2020 United States presidential election in Iowa explained

See main article: 2020 United States presidential election.

Election Name:2020 United States presidential election in Iowa
Country:Iowa
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
College Voted:yes
Previous Election:2016 United States presidential election in Iowa
Previous Year:2016
Election Date:November 3, 2020
Next Election:2024 United States presidential election in Iowa
Next Year:2024
Turnout:75.77% (3.0 pp)
Image1:Donald Trump official portrait (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:Donald Trump
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Home State1:Florida
Running Mate1:Mike Pence
Electoral Vote1:6
Popular Vote1:897,672
Percentage1:53.09%
Nominee2:Joe Biden
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Home State2:Delaware
Running Mate2:Kamala Harris
Electoral Vote2:0
Popular Vote2:759,061
Percentage2:44.89%
President
Before Election:Donald Trump
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Joe Biden
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 2020 United States presidential election in Iowa 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.[1] Iowa voters chose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote, pitting the Republican Party's nominee, incumbent President Donald Trump of Florida, and running mate Vice President Mike Pence of Indiana against Democratic Party nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden of Delaware, and his running mate California Senator Kamala Harris. Iowa has six electoral votes in the Electoral College.[2]

Trump won the state 53.1% to Biden's 44.9%. Prior to this election, most news organizations had considered Iowa as either leaning towards Trump or a tossup. As was the case in Ohio, this election has confirmed Iowa's trend from a Midwestern swing state toward the GOP column, the same trend as neighboring Missouri starting in 2008. Iowa had voted Democratic in six of seven elections prior to 2016, the exception being George W. Bush's narrow plurality win in 2004. In 2016, however, Iowa voted for Trump by an unexpectedly large margin of 9.4%, voting over ten points to the right of the nation overall, indicating a possible realignment of the previously Democratic-leaning state towards the GOP, much as in the case of West Virginia in 2000 and 2004. Even though Biden contested the state,[3] Trump ended up carrying it by only a slightly reduced margin of 8.2% even as his national margin of defeat grew by 2.4%, meaning that the state voted even further to the right of the national average than it did in 2016.

This marked the first time since 2000 that the state voted for the national loser, and the first since 1988 that it voted for the loser of the popular and electoral vote. Biden improved on Hillary Clinton's margins in the Des Moines and Cedar Rapids metropolitan areas and traditionally conservative western Iowa, the latter of which borders Nebraska's 2nd congressional district (Omaha metropolitan area), an electoral vote Trump won in 2016 but lost in 2020. Trump improved on his 2016 performance in populist northeast and south Iowa and became the first Republican to win Iowa in back-to-back elections since Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984 with Biden also becoming the first Democrat since 1976 to win the general election without Iowa.

Iowa is one of three states that voted twice for Barack Obama and Trump, the other two being Ohio and Florida. This is also the first time since 2004 that Iowa voted for a different candidate than neighboring Wisconsin.

Caucuses

The state's caucuses, traditionally the first major electoral event in the country, were held on February 3, 2020.[4]

Republican caucuses

See main article: 2020 Iowa Republican presidential caucuses. Incumbent president Donald Trump received about 97 percent of the votes in the Republican caucuses, and received 39 of the GOP delegates, while Bill Weld received enough votes to clinch 1 delegate.[5]

Democratic caucuses

See main article: 2020 Iowa Democratic presidential caucuses. After a three-day delay in votes being reported, the Iowa Democratic Party declared that Pete Buttigieg had narrowly won the state delegate equivalent (SDE) count of the Democratic caucuses with 26.2 percent. Bernie Sanders came in second with 26.1 percent of the SDEs, despite the fact that he received more popular votes (26.5 percent) than Buttigieg (25.1 percent). Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden, and Amy Klobuchar finished in third, fourth, and fifth place, respectively.[6]

Libertarian caucuses

See main article: 2020 Libertarian Party presidential primaries.

