As the 2020 presidential campaign draws to a close, millions of Americans have lined up, in the midst of a pandemic, at schools, churches, and community centers across the country to cast their vote in an election like no other. From last-ditch legal battles over mail-in ballots to voting machines going dead, this election has been a ride, to say the least. “Life depends on it,” said one early voter in Brooklyn, New York, who like a record 100 million others, cast her vote before Election Day even came around. As President Donald Trump and former vice president Joe Biden crisscrossed the country in an effort to rally last-minute votes and people made their way to polling stations, we sent photographers to capture the final days of one of the most historic elections on record.
Pictures show the final days of an election like no other
After a tumultuous year, a record number of Americans unite in voting.
Supporters wait for President Trump to arrive at a rally at Scranton airport in Pennsylvania on Nov. 2, a day before the election.
National Geographic sent eight photographers into the field to document the lead up to pivotal election decisions: Andrea Bruce in North Carolina, Christopher Gregory-Rivera in Florida, Greg Kahn and Jared Soares in Washington D.C., David Guttenfelder in Wisconsin, and Natalie Keyssar in Pennsylvania. Photographers Graham Dickie and Stephanie Mei-Ling covered large voter turn out in Texas and early voters in New York.
Read This Next
Go Further
Animals
- Inside the race to save West Africa’s endangered lionsInside the race to save West Africa’s endangered lions
- Enormous stingray sets world record for largest freshwater fishEnormous stingray sets world record for largest freshwater fish
- Why this newly found polar bear population is so specialWhy this newly found polar bear population is so special
Environment
- Climate anxiety is widespread among youth—can they overcome it?Climate anxiety is widespread among youth—can they overcome it?
- Historic Yellowstone flooding brings renewal despite destructionHistoric Yellowstone flooding brings renewal despite destruction
- What is a carbon footprint—and how to measure yoursWhat is a carbon footprint—and how to measure yours
- Thai fishermen and restaurants team up for sustainability
- Paid Content
Thai fishermen and restaurants team up for sustainability - Humanity is leaving an irreversible imprint on Earth's rocksHumanity is leaving an irreversible imprint on Earth's rocks
- Simulating 200 mph hurricanes to make storm-resistant homesSimulating 200 mph hurricanes to make storm-resistant homes
History & Culture
- How the Declaration of Independence wooed Americans from BritainHow the Declaration of Independence wooed Americans from Britain
- The great hunt for the world's first LGBTQ archiveThe great hunt for the world's first LGBTQ archive
- Stolen a century ago, Bruce’s Beach has finally been returnedStolen a century ago, Bruce’s Beach has finally been returned
- ‘This is me, as I am’: Photographing my own gender transition‘This is me, as I am’: Photographing my own gender transition
- How historians are documenting the lives of transgender peopleHow historians are documenting the lives of transgender people
- The tumultuous history that led to the landmark Roe v. Wade rulingThe tumultuous history that led to the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling
Science
- Young adults are volunteering to get COVID-19—for scienceYoung adults are volunteering to get COVID-19—for science
- Why a placebo can work—even when you know it's fakeWhy a placebo can work—even when you know it's fake
- Biggest bacterium ever found shakes our view of microbial lifeBiggest bacterium ever found shakes our view of microbial life
- Fossil-finding ants amass huge haul of ancient creaturesFossil-finding ants amass huge haul of ancient creatures
- Many women struggle to breastfeed. Scientists are starting to ask why.Many women struggle to breastfeed. Scientists are starting to ask why.
- See a rare alignment of all the planets in the night skySee a rare alignment of all the planets in the night sky
Travel
- Escape the heat at these 10 cool U.S. destinationsEscape the heat at these 10 cool U.S. destinations
- Want to see the real Paris? Walk this way.
- Travel
- Best of Europe
Want to see the real Paris? Walk this way. - Where to find epic adventure in Europe’s best small villages
- Travel
- Best of Europe
Where to find epic adventure in Europe’s best small villages - Swoon over these romantic European villages
- Travel
- Best of Europe
Swoon over these romantic European villages - 6 European villages that tell hidden histories
- Travel
- Best of Europe
6 European villages that tell hidden histories