The 2020 United States presidential election in Ohio 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. Ohio voters chose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote, pitting the Democratic Party nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden and his running mate, California Senator Kamala Harris against the Republican Party's nominee—incumbent President Donald Trump and his running mate, Vice President Mike Pence. Ohio had 18 electoral votes in the Electoral College.
Despite polling showing a very narrow Trump lead, Trump won Ohio with 53.27% of the vote, defeating Biden who received 45.24% of the vote, a margin of 8.03%. Trump won by nearly the same margin that he defeated Hillary Clinton by in 2016. This marked the first time since 1960 that Ohio voted for the losing candidate, breaking a streak of the state voting for 14 consecutive winning candidates that began in 1964. This is the second consecutive election in which the state voted over 10 points to the right of the nation as a whole, evidencing the state's trend towards the Republican Party. With Trump's win in Ohio in 2024, this is the only election between the years of 1964 and 2024 in which Ohio voted for the losing candidate.
Biden became the first Democrat since John F. Kennedy in 1960 to win the White House without carrying Ohio and the first since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 to win the White House without carrying the heavily unionized carmaking counties of Mahoning and Trumbull, the first Democrat since Harry S. Truman in 1948 to win the White House without carrying Lorain County, the first Democrat since JFK in 1960 to win the White House without Ashtabula, Ottawa, or Portage Counties, and the first since Jimmy Carter in 1976 to win without Erie, Stark, or Wood Counties. Furthermore, this is the first time since 1976 that Ohio voted to the right of Texas - a state that last voted Democratic that year. Additionally, this is the first time since 1892 that an incumbent president carried the state while losing reelection nationally. Trump won 81 of Ohio's 88 counties compared to 80 in 2016, the most since Ronald Reagan won 82 in 1984.
Ohio is one of only three states that voted twice for Barack Obama and thrice for Trump, the other two being Florida and Iowa.
Primary elections The primary elections were originally scheduled for March 17, 2020. However, on March 16, Governor Mike DeWine recommended moving the primaries to June amid concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. As the governor does not have the power to unilaterally make this decision, he went to court to request the delay. However, a judge rejected the lawsuit. Later in the day, the state's health director ordered the polls closed as a health emergency. On March 17, the Ohio Supreme Court allowed the primaries to be postponed to June 2. Then on March 25, in-person voting was canceled, and the deadline for mail-in voting was moved back to April 28.
Republican primary Incumbent President Donald Trump ran unopposed in the Republican primary, and thus received all of Ohio's 82 delegates to the 2020 Republican National Convention.
Democratic primary
General election Final predictions SourceRankingThe Cook Political ReportInside ElectionsSabato's Crystal BallPoliticoRCPNiskanen2020 Bitecofer Model Electoral College Predictions , Niskanen Center, March 24, 2020, retrieved: April 19, 2020CNNThe EconomistCBS News270towinABC NewsNPRNBC News538
Polling
Aggregate polls +Source of pollaggregationDates administeredDates updatedJoeBiden DonaldTrumpOther/UndecidedMargin270 to WinNovember 1–2, 2020November 3, 202046.7%47.6%5.7%Trump +0.9Real Clear PoliticsOctober 28, 2020 – November 1, 2020November 3, 202046.3%47.3%6.4%Trump +1.0FiveThirtyEightuntil November 2, 2020November 3, 202046.6%47.5%5.7%Trump +0.8Average46.6%47.5%5.9%Trump +0.9
June 1, 2020 – October 31, 2020 Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin DonaldTrumpJoeBidenJoJorgensenHowieHawkinsOtherUndecidedSurveyMonkey/AxiosOct 20 – Nov 26,025 (LV)± 2%51%47% – – – –Pulse Opinion Research/Rasmussen ReportsOct 31 – Nov 1800 (LV)± 3.5%49%45% – –3% –Research Co.Oct 31 – Nov 1450 (LV)± 4.6%47%47% – –2%4%SwayableOct 27 – Nov 1516 (LV)± 5.8%52%47%1%0% – –Civiqs/Daily KosOct 29 – Nov 11,136 (LV)± 3%49%48% – –1%1%Quinnipiac UniversityOct 28 – Nov 11,440 (LV)± 2.6%43%47% – –2%8%Survey Monkey/TableauOct 20 – Nov 15,305 (LV)± 2.0%50%47% – – –Trafalgar GroupOct 30–311,041 (LV)± 2.96%49%44% – – – –Emerson CollegeOct 29–31656 (LV)± 3.8%49%50% – –2% –Morning ConsultOct 22–312,179 (LV)± 2%49%47% – – – –AtlasIntelOct 29–30660 (LV)± 4%50%47% – – 3% –Gravis MarketingOct 27–28613 (LV)± 4%49%47% – – –4%SurveyMonkey/AxiosOct 1–28, 20208,089 (LV) –51%47% – – – –Quinnipiac UniversityOct 23–271,186 (LV)± 2.9%43%48% – –1%8%SwayableOct 23–26440 (LV)± 6.3%55%44%1%0% – –Wick SurveysOct 24–251,000 (LV)± 3.1%49%47% – – – –Citizen DataOct 17–201,000 (LV)± 3%44%43%2%1%2%8%Fox NewsOct 17–201,018 (LV)± 3%48%45%3%1%1%3%Morning ConsultOct 11–202,271 (LV)± 2.1%49%47% – – – –Pulse Opinion Research/Rasmussen ReportsOct 18–19800 (LV)± 3.5%47%48% – –2%4%Quinnipiac University Oct 8–12 1,160 (LV) ± 2.9% 47%48% – – 2% 4%Civiqs/Rust Belt Rising Oct 8–11 586 (LV) ± 4.2%50% 47% – – 2% 1%Morning Consult Oct 2–11 2,283 (LV) ± 2.1%49% 46% – – – –Baldwin Wallace University Sep 30 – Oct 8 1,009 (LV) ± 3.1%47% 45% 1% 0% 1% 5%Siena College/NYT UpshotOct 2–6661 (LV)± 4.3%44%45%2%1%0%7%Trafalgar Group Oct 1–3 1,035 (LV) ± 2.97%48% 44% 3% 1% 1% 4%YouGov/CBS Sep 30 – Oct 21,114 (LV)± 3.7%47%47% – –1%5%OnMessage Inc./American Action ForumSep 28 – Oct 1800 (LV)± 3.46%48%47%2%1%0%3%SurveyMonkey/AxiosSep 1–304,012 (LV) –51%47% – – –2%Hart Research Associates/Human Rights CampaignSep 24–27400 (LV)± 4.9%49%47% – – – –Fox NewsSep 20–23 830 (LV)± 3%45%50%1%1%0%2% 907 (RV)± 3%44%49%1%2%2%3%Quinnipiac UniversitySep 17–211,078 (LV)± 3%47%48% – –2%4%Baldwin Wallace University Sep 9–22 1,011 (LV) ± 3.3%44%45%2%0%1%7%Civiqs/Rust Belt RisingSep 11–15556 (RV)± 4.3%48%45% – –5%1%Morning ConsultAug 29 – Sep 71,963 (LV)± (2%–4%)50%45% – – – –OnMessage Inc./American Action ForumAug 31 – Sep 3800 (LV)± 3.46%51%45% – –2%3%Pulse Opinion Research/Rasmussen ReportsSep 1–21,000 (LV)± 3%47%51% – –3% –ALG Research/Progressive Policy InstituteAug 26 – Sep 1500 (LV) –46%48% – – – –SurveyMonkey/AxiosAug 1–313,220 (LV) –51%48% – – –2%Morning ConsultAug 21–301,811 (LV)± (2%–4%)50%45% – – – –Civiqs/Rust Belt RisingAug 13–17631 (RV) –47%47% – –4%2%Morning ConsultAug 7–161,744 (LV)± (2%–4%)49%45% – – – –TargetSmart/Progress OhioJul 28 – Aug 31,249 (LV)± 3.6%46%47% – –8% –SurveyMonkey/AxiosJul 1–313,694 (LV) –52%46% – – –2%Morning ConsultJul 17–261,741 (LV)± 2.3%48%45% – – – –YouGov/CBSJul 21–241,211 (LV)± 3.6%46%45% – –2%7%Zogby AnalyticsJul 21–23805 (RV)± 3.5%41%43%4%1% –11%Pulse Opinion Research/Rasmussen Reports/AGPACPulse Opinion Research/Rasmussen Reports/AGPAC Jul 15–16750 (LV)± 4%46%50% – –2%2%University of AkronJun 24 – Jul 151,037 (RV)± 3.0%42%46% – – 6% 6%SurveyMonkey/AxiosJun 8–301,610 (LV) –50%49% – – –1%QuinnipiacJun 18–221,139 (RV)± 2.9%45%46% – –4%5%Fox NewsMay 30 – Jun 2803 (RV)± 3.5%43%45% – –6%6%January 1, 2020 – May 31, 2020
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin DonaldTrump JoeBiden Other UndecidedMorning ConsultMay 17–261,720 (LV) –50%42% – –Emerson College May 8–10 725 (RV) ± 3.5%51% 49% – –Baldwin Wallace University/Oakland University/Ohio Northern University Apr 20–25 797 (RV) ± 3.7% 44%45% – 11%Baldwin Wallace University Great Lakes Mar 17–25 1,025 (RV) ± 3.3% 47% 43% – 10%Change ResearchMar 21–23510 (LV) –52%44% – 5%NBC News/The Wall Street Journal/Marist College Mar 10–13 1,710 (RV) ± 2.9% 45% 49% 1% 5%
January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2019
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin DonaldTrump JoeBiden Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling Oct 10–11, 2019 776 (V) ± 3.5% 46% 48% – 6%Climate Nexus Oct 1–7, 2019 1112 (LV) ± 2.9% 47% 53% – – 42% 48% – 10%Emerson College Sep 29 – October 2, 2019 837 (RV) ± 3.2% 47% 53% – –Quinnipiac University Jul 17–22, 2019 1,431 (RV) ± 3.2% 42% 50% ––Public Policy Polling Nov 27–28, 2018 648 (V) ± 3.9% 44% 48% – 8%
Donald Trump vs. Cory Booker Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin DonaldTrump (R) CoryBooker (D) UndecidedQuinnipiac University Jul 17–22, 2019 1,431 (RV) ± 3.2% 44% 43% –
Donald Trump vs. Pete Buttigieg Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin DonaldTrump (R) PeteButtigieg (D) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling Oct 10–11, 2019 776 (V) ± 3.5%47% 43% 10%Climate Nexus Oct 1–7, 2019 1112 (LV) ± 2.9%50%50% –Climate Nexus Oct 1–7, 2019 1112 (LV) ± 2.9%46% 43% 11%Quinnipiac University Jul 17–22, 2019 1,431 (RV) ± 3.2%44%44% –
Donald Trump vs. Kamala Harris Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin DonaldTrump (R) KamalaHarris (D) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling Oct 10–11, 2019 776 (V) ± 3.5%47% 43% 10%Climate Nexus Oct 1–7, 2019 1112 (LV) ± 2.9%50%50% –Climate Nexus Oct 1–7, 2019 1112 (LV) ± 2.9%46% 43% 11%Quinnipiac University Jul 17–22, 2019 1,431 (RV) ± 3.2%44%44% –
Donald Trump vs. Bernie Sanders Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin DonaldTrump (R) BernieSanders (D) Other UndecidedBaldwin Wallace University Great Lakes Mar 17–25, 2020 1,025 (RV) ± 3.3% 47% 41% – 12%NBC News/The Wall Street Journal/Marist College Mar 10–13, 2020 1,710 (RV) ± 2.9% 46% 48% 1% 5%Public Policy Polling Oct 10–11, 2019 776 (V) ± 3.5%47%47% – 7%Climate Nexus Oct 1–7, 2019 1112 (LV) ± 2.9% 48% 52% – – 45% 47% – 8%Emerson College Sep 29 – Oct 2, 2019 837 (RV) ± 3.2% 47% 53% – –Quinnipiac University Jul 17–22, 2019 1,431 (RV) ± 3.2% 46% 45% – –Public Policy Polling Nov 27–28, 2018 648 (V) ± 3.9% 46% 47% – 7%
Donald Trump vs. Elizabeth Warren Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin DonaldTrump (R) ElizabethWarren (D) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling Oct 10–11, 2019 776 (V) ± 3.5%47%47% 6%Climate Nexus Oct 1–7, 2019 1112 (LV) ± 2.9% 49% 51% –Climate Nexus Oct 1–7, 2019 1112 (LV) ± 2.9% 45% 46% 9%Emerson College Sep 29 – Oct 2, 2019 837 (RV) ± 3.2% 48% 52% –Quinnipiac University Jul 17–22, 2019 1,431 (RV) ± 3.2% 46% 45% –Public Policy Polling Nov 27–28, 2018 648 (V) ± 3.9% 49% 43% 9%Zogby Analytics Aug 17–23, 2017 805 (LV) ± 3.5% 40% 44% 16%
with Donald Trump and Sherrod Brown Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin DonaldTrump (R) SherrodBrown (D) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling Nov 27–28, 2018 648 (V) ± 3.9% 42% 48% 10%
with Mike Pence and Joe Biden Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin MikePence (R) JoeBiden (D)Emerson College Sep 29 – Oct 2, 2019 837 (RV) ± 3.2% 46% 54%
with Mike Pence and Bernie Sanders Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin MikePence (R) BernieSanders (D)Emerson College Sep 29 – Oct 2, 2019 837 (RV) ± 3.2% 49% 51%
with Mike Pence and Elizabeth Warren Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin MikePence (R) ElizabethWarren (D)Emerson College Sep 29 – Oct 2, 2019 837 (RV) ± 3.2% 49% 51%
with Donald Trump and Generic Democrat Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin DonaldTrump (R) GenericDemocrat (D) Other UndecidedBaldwin Wallace University/Oakland University/Ohio Northern University Mar 17–25, 2020 997 (RV) ± 3.7%49.4% 48.3% – 2.1%Baldwin Wallace University/Oakland University/Ohio Northern University Jan 8–20, 2020 1,031 (RV) ± 3.1% 41.3%47.1% – 11.5%Public Policy Polling Oct 10–11, 2019 776 (V) ± 3.5% 47% 48% – 5%Ohio Northern University Apr 5–10, 2019 1,505 (A) ± 2.7% 34% 41% – 18%Baldwin Wallace University Apr 24 – May 2, 2018 811 (RV) ± 3.5% 41% 44% 6% 9%Baldwin Wallace University Feb 28 – Mar 9, 2018 1,011 (RV) ± 3.0% 34% 32% – –
with John Kasich and Generic Democrat