Election Name:2020 Iowa Libertarian presidential caucuses
Country:Iowa
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Next Election:2024 United States presidential election in Iowa#Libertarian caucuses
Next Year:2024
Election Date:February 8, 2020
Outgoing Members:NH
Elected Members:MN
Candidate1:Jacob Hornberger
Color1:DAA521
Home State1:Virginia
Popular Vote1:133
Percentage1:47.52%
Candidate2:Lincoln Chafee
Color2:DC143C
Home State2:Wyoming
Popular Vote2:36
Percentage2:12.77%
Candidate4:Jo Jorgensen
Color4:BA55D3
Home State4:South Carolina
Popular Vote4:18
Percentage4:6.38%
Candidate5:Adam Kokesh
Color5:32CD32
Home State5:Indiana
Popular Vote5:17
Percentage5:6.03%
Map Size:200px
Iowa Libertarian presidential caucus, February 8, 2020[7]
CandidateVotesPercentage
Jacob Hornberger13347.52%
Lincoln Chafee3612.77%
Jo Jorgensen186.38%
Adam Kokesh176.03%
Dan Behrman144.96%
John McAfee103.55%
Vermin Supreme93.19%
Other (write-in)82.84%
None of the above82.84%
Sam Robb72.48%
Max Abramson62.13%
Mark Whitney41.42%
Arvin Vohra31.06%
Ken Armstrong20.71%
Souraya Faas20.71%
Benjamin Leder10.35%
John Monds10.35%
Total281100%

The Libertarian Party of Iowa conducted their own caucuses on February 8, offering in-person caucus locations and an online virtual caucus. Only registered Libertarian voters were eligible to participate.[8] [9]

General election

Final predictions

SourceRanking
The Cook Political Report[10]
Inside Elections[11]
Sabato's Crystal Ball[12]
Politico[13]
RCP[14]
Niskanen[15]
CNN[16]
The Economist[17]
CBS News[18]
270towin[19]
ABC News[20]
NPR[21]
NBC News[22]
538[23]

Polling

Graphical summaryAggregate polls

Joe
Biden
! class="unsortable"
Donald
Trump

Other/
Undecided
Margin
270 to Win[24] October 31 – November 2, 2020November 3, 202046.2%47.8%6.0%Trump +1.6
Real Clear Politics[25] October 23 – November 2, 2020November 3, 202045.6%47.6%6.8%Trump +2.0
FiveThirtyEight[26] until November 2, 2020November 3, 202046.3%47.6%6.1%Trump +1.3
Average46.0%47.7%6.3%Trump +1.5

