Vote 2020 Archives | Northwest Public Broadcasting

Vote 2020

Board Of Canvassers Certifies Joe Biden’s Election Victory In Michigan

By NPR News November 23, 2020

Protesters gather in support of President Trump on Nov. 14 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. Trump and his allies have baselessly alleged widespread voter fraud was to blame for the president's election loss. CREDIT: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images

The certification vote follows weeks of attempts by President Trump to overturn his opponent's win. Three members voted in favor of certification, and one abstained. Continue Reading Board Of Canvassers Certifies Joe Biden’s Election Victory In Read More

Federal Judge Dismisses Trump Campaign’s Bid To Delay Vote Certification In Pennsylvania

By NPR News November 22, 2020

Election office workers process ballots at the Allegheny County elections returns warehouse in Pittsburgh, earlier this month. Gene J. Puskar/AP

In a blistering decision, a federal judge ruled that the campaign's complaint was "unsupported by evidence" and essentially asked the court "to disenfranchise almost seven million voters." Continue Reading Federal Judge Read More

Georgia Certifies Results; Election Official Says The ‘Numbers Don’t Lie’

By NPR News November 20, 2020

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger holds a press conference earlier this month. Despite pressure from some fellow Republicans, Raffensperger has certified President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the state. CREDIT: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

The state's top election official has faced calls to resign, death threats and pressure from fellow Republicans over the 2 1/2 weeks of post-election counting. Continue Reading Georgia Certifies Results; Election Official Says The Read More

Joe Biden Wins Georgia, Per AP Call, Following State’s Release Of Hand Recount

By NPR News November 19, 2020

Gwinnett County election workers handle ballots Monday in Lawrenceville, Ga., as part of the state's recount for the 2020 presidential election. CREDIT: Megan Varner/Getty Images

The full hand recount of the state's 5 million presidential votes resulted in a slight narrowing of Joe Biden's lead over President Trump, but not nearly enough to change the result. Continue Reading Joe Biden Wins Georgia, Per AP Read More

Incumbent’s Advantage: Why Whitman County Votes For Biden And Inslee, But GOP For Congress

By Scott Leadingham November 19, 2020

Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers did well in Whitman County, getting more votes than Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, who won the county in 2020 and 2016. Courtesy of Whitman County Elections

Even in a county that generally supports Democrats for governor and president, Republican Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers won. In fact, she got more votes in Whitman County than Jay Inslee did for governor. Continue Read More

President Trump Fires Election Security Director Who Corrected Voter Fraud Disinformation

By NPR News November 18, 2020

Christopher Krebs, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, was fired by President Trump on Tuesday. CREDIT: Carolyn Kaster/AP

President Trump, who has refused to accept the results of the White House race, tweeted that Krebs had been terminated "effective immediately." Continue Reading President Trump Fires Election Security Director Who Read More

How A Record Number Of Republican Women Got Elected To Congress

By NPR News November 13, 2020

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., took it upon herself to help boost women's numbers in a party dominated by white men. CREDIT: Jacquelyn Martin/AP

The number of GOP women elected in 2020 pales in comparison with Democrats' numbers, but their increased representation may attest to the power of focused recruitment efforts. Continue Reading How A Record Number Of Republican Women Got Elected Read More

‘No Evidence’ Election Was Compromised, Cybersecurity Agency Says

By NPR News November 12, 2020

A Clark County election worker scans mail-in ballots on Nov. 7 in North Las Vegas, Nevada. CREDIT: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The agency said the U.S. system was prepared to handle the process of questioning the outcome of an election. Continue Reading ‘No Evidence’ Election Was Compromised, Cybersecurity Agency SaysRead More

Georgia Will Conduct A Hand Recount Amid GOP’s Baseless Fraud Claims

By NPR News November 11, 2020

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announces Wednesday the state will conduct a hand recount of the presidential race as President Trump and his allies continue to make baseless claims of election fraud. President-elect Biden is leading Trump in Georgia by about 14,000 votes. CREDIT: Brynn Anderson/AP

The hand recount, which will likely be both less accurate than a machine recount and more costly, must be completed by Friday, Nov. 20. Continue Reading Georgia Will Conduct A Hand Recount Amid GOP’s Baseless Fraud ClaimsRead More

Dynamics Of Washington’s 2020 Election: Governor’s Race, State Legislature Looks Mostly The Same

By Scott Leadingham November 11, 2020

Incumbent Gov. Jay Inslee met with his GOP challenger, Republic Police Chief Loren Culp, on Wednesday, Oct. 7, for a debate sponsored by the Washington State Debate Coalition and broadcast statewide.

