Election 2020

Election 2020: What you need to know

What happens after Election Day? The process is longer (and more unclear) than you might think.

November 3, 2020

Election Day is November 3, but regardless of who wins or how close the results may be, the election will not officially be over.

7 Defining Moments from Presidential Debates

October 22, 2020

Even though debate moments often exist more as images of political theater than of major policies, they can shape our view of elections and candidates for years.

The Fight for the Latino Vote in Florida

September 17, 2020

Both presidential candidates held events reaching out to Latino voters this week after polls showed a tight race in the key battleground state of Florida.

Debate moderators are announced — and include ‘Washington Week’ regulars

September 2, 2020

Chris Wallace of Fox News, Kristen Welker of NBC News, and Steve Scully of C-SPAN will each moderate a presidential debate this fall. USA Today Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page will moderate the vice-presidential debate.

3 Things to Know about Melania Trump

August 26, 2020

Here are three things we learned about first lady Melania Trump from Mary Jordan’s book The Art of Her Deal, featured on The Washington Week Bookshelf.

Who is Dr. Jill Biden?

August 19, 2020

The community college professor and wife of Democratic nominee Joe Biden introduced herself to voters at the Democratic Convention.

Sen. Kamala Harris: 7 things you need to know about Joe Biden's vice presidential pick

August 11, 2020

Former Vice President Joe Biden selected Harris as his running mate on August 11, calling her "one of the country's finest public servants."

President Donald Trump: 7 things you need to know about the president running for reelection

June 19, 2019

The president has been officially running for reelection since his first day in office but held a campaign launch event on June 18.

Fmr. Vice President Joe Biden: 7 things you need to know

April 25, 2019

The former vice president has high name recognition and many accomplishments from his lengthy political career, but could face criticism for some of his prior views.

Voting rights

How could gerrymandering and voter ID battles decide a key 2020 battleground?

May 9, 2019

Wisconsin is embroiled in legal battles over both redistricting and voter ID laws. In 2016, voters elected Republican Donald Trump president by under 30,000 votes. In 2018, Wisconsin voters chose Democrat Tony Evers as governor by a similarly close margin.

Learn how a battle over ex-felons’ voting rights could determine the 2020 election

April 30, 2019

As presidential contenders discuss giving voting rights to felons and ex-felons, Florida proves that the battle over voting rights can have major consequences.

Gun control

Where do some of the 2020 Democratic candidates stand on gun control?

June 11, 2019

New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, California Sen. Kamala Harris, and California Rep. Eric Swalwell have made gun control a central theme of their campaigns.