View source for 2016 United States presidential election (CK)

{{Infobox election 
| election_name     = 2016 United States presidential election
| country           = United States
| type              = presidential
| previous_election = {{wp|2012 United States presidential election}}
| previous_year     = 2012
| election_date     = {{Start date|2016|11|08}}
| next_election     = 2020 United States presidential election
| next_year         = 2024
| votes_for_election= All {{wp|List of United States presidential electors, 2016|538 electoral votes}} of the {{wp|Electoral College (United States)|Electoral College}}
| needed_votes      = 270 electoral
| opinion_polls     = Opinion polls
| registered        = 
| turnout           = 59.5% {{increase}} 4.9 {{wp|percentage point|pp}}
| image_size        = 160x180px

<!-- Caroline Kennedy -->
| image1            = Caroline Kennedy US State Dept photo.jpg
| nominee1          = [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|'''Caroline Kennedy''']]
| party1            = {{wp|Democratic Party (US)|Democratic}}
| home_state1       = {{wp|New York (state)|New York}}
| running_mate1     = {{wp|Cory Booker|'''Cory Booker'''}}
| electoral_vote1   = '''353'''
| states_carried1   = '''28 +''' {{wp|Washington, D.C.|'''DC'''}}
| popular_vote1     = '''77,003,555'''
| percentage1       = '''51.8%'''

<!-- Donald Trump -->
| image2            = Donald Trump by Gage Skidmore 10 (cropped).jpg
| nominee2          = {{wp|Donald Trump}}
| party2            = {{wp|Republican Party (US)|Republican}}
| home_state2       = {{wp|New York (state)|New York}}
| running_mate2     = {{wp|Mike Pence}}
| electoral_vote2   = 178
| states_carried2   = 22
| popular_vote2     = 70,611,368
| percentage2       = 47.5%

<!-- map -->
| map_image         = Election2016II.JPG
| map_size          = 270px
| map_caption       = Presidential election results map. <span style="color:#2874A6;">'''Blue'''</span> denotes states won by Kennedy/Booker, and <span style="color:#E74C3C;">'''red'''</span> denotes those won by Trump/Pence. Numbers indicate electoral votes cast by each state and the {{wp|District of Columbia}}. 

<!-- bottom -->
| title             = President
| before_election   = {{wp|Barack Obama}}
| before_party      = {{wp|Democratic Party (US)|Democratic}}
| after_election    = [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Caroline Kennedy]]
| after_party       = {{wp|Democratic Party (US)|Democratic}}
}}

The '''2016 United States presidential election''' was the 58th quadrennial {{wp|United states presidential election|presidential election}}, held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. The {{wp|Democratic Party (US)|Democratic}} ticket of senators [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Caroline Kennedy]] and {{wp|Cory Booker}} defeated the {{wp|Republican Party (US)|Republican}} ticket of businessman {{wp|Donald Trump}} and {{wp|Indiana}} Governor {{wp|Mike Pence}}. Despite a 59.5% turnout, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] received roughly 77 million votes, the highest of any winning presidential candidate, and which surpassed that of {{wp|Barack Obama}}'s record of 69.5 million votes from {{wp|2008 United States presidential election|2008}}. With that, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] also received the most votes ever cast for a candidate in a US presidential election, also surpassing {{wp|Barack Obama}} in this respect. 

As per the {{wp|Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution}}, incumbent president {{wp|Barack Obama}} was ineglible to seek a third term. Former {{wp|United States Secretary of State|secretary of state}} {{wp|Hillary Clinton}} was the initial frontrunner in the {{wp|2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries|Democratic primary}}, having been initially ahead of self-described {{wp|democratic socialist}} {{wp|United States Senate|Senator}} {{wp|Bernie Sanders}}, but was ultimately defeated by {{wp|United States Senate|Senator}} [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Caroline Kennedy]] from {{wp|New York (state)|New York}}, thereby becoming the first female presidential nominee of a major {{wp|American}} party. Meanwhile, businessman {{wp|Donald Trump}} emerged as the {{wp|Republican Party (US)|Republican}} front-runner, defeating senators {{wp|Ted Cruz}} and {{wp|Marco Rubio}}, {{wp|Ohio}} Governor {{wp|John Kasich}}, and others. Meanwhile, the {{wp|Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party}} nominated former {{wp|New Mexico}} Governor {{wp|Gary Johnson}}, while the {{wp|Green Party of the United States|Green Party}} nominated {{wp|Jill Stein}}. {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}}'s {{wp|right-wing populist}} {{wp|nationalist}} campaign, which promised to "{{wp|Make America Great Again}}" and opposed {{wp|political correctness}}, {{wp|illegal immigration}}, and many {{wp|United States free-trade agreements}} garnered extensive free media coverage due to {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}}'s inflammatory comments, while [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]], through her rival campaign, "{{wp|Camelot Is Back}}", otherwise strongly emphasised her notable background as a prominent member of the {{wp|Kennedy family}}, her political experience in contrast to {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}}'s, denounced the {{wp|American}} businessman's inflammatory and aggressive rhetoric, while advocating for a continuation and expansion of {{wp|President of the United States|President}} {{wp|Barack Obama|Obama}}'s policies, {{wp|racial equality}}, {{wp|LGBT rights in the United States|LGBT}} and {{wp|Feminism in the United States|women's rights}}, and notably, {{wp|welfare capitalism}}.

The tone of the election was generally described as divisive and negative, with {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} facing controversy over his views on race and immigration, incidents of violence against protesters at his rallies, and numerous sexual misconduct allegations including the infamous {{wp|Donald Trump Access Hollywood tape|''Access Hollywood'' tape}}. On the other hand, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]], who despite arousing some minor controversy as a result of her separation from her husband, {{wp|Edwin Schlossberg}} just a year prior, was nonetheless praised by commentators and received overwhelmingly positive media coverage in contrast to {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}}, with media outlets most frequently emphasising her familial ties to the late {{wp|John F. Kennedy}} and her uncles, {{wp|Robert F. Kennedy}} and {{wp|Ted Kennedy}}, both of whom are highly regarded by the {{wp|American}} public.

Despite mostly leading in almost every nationwide and swing-state poll, there was some initial concern that the relatively short amount of political experience held by [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]], coupled with a rather minor scandal revolving around her separation from her {{wp|Edwin Schlossberg|husband}} would ultimately prove to be her downfall. However, on Election Day, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] ultimately achieved a relatively comfortable victory over her {{wp|Republican Party (US)|Republican}} opponent, who she defeated in most key states. In the end, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] received 353 electoral votes, topping the number of {{wp|Obama}}'s win in 2012 (while also narrowly coming close to surpassing the latter's 2008 record), while {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} only received 196 electoral votes by contrast. Consequently, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]], who in addition to becoming the first female and second {{wp|Catholic}} president in {{wp|American}} history, also became the first president with no prior military experience and additionally, the second to come from the {{wp|Kennedy family}}, after her father, {{wp|John F. Kennedy}}, who served as the 35th {{wp|President of the United States}} from 1961 to 1963. Meanwhile, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] also became the first Democrat to win the state of {{wp|Arizona}} since 1996 and {{wp|Georgia}} since 1992.