The Washington state legislature is shaping up to be … pretty much how it looked before the election – with Democrats in control of both houses. But not with super-majorities. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins breaks down the 2020 election in Washington state, on this episode of NWPB's Uniquely NW News. Read More

‘A Victory For We The People’: Joe Biden And Kamala Harris Address The Nation, Calling For Unity

By NPR News November 7, 2020

President-elect Joe Biden, right, on stage with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, left, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. CREDIT: Andrew Harnik / AP

President-elect Joe Biden called for healing and unity in a prime-time victory speech, saying it was time for the "better angels" of America's nature to prevail. Continue Reading ‘A Victory For We The Read More

‘Far From Over’: Trump Refuses To Concede As Biden’s Margin Of Victory Widens

By NPR News November 7, 2020

President Trump plays golf at the Trump National Golf Course on Saturday in Sterling, Va. CREDIT: Patrick Semansky/AP

The president was at his golf course in Virginia when a slew of networks announced Joe Biden had won the race for the presidency. Trump vowed he would go to court but presented no evidence of fraud. Continue Reading ‘Far From Read More

AP Projects: Joe Biden Wins Presidential Race, Addresses The Nation With Call For Unity

By NPR News November 7, 2020

From the moment he launched his campaign, Joe Biden focused on what he called a "battle for the soul of our nation." CREDIT: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Former Vice President Joe Biden has been elected the 46th president of the United States, narrowly emerging victorious from a contentious White House campaign that stretched days past election night, as vote tallies in several swing states were slowed by an unprecedented surge in mail-in ballots. Read More

UPDATES: Jay Inslee Wins Reelection In Washington; More Northwest Election Results In Key Races

By NWPB News November 6, 2020

If Washington voters don't mail in ballots, they can return them in person to drop boxes like this one at the Yakima County Elections Office. CREDIT: ESMY JIMENEZ/NWPB

Election results are rolling in Tuesday night, but it's expected to take time to count all the ballots across the Northwest and many other states. Below are key races to watch, and links to resources and results from across Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Read More

‘Dry Side’ View: Inland Northwest Residents Anxiously Await Election Results

By Anna King November 5, 2020

Tattered American flags wave in the strong wind of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area on October 27, 2020. CREDIT: Anna King/N3

In the weeks leading up to the election, residents in five smaller areas around eastern Washington and Oregon spoke about how they were feeling. Now, as people are awaiting results, we checked in with a few. Continue Reading ‘Dry Read More

From Marijuana To Mushrooms, Voters Want Drug Laws Eased, Following Washington State’s Lead

By NPR News November 5, 2020

A Washington, D.C., resident has an operation growing psilocybin mushrooms. With the legalization of marijuana, advocates in several states, including Oregon, have pushed for the legalization of other drugs such as "magic mushrooms." Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Several states approve marijuana for recreational and medicinal use. Oregon votes to decriminalize possession of small amounts of hard drugs. Continue Reading From Marijuana To Mushrooms, Voters Want Drug Laws Eased, Read More

When Will We Know The Winner? Time Frames For Key States; AP Calls Michigan For Joe Biden

By NPR News November 4, 2020

Voters cast ballots at the Park Tavern polling station on Tuesday in Atlanta. Nearly 95% of Georgia's estimated ballots have been reported, but metro Atlanta is currently the holdout area. CREDIT: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

Here's how much longer it will take to count the votes in the remaining key states of Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina and Wisconsin. Continue Reading When Will We Know The Winner? Time Frames For Key States; AP Calls Michigan Read More

Dams, Salmon, Wolves: How Key Issues Played Out In Eastern Washington Congressional Races

By Courtney Flatt November 3, 2020

Elliott Moffett, a member of the Nez Perce Indian tribe, holds a sign that reads Free The Snake as he takes part in a rally organized by a coalition of environmental and tribal groups to promote the breaching of dams on the Snake River and other measures intended to benefit salmon and orcas. CREDIT: Ted S. Warren/AP

The campaigning is done. Now what's left is the counting. Here is how candidates in Washington’s 4th and 5th Congressional districts have talked about key environmental and natural resource issues during the campaign. Continue Read More

