All Candidates Who Ran for President in 2020: A Verified Profile

Introduction and Quick Answer

In the 2020 United States presidential election, the major Democratic and Republican parties nominated Joe Biden and Donald Trump, respectively, while third parties and independents also qualified for ballots in multiple states. This evergreen profile lists every notable candidate who appeared on ballots or mounted a recognized general-election campaign in 2020, covering their background, ballot status, and outcome. Below you will find verified details on major nominees, prominent challengers in primaries, third-party candidates, and write-in efforts, drawn from public records, FEC filings, and state election sources.

Methodology and What This Article Covers

This article captures candidates who appeared on presidential ballots in at least one state or filed required paperwork to qualify for federal matching funds, as well as major third-party nominees and notable write-in campaigns. It is organized by party and status, distinguishing between major nominees, primary competitors, and third-party or independent efforts. The focus is on verifiable roles: who ran, how they qualified, and how the race concluded. Where possible, dates, offices held, and final vote counts are cited from official state and FEC sources.

Major Party Nominees and the General Election Outcome

The 2020 general election centered on the reelection bid of incumbent President Donald Trump (Republican) and the challenge of former Vice President Joe Biden (Democratic). Both candidates met constitutional eligibility requirements and appeared on ballots in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In the Electoral College, Biden won 306 votes to Trump’s 232, while the popular vote margin was approximately 4.5 percentage points in Biden’s favor. Below is a concise, verified comparison of the two major nominees.

Candidate Comparison Table

Notable Democratic Primary Candidates

Multiple challengers sought the Democratic nomination in 2020, with several prominent campaigns raising significant funds and appearing on multiple state ballots. The most notable among them included Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, former Housing Secretary Julián Castro, and former Representative Beto O’Rourke, as well as other candidates who met state thresholds to remain on ballots through early 2020. Below is a brief overview of these key contenders.

Prominent Democratic Primary Candidates Table

Notable Third-Party and Independent Candidates in 2020

Beyond the major parties, several third-party designations and independent campaigns qualified for ballots in at least one state, offering additional choices to voters. The most prominent third-party nominees included Howie Hawkins for the Green Party and Jo Jorgensen for the Libertarian Party, each with long histories in their respective movements. Spike Cohen, the Libertarian vice-presidential nominee, also played a visible role in the campaign. Independent candidacies were generally limited by ballot access deadlines and varied state rules.

Third-Party and Independent Candidates Table

Ballot Access and Legal Status Notes

Ballot access in 2020 was shaped by state deadlines, petition requirements, and public health considerations related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to expanded mail-in and early voting in many jurisdictions. Major parties typically submitted slates of electors and met statutory contribution and membership tests, while third parties faced varied thresholds such as petition signatures or previous vote shares. Independent campaigns often relied on state-specific procedures and provisional lines. Because rules differ by state and evolve, authoritative sources for specific eligibility include each state’s election office and the Federal Election Commission for federal financing and reporting details.

Conclusion

The 2020 presidential race featured the major-party reelection campaign of Donald Trump and the Democratic challenge led by Joe Biden, alongside multiple third-party and independent campaigns. This verified profile summarizes who ran, how they qualified, and the general election outcome. Because rules and candidate lists can evolve with official certification updates, readers are encouraged to consult their state election office for the most current details on past and future races.