The subsequent period between Election Day and [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]]'s inauguration as {{wp|President of the United States|President}} on January 21, 2017, was largely described by most media outlets as "tense" and "extremely dangerous", with supporters of {{wp|Donald Trump}} holding heated and aggressive rallies and protests across the country objecting to the results, with {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} himself also refusing to recognise the results. In response, outgoing {{wp|President of the United States|President}} {{wp|Barack Obama}} controversially had a large number of {{wp|National Guard (United States)|National Guard}} troops sent in to a select number of states across the country with the intent of preserving {{wp|law and order}}, as instances of violence involving {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} and [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] supporters begin to pick up pace. At the same time, small to medium-scale riots also begin to appear at a number of cities across the {{wp|United States}}, forcing [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]], a longtime {{wp|New York (state)|New York}} resident to be evacuated to {{wp|Washington D.C.}} by {{wp|President of the United States|President}} {{wp|Barack Obama|Obama}}'s behest, where she remained alongside her three children until her inauguration the following January. 

Eventually, on January 21, 2017, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] was later safely inaugurated as the 45th {{wp|President of the United States}}, with no major incidents whatsoever. Then, on the following afternoon, she went on to give a speech condemning the riots, as well as the refusal of her {{wp|Republican Party (US)|Republican}} {{wp|Donald Trump|opponent}} to concede the election from the {{wp|Arlington National Ceremony}}, the burial place for her late parents and famous uncles. Later, on January 27, {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} officially conceded defeat and acknowledged the election results through a speech given from a rented property of his in {{wp|New York (state)|New York}}. 

Due to the highly tense atmosphere and nature of the election, coupled with {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}}'s ideological parallels to that of former {{wp|Arizona}} senator {{wp|Barry Goldwater}}, the election has sometimes been referred to as "the second 1964", with some likening [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]]'s victory, albeit not a landslide one, to that of {{wp|Lyndon B. Johnson}}'s own landslide victory over {{wp|Barry Goldwater|Goldwater}} in the {{wp|1964 United States presidential election|1964 presidential election}}.

==Background==
{{wp|Article Two of the United States Constitution}} provides that the {{wp|President of the United States|President}} and {{wp|Vice President of the United States}} must be natural-born citizens of the {{wp|United States}}, at least 35 years old, and residents of the {{wp|United States}} for a period of at least 14 years. Candidates for the presidency typically seek the nomination of one of the political parties, in which case each party devises a method (such as a primary election) to choose the candidate the party deems best suited to run for the position. Traditionally, the primary elections are indirect elections where voters cast ballots for a slate of party delegates pledged to a particular candidate. The party's delegates then officially nominate a candidate to run on the party's behalf. The general election in November is also an indirect election, where voters cast ballots for a slate of members of the {{wp|United States Electoral College|Electoral College}}; these electors in turn directly elect the president and vice president.

{{wp|President of the United States|President}} {{wp|Barack Obama}}, a Democrat and former {{wp|United States Senate|U.S. senator}} from {{wp|Illinois}}, was ineligible to seek reelection to a third term due to the restrictions of the {{wp|American}} presidential term limits established by the {{wp|Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution|Twenty-second Amendment}}; in accordance with Section 1 of the {{wp|Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Twentieth Amendment}}, his term expired at noon eastern standard time on January 20, 2017.

==Primary process==
Both the {{wp|Democratic Party (US)|Democratic}} and {{wp|Republican Party (US)|Republican}} parties, as well as third parties such as the {{wp|Green Party of the United States|Green}} and {{wp|Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian}} parties, held a series of presidential primary elections and caucuses that took place between February and June 2016, staggered among the 50 states, the {{wp|District of Columbia}}, and U.S. territories. This nominating process was also an indirect election, where voters cast ballots for a slate of delegates to a political party's nominating convention, who in turn elected their party's presidential nominee.

Speculation about the 2016 campaign began almost immediately following the 2012 campaign, with {{wp|New York (magazine)|''New York''}} magazine declaring that the race had begun in an article published on November 8, two days after the 2012 election. On the same day, {{wp|Politico|''Politico''}} released an article predicting that the 2016 general election would be between {{wp|Hillary Clinton|Clinton}} and former {{wp|Governor of Florida|Florida Governor}} {{wp|Jeb Bush}}, while an article in {{wp|The New York Times|''The New York Times''}} named {{wp|Governor of New Jersey|New Jersey Governor}} {{wp|Chris Christie}} and {{wp|United States Senate|Senator}} {{wp|Cory Booker}} from {{wp|New Jersey}} as potential candidates.

==Nominations==
===Democratic Party===
====Primaries====
Former {{wp|United States Secretary of State|secretary of state}} {{wp|Hillary Clinton}}, who also served in the {{wp|U.S. Senate}} and was the {{wp|First Lady of the United States}}, became the first Democrat in the field to formally launch a major candidacy for the presidency with an announcement on April 12, 2015, via a video message. While nationwide opinion polls in 2015 indicated that Clinton was the front-runner for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, she faced strong challenges from Independent {{wp|United States Senate|Senator}} {{wp|Bernie Sanders}} of {{wp|Vermont}}, who became the second major candidate when he formally announced on April 30, 2015, that he was running for the Democratic nomination. September 2015 polling numbers indicated a narrowing gap between {{wp|Hillary Clinton|Clinton}} and {{wp|Bernie Sanders|Sanders}}. On May 30, 2015, former {{wp|Governor of Maryland}} {{wp|Martin O'Malley}} was the third major candidate to enter the Democratic primary race, followed by the former independent governor and Republican senator of {{wp|Rhode Island}} {{wp|Lincoln Chafee}} on June 3, 2015, former {{wp|Virginia}} {{wp|United States Senate|Senator}} {{wp|Jim Webb}} on July 2, 2015, and former {{wp|Harvard University|Harvard}} law professor {{wp|Lawrence Lessig}} on September 6, 2015. However, perhaps the most shocking announcement came about on May 29, 2015, when {{wp|New York (state)|New York}} {{wp|United States Senate|Senator}} [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Caroline Kennedy]] formally announced her intention to run for the Democratic nomination in a short video commemorating her late {{wp|John F. Kennedy|father}}'s posthumous 100th birthday.

On October 20, 2015, {{wp|Jim Webb|Webb}} announced his withdrawal from the primaries and explored a potential Independent run. The next day {{wp|Vice President of the United States|Vice-President}} {{wp|Joe Biden}} decided not to run, ending months of speculation, stating, "While I will not be a candidate, I will not be silent." On October 23, {{wp|Lincoln Chafee|Chafee}} withdrew, stating that he hoped for "an end to the endless wars and the beginning of a new era for the {{wp|United States}} and humanity." On November 2, after failing to qualify for the second DNC-sanctioned debate after the adoption of a rule change negated polls that before might have necessitated his inclusion in the debate, {{wp|Lawrence Lessig|Lessig}} withdrew as well, narrowing the field to {{wp|Hillary Clinton|Clinton}}, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]], {{wp|Martin O'Malley|O'Malley}}, and {{wp|Bernie Sanders|Sanders}}.