Election Results Viewer’s Guide: Why You May Need To Be Patient

By NPR News November 3, 2020

A poll worker helps K. Maki (left) fill out a provisional ballot at Park Tavern polling station on Tuesday in Atlanta, Ga. After a record-breaking early voting turnout, Americans head to the polls on the last day to cast their vote. CREDIT: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

You're probably anxious about the results, but patience may truly be a virtue on election night. Here's how to approach the evening. Continue Reading Election Results Viewer’s Guide: Why You May Need To Be PatientRead More

Federal Judge Dismisses Effort To Throw Out Drive-Through Votes In Houston

By NPR News November 3, 2020

Voters drop off mail-in ballots last month at a drive-through polling place in Houston. Some 127,000 voters cast their ballots at drive-through locations in the Houston area. CREDIT: Callaghan O'Hare/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The decision means about 127,000 ballots cast by drive-through voting in the Houston area will be counted. It follows a similar ruling by the Texas Supreme Court on Sunday. Continue Reading Federal Judge Dismisses Effort To Throw Out Read More

Newspaper’s Trump-Inslee Editorial Prompts The Question: Do Endorsements Matter In 2020?

By Scott Leadingham November 2, 2020

The Spokesman-Review endorsed Donald Trump for president and Jay Inslee for Washington governor in October 2020. But that was just the view of one person: the paper's owner and publisher. Screenshot by NWPB

The Spokesman-Review newspaper recently caused a splash when it endorsed Donald Trump for president after calling him a bully and a bigot. The paper also endorsed Democrat Jay Inslee for a third term as Washington governor. After backlash, the Spokesman-Review’s editor-in-chief said the paper would no longer endorse candidates or run unsigned editorials. Read More

1,000 Miles, 100 Perspectives, 5 Sunrises: The Voting View From Eastern Washington And Oregon

By Anna King November 2, 2020

In total, Anna King saw five sunrises and drove more than 1,000 miles on her way to five towns spanning both sides of the Columbia in eastern Washington and Oregon. She listened hard to the worries and hopes of as many as 100 hundred residents in the region. Read More

FACT CHECK: President Trump Falsely Claims That Votes Shouldn’t Be Counted After Election Day

By NPR News November 1, 2020

President Trump told supporters during a rally in Dubuque, Iowa, that the results of the presidential race should be known on election night. CREDIT: Mario Tama/Getty Images

"I think it's terrible when we can't know the results of an election the night of the election in a modern-day age of computers," Trump said. But the vote totals are never fully counted the same day. Continue Reading Read More

Despite Intense Interest In Election, Washington Voter Registrations Lag Compared To 2016

By Austin Jenkins October 31, 2020

Washington's August 4 primary ballot is chock full of candidates even though traditional campaigning has, in many cases, been put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. CREDIT: Washington Secretary of State's Office

According to figures provided by the Secretary of State’s office, 513,000 people registered to vote in Washington prior to the 2016 election. So far this year, this state has seen approximately 440,000 new registrants, a 14 percent drop compared to four years ago. However, the last two months have shown something of a rebound. Read More

Judicial

By NWPB Kawamura October 30, 2020

The 13 Races That Will Determine The Senate Majority

By NPR News October 29, 2020

President Trump campaigned with Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., in Prescott, Ariz., this month. McSally is a top target of Senate Democrats, who are hoping to flip her seat blue on Election Day. CREDIT: Alex Brandon/AP

These are the 13 races that will determine control of the Senate in the next Congress. To win control, Democrats would need to net-gain four seats, or three seats plus control of the White House. Continue Reading The 13 Races That Will Determine The Senate Read More

How The AP Calls Races, And What To Expect On Election Night

By PBS Newshour October 29, 2020

In this Aug. 5, 2020, vote-by-mail ballots are shown in sorting trays at the King County Elections headquarters in Renton, Wash. As of Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, nearly 53% of the ballots have been processed, with just over 53,000 remaining. CREDIT: Ted S. Warren/AP

Since 1848, the Associated Press has played a key role in calculating the U.S. presidential election results. This year, it’s had to adjust for some unusual circumstances as it prepares to determine winners in more than 7,000 races for seats in state legislatures, Congress and the White House. Read More

Why Washington Accepts Ballots Postmarked By Election Day Well Into November, Unlike Oregon

By Austin Jenkins October 28, 2020

A ballot drop box in Thurston County, Washington. While ballots must be returned to a drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day, they can still be counted if they come in through the mail weeks later as long as they're postmarked by Election Day. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