Polls

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
Donald
Trump

Joe
Biden
Jo
Jorgensen

Howie
Hawkins

OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling[27] Nov 1–2, 2020871 (V)48%49%2%1%
SurveyMonkey/Axios[28] Oct 20 – Nov 2, 20201,489 (LV)± 3.5%51%48%
Change Research[29] Oct 29 – Nov 1, 20201,084 (LV)± 3.2%47%47%3%0%2%1%
Civiqs/Daily Kos[30] Oct 29 – Nov 1, 2020853 (LV)± 3.7%48%49%3%0%
Data for Progress[31] Oct 27 – Nov 1, 2020951 (LV)± 3.2%49%47%3%1%1%
Emerson College[32] Oct 29–31, 2020604 (LV)± 3.9%49%47%4%0%
InsiderAdvantage/Center for American Greatness[33] October 30, 2020400 (LV)± 4.9%48%46%1%6%
Selzer & Co./Des Moines Register[34] Oct 26–29, 2020814 (LV)± 3.4%48%41%8%2%
SurveyMonkey/AxiosOct 1–28, 20203,005 (LV)± 2.5%50%49%2%
Quinnipiac University[35] Oct 23–27, 20201,225 (LV)± 2.8%47%46%1%6%
RABA Research/WHO13 News[36] Oct 21–24, 2020693 (LV)± 4%46%50%2%1%
Emerson College[37] Oct 19–21, 2020435 (LV)± 4.7%48%48%4%0%
RMG Research/PoliticalIQ[38] Oct 15–21, 2020800 (LV)± 3.5%47%47%2%4%
45%49%2%4%
49%48%2%4%
Siena College/NYT Upshot[39] Oct 18–20, 2020753 (LV)± 3.9%43%46%2%1%1%7%
Insider Advantage/Center for American Greatness[40] Oct 18–19, 2020400 (LV)± 4.9%45%45%2%8%
Monmouth University[41] Oct 15–19, 2020501 (RV)± 4.4%48%47%1%0%2%2%
501 (LV)47%50%
501 (LV)46%51%
David Binder Research/Focus on Rural America[42] Oct 10–13, 2020200 (LV)50%44%
Data for Progress (D)[43] Oct 8–11, 2020822 (LV)± 3.4%48%47%2%0%3%
YouGov/CBS[44] Oct 6–9, 20201,035 (LV)± 3.5%49%49%2%0%
Opinion Insight/American Action Forum[45] Oct 5–8, 2020800 (LV)± 3.46%46%47%3%4%
Civiqs/Daily Kos[46] Oct 3–6, 2020756 (LV)± 3.9%47%48%4%1%
Quinnipiac University[47] Oct 1–5, 20201,205 (LV)± 2.8%45%50%2%3%
SurveyMonkey/AxiosSep 1–30, 20201,276 (LV)52%46%2%
Data for Progress (D)[48] Sep 23–28, 2020743 (LV)± 3.6%47%44%1%1%6%
50%45%5%
Hart Research Associates/Human Rights Campaign[49] Sep 24–27, 2020400 (LV)± 4.9%49%47%
RABA Research/WHO13 News[50] Sep 23–26, 2020780 (LV)± 4%46%48%2%4%
Monmouth University[51] Sep 18–22, 2020402 (RV)± 4.9%50%44%2%0%1%2%
402 (LV)49%46%2%2%2%
49%46%2%2%2%
Siena College/NYT Upshot[52] Sep 16–22, 2020501 (LV)± 4.99%42%45%2%0%1%10%
Selzer & Co./Des Moines Register[53] Sep 14–17, 2020658 (LV)± 3.8%47%47%4%3%
Fabrizio Ward/Hart Research Associates/AARP[54] Aug 30 – Sep 5, 2020800 (LV)± 3.5%47%45%1%6%
Opinion Insight/American Action Forum[55] Aug 30 – Sep 2, 2020800 (LV)± 3.46%51%43%3%1%2%
SurveyMonkey/AxiosAug 1–31, 2020983 (LV)53%46%2%
Monmouth University[56] Jul 30 – Aug 3, 2020401 (RV)± 4.9%48%45%3%<1%3%
401 (LV)48%46%2%<1%3%
47%47%2%0%3%
Data for Progress[57] Jul 24 – Aug 2, 20201,101 (LV)44%42%3%1%10%
46%45%9%
David Binder Research/Focus on Rural America[58] Jul 30–31, 2020200 (LV)43%49%
SurveyMonkey/AxiosJul 1–31, 20201,095 (LV)54%45%1%
RMG Research[59] Jul 27–30, 2020500 (RV)± 4.5%41%40%7%13%
Public Policy Polling/AFSCME[60] Jul 23–24, 20201,118 (V)48%47%6%
Spry Strategies/American Principles Project[61] Jul 11–16, 2020701 (LV)± 3.7%46%48%7%
SurveyMonkey/AxiosJun 8–30, 2020455 (LV)50%48%2%
Selzer/Des Moines Register[62] Jun 7–10, 2020674 (LV)± 3.8%44%43%10%3%
Civiqs/Daily Kos[63] Jun 6–8, 2020865 (RV)± 3.8%46%46%7%1%
Public Policy Polling/Emily's List[64] Jun 3–4, 2020963 (V)48%47%5%
Public Policy Polling[65] https://www.publicpolicypolling.com/polls/iowa-races-closely-matched/Apr 30 – May 1, 20201,222 (V)± 2.8%48%46%6%
GBAO Strategies/PLUS Paid Family Leave[66] Apr 13–16, 2020500 (LV)48%45%1%6%
Selzer/Des Moines Register[67] Mar 2–5, 2020667 (LV)± 3.8%51%41%
The New York Times/Siena College[68] Jan 20–23, 20201,689 (RV)± 2.8%46%44%5%6%
Public Policy Polling[69] Dec 29–31, 2019964 (V)49%46%5%
Emerson College[70] Dec 7–10, 20191,043 (RV)± 3%49%45%6%
NYT Upshot/Siena College[71] Oct 25–30, 20191,435 (RV)± 3.1%45%44%3%5%
Emerson College[72] Oct 13–16, 2019888 (RV)± 3.2%51%49%
WPA Intelligence (R)[73] Apr 27–30, 2019200 (LV)± 6.9%49%44%5%
Emerson College[74] Mar 21–24, 2019707 (RV)± 3.6%47%53%
Emerson College[75] Jan 30 – Feb 2, 2019831 (RV)± 3.4%49%51%

