After a party chooses its presidential nominee, candidates campaign across the country, host rallies and participate in debates. They try to convince voters of their views and plans. On Election Day, people go to polling stations and vote for the candidate they prefer. The winner of the most votes becomes president, while the runner-up becomes vice president.
Both parties’ candidates for president face a daunting task of accumulating the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency. This requires a substantial amount of support nationally and in the states considered to be important battlegrounds, or swing states. In addition, most states use a winner-takes-all system in which the candidate who receives the most votes in each state automatically gets all of that state’s electoral college votes. As a result, it is possible for a candidate to win the most votes nationwide — such as Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016 — but still lose the election to Republican contender Donald Trump.
Numerous national and state polls showed Harris neck and neck with Trump both nationally and in key swing states leading up to election day. But when the ballots were counted, Trump won both the national popular vote and the Electoral College with an advantage in several swing states.
Throughout the race, many Democratic voters had questions about Harris’s policies and her ability to lead. Others were dissatisfied with the party establishment’s endorsement of her candidacy. Still, many enthusiastic supporters praised her youth and dedication to traditional liberal causes.
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