2020 United States presidential election in North Dakota
2020 United States presidential election in North Dakota Turnout 62.65%[ 1]
County results
Precinct results
Trump
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
90–100%
Biden
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
90–100%
The 2020 United States presidential election in North Dakota was held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, as part of the 2020 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated.[ 2] North Dakota voters chose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote, pitting the Republican nominee, incumbent President Donald J. Trump from Florida , and running mate Vice President Michael R. Pence from Indiana against Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden from Delaware , and his running mate Senator Kamala Harris of California . North Dakota has three electoral votes in the Electoral College.[ 3]
Trump easily won North Dakota 65.1% to 31.8%, a margin of 33.35%, about three points down from his 36-point victory in 2016. Joe Biden won the same two counties Walter Mondale , Al Gore and Hillary Clinton won in 1984, 2000 and 2016 respectively: the majority-Native American counties of Rolette and Sioux , both of which have long been Democratic strongholds. However, Biden only came 2.7 points short of winning Cass County , which holds the state's largest city of Fargo , as compared to Clinton's 10.5-point loss in 2016.
Biden became the first Democrat to win the presidency without winning Sargent County since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944 and the first without Benson , Ransom , or Steele Counties since John F. Kennedy in 1960 . Despite Biden's modest improvement over Hillary Clinton four years earlier, this remains the second-worst Democratic performance in the state since 1980 . Trump's vote share was also the largest for any candidate in the state since 1952 .
Caucuses
Democratic caucuses
The North Dakota Democratic–NPL Party held a firehouse caucus on March 10, 2020.
All of the withdrawn candidates had withdrawn from the race while mail-in voting had already begun.
Republican caucuses
The North Dakota Republican Party held a non-binding firehouse caucus on March 10, 2020, with incumbent President Donald Trump running unopposed.[ 5] [ 6]
The party then formally selected their 29 Republican National Convention delegates, unpledged to any particular candidate at the state party convention. The state party convention was originally scheduled for March 27–29, but due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic it was ultimately cancelled.[ 7] [ 8]
Libertarian nominee
Jo Jorgensen , Psychology Senior Lecturer at Clemson University
General election
Final predictions
Polling
Graphical summary
Polls with a sample size of <100 have their sample size entries marked in red to indicate a lack of reliability.
Aggregate polls
Polls
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size[ c]
Marginof error
Donald J. Trump Republican
Joe Biden Democratic-NPL
Jo Jorgensen Libertarian
Other
Undecided
SurveyMonkey /Axios [ 25]
Oct 20 – Nov 2, 2020
402 (LV)
± 7%
59% [ d]
39%
–
–
–
SurveyMonkey /Axios [ 25]
Oct 1–28, 2020
700 (LV)
–
57%
42%
–
–
–
SurveyMonkey /Axios [ 25]
Sep 1–30, 2020
