2020 United States President Voters Guide
Joe Biden (D) vs Donald Trump (R)
The Candidates
Legal. Supports “right to choose.” “Codify Roe v. Wade” into law. Until 2019, backed existing federal abortion funding ban.
Ban. “Strongly pro-life.” First president to attend March for Life. Promised to appoint justices to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Yes. Wants public option “like Medicare” to “build on the Affordable Care Act.” Raise subsidies and tax credits to lower premiums.
No on both. “Terminate” Obamacare and “replace with a plan that’s far better.” Filed Supreme Court brief to overturn.
Yes. Eliminate all private donations from federal elections; replace solely by public funding. Would expand required disclosure.
Yes. “An existential threat.” Rejoin Paris Climate Agreement to limit emissions. Introduced $2 trillion plan to boost clean energy and rebuild infrastructure.
No. “Don’t know that it’s manmade.” Climate scientists have “political agenda” risking “millions of jobs.” Cut renewables funding. Withdrew U.S. from Paris Agreement.
Wait for next president. Doing so now is “a gigantic mistake and abuse of power.” See CEEP Supreme Court Guide.
Replace now. Thinks election will “end up in the Supreme Court,” so fill the vacancy now. See CEEP Supreme Court Guide.
Emergency paid leave for all affected, more testing, strong federal response, wearing masks, and strengthening social distancing. Opposed WHO withdrawal: “Strengthening global health” makes Americans safer. Says Trump “quit on this country.”
States must take main responsibility for testing. Opposes mandatory masks. Invest in developing vaccines. Ban on China flights saved “thousands and thousands” of lives. WHO “failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms.”
Much bigger stimulus, with aid to states and cities. Supports “trillion-dollar infrastructure program,” with tougher conditions on business bailouts and focus on small business and essential workers.
Reduce capital gains and payroll taxes, limit business liability. Three-month student loan deferral. Opposes congressional oversight of stimulus bailouts. Payments to workers should include “incentive to work.”
Yes. Two years free community college. Free public 4-year college if families make below $125,000. Cover student-debt payments for public college and some others if earning under $125,000, max payment 5% of income.
Unclear. Proposed deep cuts to federal financial aid programs and ending public service loan forgiveness. Proposed borrowers pay 12.5% of discretionary yearly income with loans forgiven after 15-25 years.
Tighten. Rescind permit for Keystone pipeline. Preserve and implement Clean Air Act, and ban new drilling on public lands. Let existing fracking continue.
Loosen environmental review laws. Supports EPA cutbacks and Keystone pipeline. “We are reclaiming America’s proud heritage as a nation of builders.”
Yes. Gun violence is a “public health epidemic.” Ban assault rifles and high-capacity magazines; background checks for all gun sales.
Mostly no. Said would support background checks. Later opposed House bill mandating them. Rescinded rule stopping mentally impaired from owning firearms.
Yes. Reinstate DACA program. Supports “roadmap to legal status and citizenship for unauthorized immigrants.” “Building a wall will do little to deter criminals and cartels seeking to exploit our borders.” “Modernize” immigration, allow more total visas.
No. Tried to end DACA program; overruled by Supreme Court. Said would veto DACA path to citizenship. Earlier said might support as part of broader deal. Declared national emergency to pay for border wall. Tightened legal immigration and asylum limits.
Oppose withdrawal. “No illusions” on Iran, but diplomacy is “only way out.” Trump lacks authority to launch attacks. Backs relief from sanctions during pandemic.
Yes. Withdrew from treaty. Imposed sanctions. Ordered killing of Iranian general in Iraq. Vetoed requiring congressional authorization for military attack.
No. Repeal Taft-Hartley provisions that let states impose right-to-work laws. Penalize “companies that interfere with workers’ organizing efforts.”
Yes. Supports right-to-work laws as creating more flexibility. Issued order making it easier to fire federal employees. Revoked Obama order tightening wage and hour rules.
Yes. First supported gay marriage in 2012. “Protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination.” Supports Equality Act to give federal anti-discrimination protection.
No. Prohibiting job discrimination for sexual orientation was a “horrible” decision. Rolled back LGBTQ health care protections to protect religious freedom. Previously mixed.
Decriminalize use. “Expunge all cannabis use convictions, end incarceration for drug use alone.” Don’t interfere with states. But doesn’t support full federal legalization.
Keep illegal. Rescinded rule preventing federal prosecutions in states where legal. Proposed removing medical marijuana protections.
Yes. “$15 an hour minimum wage is long overdue.” Index to median hourly wage, with automatic minimum increases.
Yes. More community policing, ban chokeholds. Root out unlawful policing, systemic racism, prosecutorial misconduct. Doesn’t support defunding. Trump deployments furthered “chaos and division.”
No. Police are “under siege.” Cut back active federal oversight of excess force, though supported database to track it. Said deployment of federal agents was necessary to restore “law and order.”
No. Make Social Security solvent by adding new tax on high earners to match what middle class already pays. Expand benefits and reject privatization.
Unclear. Proposed $35 billion cuts to Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income, with possible cuts to overall entitlements.
Raise corporate tax and capital gains rates. “Get rid of” most of “Trump’s $2 trillion tax cut,” which wealthy people “don’t need.”
No. Restore Voting Rights Act. Challenge state laws limiting voting rights. Support automatic and same-day voter registration.
Yes. Seeks stronger voter ID requirements. Voter ID opponents “intend to cheat.”
We have space to include only candidates polling 15% or more. But check out others including Jo Jorgensen (L) and Howie Hawkins (G) guides.vote is a nonpartisan effort to show where candidates stand, with links to credible sources. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate for office. Vote411.org offers guides to local races.