On February 1, 2016, in an extremely close contest, {{wp|Hillary Clinton|Clinton}} narrowly won the {{wp|Iowa caucuses}} by a margin of 0.1 points over {{wp|Bernie Sanders|Sanders}}. After winning no delegates in {{wp|Iowa}}, {{wp|Martin O'Malley|O'Malley}}, withdrew from the presidential race that day. On February 9, {{wp|Bernie Sanders|Sanders}} bounced back to win the {{wp|New Hampshire}} primary with roughly 53% of the vote. However, in the case of the remaining two February contests, both the {{wp|Nevada caucuses}} and the {{wp|South Carolina primary}} were won by [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]], who secured 58% and 88% of the vote respectively. On March 1, 11 states in total participated in the first of four "{{wp|Super Tuesday}}" primaries. {{wp|Hillary Clinton|Clinton}} won {{wp|Alabama}} and {{wp|Tennessee}}, {{wp|Bernie Sanders|Sanders}} won {{wp|Oklahoma}} and his home state of {{wp|Vermont}}, while [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] won the remaining states of {{wp|Arkansas}}, {{wp|Georgia}}, {{wp|Massachusetts}}, {{wp|Texas}}, {{wp|Virginia}}, {{wp|Colorado}}, and {{wp|Minnesota}}. The following weekend, {{wp|Bernie Sanders|Sanders}} scored a single victory in {{wp|Kansas}}, while {{wp|Nebraska}} and {{wp|Maine}} were won by [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]], and {{wp|Louisiana}} by {{wp|Hillary Clinton|Clinton}}. On March 8, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] narrowly won {{wp|Michigan}} over her two primary opponents, but ultimately came in second place behind {{wp|Hillary Clinton|Clinton}} in {{wp|Mississippi}} with a 3-point margin. 

Then, on March 15, the date of the second "{{wp|Super Tuesday}}" primaries, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] swept the states of {{wp|Florida}}, {{wp|Illinois}}, {{wp|Missouri}} and {{wp|Ohio}}, leaving {{wp|Hillary Clinton|Clinton}} with a single victory in {{wp|North Carolina}}. Between March 22 and April 9, {{wp|Bernie Sanders|Sanders}} went on to win three caucuses in {{wp|Alaska}}, {{wp|Hawaii}}, and {{wp|Wyoming}}, while [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] went on to win four caucuses in total for herself in {{wp|Washington}}, {{wp|Arizona}}, {{wp|Wisconsin}}  and {{wp|Utah}}, leaving {{wp|Hillary Clinton|Clinton}} only with the state of {{wp|Idaho}}, which she won. On April 19, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] decisively defeated {{wp|Hillary Clinton|Clinton}} in {{wp|New York (state)|New York}}, with 60% of the vote. Meanwhile, on April 26, the date of the third "{{wp|Super Tuesday}}" primaries, {{wp|Hillary Clinton|Clinton}} narrowly won both {{wp|Connecticut}} and {{wp|Pennslyvania}}, but lost {{wp|Delaware}} and {{wp|Maryland}} to [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]], while {{wp|Bernie Sanders|Sanders}} secured {{wp|Rhode Island}}. Then, over the course of May, {{wp|Bernie Sanders|Sanders}} was gifted with two further victories in {{wp|Indiana}} and {{wp|West Virginia}}, while [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] took both {{wp|Oregon}} and {{wp|Kentucky}}. The territory of {{wp|Guam}} was otherwise won by {{wp|Hillary Clinton|Clinton}}. By this time, with [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] far ahead with at least 25 states won, and with {{wp|Hillary Clinton|Clinton}} and {{wp|Bernie Sanders|Sanders}} only roughly carrying 8 to 9 states each, most observers and media outlets begin to forecast [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] herself as the eventual winner of the primaries under the current circumstances. 

Soon enough, in the days and weeks that followed, predictions by the media on the race started to progressively become more of a reality, as evidenced by the two consecutive wins for [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] in the {{wp|Virgin Islands}} and {{wp|Puerto Rico}}. Eventually, on the eve of what would be the day of the primaries for {{wp|California}}, {{wp|New Jersey}}, {{wp|New Mexico}}, {{wp|South Dakota}}, {{wp|North Dakota}}, and {{wp|Montana}}, {{wp|Hillary Clinton|Clinton}}, perhaps due to both her poor performance in the primaries and her dangerously volatile approval ratings, announced that she was formally dropping out of the race, while also urging supporters to vote for [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]]. Then, come the following day, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] delivered an expectedly strong performance, as she defeated {{wp|Bernie Sanders|Sanders}} in most of the remaining states, namely {{wp|California}}, {{wp|New Jersey}}, {{wp|Montana}}, and both Dakotas, thereby leaving the latter with only the state of {{wp|New Mexico}}. Consequently, with the results becoming ever more apparent, the {{wp|Vermont}} senator himself also followed suit by dropping out of the race, which he did so in a speech to supporters in {{wp|California}}. Like {{wp|Hillary Clinton|Clinton}}, {{wp|Bernie Sanders|Sanders}} himself also called for his supporters to vote for [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]], whom he referred to in a speech as "a strong and powerful woman who will carry on the legacy of the late and beloved {{wp|John F. Kennedy}}". The primaries eventually concluded on June 14 with a simple win for [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] in the {{wp|District of Columbia}}, where she virtually ran unopposed as a result of {{wp|Bernie Sanders|Sanders}}'s withdrawal.

In what was later described by {{wp|CNN}} as a "proud moment of unity", both {{wp|Hillary Clinton|Clinton}} and {{wp|Bernie Sanders|Sanders}} went on to endorse and subsequently appear together with [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] at a number of rallies held prior to the eventual presidential election.

====Nominees====
{{Nominee Table
|party logo=Democratic Disc.svg
|party=Democratic
|header=2016 Democratic Party ticket
|president=Caroline Kennedy
|vice president=Cory Booker
|president portrait=Caroline Kennedy US State Dept photo.jpg
|vp portrait=Cory Booker, official portrait, 114th Congress.jpg
|experience={{wp|United States Senate|U.S. Senator}}<br />from {{wp|New York (state)|New York}}<br /><small>(2009–2016)</small>
|vp experience={{wp|United States Senate|U.S. Senator}}<br />from {{wp|New Jersey}}<br /><small>(2013–2016)</small>
|campaign=Caroline Kennedy 2016 presidential campaign
|campaign logo=Image
|bottom color=#c8ebff
}}

====Candidates====
The following candidates were frequently interviewed by major broadcast networks and cable news channels or were listed in publicly published national polls. {{wp|Lawrence Lessig|Lessig}} was invited to one forum but withdrew when rules were changed which prevented him from participating in officially sanctioned debates.