Donald Trump vs. Michael Bloomberg

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
Donald
Trump (R)
Michael
Bloomberg (D)
OtherUndecided
Des Moines Register/Selzer & Co.Mar 2–5, 2020667 (LV)± 3.8%53%34%
The New York Times/Siena CollegeJan 20–23, 20201,689 (RV)± 2.8%47%39%7%8%

Donald Trump vs. Cory Booker

Donald Trump vs. Pete Buttigieg

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
Donald
Trump (R)
Pete
Buttigieg (D)
OtherUndecided
The New York Times/Siena CollegeJan 20–23, 20201,689 (RV)± 2.8%45%44%4%7%
Public Policy PollingJan 2–4, 2020964 (V)48%47%5%
Emerson CollegeDec 7–10, 20191,043 (RV)± 3%46%45%9%
NYT Upshot/Siena CollegeOct 25–30, 20191,435 (RV)± 3.1%45%41%3%8%

Donald Trump vs. Kirsten Gillibrand

Donald Trump vs. Kamala Harris

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
Donald
Trump (R)
Kamala
Harris (D)
Undecided
Emerson CollegeMar 21–24, 2019707 (RV)± 3.6%54%46%
Emerson CollegeJan 30 – Feb 2, 2019831 (RV)± 3.4%53%47%

Donald Trump vs. Amy Klobuchar

Donald Trump vs. Beto O'Rourke

Donald Trump vs. Bernie Sanders

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
Donald
Trump (R)
Bernie
Sanders (D)
OtherUndecided
Des Moines Register/Selzer & Co.Mar 2–5, 2020667 (LV)± 3.8%53%41%
The New York Times/Siena CollegeJan 20–23, 20201,689 (RV)± 2.8%48%42%4%6%
Public Policy PollingDec 29–31, 2019964 (V)49%44%7%
Emerson CollegeDec 7–10, 20191,043 (RV)± 3%50%43%7%
NYT Upshot/Siena CollegeOct 25–30, 20191,435 (RV)± 3.1%47%43%3%4%
Emerson CollegeOct 13–16, 2019888 (RV)± 3.2%49%51%
Emerson CollegeMar 21–24, 2019707 (RV)± 3.6%49%51%
Emerson CollegeJan 30 – Feb 2, 2019831 (RV)± 3.4%51%50%

Donald Trump vs. Elizabeth Warren

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
Donald
Trump (R)
Elizabeth
Warren (D)
OtherUndecided
Des Moines Register/Selzer & Co.Mar 2–5, 2020667 (LV)± 3.8%52%40%
The New York Times/Siena CollegeJan 20–23, 20201,689 (RV)± 2.8%47%42%5%7%
Public Policy PollingJan 2–4, 2020964 (V)49%44%7%
Emerson CollegeDec 7–10, 20191,043 (RV)± 3%50%43%± 3%7%
NYT Upshot/Siena CollegeOct 25–30, 20191,435 (RV)± 3.1%47%40%2%7%
Emerson CollegeOct 13–16, 2019888 (RV)± 3.2%51%49%
Emerson CollegeMar 21–24, 2019707 (RV)± 3.6%51%49%
Emerson CollegeJan 30 – Feb 2, 2019831 (RV)± 3.4%52%48%

