2020 Presidential Elections: Important Dates and Timeline

Election Day: The election process for the U.S. president occurs every four years on the first Tuesday of November. Voters will depend on the state, mail-in their ballot or enter private polling places to cast their vote. This will determine how many of a presidential candidate’s preferred electors will take a spot in the electoral college vote in December.

Electoral College Vote: After Election Day, on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December, these electors assemble in their state capitals, cast their ballots, and officially select the next President of the United States. Note: A candidate must receive an absolute majority of electoral votes (currently 270) to win the presidency or the vice presidency.

Note: If no candidate receives a majority in the election for president or vice president, that election is determined via a contingency procedure established by the 12th Amendment.

Electoral College Announcement: Congress formally meets in January to count the electoral college votes. A presidential candidate needs at least 270 votes to win the presidency.