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="font-size:90%"
|- <sup>†</sup>
| colspan="9" style="text-align:center; width:700px; font-size:120%; color:white; background:blue;"|''Candidates in this section are sorted by date of withdrawal from the primaries''
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Bernie Sanders}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Hillary Clinton}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Martin O'Malley}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Lawrence Lessig}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Lincoln Chafee}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Jim Webb}}
|-
|[[File:Bernie Sanders.jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Hillary Clinton by Gage Skidmore 4 (cropped).jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Governor O'Malley Portrait.jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Lessig (cropped).png|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Lincoln Chafee (14103606100 cc56e38ddd h).jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Jim Webb official 110th Congress photo (cropped).jpg|center|120x120px]]
|- style="text-align:center"
|U.S. senator from {{wp|Vermont}}<br /> <small>(2007–''present'')</small>
|{{wp|List of Secretaries of State of the United States|67th}}<br />{{wp|United States Secretary of State|U.S. Secretary of State}}<br /><small>(2009–2013)</small>
|61st<br />{{wp|governor of Maryland}}<br /><small>(2007–2015)</small>
|{{wp|Harvard Law School|Harvard Law professor}}<br /><small>(2009–2016)</small>
|74th<br />{{wp|Governor of Rhode Island}}<br /><small>(2011–2015)</small>
|U.S. senator<br />from {{wp|Virginia}}<br /><small>(2007–2013)</small>
|-
|[[File:Bernie Sanders 2016 logo.svg|alt=|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Hillary for America 2016 logo.svg|alt=|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:O'Malley for President 2016 Logo.png|alt=|center|70x70px]]
|[[File:Lessig 2016.png|alt=|center|100x100px]]
|[[File:Chafee for President.png|alt=|center|135x135px]]
|[[File:Webb 2016.png|alt=|center|130x130px]]
|- style="text-align:center"
|{{wp|Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|Hillary Clinton 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|Martin O'Malley 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|Lawrence Lessig 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|Lincoln Chafee 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|Jim Webb 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|- style="text-align:center"
|''{{abbr|W|withdrew}}: June 9, 2016''<br /><small>
|''{{abbr|W|withdrew}}: June 6, 2016''<br /><small>
|''{{abbr|W|withdrew}}: February 1, 2016''<br /><small>
|''{{abbr|W|withdrew}}: November 2, 2015''<br /><small>
|''{{abbr|W|withdrew}}: October 23, 2015''<br /><small>
|''{{abbr|W|withdrew}}: October 20, 2015''<br /><small>
|}

====Vice presidential selection====
Following her victories in {{wp|Oregon}} and {{wp|Kentucky}}, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]], now finding herself in a mostly comfortable position to eventually become the party nominee for the 2016 presidential election, would begin to consider her own personal pick for future vice president, with the initial list said to have contained around 20 to 30 individuals in total. Then, with {{wp|Hillary Clinton|Clinton}}'s withdrawal from the race, rumours begin to flout that [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] would be considering the former secretary of state as her running mate, thereby potentially creating a ticket composed entirely of women, the first of its kind. However, this did not ultimately come into fruition. Meanwhile, the progressive {{wp|Massachusetts}} senator {{wp|Elizabeth Warren}} was also touted by some as a potential vice candidate pick, as both women are largely considered by many to have the same brand of politics.

Then, following the withdrawal of {{wp|Bernie Sanders}} from the race, followed by a final victory in the {{wp|District of Columbia}} for [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]], the latter's shortlist was said to have somewhat narrowed, with names now including senators {{wp|Cory Booker}} from {{wp|New Jersey}}, {{wp|Tim Kaine}} from {{wp|Virginia}}, and {{wp|Amy Klobuchar}} from {{wp|Minnesota}}, former {{wp|Ohio}} state senator {{wp|Nina Turner}}, and {{wp|Colorado}} governor {{wp|John Hickenlooper}}. Then, shortly after her unanimous victory in the {{wp|District of Columbia}}, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] declared in an interview with {{wp|MSNBC}} that "there are only five people left for consideration", although she did not subsequently provide any names for those supposed remaining five candidates.

On July 20th, in a televised speech from her residence in {{wp|New York (state)|New York}}, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] announced that {{wp|New Jersey}} senator {{wp|Cory Booker}}, whom she proceeded to praise for his "{{wp|Ted Kennedy}}-like oratory skills" and his "commitment to the lives of everyday {{wp|Americans}}", would be her running mate for the election. Then, on July 22nd, at the {{wp|2016 Democratic National Convention}} in {{wp|Philadelphia}}, {{wp|Pennsylvania}}, delegates present at the convention formally nominated the {{wp|Democratic Party (US)|Democratic}} ticket.

===Republican Party===
====Primaries====
With seventeen major candidates entering the race, starting with {{wp|Ted Cruz}} on March 23, 2015, this was the largest presidential primary field for any political party in {{wp|American}} history, before being overtaken by the {{wp|2020 Democratic presidential primaries}}.

Prior to the {{wp|Iowa caucuses}} on February 1, 2016, {{wp|Rick Perry|Perry}}, {{wp|Scott Walker|Walker}}, {{wp|Bobby Jindal|Jindal}}, {{wp|Lindsey Graham|Graham}}, and {{wp|George Pataki|Pataki}} withdrew due to low polling numbers. Despite leading many polls in {{wp|Iowa}}, {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} came in second to {{wp|Ted Cruz|Cruz}}, after which {{wp|Mike Huckabee|Huckabee}}, {{wp|Rand Paul|Paul}}, and {{wp|Rick Santorum|Santorum}} withdrew due to poor performances at the ballot box. Following a sizable victory for {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} in the {{wp|New Hampshire}} primary, {{wp|Chris Christie|Christie}}, {{wp|Carly Fiorina|Fiorina}}, and {{wp|Jim Gilmore|Gilmore}} abandoned the race. {{wp|Jeb Bush|Bush}} followed suit after scoring fourth place to {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}}, {{wp|Marco Rubio|Rubio}}, and {{wp|Ted Cruz|Cruz}} in {{wp|South Carolina}}. On March 1, 2016, the first of four "{{wp|Super Tuesday}}" primaries, {{wp|Marco Rubio|Rubio}} won his first contest in {{wp|Minnesota}}, {{wp|Ted Cruz|Cruz}} won {{wp|Alaska}}, {{wp|Oklahoma}}, and his home state of {{wp|Texas}}, and {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} won the other seven states that voted. Failing to gain traction, {{wp|Ben Carson|Carson}} suspended his campaign a few days later. On March 15, 2016, the second "{{wp|Super Tuesday}}", {{wp|John Kasich|Kasich}} won his only contest in his home state of {{wp|Ohio}}, and {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} won five primaries including {{wp|Florida}}. {{wp|Marco Rubio|Rubio}} suspended his campaign after losing his home state.

Between March 16 and May 3, 2016, only three candidates remained in the race: {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}}, {{wp|Ted Cruz|Cruz}}, and {{wp|John Kasich|Kasich}}. {{wp|Ted Cruz|Cruz}} won the most delegates in four {{wp|Western}} contests and in {{wp|Wisconsin}}, keeping a credible path to denying {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} the nomination on the first ballot with 1,237 delegates. Trump then augmented his lead by scoring landslide victories in {{wp|New York (state)|New York}} and five {{wp|Northeastern}} states in April, followed by a decisive victory in {{wp|Indiana}} on May 3, 2016, securing all 57 of the state's delegates. Without any further chances of forcing a contested convention, both {{wp|Ted Cruz|Cruz}} and {{wp|John Kasich|Kasich}} suspended their campaigns. {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} remained the only active candidate and was declared the presumptive {{wp|Republican Party (US)|Republican}} nominee by {{wp|Republican National Committee}} chairman {{wp|Reince Priebus}} on the evening of May 3, 2016.

