020 vote choice.

• COMMON PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES. Illicit drugs and opioids, along with mental and behavioral health issues, are common public health issues in local communities. The results: Illicit drugs and opioids, 46% Democrats, 46% Independents, 51% Republicans. Mental and behavioral health: 40% Democrats, 36% Independents, 32% Republicans.

• BIPARTISANSHIP ON HEALTH-CARE REFORM. Improving the current health-care system, rather than repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act or instituting Medicare for All, receives the most bipartisan support.

3. Election 2020. On November 3, 2020, Americans will cast their ballots for the next president of the United States! If you’re registered to vote, but don’t know your polling location, please visit: https://www.usa.gov/election-day or contact your local Board of Elections (in person, online, or by phone).

4. Voter Registration. Are you registered to vote? If you are not registered to vote—or are not sure if you’re registered—visit vote.gov to make sure that you can cast your ballot on Election Day.

5. Gubernatorial Races in 2020. This year,11 states will hold gubernatorial elections: DE, IN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NH, UT, VT, WA, WV. Currently, there are 26 Republicans and 24 Democrats serving in the governors’ offices across the United States. Of the 11 states holding gubernatorial elections, seven of the incumbents are Republican (IN, MO, ND, NH, UT, VT, WV) and four are Democrats (DE, MT*, NC, WA). MT’s governor cannot run for reelection due to term limits.

6. The 2020 Democratic National Convention. The 2020 Democratic National Convention was held virtually in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 17 – 20. During the convention, the Democratic Party formally nominated the party’s candidates for the next president and vice president of the United States. Democratic Party members from across the country also drafted and adopted the party’s official 2020 Democratic Party platform, outlining the party’s policy priorities and positions on domestic and foreign affairs. (The originally scheduled date was planned for mid-July.)        Source: Democratic National Convention

7. The 2020 Republican National Convention. This year, the 2020 Republican National Convention was hosted virtually as well as in-person in Washington, DC, August 25 – 27. In addition to formally nominating the Republican Party’s next presidential and vice presidential candidates, delegates also write and adopt the party’s platform. Source: Associated Press

8. 2020 Presidential Primaries. All primaries have occurred. The following states have canceled their primary elections. Canceled: Alaska Republican polls, Arizona Republican primary, Hawaii Republican caucuses, Kansas Republican caucuses, Nevada Republican caucuses, South Carolina Republican primary, Virginia Republican primary. (These states decided to give the delegates to the Incumbent candidate without contest, stating this is not an unusual practice. This practice has be denounced as undemocratic by President Trump’s opponents.) Source: Associated Press

9. Primary Results. Candidates must earn 1,991 delegates in the Democratic primary to win the Democratic Party nomination. As of July 13, 2020, Joe Biden has acquired 2,687 delegates. To win the Republican primary, candidates must earn 1,276 in order to be nominated as the Republican Party candidate. Currently, Donald Trump has 2,395 delegates. Both candidates are unopposed in their parties. Source: USA Today

10. Electoral College. The Electoral College is a process that consists of each state selecting electors, the electors meeting to vote for president and vice president, and the counting of the electoral votes by Congress. There are 538 electors. To win the presidential election, a candidate must collect 270 Electoral College votes. To learn more about the Electoral College, go to https://www.archives.gov/electoral-college.  

11. The United States Census 2020. The census collects vital data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you and your community. The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives—and the information is used for redistricting congressional and state legislative districts. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data. By law, your information is confidential and secure. Look for your invitation to respond to the Census questionnaire—online, by phone, or by mail—between March 12 and 20. The 2020 Census questionnaire takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. If you’re ready, click here to complete your questionnaire.