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2020 Presidential Election

Vox answers your biggest questions about the 2020 US presidential election.

Undecided voters explain themselves
Explainers

There are fewer undecided voters in 2020 than there were in 2016. It doesn’t mean they can’t make a difference.

By Emily Stewart
Politics
CNN’s debate fact-check laid out a “bombardment of dishonesty” from TrumpCNN’s debate fact-check laid out a “bombardment of dishonesty” from Trump
Politics

A CNN fact-check of the second debate found Trump made far more false claims than Biden.

By Ella Nilsen
Politics
Donald Trump’s issue with windmills might not be about birdsDonald Trump’s issue with windmills might not be about birds
Politics

If the president were really worried about birds, he’d be talking about cats — and probably wouldn’t be trying to scrap penalties for industries that kill birds.

By Emily Stewart
Politics
The first post-debate polls say Biden wonThe first post-debate polls say Biden won
Politics

CNN, Data for Progress, and YouGov all found more debate watchers thought Biden won.

By Andrew Prokop
Politics
In the final debate, Trump interrupted twice as much as BidenIn the final debate, Trump interrupted twice as much as Biden
Politics

Trump “only” interrupted 34 times this time.

By Jerusalem Demsas
4 winners and 5 losers from the last Biden-Trump debate
Politics

Joe Biden was a winner — as was moderator Kristen Welker.

By Li Zhou, Dylan Scott and 7 more
Politics
How the last Trump-Biden debate played on Fox NewsHow the last Trump-Biden debate played on Fox News
Politics

Chris Wallace, who moderated the first debate, was “jealous.”

By Alex Ward
Politics
Trump’s claim that only immigrants with “the lowest IQ” follow the law was unconscionableTrump’s claim that only immigrants with “the lowest IQ” follow the law was unconscionable
Politics
Trump showed no regret over family separations during the presidential debateTrump showed no regret over family separations during the presidential debate
Politics

Separating families was one of Trump’s cruelest immigration policies.

By Nicole Narea
Politics
Donald Trump clarifies he’s not literally Abraham Lincoln at the debateDonald Trump clarifies he’s not literally Abraham Lincoln at the debate
Politics

Donald Trump can be funny — but also misses the joke when it’s on him.

By Emily Stewart
Politics
Trump’s disappearing populism was on full display at Thursday’s debateTrump’s disappearing populism was on full display at Thursday’s debate
Politics

From the minimum wage to taxes, he’s a boring Republican now.

By Matthew Yglesias
Politics
“It just went away”: Trump used his son’s positive Covid-19 test to downplay the pandemic“It just went away”: Trump used his son’s positive Covid-19 test to downplay the pandemic
Politics

“He was fine,” the president said in Thursday’s debate.

By Anna North
Politics
There’s only one presidential candidate who we know accepts money from foreign sourcesThere’s only one presidential candidate who we know accepts money from foreign sources
Climate
Swing-state Pennsylvanians are divided on fracking. Here’s why.Swing-state Pennsylvanians are divided on fracking. Here’s why.
Climate

Trump keeps promoting fracking, but the industry is struggling.

By Lili Pike
Future Perfect
Trump on Covid-19: “I take full responsibility. It’s not my fault.”Trump on Covid-19: “I take full responsibility. It’s not my fault.”
Future Perfect

Trump almost took responsibility. Then he didn’t.

By German Lopez
Explainers
Mysterious emails and convenient leaks: The Trump campaign’s Hunter Biden attacks, explainedMysterious emails and convenient leaks: The Trump campaign’s Hunter Biden attacks, explained
Explainers

All of a sudden, people have come out of the woodwork saying they have Hunter Biden emails.

By Andrew Prokop
Technology
What we know about Iran and the threatening “Proud Boys” emailsWhat we know about Iran and the threatening “Proud Boys” emails
Technology

Add spoofed emails to the pile of 2020 voter intimidation tactics.

By Sara Morrison
Politics
Why did Trump think publishing his 60 Minutes interview footage was a good idea?Why did Trump think publishing his 60 Minutes interview footage was a good idea?
Politics

If Trump thinks struggling to answer Lesley Stahl’s basic questions speaks well for him, he should probably think again.

By Aaron Rupar
How old should a president be?
Politics

Americans are poised to elect the oldest commander in chief ever to serve. Does that matter?

By Charlotte Alter and Daniel J. Levitin
Politics
Obama delivers a blistering critique of Trump in his first stump speech of the 2020 cycleObama delivers a blistering critique of Trump in his first stump speech of the 2020 cycle
Politics

“Character matters.”

By Jerusalem Demsas
Politics
Trump on Supreme Court opportunity to overturn Obamacare: “I hope they end it”Trump on Supreme Court opportunity to overturn Obamacare: “I hope they end it”
Politics

Trump got another chance to share his health care plan in a 60 Minutes interview. He didn’t have an answer.