A 2018 study found that media coverage of {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} led to increased public support for him during the primaries. The study showed that {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} received nearly $2 billion in free media, more than double any other candidate. Political scientist {{wp|John M. Sides}} argued that {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}}'s polling surge was "almost certainly" due to frequent media coverage of his campaign. Sides concluded, "{{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} is surging in the polls because the news media has consistently focused on him since he announced his candidacy on June 16." Prior to clinching the {{wp|Republican Party (US)|Republican}} nomination, {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} received little support from establishment Republicans.

====Nominees====
{{Nominee Table
|party logo=Republican Disc.svg
|party=Republican
|header=2016 Republican Party ticket
|president=Donald Trump
|vice president=Mike Pence
|president portrait=Donald Trump by Gage Skidmore 10 (cropped).jpg
|vp portrait=Mike Pence February 2015 cropped color corrected.jpg
|experience=Chairman of<br /> {{wp|The Trump Organization}}<br /><small>(1971–''present'')</small>
|vp experience={{wp|List of Governors of Indiana|50th}}<br />{{wp|Governor of Indiana}}<br /><small>(2013–2016)</small>
|campaign=Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign
|campaign logo=Trump-Pence 2016.svg
|bottom color=#ffd0d7
}}

====Candidates====
Major candidates were determined by the various media based on common consensus. The following were invited to sanctioned televised debates based on their poll ratings.

Trump received 14,010,177 total votes in the primary. {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}}, {{wp|Ted Cruz|Cruz}}, {{wp|Marco Rubio|Rubio}} and {{wp|John Kasich|Kasich}} each won at least one primary, with {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} receiving the highest number of votes and {{wp|Ted Cruz}} receiving the second highest.

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|-<sup>†</sup>
| colspan="8" style="text-align:center; font-size:120%; color:white; background:red;"|''Candidates in this section are sorted by reverse date of withdrawal from the primaries''
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|John Kasich|<small>John Kasich</small>}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Ted Cruz|<small>Ted Cruz</small>}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Marco Rubio|<small>Marco Rubio</small>}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Ben Carson|<small>Ben Carson</small>}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Jeb Bush|<small>Jeb Bush</small>}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Jim Gilmore|<small>Jim Gilmore</small>}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Carly Fiorina|<small>Carly Fiorina</small>}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Chris Christie|<small>Chris Christie</small>}}
|-
|[[File:Governor John Kasich.jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Ted Cruz, official portrait, 113th Congress (cropped 2).jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Marco Rubio, Official Portrait, 112th Congress.jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Ben Carson by Skidmore with lighting correction.jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Jeb Bush Feb 2015.jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Jim Gilmore 2015.jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Carly Fiorina NFRW 2015.jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Chris Christie April 2015 (cropped).jpg|center|120x120px]]
|- style="text-align:center"
|{{wp|List of governors of Ohio|69th}}<br />{{wp|Governor of Ohio}}<br /><small>(2011–2019)</small>
|{{wp|United States Senate|U.S. senator}}<br />from {{wp|Texas}}<br /><small>(2013–''present'')</small>
|U.S. senator<br />from {{wp|Florida}}<br /><small>(2011–''present'')</small>
|Dir. of {{wp|Pediatric Neurosurgery}},<br />{{wp|Johns Hopkins Hospital}}<br /><small>(1984–2013)</small>
|{{wp|List of governors of Florida|43rd}}<br />{{wp|Governor of Florida}}<br /><small>(1999–2007)</small>
|{{wp|List of governors of Virginia|68th}}<br />{{wp|Governor of Virginia}}<br /><small>(1998–2002)</small>
|{{wp|Chief executive officer|CEO}} of<br />{{wp|Hewlett-Packard}}<br /><small>(1999–2005)</small>
|{{wp|List of governors of New Jersey|55th}}<br />{{wp|Governor of New Jersey}}<br /><small>(2010–2018)</small>
|-
|[[File:Kasich 2016.png|alt=|center|100x100px]]
|[[File:Cruz 2k16 text.png|alt=|center|100x100px]]
|[[File:Marcorubio.svg|alt=|center|100x100px]]
|[[File:Carson for President 2016.png|alt=|center|100x100px]]
|[[File:JEB! 2016 Campaign Logo.png|alt=|center|100x100px]]
|[[File:Gilmore 2016.png|alt=|center|100x100px]]
|[[File:Carly 2016.svg|alt=|center|100x100px]]
|[[File:Christie 2k16.png|alt=|center|100x100px]]
|- style="text-align:center"
|{{wp|John Kasich 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|Ted Cruz 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|Marco Rubio 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|Ben Carson 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|Jeb Bush 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|Jim Gilmore 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|Carly Fiorina 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|Chris Christie 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|- style="text-align:center"
|''W: May 4''<br /><small>'''4,287,479''' votes</small>
|''W: May 3''<br /><small>'''7,811,110''' votes</small>
|''W: Mar 15''<br /><small>'''3,514,124''' votes</small>
|''W: Mar 4''<br /><small>'''857,009''' votes</small>
|''W: Feb 20''<br /><small>'''286,634''' votes</small>
|''W: Feb 12''<br /><small>18,364 votes</small>
|''W: Feb 10''<br /><small>40,577 votes</small>
|''W: Feb 10''<br /><small>57,634 votes</small>
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Rand Paul|<small>Rand Paul</small>}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Rick Santorum|<small>Rick Santorum</small>}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Mike Huckabee|<small>Mike Huckabee</small>}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|George Pataki|<small>George Pataki</small>}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Lindsey Graham|<small>Lindsey Graham</small>}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Bobby Jindal|<small>Bobby Jindal</small>}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Scott Walker (politician)|<small>Scott Walker</small>}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:120%;"|{{wp|Rick Perry|<small>Rick Perry</small>}}
|-
|[[File:Rand Paul, official portrait, 112th Congress alternate (cropped).jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Rick Santorum by Gage Skidmore 8 (cropped2).jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Mike Huckabee by Gage Skidmore 6 (cropped).jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:George Pataki at Franklin Pierce University (cropped).jpg|center|123x123px]]
|[[File:Lindsey Graham, Official Portrait 2006 (cropped).jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Bobby Jindal 26 February 2015.jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Scott Walker March 2015.jpg|center|120x120px]]
|[[File:Rick Perry February 2015.jpg|center|120x120px]]
|- style="text-align:center"
|U.S. senator<br />from {{wp|Kentucky}}<br /><small>(2011–''present'')</small>
|U.S. senator<br />from {{wp|Pennsylvania}}<br /><small>(1995–2007)</small>
|{{wp|List of governors of Arkansas|44th}}<br />{{wp|Governor of Arkansas}}<br /><small>(1996–2007)</small>
|{{wp|List of governors of New York|53rd}}<br />{{wp|Governor of New York}}<br /><small>(1995–2006)</small>
|U.S. senator<br /> from {{wp|South Carolina}}<br /><small>(2003–''present'')</small>
|{{wp|List of governors of Louisiana|55th}}<br />{{wp|Governor of Louisiana}}<br /><small>(2008–2016)</small>
|45th<br />{{wp|Governor of Wisconsin}}<br /><small>(2011–2019)</small>
|47th<br />{{wp|List of governors of Texas|Governor of Texas}}<br /><small>(2000–2015)</small>
|-
|[[File:Rand Paul Presidential Campaign logo.svg|alt=|center|100x100px]]
|[[File:Santorum 2k16 text.png|alt=|center|100x100px]]
|[[File:Huckabee Plain.png|alt=|center|100x100px]]
|[[File:Pataki for President Campaign Logo.png|alt=|center|100x100px]]
|[[File:Graham 2k16.png|alt=|center|100x100px]]
|[[File:Jindal 2016 (Vertical).png|alt=|center|100x100px]]
|[[File:Scott Walker 2016 logo.svg|alt=|center|100x100px]]
|[[File:Perry16.png|alt=|center|100x100px]]
|- style="text-align:center"
|{{wp|Rand Paul 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|Rick Santorum 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|Mike Huckabee 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|George Pataki 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|Lindsey Graham 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|Bobby Jindal 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|Scott Walker 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|{{wp|Rick Perry 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign}}
|- style="text-align:center"
|''W: Feb 3''<br /><small>66,781 votes</small>
|''W: Feb 3''<br /><small>16,622 votes</small>
|''W: Feb 1''<br /><small>51,436 votes</small>
|''W: December 29, 2015''<br /><small>2,036 votes</small>
|''W: December 21, 2015''<br /><small>5,666 votes</small>
|''W: November 17, 2015''<br /><small>222 votes</small>
|''W: September 21, 2015''<br /><small>1 write-in vote in New Hampshire</small>
|''W: September 11, 2015''<br /><small>1 write-in vote in New Hampshire</small>
|}