Washington’s latitude about late-arriving ballots stands in stark contrast to Oregon, and more than half of states, where ballots must arrive by Election Day. In fact, by allowing ballots to still be counted nearly three weeks after the election, Washington has the most generous policy in the nation, according to a recent analysis. Read More

Washington Elections Officials Bracing For Last-Minute Disinformation Campaigns

By Austin Jenkins October 26, 2020

drops her ballot in a drop box at Lacey City Hall in Thurston County on Monday, Oct. 26. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

State and local election officials in Washington sought to reassure voters Monday that robust security measures are in place to protect against interference with the general election, even as they acknowledged the likelihood that bad actors will try to sow distrust and undermine confidence in the national election results. Read More

Elections Officials Say There’s No Evidence Washington State Systems Have Been Compromised

By Austin Jenkins October 23, 2020

A person drops off a ballot for Washington state's primary election, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, at a collection box at the King County Administration Building in Seattle. CREDIT: Ted S. Warren/AP

State and local election officials in Washington said Thursday that election systems here are secure and haven’t been hacked. Those assurances follow multiple reports in recent days of efforts by foreign actors to interfere with the upcoming national election. Read More

Two Democrats Running For Washington Lt. Governor Highlight Distinctions, Similarities In Debate

By Scott Leadingham October 23, 2020

Washington state Sen. Marko Liias, left, met with Congressman Denny Heck on Thursday, Oct. 22 for a statewide debate for lieutenant governor. CREDIT: NWPB/TVW

The two Puget Sound-region Democrats running to be Washington’s next lieutenant governor had the chance to distinguish themselves in a statewide debate Thursday night. Washington’s election system advances the top-two vote getters from the primary to the general election. Read More

5 Takeaways From The Final Debate Between Donald Trump And Joe Biden

By PBS Newshour October 23, 2020

President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden participate in the final presidential debate at Belmont University, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. CREDIT: Jim Bourg/Pool via AP

President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden made clear Thursday that voters face a stark choice. Continue Reading 5 Takeaways From The Final Debate Between Donald Trump And Joe BidenRead More

Idaho Votes: Deadline To Request Absentee Ballot Is Oct. 23. Can Register In-Person Until Nov. 3

By NWPB News October 22, 2020

State elections officials said Idahoans should not worry about the security of their ballot if they vote absentee. Idaho has used the same basic absentee voting procedures since 1972. So the process is not new to elections officials, even though they are expecting a significant increase in absentee ballots due to the pandemic. Read More

Newcomers, Up-And-Comers, And Almost Lifers: Your Guide To Washington’s Statewide Races

By Austin Jenkins October 21, 2020

Since 2011, Washington has been an all vote-by-mail state. This year, ballots will be mailed out no later than October 16. They must be returned to an official ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day or postmarked by that day. Election officials recommend voters use one of the nearly 500 official ballot drop boxes or voter centers statewide. Read More

U.S. Supreme Court Rules Pennsylvania Can Count Ballots Received After Election Day

By NPR News October 20, 2020

A voter casts her early-voting ballot at a drop box outside City Hall in Philadelphia on Oct. 17. Mark Makela/Getty Images

Pennsylvania Republicans had sought to block the counting of late-arriving ballots, which the state's Supreme Court had approved last month. Continue Reading U.S. Supreme Court Rules Pennsylvania Can Count Ballots Received Read More

Mask Or No Mask? Washington Governor’s Race Is A Study In Stark Contrasts

By Austin Jenkins October 20, 2020

One candidate embraces masks, the other shuns them. It's just one of the many differences between Washington's candidates for governor this year.

If there was a meme for this race, it would be Jay Inslee wearing a face mask next to an image of Loren Culp without a mask. While Inslee has been evangelizing about masks, Culp has been holding mostly maskless outdoor rallies across the state. Those rallies are a symbol of the defiant nature of Culp’s campaign and his live-and-let-live political philosophy. Read More

Poll: Most Voters Expect Some Intimidation, But They’re Voting In Record Numbers

By PBS Newshour October 17, 2020

Voters wait in line as the polls open at Pierce Park Baptist Church in Boise, Idaho, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. CREDIT: Otto Kitsinger/AP

A majority of Republicans, Democrats, Independents, men and women from across the country, of all ages and races, are expecting some or many attempts to block people from voting, according to the latest PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll, conducted less than a month before Election Day. In November 2016, 57 percent of registered voters anticipated attempts to thwart voting; that Read More

With Elections Under The Microscope, Washington Has A Fierce Race For Secretary Of State

By Austin Jenkins October 16, 2020

Republican Kim Wyman, left, is seeking a third term as Washington Secretary of State. Democratic challenger Gael Tarleton is seeking to unseat Wyman.

