US election 2020: key issues, swing states & all you need to know

An estimated 240 million Americans in 50 states and across three time zones vote either in person or through mail in 2020 to elect their president for the next four years. As polling closes on November 3, from the key issues to all its quirks, here's a ready reckoner for you.

1) Elections in India vs the US

Indians vote on a date announced by the Election Commission to elect Members of the Lok Sabha, who in turn elect the PM
In the US, Americans vote on the first Tuesday in November, a fixed date, to elect the President directly

Elections in India are administered and regulated by EC, but in the US, they are held by state govts in their own jurisdictions

2) How much will the US election cost?
The 2020 elections are expected to cost an estimated $14 billion, a record. But these are moneys spent by candidates, parties and outside bodies and do not include expenses incurred by state governments on polling, security and election-related issues and material.

3) Which are the swing states?

Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania decided the 2016 White House race, giving Trump the presidency. They remain the key battleground states that will decide the 2020 race. Trump is currently trailing Biden in all three swing states.

Florida, North Carolina, Arizona, Minnesota, Nevada and Ohio could also play critical roles. Trump won all six in 2016, but is trailing Biden in the first three narrowly, by wide margins in the next two and is barely ahead in the last.

4) Main issues in the US election
Economy, terrorism and national security, the response to the coronavirus, healthcare and education emerged as the top five issues in a poll of registered voters by Gallup earlier in October, just weeks ahead of polls closing.