====Vice presidential selection====
{{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} turned his attention towards selecting a running mate after he became the presumptive nominee on May 4, 2016. In mid-June, {{wp|Eli Stokols}} and {{wp|Burgess Everett}} of {{wp|Politico|''Politico''}} reported that the {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} campaign was considering {{wp|New Jersey}} Governor {{wp|Chris Christie}}, former {{wp|Speaker of the House}} {{wp|Newt Gingrich}} from {{wp|Georgia}}, Senator {{wp|Jeff Sessions}} of {{wp|Alabama}}, and {{wp|Oklahoma}} Governor {{wp|Mary Fallin}}. A June 30 report from {{wp|The Washington Post|''The Washington Post''}} also included Senators {{wp|Bob Corker}} from {{wp|Tennessee}}, {{wp|Richard Burr}} from {{wp|North Carolina}}, {{wp|Tom Cotton}} from {{wp|Arkansas}}, {{wp|Joni Ernst}} from {{wp|Iowa}}, and {{wp|Indiana}} governor {{wp|Mike Pence}} as individuals still being considered for the ticket. {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} also said he was considering two military generals for the position, including retired Lieutenant General {{wp|Michael Flynn}}.

In July 2016, it was reported that {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} had narrowed his list of possible running mates down to three: {{wp|Chris Christie|Christie}}, {{wp|Newt Gingrich|Gingrich}}, and {{wp|Mike Pence|Pence}}.

On July 14, 2016, several major media outlets reported that {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} had selected {{wp|Mike Pence|Pence}} as his running mate. {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} confirmed these reports in a message {{wp|Twitter}} on July 15, 2016, and formally made the announcement the following day in {{wp|New York (state)|New York}}. On July 19, the second night of the {{wp|2016 Republican National Convention}}, {{wp|Mike Pence|Pence}} won the {{wp|Republican Party (US)|Republican}} vice presidential nomination by acclamation.

===Minor parties and independents===
Third party and independent candidates who have obtained more than 100,000 votes nationally or on Ballot in at least 15 states are listed separately.

====Libertarian Party====
* '''{{wp|Gary Johnson}}''', 29th {{wp|Governor of New Mexico}}. Vice presidential nominee: '''{{wp|Bill Weld}}''', 68th {{wp|Governor of Massachusetts}}<br/>
''Additional Party Endorsements:'' {{wp|Independence Party of New York|''Independence Party of New York''}}<br/>Ballot access to all 538 electoral votes
=====Nominees=====
{{Nominee Table
|party logo=Libertarian Disc.svg
|party=Libertarian
|header=2016 Libertarian Party ticket
|president=Gary Johnson
|vice president=Bill Weld
|top text color=black
|president portrait=Gary Johnson campaign portrait.jpg
|vp portrait=Bill Weld campaign portrait.jpg
|experience={{wp|List of Governors of New Mexico|29th}}<br />{{wp|Governor of New Mexico}}<br /><small>(1995–2003)</small>
|vp experience={{wp|List of Governors of Massachusetts|68th}}<br />{{wp|Governor of Massachusetts}}<br /><small>(1991–1997)</small>
|campaign=Gary Johnson 2016 presidential campaign
|campaign logo =Johnson Weld 2016.svg
|bottom color=#ffffbf
}}

====Green Party====
* '''{{wp|Jill Stein}}''', physician from {{wp|Lexington, Massachusetts}}. Vice-presidential nominee: '''{{wp|Ajamu Baraka}}''', activist from {{wp|Washington, D.C.}}<br/>
Ballot access to 480 electoral votes ''(522 with write-in)'':
* As write-in: ''Georgia'', ''Indiana'', ''North Carolina''
* Ballot access lawsuit pending: ''Oklahoma''
* No ballot access: ''Nevada'', ''South Dakota''
=====Nominees=====
{{Nominee Table
|party logo=Green Disc.svg
|party=Green
|header=2016 Green Party ticket
|president=Jill Stein
|vice president=Ajamu Baraka
|president portrait=Jill Stein by Gage Skidmore.jpg
|vp portrait=Ajamu Baraka at Oct 2016 Berkeley rally for Jill Stein - 4 (cropped) (cropped).jpg
|experience=Physician<br />from {{wp|Lexington, Massachusetts}}
|vp experience=Activist<br />from {{wp|Washington, D.C.}}
|campaign=Jill Stein 2016 presidential campaign
|campaign logo =SteinBaraka.png
|campaign logo size=200px
|bottom color=#6BDE9D
}}

