General election campaign

• When does the campaign officially begin?

  After the National conventions, and runs until Election Day in November
• When does the campaign intensify?

  9 weeks before the election, post-Labor Day (1st Monday of September)
• When is the General election?

  The Tuesday after the first Monday of November
• Early postal voting is available in 30 states
• Postal voting was a key point of contention in the 2020 election
• What was voter turnout in 2016?

  60.2 % (voter-eligible population)
• Voter turnout in 2020?

  67 % (of voting-eligible population)
• Key aspects of the campaign are:

  • The media
  • Town halls and rallies
  • Presidential debates
• The media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception. Candidates use to ads, social media and press appearances to convey their messages, respond to opponents and engage with voters
• Harris-Waltz campaign praised for effective use of social media, especially tiktok
• Celebrity endorsements: 2024 Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris
• Presidential debates

  High stakes events that can significantly impact the campaign. Provide a platform for candidates to outline their policies, challenge their opponents and showcase their suitability for presidency
• Importance of swing states lies in their ability to tip the balance in the electoral college. As such, they are often the focal points of election campaigning and strategies. They are closely watched on election night for early indications of outcome
• Parties dedicate significant resources to win over undecided voters through targeted advertising, allies and ground campaigns
• Example of significance of Swing states in 2016

  States like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan swung in favour of Trump, due to his appeal to working class, non college educated voters in these states
• In the 2020 election, Biden manages to reclaim swing states from 2016 as well as Arizona and Georgia, which were states that traditionally leaned Republican and weren’t up for grabs