In the 2020 election cycle, many candidates entered the race to run for president, reflecting broad public interest and competitive primary dynamics. Understanding how many people are running for president in 2020 helps voters see the range of choices and the shifting political landscape.
The field included sitting members of Congress, former officials, and grassroots challengers, each bringing different policy positions and campaign resources. This overview breaks down the structure of the 2020 presidential race through data, context, and clear comparisons.
| Candidate | Party Affiliation | Announced Date | Status by November 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donald Trump | Republican | February 2017 | Incumbent, nominee |
| Joe Biden | Democratic | April 2019 | Nominee, winner |
| Bernie Sanders | Democratic | February 2019 | Withdrew April 2020 |
| Elizabeth Warren | Democratic | February 2019 | Withdrew March 2020 |
| Michael Bloomberg | Democratic | November 2019 | Withdrew March 2020 |
| Kamala Harris | Democratic | January 2019 | Withdrew December 2019 |
| Pete Buttigieg | Democratic | April 2019 | Withdrew March 2020 |
| Andrew Yang | Democratic | November 2017 | Withdrew February 2020 |
Ballot Access and Primary Scheduling Across States
How State Rules Shaped the 2020 Field
Each state sets its own rules for ballot access, deadlines for filing, and whether a candidate must meet a threshold to qualify for the primary ballot. These variations affected how many people were able to run for president in 2020 in each jurisdiction and influenced campaign strategies.
Some candidates focused resources on early primary states while others scaled back in states with restrictive ballot access rules. The patchwork of state requirements created different paths for major party candidates and third-party challengers, shaping the final slate of names on primary ballots.
Major Democratic Primary Contenders
Policy Platforms and Campaign Resources
Within the Democratic side, policy differences on healthcare, climate, taxation, and criminal justice defined the debates among the candidates who ran for president in 2020. Frontrunners typically raised more funds, hired larger staffs, and bought more advertising, while smaller challengers relied on viral moments and grassroots donations.
The crowded field meant that media coverage and debate stage access became critical resources, pushing some candidates to drop out earlier than others despite strong policy positions.
Republican Primary and Incumbent Advantage
Incumbency, Fundraising, and Opposition Dynamics
On the Republican side, the race largely centered on the incumbent president, with most serious challengers choosing not to mount a major campaign. The advantages of incumbency, including access to the party apparatus, donor networks, and official platforms, made it difficult for new candidates to compete for the nomination.
As a result, fewer Republicans ran for president in 2020 compared to the large Democratic primary field, and the contest largely focused on supporting or opposing the incumbent agenda.
General Election Matchup and Voter Choice
From Primaries to the National Race
By the time of the general election, the question of how many people are running for president in 2020 had narrowed to two main candidates on the ballot in most states, down from the dozens who started in the primaries. Third-party and independent candidates still appeared on some ballots, but they faced high thresholds and limited debate access.
Voters evaluated the major party nominees alongside these minor options, though the electoral system heavily favored the two leading candidates in the race.
Key Takeaways for Understanding the 2020 Presidential Race
- The number of candidates on the ballot varied by state due to different filing rules.
- Incumbency and fundraising advantages heavily shaped the Republican primary.
- Ballot access and debate thresholds influenced which candidates reached the general election.
- Most voters faced a choice between two major-party nominees, with minor options on some ballots.
- State-by-state deadlines and rules determined who could legally run for president in 2020 in each jurisdiction.
FAQ
Reader questions
How many major party candidates actually appeared on the general election ballot in 2020?
Most voters saw two main candidates, one from each major party, though third-party and independent candidates appeared on ballots in many states.
Why did so many candidates drop out of the Democratic primary before the Iowa caucuses?
Fundraising hurdles, strict debate thresholds, and the media narrative around electability led many Democratic candidates to leave the race before early voting began.
Did third-party candidates have any realistic path to win electoral votes in 2020?
Structural barriers, such as ballot access rules and winner-take-all allocation in most states, made it extremely difficult for third-party candidates to secure electoral votes.
How did state deadlines affect the number of people running for president in 2020?
Varying state filing deadlines and petition requirements meant candidates could appear on some ballots but not others, fragmenting the national field.