with Donald Trump and Sherrod Brown

with Donald Trump and Nancy Pelosi

with Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, and Howard Schultz

with Donald Trump, Elizabeth Warren, and Howard Schultz

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
Donald
Trump (R)
Elizabeth
Warren (D)
Howard
Schultz (I)
Undecided
Emerson CollegeMar 21–24, 2019707 (RV)± 3.6%48%45%7%
Emerson CollegeJan 30 – Feb 2, 2019831 (RV)± 3.4%49%40%11%

with Donald Trump and generic Democrat

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
Donald
Trump (R)
Generic
Democrat
Undecided
Public Policy Polling/End Citizens United[76] Dec 13–15, 2019944 (V)47%49%3%
Public Policy Polling[77] Apr 29–30, 2019780 (V)± 3.5%48%48%

Results

By county

CountyDonald Trump
Republican
Joe Biden
Democratic
Various candidates
Other parties
MarginTotal
%%%%
Adair2,91769.83%1,19828.68%621.49%1,71941.15%4,177
Adams1,53070.83%59027.31%401.86%94043.52%2,160
Allamakee4,73563.80%2,57634.71%1111.49%2,15929.09%7,422
Appanoose4,51269.24%1,89129.02%1131.74%2,62140.22%6,516
Audubon2,29567.11%1,07131.32%541.57%1,22435.79%3,420
Benton9,18862.75%5,16035.24%2942.01%4,02827.51%14,642
Black Hawk29,64044.51%35,64753.53%1,3061.96%-6,097-9.02%66,593
Boone8,69556.68%6,30341.09%3422.23%2,39215.59%15,340
Bremer8,29457.02%5,95840.96%2942.02%2,33616.06%14,546
Buchanan6,42059.59%4,16938.70%1851.71%2,25120.89%10,774
Buena Vista5,05661.91%2,96136.26%1501.83%2,09525.65%8,167
Butler5,54268.44%2,42429.93%1321.63%3,11838.51%8,098
Calhoun3,68970.16%1,47027.96%991.88%2,21942.20%5,258
Carroll7,73768.26%3,45430.47%1441.27%4,28337.79%11,335
Cass4,96968.29%2,20130.25%1061.46%2,76838.04%7,276
Cedar6,16157.56%4,33740.52%2051.92%1,82417.04%10,703
Cerro Gordo12,44252.28%10,94145.97%4181.75%1,5016.31%23,801
Cherokee4,49568.96%1,93629.70%871.34%2,55939.26%6,518
Chickasaw4,30864.97%2,23333.68%901.35%2,07531.29%6,631
Clarke3,14467.32%1,46631.39%601.29%1,67835.93%4,670
Clay6,13768.42%2,66229.68%1701.90%3,47538.74%8,969
Clayton6,10663.64%3,34034.81%1481.55%2,76628.83%9,594
Clinton13,36154.12%10,81243.80%5142.08%2,54910.32%24,687
Crawford4,85467.85%2,22031.03%801.12%2,63436.82%7,154
Dallas27,98749.96%26,87947.98%1,1562.06%1,1081.98%56,022
Davis3,03273.92%1,01324.70%571.38%2,01949.22%4,102
Decatur2,61568.74%1,12029.44%691.82%1,49539.30%3,804
Delaware6,66666.64%3,15731.56%1801.80%3,50935.08%10,003
Des Moines10,59253.08%8,89344.56%4712.36%1,6998.52%19,956
Dickinson7,43866.15%3,66132.56%1451.29%3,77733.59%11,244
Dubuque27,21450.47%25,65747.58%1,0551.95%1,5572.89%53,926
Emmet3,26567.28%1,52031.32%681.40%1,74535.96%4,853
Fayette6,14560.33%3,83537.65%2062.02%2,31022.68%10,186
Floyd4,73258.91%3,17239.49%1281.60%1,56019.42%8,032
Franklin3,42266.71%1,62631.70%821.59%1,79635.01%5,130
Fremont2,71170.29%1,08028.00%661.71%1,63142.29%3,857
Greene3,22363.73%1,76934.98%651.29%1,45428.75%5,057
Grundy4,92967.74%2,20630.32%1411.94%2,72337.42%7,276
Guthrie4,27267.05%1,98531.16%1141.79%2,28735.89%6,371
Hamilton4,95662.39%2,84335.79%1441.82%2,11326.60%7,943
Hancock4,39071.13%1,68327.27%991.60%2,70743.86%6,172
Hardin5,85065.08%2,97633.11%1631.81%2,87431.97%8,989
