"If there is another mismatch where one party wins the electoral vote and another wins the popular vote, you are going to hear even more complaints that the system is unfair," he said. It swings between major parties — the state supported Democrat Barack Obama in 2008 and Republican George W Bush in 2000, for instance. In the past, states like Iowa, Ohio and Virginia have been the areas to watch on Election Day. In fact, such a scenario has happened twice in the last five presidential elections: George W. Bush in 2000 and Trump in 2016. But 2018 signaled another shift. "Voters in these states should expect to see a lot of advertising, a lot of visits from the candidates and their surrogates, and a ton of field activity with offices opening and volunteers appearing at their door," Burden added. Democrats picked up three House seats and one Senate seat during the contest. Between elections, they swing from one party to another - unlike solid states such as California, which has always voted blue. The polls suggest Mr Biden has big leads in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - three industrial states Mr Trump won by margins of less than one percent to … The founding fathers chose not to elect US presidents by direct popular vote over fears that larger and more populous states could have an outsized role in deciding the winner. Following the coronavirus crisis and persistent civil unrest, America may be more divided than ever - but one thing all agree on is how high the stakes are. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. US election 2020: Who will win the US presidential election? The 2020 election between President Donald Trump and the eventual Democratic nominee could come down to just half a dozen states. [ANALYSIS]US Election 2020 key dates: The most important dates YOU need to know [TIMELINE]Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump slammed for ditching face masks  [REPORT]. The most recent instance was in 2016, when Mr Trump won the electoral college but Hillary Clinton, his Democratic opponent, won the popular vote. These Six States Could Determine the 2020 Presidential Election | U.S. But if the nominee doesn't win the presidency, he said calls to abandon the Electoral College will increase. Staff in each of those areas have signed contracts to work on the election effort through November, The Washington Post reported last week. If they don't take Florida, then they need to win all three of the industrial Midwest states: Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. On the GOP side, Republican pollster Neil Newhouse sees Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin as "critical" to Trump's re-election. The polls suggest Mr Biden has big leads in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - three industrial states Mr Trump won by margins of less than one percent to clinch victory in 2016. It's all about the Electoral College, and in the Electoral College there are these six to 10 states that really matter," Newhouse said. He also turned Florida red again after it had gone for Barack Obama in both of his White House runs. There are some permanent swing states, such as Florida - but others change on the run up to an election. — The 2020 election may effectively be decided by six crucial swing states, all of which featured margins of less than two percentage points in 2016. When there's a discrepancy between the popular vote and the Electoral College, it often works to the advantage of Republicans. Track the most competitive presidential swing states and key Senate races. The 2020 election between President Donald Trump and the eventual Democratic nominee could come down to just half a dozen states. Democrats swept the Senate and gubernatorial races in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin during the last election cycle. But the once-purple states are not even considered major players heading into the 2020 race. The 2018 midterm elections also cemented Virginia as a blue state. According to Maslin, if their nominee takes the Sunshine State, then the Democrats would only need to win one more of the swing states to be successful. 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To become president either candidate needs to win a majority of the 538 electors, so more than 270 electors. Swing states have populations that are finely politically divided between Democrat and Republican. Those Republican strongholds with rapidly diversifying populations have been added to the Democratic National Committee's target lists for 2020. US Election 2020 key dates: The most important dates YOU need to know, Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump slammed for ditching face masks. This year North Carolina, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Arizona could all be decisive in the election's outcome.