A Comparative Analysis of the US Election

The world is once again focusing on Nov. 3, 2020 because of how important this date is in American political history. Nov. 3 is Election Day in the United States, in which incumbent President President Donald Trump, a Republican, and former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, who has been active in American politics since 1970 and is a Democrat, are on the ballot. According to experts, Trump’s perspective and political thinking stands in contrast to Biden, who has extensive political experience, expertise in both domestic and foreign affairs and a strong stance on equal rights for people of all races and religions, all of which can help Biden win.

Biden is most popular for his fiery speeches; he knows how to use words. Additionally, he served as vice president under President Barack Obama, and because of this, he understands the feelings and emotions of the American people. He also works to find effective solutions to their problems and concerns. However, he has not won a presidential election yet, due most of all to the Electoral College. Readers may recall that in the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton received nearly 3 million more popular votes than her rival, Trump, and public opinion was on her side. Despite this, she lost the election. Very few people know that in the United States, the winner of an election is not determined by a majority of the popular vote, but rather, by the Electoral College. Because popular sentiment is usually expressed through public opinion polls, the popularity ratings of candidates continues to change up until election day.

What is the Electoral College? It is a system in which votes are cast for each candidate by electors from each state in a number proportional to the state’s population. The candidate who receives 270 votes out of the 580 electoral votes is declared the winner.* In 14 states, including Arizona, Virginia, Michigan and Texas, a candidate needs to get at least half of the votes in order to win.

The Nov. 3 presidential race between President Trump and Biden will be even more interesting this time around because Trump has been controversial in many respects during his first term. He butchers most of the questions asked by journalists, and similarly, at press conferences, his hand gestures and voice make him look and sound angry. Another probably factor in his terrible performance is the fact that he tweets at all hours of the day.

Despite the fact that he has known about COVID-19 since the day it began affecting Americans, Trump has not taken it seriously. Some $50 billion has been distributed to those affected by this deadly virus, but Trump is still unwilling to openly acknowledging the dire consequences of the coronavirus, and still insisting that it is China’s fault.

In March, the president said that the coronavirus would be defeated quickly, but now there are only days left until the election. He is arguing that there is a fear that may be worse than that of the coronavirus. According to an analysis from a renowned American university, it is likely that by Nov. 1, just two days before the election, 230,000 Americans will have died from the coronavirus. People may be reluctant to vote due to the fear and uncertainty surrounding the disease. If this happens, it may have a profound negative impact on the U.S. economy and on democratic values.

Democratic presidential candidate Biden has reiterated that if he wins the election, he will immediately lift Trump’s ban on immigrants from seven Muslim countries from entering the United States, asserting that Trump abused his presidential power by imposing such restrictions.

This time around, American voters will likely also have certain concerns. The death of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a planned attack by the Trump administration as well as deep concern over the increasing violence by white police against Black Americans will definitely affect the Nov. 3 election. That violence including an instance in which a police officer placed his knee on the neck of George Floyd, a Black American man, which allegedly led to Floyd’s death. The killing along with widespread police brutality and escalating racial violence will also be on the minds of voters.

Trump offered his deepest condolences to Floyd’s family for the death of the 46-year-old man killed by police, but then said that the looters also had to be shot. It was like pouring salt on the wounds of the Black American community. It remains to be seen whether Trump wins in the midst of these complex circumstances, or whether Biden, with his fiery speeches and foreign affairs expertise, will succeed in winning the presidency this time.

*Editor’s note: There are a total of 538 electors selected according to each state’s policy. To win the presidency the presidential nominee must receive at least 270 electoral votes.