SUMMARY

For the days leading to the 2020 Presidential Election, people in the city of Boston prepare businesses for potential demonstrations on the streets, people are out early voting, and the anticipated announcement of who wins the presidency awaits for everyone around the country. This gallery shows the events and atmosphere of those days leading to President Joe Biden’s win.

The first round of images and footage shows how many people showed up on the last day of early voting despite the weather conditions. The snow was swirling down hard, but that didn’t stop locals from getting out to perform their civic responsibility. The line wrapped around City Hall and moved efficiently to get those votes in. 

The country waited several days after expecting to hear the presidential results on the third of November. Businesses boarded up their stores to guard their property to prevent damages from suspected demonstrations around the city. Though big amounts of demonstrators never rolled by, the stores were prepared with their safety protocols. 

When the votes were finally in, people were relieved to hear a result after several long days of waiting. The final images and video shows Boylston Street backed up for a couple miles with cars honking, blaring their radio with celebratory music, people holding “Biden/Harris” signs on the roof of their cars and cheering. Nearing the intersection of Boylston and Arlington, a large crowd blocks off the road to dance in the street and sing “this is what democracy looks like.” Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, people gathered closely together, the majority wearing masks, to celebrate the news. Social distancing may have been forgotten after several days looking at phones and television screens waiting for results to come in. The celebration didn’t end till later that night.

The unity and work people put into this year’s elections was important for numerous reasons, one being the COVID-19 pandemic. The year is one to mark down as an important part in history.