====Constitution Party====
* '''Darrell Castle''', attorney from {{wp|Memphis, Tennessee}}. Vice presidential nominee: '''{{wp|Scott Bradley}}''', businessman from {{wp|Utah}}<br/>
Ballot access to 207 electoral votes ''(451 with write-in)'':
* As write-in: ''Alabama'', ''Arizona'', ''Connecticut'', ''Delaware'', ''Georgia'', ''Illinois'', ''Indiana'', ''Kansas'', ''Kentucky'', ''Maine'', ''Maryland'', ''Montana'', ''Nebraska'', ''New Hampshire'', ''New York'', ''Ohio'', ''Oregon'', ''Rhode Island'', ''Tennessee'', ''Texas'', ''Vermont'', ''Virginia''
* No ballot access: ''California'', ''District of Columbia'', ''Massachusetts'', ''North Carolina'', ''Oklahoma''
=====Nominees=====
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
|-
| colspan="2" style="background:#f1f1f1;" |<big>'''2016 Constitution Party ticket'''</big>
|-
! style="width:3em; font-size:135%; background:purple; width:200px;"| {{color|white|Darrell Castle}}
! style="width:3em; font-size:135%; background:purple; width:200px;"| {{wp|Scott Bradley (politician)|{{color|white|Scott Bradley}}}}
|- style="color:#000; font-size:100%; background:#A049AF;"
| style="width:3em; width:200px;"|'''''for President'''''
| style="width:3em; width:200px;"|'''''for Vice President'''''
|-
| [[File:DCastle08.jpg|center|200x200px]]
| <!-- Do not use a placeholder image here, per WP:IPH -->
|-
| Attorney<br />from {{wp|Memphis, Tennessee}}
| Businessman<br />from {{wp|Utah}}
|-
| colspan=2 |'''[[Darrell Castle 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign]]'''
|-
| colspan=2 |[[File:Castle 2016 logo, flat.png]]
|}

====Independent====
* '''{{wp|Evan McMullin}}''', chief policy director for the {{wp|House Republican Conference}}. Vice presidential nominee: {{wp|Mindy Finn}}, president of Empowered Women<br/>
''Additional Party Endorsements:'' {{wp|Independence Party of Minnesota|''Independence Party of Minnesota''}}, {{wp|South Carolina Independence Party|''South Carolina Independence Party''}}<br/>Ballot access to 84 electoral votes ''(451 with write-in)'':
* As write-in: ''Alabama'', ''Alaska'', ''Arizona'', ''California'', ''Connecticut'', ''Delaware'', ''Georgia'', ''Illinois'', ''Kansas'', ''Maine'', ''Maryland'', ''Massachusetts'', ''Michigan'', ''Missouri'', ''Montana'', ''Nebraska'', ''New Hampshire'', ''New Jersey'', ''New York'', ''North Dakota'', ''Ohio'', ''Oregon'', ''Pennsylvania'', ''Rhode Island'', ''Tennessee'', ''Texas'', ''Vermont'', ''Washington'', ''West Virginia'', ''Wisconsin''
* No ballot access: ''District of Columbia'', ''Florida'', ''Hawaii'', ''Indiana'', ''Mississippi'', ''Nevada'', ''North Carolina'', ''Oklahoma'', ''South Dakota'', ''Wyoming''
In some states, Evan McMullin's running mate was listed as Nathan Johnson on the ballot rather than Mindy Finn, although Nathan Johnson was intended to only be a placeholder until an actual running mate was chosen.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
|-
| style="background:#f1f1f1;" colspan="30"|<big>'''2016 Independent ticket'''</big>
|-
! style="width:3em; font-size:135%; background:#FF5800; width:200px;"| {{wp|Evan McMullin|{{color|white|Evan McMullin}}}}
! style="width:3em; font-size:135%; background:#FF5800; width:200px;"| {{wp|Mindy Finn|{{color|white|Mindy Finn}}}}
|- style="color:#000; font-size:100%; background:orange;"
| style="width:3em; width:200px;"|'''''for President'''''
| style="width:3em; width:200px;"|'''''for Vice President'''''
|-
| [[File:Evan McMullin 2016-10-21 headshot.jpg|center|200x200px]]
| [[File:Mindy Finn at CAP (cropped).jpg|center|200x200px]]
|-
| Chief policy director for the <br />{{wp|House Republican Conference}} <small>{{nowrap|(2015–2016)}}</small>
| President of<br />Empowered Women<br /><small>(2015–''present'')</small>
|-
| colspan=2 |'''[[Evan McMullin 2016 presidential campaign|Campaign]]'''
|-
| colspan=2 |[[File:EvanMcMullinMindyFinn2016.png|center|275px]]
|}

====Other nominations====
These candidates received at least 0.01% of the vote (13,667 votes).
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!style="width:15em;"|Party
!Presidential nominee
!Vice presidential nominee
!style="width:5em;" data-sort-type="number"|Attainable electors<br />(''write-in'')
!style="width:5em;" data-sort-type="number"|Popular vote
!style="width:18em;"|States with ballot access<br />(''write-in'')
|-
|{{wp|Party for Socialism and Liberation}}<br />
{{wp|Peace and Freedom Party|Peace and Freedom}}<br />
{{wp|Liberty Union Party}}
|{{wp|Gloria La Riva}}<br />Newspaper printer and activist from {{wp|California}}
|{{wp|Eugene Puryear}}<br />Activist from {{wp|Washington, D.C.}}
|112<br />(''226'')<br />[[:File:Gloria La Riva ballot access (2016).svg|map]]
|74,402<br />''(0.05%)''
|<small>California, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Vermont, Washington<br />(''Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia'')
|-
|''Independent''
|{{wp|Richard Duncan (American politician)|Richard Duncan}}<br />Real Estate Agent from {{wp|Ohio}}
|{{wp|Ricky Johnson}}<br />Preacher from {{wp|Pennsylvania}}
|18<br />(''173'')
|24,307<br />''(0.02%)''
|<small>Ohio<br />(''Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia'')
|}

==General election campaign==
===Beliefs and policies of candidate===
By and large, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] mostly focused her campaign on several specific themes, as well as on her own personal image and character, that of a member of the {{wp|Kennedy family}}, which consisted of well-known politicians such as her own father, {{wp|John F. Kennedy}} and her two uncles, {{wp|Robert F. Kennedy}} and {{wp|Ted Kennedy}}. Meanwhile, on the subject of national issues, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] largely advocated for a continuation of the economic policies of {{wp|President of the United States|President}} {{wp|Barack Obama|Obama}}, which mainly consisted of moderate tax increases on high-income earners, as well as extensive government spending. At the same time, while continuing to profess overall support for the {{wp|North American Free Trade Agreement}}, or NAFTA, Kennedy however stated in an interview with {{wp|CNN}} that "there are perhaps certain parts or provisions of the deal that might warrant a second look", prompting rumours of her being a protectionist, to which she responded, ''"I am neither a free trade absolutist or a total protectionist either, but someone who could see both sides of the issue and therefore work out a moderate, common-sense solution to the problem"''. Furthermore, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] also heavily promoted the concept of {{wp|equal pay for equal work}}, expressed tacit support for same-sex marriages, proposed a "human rights-based approach" to the issue of illegal immigration, and perhaps, most notably, revived the idea of universal healthcare, first proposed by {{wp|President of the United States|President}} {{wp|Harry S. Truman}}. 

