Timeline of the 2020 United States presidential election (2017–2019)
The following is a timeline of major events taking place prior to 2020 United States presidential election, the 59th quadrennial United States presidential election. This timeline includes events from 2017 to 2019. For subsequent events, see Timeline of the 2020 United States presidential election (January–October 2020) and Timeline of the 2020 United States presidential election (November 2020–January 2021). President Donald Trump of the Republican Party, who was elected in 2016, was seeking reelection to a second term. A total of 29 major candidates declared their candidacies for the Democratic  primaries. The primary and General Election campaigns. There are three main parts to every election year. The primaries, where delegates to the party's quadrennial convention are selected, the conventions themselves, and the Fall General election. Post-election litigation and presidential transition. The election was held on November 3, followed by a period of election litigation and attempts to overturn the election by the Trump campaign. There were 6 states targeted for voter fraud lawsuits: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, all battleground states in the 2020 presidential election. Out of 55 cases, 14 were dropped, 30 were dismissed , 6 ruled against, and 5 pending ongoing trial or appeal. Texas v. Pennsylvania. On December 8, 2020, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the states of Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin in order to invalidate the results of the presidential election in those states. The lawsuit was filed with the U.S. Supreme Court due to their jurisdiction over state disputes. Donald Trump referred to this case at "the big one" and 100 Republican representatives supported Texas. However, due to the lack of Article III standing, the case was dismissed by the Supreme Court. On January 7th, 2021, President Trump formally  conceded the election after the Electoral College vote count. Candidate participation timeline. Candidate announcement and, if applicable, withdrawal dates are as follows: