2016 United States presidential election

The 2016 United States presidential election was held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, as the 58th quadrennial presidential election. Republican nominee Donald Trump and running mate Mike Pence defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and running mate Tim Kaine in what was widely considered one of the most surprising upsets in American political history. Trump became the first U.S. president with no prior political or military experience.

Overview

Despite losing the popular vote by approximately 2.87 million votes (48.18% to 46.09%), Trump secured victory in the Electoral College with 304 votes to Clinton's 227. This marked the fifth time in U.S. history that a presidential candidate won the Electoral College while losing the popular vote. Trump's victory hinged on narrow wins in several key swing states, particularly in the Rust Belt region, where he outperformed polls and expectations.

Nominations

Democratic Party

Hillary Clinton secured the Democratic nomination after a lengthy primary contest against Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Clinton became the first female presidential nominee of a major U.S. political party. She selected Virginia Senator Tim Kaine as her running mate. The Democratic campaign emphasized Clinton's political experience, progressive policies, and the historic nature of her candidacy.

Republican Party

Donald Trump emerged victorious from the largest Republican primary field in U.S. history, defeating 16 other candidates including Senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Trump's campaign, which promised to "Make America Great Again," focused on immigration reform, trade protectionism, and opposition to political correctness. He chose Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his vice presidential running mate.

Campaign

Key Issues

The general election campaign was marked by several major controversies and unprecedented elements:

• Clinton's use of a private email server while Secretary of State
• Trump's controversial statements about immigration and minorities
• The release of the "Access Hollywood" tape featuring Trump
• Russian interference in the election
• Questions about both candidates' transparency and trustworthiness

Polling and Predictions

Most national polls and election forecasters predicted a Clinton victory, with some models giving her over a 90% chance of winning. These predictions proved inaccurate, particularly in key Midwest states where Trump outperformed polls significantly.

Results

Electoral Outcome

Trump's victory was secured by winning several key swing states:

• Florida (29 electoral votes)
• Pennsylvania (20 electoral votes)
• Michigan (16 electoral votes)
• Wisconsin (10 electoral votes)
• Ohio (18 electoral votes)
• North Carolina (15 electoral votes)

The combined margin of victory in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin was less than 80,000 votes, marking one of the narrowest electoral victories in modern U.S. history.

Voter Demographics

Trump performed particularly well among:

• White voters without college degrees
• Rural voters
• Voters expressing economic anxiety
• Traditional Republican constituencies

Clinton maintained strong support among:

• Urban voters
• Minority communities
• College-educated voters
• Women (though by a smaller margin than expected)

Aftermath

Protests and Recount Efforts

The election result sparked widespread protests across the United States. Green Party candidate Jill Stein initiated recount efforts in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, though these did not change the outcome. Multiple faithless electors attempted to vote against their pledged candidates during the Electoral College process, though this too did not affect the final result.

Historical Significance

The 2016 election represented several historic firsts:

• First election of a president with no prior political or military experience
• Highest number of votes ever received by a losing presidential candidate (Clinton)
• First woman to win the popular vote in a presidential election
• Most expensive presidential campaign in U.S. history
• First presidential election significantly impacted by social media and alleged foreign interference

Russian Interference

Subsequent investigations, including the Mueller Report, concluded that Russia had interfered in the election through social media campaigns, hacking operations, and other activities. While the investigation found no evidence of direct coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia, it documented numerous links between campaign officials and Russian representatives.

Legacy

The 2016 election had lasting effects on American politics, including:

• Increased polarization between political parties
• Heightened concerns about election security and foreign interference
• Growing debate about the Electoral College system
• Changes in political polling and forecasting methodologies
• Shifting electoral coalitions and demographic voting patterns

The election's outcome and circumstances continue to influence American political discourse and electoral processes, setting precedents and raising questions that would affect subsequent elections.