249 (LV)
–
63%
34%
–
–
3%
DFM Research /North Dakota Voters First [ 26]
Sep 26–29, 2020
460 (A)
± 4.6%
51%
37%
–
4%[ e]
7%
DFM Research /North Dakota Voters First [ 27]
Sep 12–16, 2020
500 (LV)
± 4.5%
56%
37%
–
3%[ f]
4%
SurveyMonkey /Axios [ 25]
Aug 1–31, 2020
269 (LV)
–
66%
32%
–
–
2%
SurveyMonkey /Axios [ 25]
Jul 1–31, 2020
261 (LV)
–
63%
36%
–
–
1%
SurveyMonkey /Axios [ 25]
Jun 8–30, 2020
88 (LV)
–
71%
28%
–
–
1%
DFM Research [ 28]
Mar 3–5, 2020
400 (LV)
± 4.9%
55%
38%
–
2%
5%
DFM Research [ 29]
Jan 28 – Feb 1, 2020
600 (A)
± 4.0%
59%
34%
–
2%
5%
1892 Polling /Doug Burgum [ 30] [ A]
Jul 15–17, 2019
500 (LV)
± 4.4%
60%
34%
–
–
–
DFM Research [ 31]
May 14–18, 2019
400 (A)
± 4.9%
54%
39%
–
2%
5%
Former candidates
with Donald J. Trump and Michael Bloomberg
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size[ c]
Marginof error
Donald J. Trump (R)
Michael Bloomberg (D-NPL)
Other
Undecided
DFM Research [ 29]
Jan 28 – Feb 1, 2020
600 (A)
± 4.0%
59%
32%
1%
7%
with Donald J. Trump and Pete Buttigieg
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size[ c]
Marginof error
Donald J. Trump (R)
Pete Buttigieg (D-NPL)
Other
Undecided
DFM Research [ 29]
Jan 28 – Feb 1, 2020
600 (A)
± 4.0%
59%
31%
2%
8%
with Donald J. Trump and Amy Klobuchar
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size[ c]
Marginof error
Donald J. Trump (R)
Amy Klobuchar (D-NPL)
Other
Undecided
DFM Research [ 29]
Jan 28 – Feb 1, 2020
600 (A)
± 4.0%
59%
33%
1%
7%
with Donald J. Trump and Bernie Sanders
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size[ c]
Marginof error
Donald J. Trump (R)
Bernie Sanders (D-NPL)
Other
Undecided
DFM Research [ 28]
Mar 3–5, 2020
400 (LV)
± 4.9%
58%
33%
4%
4%
DFM Research [ 29]
Jan 28 – Feb 1, 2020
600 (A)
± 4.0%
61%
32%
1%
5%
with Donald J. Trump and Elizabeth Warren
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size[ c]
Marginof error
Donald J. Trump (R)
Elizabeth Warren (D-NPL)
Other
Undecided
DFM Research [ 29]
Jan 28 – Feb 1, 2020
600 (A)
± 4.0%
62%
31%
2%
6%
Zogby Analytics [ 32]
Aug 17–23, 2017
403 (LV)
± 4.9%
47%
36%
–
17%
Electoral slates
These slates of electors were nominated by each party in order to vote in the Electoral College should their candidate win the state:[ 33]
Donald Trump and Mike Pence Republican Party
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Democratic-NPL Party
Jo Jorgensen and Spike Cohen Libertarian Party
Sandy J. BoehlerRay Holmberg Robert Wefald
Heidi Heitkamp Bernice Knutson Warren Larson
Dustin Gawrylow Martin J. Riske Dylan Stuckey
Results
By county
County
Donald Trump Republican
Joe Biden Democratic-NPL
Various candidates Other parties
Margin
Total
#
%
#
%
#
%
#
%
Adams
981
77.30%
258
20.33%
30
2.37%
723
56.97%
1,269
Barnes
3,568
64.12%
1,820
32.70%
177
3.18%
1,748
31.42%
5,565
Benson
1,094
55.79%
822
41.92%
45
2.29%
272
13.87%
1,961
Billings
541
85.20%
72
11.34%
22
3.46%
469
73.86%
635
Bottineau
2,575
74.19%
821
23.65%
75
2.16%
1,754
50.54%
3,471
Bowman
1,395
84.19%
228
13.76%
34
2.05%
1,167
70.43%
1,657
Burke
994
86.06%
137
11.86%
24
2.08%
857
74.20%
1,155
Burleigh
34,744
68.46%
14,348
28.27%
1,661
3.27%
20,396
40.19%
50,753
Cass
42,619
49.53%
40,311
46.84%
3,123
3.63%
2,308
2.69%
86,053
Cavalier
1,499
74.21%
474
23.47%
47
2.32%
1,025
50.74%
2,020
Dickey
1,742
