This book assembles eight chapters by respected and emerging scholars in political science, sociology, and psychology to produce a sustained look at the wide range of identity politics in the 2020 US National Election and the lessons for 2024.  These chapters emerged from papers presented at the American Elections Symposium held at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College in March of 2021; six edited volumes have been produced based on research presented at previous conferences. They apply an impressive diversity of theoretical explanations and methodological approaches to explore the factors that shape American elections, and what impact it could have in the future of diversity and democracy.

This book assembles six chapters by respected and emerging scholars in political science and communication to produce a first sustained look at Twitter's role in the 2016 US Presidential Election. While much attention has already been paid to Trump's use of Twitter as a phenomenon-how it helps drive news cycles, distracts attention from other matters, or levies attacks against rivals, the news media, and other critics-there has been little scholarly analysis of the impact Twitter played in the actual election. These chapters apply an impressive diversity of theoretical explanations and methodological approaches to explore how this new technology shaped an American election, and what impact it could have in the future.

This book explores multiple stories of the 2018 US midterm elections. From retirements and redistricting, to #MeToo and tariffs, it synthesizes the consequences through a thoughtful, empirical analysis. As the final votes are counted, we scholars know that midterm elections matter and have unforeseen consequences for decades to come.

The state of New Hampshire has played a pivotal role in Donald Trump's rise. This volume examines how the Granite State incubated Trump's political ambitions as early as the 1988 campaign cycle, how Trump's return to the state in 2014 presaged his 2016 candidacy, and how the state rescued his ambitions after his defeat in the Iowa caucuses. The book also examines how Trump lost the state to Hillary Clinton in the general election, and how the state has in many ways been a microcosm of national politics since Trump's election, as a Republican governor and legislature attempt to pursue their long-deferred agenda in the face of Democratic opposition and as Democrats racked up victories in special and off-year elections. Finally, this book examines what Trump's impact will be on the 2020 presidential primaries.

This book explores multiple stories of the 2018 US midterm elections. From retirements and redistricting, to #MeToo and tariffs, it synthesizes the consequences through a thoughtful, empirical analysis. As the final votes are counted, we scholars know that midterm elections matter and have unforeseen consequences for decades to come.

The 2016 presidential election was unconventional in many ways. The election of President Donald Trump caught many by surprise, with a true outsider - a candidate with no previous governmental experience and mixed support from his own party - won the election by winning in traditionally Democratic states with coattails that extended to Republican Senate candidates and resulted in unified Republican government for the first time since 2008. This result broke with the pre-election conventional wisdom, which expected Hillary Clinton to win the presidency and a closer Senate divide. This surprising result led many political scientists to question whether 2016 truly marked a major turning point in American elections as portrayed in the media - a break from the conventional wisdom - or whether it was really the exception that proved the rule. In this volume, political scientists examine previous theories and trends in light of the 2016 election to determine the extent to which 2016 was a break from previous theories. While in some areas it seems as though 2016 was really just what would have been predicted, in others, this election and the new president pose significant challenges to mainstream theories in political science. In particular, prominent political scientists examine whether voter trends, with particular focus on groups by gender, age, geography, and ethnicity, and election issues, especially the role of the Supreme Court, followed or bucked recent trends. Several political scientists examine the unconventional nomination process and whether this signals a new era for political parties. The role of conspiracy theories and voter confidence in the administration of elections are also discussed. Finally, contributors also examine the indirect effect the presidential candidates, especially Trump, played in congressional election rhetoric.

This volume explores the conflict between two forces: party polarization and party factionalism. The major change in America's two political parties over the past half-century has been increased polarization, which has led to a new era of heightened inter-party competition resulting in stronger and more cohesive parties. At the same time, elections, particularly primaries, often reveal deep internal factional divisions within both the parties, and the 2020 election was no different. The Democratic coalition typically pits moderate or establishment candidates against progressive activists and candidates, while the Republican Party in 2020 was, at times, polarized not only between moderates and conservatives but between those willing to criticize President Trump and those who would not. How did these two opposing forces shape the outcome of the 2020 election, and what are the consequences for the future of American party politics and elections?

The 2016 presidential election was unconventional in many ways. The election of President Donald Trump caught many by surprise, with a true outsider - a candidate with no previous governmental experience and mixed support from his own party - won the election by winning in traditionally Democratic states with coattails that extended to Republican Senate candidates and resulted in unified Republican government for the first time since 2008. This result broke with the pre-election conventional wisdom, which expected Hillary Clinton to win the presidency and a closer Senate divide. This surprising result led many political scientists to question whether 2016 truly marked a major turning point in American elections as portrayed in the media - a break from the conventional wisdom - or whether it was really the exception that proved the rule. In this volume, political scientists examine previous theories and trends in light of the 2016 election to determine the extent to which 2016 was a break from previous theories. While in some areas it seems as though 2016 was really just what would have been predicted, in others, this election and the new president pose significant challenges to mainstream theories in political science. In particular, prominent political scientists examine whether voter trends, with particular focus on groups by gender, age, geography, and ethnicity, and election issues, especially the role of the Supreme Court, followed or bucked recent trends. Several political scientists examine the unconventional nomination process and whether this signals a new era for political parties. The role of conspiracy theories and voter confidence in the administration of elections are also discussed. Finally, contributors also examine the indirect effect the presidential candidates, especially Trump, played in congressional election rhetoric.