Harrison5,56968.29%2,44029.92%1461.79%3,12938.37%8,155
Henry6,50765.19%3,27532.81%2002.00%3,23232.38%9,982
Howard3,12763.07%1,77235.74%591.19%1,35527.33%4,958
Humboldt3,81971.69%1,44227.07%661.24%2,37744.62%5,327
Ida2,88074.82%91723.82%521.36%1,96351.00%3,849
Iowa6,00961.68%3,54736.41%1861.91%2,46225.27%9,742
Jackson6,94062.33%4,02936.18%1661.49%2,91126.15%11,135
Jasper12,08459.87%7,73738.33%3631.80%4,34721.54%20,184
Jefferson4,44349.59%4,31948.21%1972.20%1251.38%8,959
Johnson22,92527.34%59,17770.57%1,7492.09%-36,252-43.23%83,851
Jones6,57259.81%4,21338.34%2041.85%2,35921.47%10,989
Keokuk3,79771.60%1,41426.66%921.74%2,38344.94%5,303
Kossuth6,27569.03%2,69629.66%1191.31%3,57939.37%9,090
Lee9,77358.40%6,54139.09%4202.51%3,23219.31%16,734
Linn53,36441.87%70,87455.61%3,2202.52%-17,510-13.74%127,458
Louisa3,50065.64%1,72632.37%1061.99%1,77433.27%5,332
Lucas3,28770.99%1,28427.73%591.28%2,00343.26%4,630
Lyon5,70783.16%1,06715.55%891.29%4,64067.61%6,863
Madison6,50766.24%3,13431.90%1831.86%3,37334.34%9,824
Mahaska8,29772.76%2,89425.38%2131.86%5,40347.38%11,404
Marion12,66365.84%6,17832.12%3912.04%6,48533.72%19,232
Marshall9,57152.77%8,17645.08%3892.15%1,3957.69%18,136
Mills5,58567.55%2,50830.33%1752.12%3,07737.22%8,268
Mitchell3,67763.16%2,05335.26%921.58%1,62427.90%5,822
Monona3,24868.70%1,40729.76%731.54%1,84138.94%4,728
Monroe2,97572.77%1,07826.37%350.86%1,89746.40%4,088
Montgomery3,65968.69%1,58329.72%851.59%2,07638.97%5,327
Muscatine10,82352.36%9,37245.34%4762.30%1,4517.02%20,671
O'Brien5,86177.62%1,56920.78%1211.60%4,29256.84%7,551
Osceola2,69080.83%60118.06%371.11%2,08962.77%3,328
Page5,31970.66%2,08627.71%1231.63%3,23342.95%7,528
Palo Alto3,37067.97%1,51930.64%691.39%1,85137.33%4,958
Plymouth10,49273.95%3,49424.63%2021.42%6,99849.32%14,188
Pocahontas2,82673.92%93324.40%641.68%1,89349.52%3,823
Polk106,80041.27%146,25056.52%5,7052.21%-39,450-15.25%258,755
Pottawattamie26,24757.38%18,57540.61%9222.01%7,67216.77%45,744
Poweshiek5,65755.79%4,30642.47%1771.74%1,35113.32%10,140
Ringgold1,96872.51%70926.12%371.37%1,25946.39%2,714
Sac4,06173.37%1,38925.09%851.54%2,67248.28%5,535
Scott43,68347.17%46,92650.68%1,9902.15%-3,243-3.51%92,599
Shelby4,69769.12%1,95928.83%1392.05%2,73840.29%6,795
Sioux15,68082.31%3,01915.85%3521.84%12,66166.46%19,051
Story20,34039.85%29,17557.16%1,5232.99%-8,835-17.31%51,038
Tama5,30358.61%3,57739.53%1681.86%1,72619.08%9,048
Taylor2,46375.81%74622.96%401.23%1,71752.85%3,249
Union4,01064.83%2,06133.32%1141.85%1,94931.51%6,185
Van Buren2,85975.42%87523.08%571.50%1,98452.34%3,791
Wapello9,51660.87%5,82137.24%2961.89%3,69523.63%15,633
Warren17,78257.29%12,57440.51%6832.20%5,20816.78%31,039
Washington6,97159.25%4,56138.77%2331.98%2,41020.48%11,765
Wayne2,33875.20%72723.38%441.42%1,61151.82%3,109
Webster10,93861.37%6,61337.11%2711.52%4,32524.26%17,822
Winnebago3,70762.09%2,13535.76%1282.15%1,57226.33%5,970
Winneshiek6,23551.68%5,61746.56%2121.76%6185.12%12,064
Woodbury25,73656.73%18,70441.23%9222.04%7,03216.40%45,362
Worth2,73861.97%1,59636.12%841.91%1,14225.85%4,418
Wright4,13666.13%1,99631.92%1221.95%2,14034.21%6,254
Totals897,67253.09%759,06144.89%34,1382.02%138,6118.20%1,690,871