For more than half a century, Republicans have had a lock on Washington’s Secretary of State’s office. This year, Democrats hope to end that five decade run by unseating incumbent Kim Wyman who’s seeking a third term. Continue Read More

With Debate Canceled, Donald Trump And Joe Biden Appear In Dueling Town Halls

By NPR News October 15, 2020

President Trump speaks during an NBC News town hall moderated by Savannah Guthrie at the Perez Art Museum in Miami. At the same time Thursday night, Democratic nominee Joe Biden participated in an ABC News town hall in Philadelphia. CREDIT: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Trump and Biden appeared on two different news networks at the same hour for town hall-style events, in lieu of what had originally been a scheduled debate. Continue Reading With Debate Canceled, Donald Trump And Joe Biden Appear Read More

COVID Response, Sex Education Bill Define Race For Washington Superintendent Of Public Instruction

By NWPB News October 14, 2020

Maia Espinoza, a candidate for Washington state superintendent of public instruction, is shown at left in an undated photo taken by Monica Marchetti and provided by her campaign. Espinoza is challenging incumbent state superintendent Chris Reykdal, right, shown in an AP photo taken Oct. 2, 2020, in Olympia, Wash., in the upcoming November election.

The coronavirus pandemic and a controversial sex education mandate are casting a shadow over the race for Washington state education chief in the November election. Continue Reading COVID Response, Sex Education Read More

Biden Campaign Continues To Deflect On Question Of Expanding The Supreme Court

By NPR News October 11, 2020

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, seen leaving St. Ann's Church in Wilmington, Del., on Sunday, has declined in recent days to say whether he would attempt to add justices to the Supreme Court, if he's elected president. Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

The Democratic nominee has in recent days refused to answer questions on whether he would seek to increase the number of Supreme Court justices, if elected president. Continue Reading Biden Campaign Continues To Deflect On Read More

Oct. 15 Presidential Debate Canceled Following Spat Over Coronavirus Safety Concerns

By NPR News October 9, 2020

The second face-off of the general election season was scheduled for Oct. 15, in Miami, Florida. Continue Reading Oct. 15 Presidential Debate Canceled Following Spat Over Coronavirus Safety ConcernsRead More

After Fire, Malden Students Try To Focus On School

By Murrow News - Madysen McLain October 9, 2020

On Chloe Place’s first day of school this year, homework came second to thinking about where her family would spend the night. Continue Reading After Fire, Malden Students Try To Focus On SchoolRead More

ICYMI: Watch Night Three Of The Benton Franklin Counties Debate

By NWPB Vote 2020 October 9, 2020

Stream night 3 of the Benton County debates

ICYMI: Stream the night three of our four debates for races that impact the Benton Franklin Counties. #NWPBVote2020 Continue Reading ICYMI: Watch Night Three Of The Benton Franklin Counties DebateRead More

4 Takeaways From The Mike Pence-Kamala Harris Vice Presidential Debate

By NPR News October 8, 2020

Vice President Pence speaks during the vice presidential debate with Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Wednesday's debate, by 2020 standards, was normal. The candidates ignored questions and defended Biden's and Trump's records, but it was the fly that created buzz. Continue Reading 4 Takeaways From The Mike Pence-Kamala Harris Vice Read More

Jay Inslee And Loren Culp Debate, Highlight Stark Differences In Race For Washington Governor

By NWPB News October 7, 2020

Washington voters got their first glimpse of how the two candidates for Washington governor feel about the same issues at the same time. Two-term Gov. Jay Inslee met with his Republican challenger, Republic police chief Loren Culp, Wednesday night for a one-hour debate. Read More

How Loren Culp’s Book Tour Turned Into A Campaign For Washington Governor

By NWPB News October 4, 2020

Republican gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp greets the crowd at a rally in Arlington in Snohomish County on Aug. 22, 2020. CREDIT: Jason Redmond for Crosscut

When he applied to be a police officer 10 years ago, Loren Culp was 49. He had no experience in law enforcement, but said the job would fulfill a childhood dream. Six years later, the former construction business owner was promoted to police chief in Republic, a town of 1,100 people in northeastern Washington. In that role, Culp has managed a department that, at its peak, Read More