SHRM ELECTION RESOURCES
Americans voted in the 2020 presidential election, congressional races in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, and various state and local-level elections. These elections will shape the future of workplace policy.
Now more than ever, the voice of HR must be heard.
SHRM’s Latest Election News
2020 Elections at a glance
Updated as of 11/7/2020
2020 PRESIDENTIAL RACE
President-Elect Joe Biden
- Served as vice president to President Obama for both terms, 2009-2017
- Received bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware and a J.D. from Syracuse University
- Served as U.S. Senator for Delaware from 1973-2009
- Served as Chairman for both the Judiciary and Foreign Relation Committees in the Senate
Vice-President Elect Kamala D. Harris
- Announced on August 11, 2020 as Joe Biden’s running mate and the Democratic candidate for Vice President
- Received bachelor’s degree from Howard University and a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law
- Served as District Attorney for six years before becoming California’s Attorney General
- Contended for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020
Workplace Healthcare
SHRM believes any approach to health care reform in the United States must preserve the option for employers to provide employer-sponsored health insurance and offer affordable access to care for all Americans.
Expect President-elect Biden to:
- Maintain and expand Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage.
- Leave in place the ACA’s employer mandate and employer tracking and reporting requirements.
- Support subsidized coverage on an ACA exchange, even if their employer offers ACA-compliant coverage.
Workplace Flexibility & Leave
SHRM believes that the United States must have a 21st Century workplace flexibility policy that works for employers and employees.
Expect President-elect Biden to:
- Call for an emergency paid leave program, which includes the Healthy Families Act and 14 days of paid leave for those who are sick, exposed or subject to quarantines.
- Support 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave as outlined in the FAMILY Act.
Workplace Immigration
SHRM will advocate for access to global talent, and for employer tools to hire a legal workforce for efficiency and predictability.
Expect President-elect Biden to:
- Rescind prior administration executive actions and proclamations relating to immigration.
- Address employment-based immigration issues such as H-1B visas and worker green cards.
Workplace Equity
SHRM believes positive workplace cultures discourage harassment and discrimination and promote pay decisions based on substantial business factors.
Expect President-elect Biden to:
- Focus on equity issues since he has signaled strong support for the Paycheck Fairness Act, the Equality Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
Workforce Development
SHRM advocates for efforts to hire, educate and train individuals – including those in non-traditional talent pools – to close the skills gap and improve individual prosperity in the modern workplace.
Expect President-elect Biden to:
- Embrace upskilling and reskilling policies, as well as policies that increase access to education and training for under-employed talent pools, such as older workers, veterans and formerly incarcerated individuals.
- Support pro-union proposals such as the PRO Act.
STATE GUBERNATORIAL RACES
In the 2020 election, nine of the states had incumbents up for re-election, and all won their races.
- Delaware: Gov. John Carney
- Indiana: Gov. Eric Holcomb
- Missouri: Gov. Mike Parson
- New Hampshire: Gov. Chris Sununu
- North Carolina: Gov. Roy Cooper
- North Dakota: Gov. Doug Burgum
- Vermont: Gov. Phil Scott
- Washington: Gov. Jay Inslee
- West Virginia: Gov. Jim Justice
The closest race involving an incumbent was North Carolina’s Governor Roy Cooper winning by 4.4 points. Late reports indicated a tightening race in Missouri that never came to be with Governor Mike Parson winning his election to win his first full term as Governor.
The two open races in Montana and Utah finished with Republicans securing both seats. Democrats lost the mansion in Montana bringing an end to their 15-year streak holding the office. Republicans now hold 27 governoroffices to the Democrats 24 offices.
STATE Legislature RACES
- Montana is a new GOP trifecta with Greg Gianforte securing the Governor Mansion for the first time in 15 years.
- New Hampshire will become the second GOP trifecta secured this election cycle after winning a majority in the state Senate and currently leading in the battle for the House. The NH House has flipped majorities in six of the last eight elections.
- AZ is the state to watch with vote counts still taking place.
2020 CONGRESSIONAL RACES
SHRM Election Podcasts
SHRM wants to ensure you have everything you need to vote on Election Day. Tune-in to hear from the SHRM’s External Affairs Team about important election topics so that you are ready to vote on Nov. 3rd.
SHRM believes in the power of policy, not politics, to support policy solutions that benefit workers and the workplace regardless of party affiliation.
SHRM does not financially support nor endorse any candidates running for public office.