By congressional district

Trump won all 4 of the state's congressional districts, including one that elected a Democrat.

DistrictTrumpBidenRepresentative
50.79%47.38%Abby Finkenauer
Ashley Hinson
51.10%47.10%Dave Loebsack
Mariannette Miller-Meeks
49.15%49.02%Cindy Axne
62.68%35.73%Steve King
Randy Feenstra

Analysis

Per exit polling by the Associated Press, Trump's strength in Iowa came from White Iowans with no college degree, who comprised 62% of the electorate and supported Trump by 58%–40%. Trump also dominated amongst Christian voters, garnering 66% of Protestants, 54% of Catholics, and 76% of born-again/Evangelical Christians. 53% of voters believed Trump was better able to handle international trade.[78] Trump continued to win the cultural message among voters without college degrees in Iowa.[79]

During the primary season, there remained hope among Democrats that Iowa would still be a contestable state.[80] However, Trump's well-held victory in the state in the general election also saw Republican congressional candidates—from Senator Joni Ernst to two House seats, both held by Democrats (one vacated by Dave Loebsack in Iowa's 2nd district)—winning their election.

Neither Biden nor Trump flipped any counties in the state, although Biden came within 2% of flipping Dallas County, a suburb of Des Moines. Jefferson County was also very close, having gone for Trump by a similarly tight margin four years earlier.

Biden became the first Democratic nominee since Jimmy Carter in 1976 to win the presidency without carrying Iowa, the first since 1916 to win without carrying Wapello County, as well as the first since FDR in 1940 to win the presidency without carrying Dubuque County and Howard County.

Edison exit polls

2020 presidential election in Iowa by demographic subgroup (Edison exit polling)[81] [82]
Demographic subgroupBidenTrump% oftotal vote
Total vote44.8953.09100
Ideology
Liberals90920
Moderates593841
Conservatives89039
Party
Democrats93726
Republicans79336
Independents504638
Gender
Men395848
Women514852
Race/ethnicity
White435592
Black76222
Latino67314
Asian1
Other2
Age
18–24 years old583910
25–29 years old39555
30–39 years old445013
40–49 years old504814
50–64 years old406028
65 and older455428
Sexual orientation
LGBT4
Not LGBT445596
Education
High school or less376319
Some college education465326
Associate degree395917
Bachelor's degree494826
Postgraduate degree583913
Income
Under $30,000584115
$30,000–49,999474923
$50,000–99,999396035
$100,000–199,999465122
Over $200,0005
Issue regarded as most important
Racial inequality91810
Coronavirus881019
Economy108736
Crime and safety138612
Health care791913
Region
Eastern Cities544427
East Central425619
Des Moines Area544424
Central356416
West316715
Area type
Urban564232
Suburban485129
Rural356339
Family's financial situation today
Better than four years ago168246
Worse than four years ago871013
About the same603841

See also

Notes

Partisan clients

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

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