The United States’ unrestricted campaign cycle enables what feels like a perpetual presidential election year. Typically, candidates announce their intentions to run in the spring the year before an election.
Campaign Timeline Lengths
However, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced his 2024 presidential bid on Nov. 15, 2022, 721 days before Election Day. President Joe Biden announced his reelection bid on April 25, 2023, 560 days before Election Day—before Vice President Kamala Harris took over in July.
On Nov. 5, Harris will have had only 107 days to make her case to U.S. voters. But even this is not the norm in other parts of the world: Many countries have regulations restricting the campaign period or tie campaigns to their government system, such as an election being initiated when the prime minister suspends parliament.
In Mexico, which held general elections in June, there is only a 90-day window for official campaigns—though parties can announce their selected candidate earlier. This is followed by a three-day “blackout” period before the election begins.
This post is part of FP’s live coverage with global updates and analysis throughout the U.S. election. Follow along here.