71.86%
608
25.08%
74
3.06%
1,134
46.78%
2,424
Divide
904
75.21%
265
22.05%
33
2.74%
639
53.16%
1,202
Dunn
1,951
83.45%
342
14.63%
45
1.92%
1,609
68.82%
2,338
Eddy
854
67.72%
383
30.37%
24
1.91%
471
37.35%
1,261
Emmons
1,738
86.51%
237
11.80%
34
1.69%
1,501
74.71%
2,009
Foster
1,362
76.60%
373
20.98%
43
2.42%
989
55.62%
1,778
Golden Valley
871
84.89%
137
13.35%
18
1.76%
634
71.54%
1,026
Grand Forks
16,987
54.85%
12,880
41.59%
1,103
3.56%
4,107
13.26%
30,970
Grant
1,145
82.91%
207
14.99%
29
2.10%
938
67.92%
1,381
Griggs
907
72.56%
308
24.64%
35
2.80%
599
47.92%
1,250
Hettinger
1,091
83.16%
196
14.94%
25
1.90%
895
68.22%
1,312
Kidder
1,215
83.22%
221
15.14%
24
1.64%
994
68.08%
1,460
LaMoure
1,645
74.13%
527
23.75%
47
2.12%
1,118
50.38%
2,219
Logan
930
86.43%
128
11.90%
18
1.67%
802
74.53%
1,076
McHenry
2,364
78.72%
564
18.78%
75
2.50%
1,800
59.94%
3,003
McIntosh
1,153
79.24%
261
17.94%
41
2.82%
892
61.30%
1,455
McKenzie
4,482
82.71%
814
15.02%
123
2.27%
3,668
67.69%
5,419
McLean
4,198
75.83%
1,230
22.22%
108
1.95%
2,968
53.61%
5,536
Mercer
3,856
82.48%
704
15.06%
115
2.46%
3,152
67.42%
4,675
Morton
12,243
73.67%
3,872
23.30%
504
3.03%
8,371
50.37%
16,619
Mountrail
2,824
67.80%
1,256
30.16%
85
2.04%
1,568
37.64%
4,165
Nelson
1,141
64.21%
586
32.98%
50
2.81%
555
31.23%
1,777
Oliver
918
86.12%
129
12.10%
19
1.78%
789
74.02%
1,066
Pembina
2,460
73.85%
786
23.60%
85
2.55%
1,674
50.25%
3,331
Pierce
1,585
74.48%
497
23.36%
46
2.16%
1,088
51.12%
2,128
Ramsey
3,577
66.59%
1,639
30.51%
156
2.90%
1,938
36.08%
5,372
Ransom
1,418
57.78%
945
38.51%
91
3.71%
473
19.27%
2,454
Renville
1,065
80.74%
220
16.68%
34
2.58%
845
64.06%
1,319
Richland
5,072
64.93%
2,510
32.13%
230
2.94%
2,562
32.80%
7,812
Rolette
1,257
33.04%
2,482
65.25%
65
1.71%
-1,225
-32.21%
3,804
Sargent
1,266
61.16%
738
35.65%
66
3.19%
528
25.51%
2,070
Sheridan
688
84.73%
104
12.81%
20
2.46%
584
71.92%
812
Sioux
258
21.75%
804
67.79%
124
10.46%
-546
-46.04%
1,186
Slope
380
88.99%
44
10.30%
3
0.71%
336
78.69%
427
Stark
12,110
80.47%
2,499
16.60%
441
2.93%
9,611
63.87%
15,050
Steele
652
59.93%
392
36.03%
44
4.04%
260
23.90%
1,088
Stutsman
6,994
70.23%
2,676
26.87%
289
2.90%
4,318
43.36%
9,959
Towner
830
70.70%
317
27.00%
27
2.30%
513
43.70%
1,174
Traill
2,522
60.98%
1,493
36.10%
121
2.92%
1,029
24.88%
4,136
Walsh
3,324
69.50%
1,333
27.87%
126
2.63%
1,991
41.63%
4,783
Ward
19,974
70.71%
7,293
25.82%
979
3.47%
12,681
44.89%
28,246
Wells
1,893
79.74%
442
18.62%
39
1.64%
1,451
61.12%
2,374
Williams
11,739
81.90%
2,169
15.13%
426
2.97%
9,570
66.77%
14,334
Totals
235,595
65.11%
114,902
31.76%
11,322
3.13%
120,693
33.35%
361,819
Swing by county
Democratic — +7.5-10%
Democratic — +5-7.5%
Democratic — +2.5-5%
Democratic — +0-2.5%
Republican — +0-2.5%
Republican — +2.5-5%
Republican — +5-7.5%
Republican — +7.5-10%
Republican — +10-12.5%
Trend relative to the state by county
Democratic — +7.5-10%
Democratic — +5-7.5%
Democratic — +2.5-5%
Democratic — +0-2.5%
Republican — +0-2.5%
Republican — +2.5-5%
Republican — +5-7.5%
Republican — +7.5-10%
Republican — +10-12.5%
By congressional district
Due to the state's low population, only one congressional district is allocated. This district is an at-large district, because it covers the entire state, and thus is equivalent to the statewide election results.
