America votes 2020

The nuts and bolts of the US presidential election

Why Americans don't vote directly for their leaders and why results this year may be delayed

Former vice-president Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris are the Democratic candidates for the presidential election on Nov 3. Because of the pandemic, more people are likely to vote by mail, which takes longer to count. This means the resu
President Donald Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence are on the Republican ticket for the race to the White House. Under the electoral college system, states are allocated a number of electoral votes based on their representation in Congress. The candidate who gets at least 270 of the 538 electoral votes wins the presidential election. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
President Donald Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence are on the Republican ticket for the race to the White House. Under the electoral college system, states are allocated a number of electoral votes based on their representation in Congress. The can
Former vice-president Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris are the Democratic candidates for the presidential election on Nov 3. Because of the pandemic, more people are likely to vote by mail, which takes longer to count. This means the results may not be known on the night of the election itself, and could take days, or even weeks, to be finalised. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Charissa Yong US Correspondent In Washington
Updated
Aug 30, 2020, 05:00 AM
Published
Aug 30, 2020, 05:00 AM
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Americans go to the polls on Nov 3 to elect their president and vice-president for the next four years.

Their choice this year is between incumbent Republican President Donald Trump and his running mate Mike Pence, and Democratic candidate and former vice-president Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on August 30, 2020, with the headline The nuts and bolts of the US presidential election. Subscribe

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