By Dylan Scott
The fight is for democracy
Politics

The stakes of this election are so high because the system itself is at stake.

By Ezra Klein
Politics
Trump’s constant attacks on Kristen Welker show he doesn’t expect the debate to go wellTrump’s constant attacks on Kristen Welker show he doesn’t expect the debate to go well
Politics

The Trump campaign has been whining about anything and everything related to the second presidential debate.

By Aaron Rupar
Politics
How conspiracy theories like QAnon spilled into the mainstreamHow conspiracy theories like QAnon spilled into the mainstream
Politics

Andrew Marantz on Facebook, tech ideology, and the spread of hate on the internet.

By Sean Illing
Politics
Trump’s presidential campaign is Too OnlineTrump’s presidential campaign is Too Online
Politics

President Trump’s campaign is shaped by, and aimed at, an audience largely existing on Twitter.

By Jane Coaston
Politics
Kristen Welker is moderating the final presidential debate. Trump is already attacking her.Kristen Welker is moderating the final presidential debate. Trump is already attacking her.
Politics

Welker is a White House correspondent at NBC News and a co-anchor of Weekend Today.

By Benjamin Rosenberg
The stakes of the Senate, explained
Al Gross is hoping to ride Alaska’s independent streak to the SenateAl Gross is hoping to ride Alaska’s independent streak to the Senate
The stakes of the Senate, explained

Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan is facing an unexpectedly close reelection bid in 2020.

By Katelyn Burns
Explainers
6 ballot measures that could change the criminal justice system6 ballot measures that could change the criminal justice system
Explainers

Voters in several states have a chance to change the criminal justice system in 2020.

By German Lopez
Culture
7 movies and TV shows that explain US elections, from gerrymandering to hanging chads7 movies and TV shows that explain US elections, from gerrymandering to hanging chads
Culture

What is voter suppression? What happened in 2000? Can American elections be fixed?

By Alissa Wilkinson
Explainers
The stunning hypocrisy of the Trump family’s attacks on Hunter BidenThe stunning hypocrisy of the Trump family’s attacks on Hunter Biden
Explainers

If there’s any family that should sit out attacking others for alleged corruption, it’s the Trumps.

By Aaron Rupar
Politics
Poll: Young Americans think democracy is “broken,” but intend to vote in record numbersPoll: Young Americans think democracy is “broken,” but intend to vote in record numbers
Politics

Could the youth vote become one of the big stories of the 2020 election?

By Jerusalem Demsas
Politics
9 ways to reform the Supreme Court besides court-packing9 ways to reform the Supreme Court besides court-packing
Politics

The Supreme Court threatens American democracy. Here’s how to stop it.

By Ian Millhiser
Explainers
No, Trump hasn’t been the best president for Black America since LincolnNo, Trump hasn’t been the best president for Black America since Lincoln
Explainers

Here’s what Trump has — and hasn’t — done for Black communities in the past four years.

By Fabiola Cineas
Explainers
Oregon’s ballot measure to decriminalize all drugs, explainedOregon’s ballot measure to decriminalize all drugs, explained
Explainers

The ballot measure is trying to move the state from a criminal justice to a public health approach on drugs.

By German Lopez
Politics
Trump exploited a broken press. Here’s how to fix it.Trump exploited a broken press. Here’s how to fix it.
Politics

A conversation with media critic Jay Rosen.

By Sean Illing
Politics
Trump’s team is pushing for a debate on foreign policy. That could backfire.Trump’s team is pushing for a debate on foreign policy. That could backfire.
Politics

Trump’s foreign policy record may be his strongest. But will anyone care?

By Alex Ward
Montana’s Senate race was supposed to be easy for Republicans. It’s a dead heat.
The stakes of the Senate, explained

Democrats are within reach of a second Senate seat in Montana.

By Ella Nilsen
Explainers
How Biden — or Trump — could win 270 electoral votesHow Biden — or Trump — could win 270 electoral votes
Explainers

Here are the most promising paths to victory for each candidate.

By Andrew Prokop
Politics
Trump’s new attack: Biden “wants to listen to Fauci”Trump’s new attack: Biden “wants to listen to Fauci”
Politics

Except Americans trust Fauci more than Trump on the Covid-19 response.

By Jerusalem Demsas
Technology
Silicon Valley megadonors unleash a last-minute, $100 million barrage of ads against TrumpSilicon Valley megadonors unleash a last-minute, $100 million barrage of ads against Trump
Technology

Facebook billionaire co-founder Dustin Moskovitz has put more than $20 million into a little-known Democratic super PAC that is spending big.

By Theodore Schleifer