Analysis
North Dakota, a rural state covered in the Midwestern Plains , is one of the most reliably Republican states in the nation . It last voted for a Democrat in 1964 , when Lyndon B. Johnson carried it against the backdrop of his nationwide landslide victory . Since 1964, North Dakota has been competitive in only three elections: 1976 , 1996 , and 2008 .
A few prime reasons why this state votes heavily for Republicans include its older , majority-White populace; agribusiness ; and the state's recent oil boom . In recent presidential elections, Bakken shale oil has been a major driver of conservative success in the state, as the oil boom increasingly fuels the economy of North Dakota .[ 34] The main oil boom has taken place in the western counties—perhaps Trump's main base. Trump signed executive orders on his first month in office, reviving the Keystone and Dakota Access Pipelines rejected by the Obama administration .[ 35]
See also
Notes
^ Unsigned 87, over 7, blank 39 votes
^ Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
^ a b c d e f Key: A – all adults RV – registered voters LV – likely voters V – unclear
^ Overlapping sample with the previous SurveyMonkey/Axios poll, but more information available regarding sample size
^ "Other candidate" with 4%
^ "Other candidate" with 3%
Partisan clients
^ Poll sponsored by Burgum's campaign
References
^ a b "Statewide Results" . North Dakota Secretary of State . November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020 .
^ Kelly, Ben (August 13, 2018). "US elections key dates: When are the 2018 midterms and the 2020 presidential campaign?" . The Independent . Archived from the original on August 2, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2019 .
^ "Distribution of Electoral Votes" . National Archives and Records Administration . Retrieved January 3, 2019 .
^ "2020 Democratic Caucus Results" . North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020 .
^ "6 states will vote in Tuesday's GOP presidential primary. Trump will win all 6" . Vox. March 10, 2020.
^ "North Dakota Republican Delegation 2020" . The Green Papers. Retrieved April 4, 2020 .
^ "North Dakota GOP cancels state convention because of coronavirus threat" . KFGO . March 18, 2020.
^ "2020 State Convention – North Dakota Republican Party" . Archived from the original on November 3, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020 .
^ "2020 POTUS Race ratings" (PDF) . The Cook Political Report . Retrieved May 21, 2019 .
^ "POTUS Ratings | Inside Elections" . insideelections.com . Retrieved May 21, 2019 .
^ "Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » 2020 President" . crystalball.centerforpolitics.org . Retrieved May 21, 2019 .
^ "2020 Election Forecast" . Politico . November 19, 2019.
^ "Battle for White House" . RCP . April 19, 2019.
^ 2020 Bitecofer Model Electoral College Predictions Archived April 23, 2020, at the Wayback Machine , Niskanen Center , March 24, 2020, retrieved: April 19, 2020.
^ David Chalian; Terence Burlij (June 11, 2020). "Road to 270: CNN's debut Electoral College map for 2020" . CNN . Retrieved June 16, 2020 .
^ "Forecasting the US elections" . The Economist . Retrieved July 7, 2020 .
^ "2020 Election Battleground Tracker" . CBS News . July 12, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2020 .
^ "2020 Presidential Election Interactive Map" . 270 to Win .
^ "ABC News Race Ratings" . CBS News . July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020 .
^ "2020 Electoral Map Ratings: Trump Slides, Biden Advantage Expands Over 270 Votes" . NPR.org . Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "Biden dominates the electoral map, but here's how the race could tighten" . NBC News . August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020 .
^ "2020 Election Forecast" . FiveThirtyEight . August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020 .
^ 270 to Win
^ FiveThirtyEight
^ a b c d e f SurveyMonkey/Axios
^ "DFM Research/North Dakota Voters First" (PDF) . Archived from the original (PDF) on October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020 .
^ DFM Research/North Dakota Voters First
^ a b DFM Research
^ a b c d e f DFM Research
^ 1892 Polling/Doug Burgum
^ DFM Research
^ Zogby Analytics
^ "Statewide Results" . North Dakota Secretary of State. Retrieved December 6, 2020 .
^ Cohen, Micah (October 14, 2012). "An Extra Ingredient in North Dakota Politics: Oil" . FiveThirtyEight . Retrieved November 13, 2020 .
^ Volcovici, Valerie (December 6, 2016). "Trump supports completion of Dakota Access Pipeline" . Reuters . Retrieved November 13, 2020 .
Further reading
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