Meanwhile, {{wp|Donald Trump}}'s campaign drew heavily on his personal image, enhanced by his previous media exposure. The primary slogan of the {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} campaign, extensively used on campaign merchandise, was {{wp|Make America Great Again}}. The red baseball cap with the slogan emblazoned on the front became a symbol of the campaign and has been frequently donned by {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} and his supporters. {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}}'s right-wing populist positions reported by {{wp|The New Yorker|''The New Yorker''}} to be {{wp|nativist}}, {{wp|protectionist}}, and semi-isolationist—differ in many ways from traditional U.S. conservatism. He opposed many free trade deals and military interventionist policies that conservatives generally support, and opposed cuts in {{wp|Medicare}} and {{wp|Social Security}} benefits. Moreover, he has insisted that {{wp|Washington}} is "broken" and can be fixed only by an outsider. Support for {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} was high among working and middle-class white male voters with annual incomes of less than $50,000 and no college degree. This group, particularly those without a high-school diploma, suffered a decline in their income in recent years. According to {{wp|The Washington Post|''The Washington Post''}}, support for {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} is higher in areas with a higher mortality rate for middle-aged white people. A sample of interviews with more than 11,000 Republican-leaning respondents from August to December 2015 found that {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} at that time found his strongest support among Republicans in {{wp|West Virginia}}, followed by {{wp|New York (state)|New York}}, and then followed by six Southern states.

===Media coverage===
In stark contrast to {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}}, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]]'s largely uncontroversial and esteemed character allowed her to enjoy a mostly positive relationship with the press, although, in some instances, she has criticised the {{wp|American}} media for their "nauseating fixation on a specific person's personal life", in  a reference to the constant attention received by her late sister-in-law, {{wp|Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy}} from the paparazzi during her marriage to her husband, {{wp|John F. Kennedy Jr.}} 

On the other hand, {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} was said to have largely benefited from free media more than any other candidate. According to data from the {{wp|Tyndall Report|''Tyndall Report''}}, which tracks nightly news content, through February 2016, {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} alone accounted for more than a quarter of all 2016 election coverage on the evening newscasts of {{wp|NBC}}, {{wp|CBS}} and {{wp|ABC}}, more than all the {{wp|Democratic Party (US)|Democratic}} campaigns combined. Observers noted {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}}'s ability to garner constant mainstream media coverage "almost at will." However, {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} frequently criticized the media for writing what he alleged to be false stories about him and he has called upon his supporters to be "the silent majority." {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} also said the media "put false meaning into the words I say", and says he does not mind being criticized by the media as long as they are honest about it.

===Controversies===
Due to a mix of both his inflammatory and often divisive rhetoric, coupled with his rather problematic past, {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} is often seen in a mostly unfavourable manner by the general {{wp|American}} public, while his Democratic opponent, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Caroline Kennedy]] is otherwise often received favourably by the {{wp|American}} public.

Despite her overwhelmingly popularity among the {{wp|American}} public and media, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] was nonetheless dogged by two notable scandals or controversies that plagued her campaign, with the first revolving around her separation from her husband, {{wp|Edwin Schlossberg}} a year prior, a fact that was seized upon by the {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} campaign in an attempt to discredit her character. However, during the course of the first presidential debate, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]], in a reply to the Republican businessman's attack on her marital history, memorably proclaimed, ''"Despite our separation, I and my husband have continued to remain on good terms with one another since then, but can the same be said for your two previous wives?"''. At the same time, {{wp|Edwin Schlossberg|Schlossberg}} himself also publicly came out in support of his wife's campaign, thereby quelling rumours regarding their supposed animosity and incompatibility with one another. 

Meanwhile, the second controversy that plagued her campaign came in the form of questions and doubts surrounding her political expertise, with some regarding her seven-year-long tenure as {{wp|New York (state)|New York}} senator "too short" for a future president. However, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] soon responded by stating that her tenure as a US senator was "incomparably better" than {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}}'s own lack of political experience, before subsequently noting that her predecessor, {{wp|Barack Obama}} is "one of the greatest presidents in history despite only an eleven year-long tenure as senator", thereby quelling the doubts raised by the {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} campaign surrounding her political experience.

Furthermore, concerns over several past stated political stances of [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Caroline Kennedy]]'s were also raised, particularly over her initial stances of recognising {{wp|Jerusalem}} as the {{wp|Israeli}} capital city and her fervent initial support for a renewal of the {{wp|Federal Assault Weapons Ban}}. However, the {{wp|New York (state)|New York}} senator soon addressed these concerns by stating that she has a "rather changed mind" on those particular stances of hers, as evidenced by her current support for {{wp|Jerusalem}} to be recognised as an international city and for "common sense background checks", a political stance that is generally considered as being more mainstream among the {{wp|American}} public. 

On June 6th, [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] attracted considerable controversy when, in an interview with {{wp|CNN}}, the {{wp|New York (state)|New York}} senator stated that "the {{wp|United States}} will continue to guarantee both the security and sovereignty of the state of {{wp|Israel}}, but not at the expense of any sort of the {{wp|Israeli}} government's attempts at violating the internationally agreed upon {{wp|Green Line (1967)|1967 borders}}", a remark which despite drawing praise from moderates, who noted the middle-ground nature of the statement, and from some members of the {{wp|Jewish}} community that are to some extent critical of the {{wp|Israeli}} government's actions, was otherwise panned and became a subject of contention especially among conservative minded {{wp|Jews}}, who accused [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] of being "half-hearted" in regards to the security issue of {{wp|Israel}}, while some also accused the {{wp|New York (state)|New York}} senator of {{wp|anti-Semitism}}, which she fervently denies. Then-{{wp|Prime Minister of Israel}}, {{wp|Benjamin Netanyahu}} also reacted negatively to [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]]'s aforementioned statement, as he later echoed much of the criticism previously directed against the {{wp|New York (state)|New York}} senator in regards to the controversial statement.

On the other side, on October 7, 2016, {{wp|Donald Trump Access Hollywood tape|a video and accompanying audio}} were released by {{wp|The Washington Post|''The Washington Post''}} in which {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} referred obscenely to women in a 2005 conversation with {{wp|Billy Bush}} while they were preparing to film an episode of {{wp|Access Hollywood|''Access Hollywood''}}. In the recording, {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} described his attempts to initiate a sexual relationship with a married woman and added that women would allow male celebrities to grope their genitalia ({{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} used the phrase "grab 'em by the pussy"). The audio was met with a reaction of disbelief and disgust from the media. Following the revelation, {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}}'s campaign issued an apology, stating that the video was of a private conversation from "many years ago." The incident was condemned by numerous prominent Republicans like {{wp|Reince Priebus}}, {{wp|Mitt Romney}}, {{wp|John Kasich}}, {{wp|Jeb Bush}}, and the {{wp|Speaker of the House}} {{wp|Paul Ryan}}. Many believed the video had doomed {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}}'s chances for election. By October 8, several dozen Republicans had called for {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} to withdraw from the campaign and let {{wp|Mike Pence|Pence}} and {{wp|Condoleezza Rice}} head the ticket. {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} insisted he would never drop out, but apologized for his remarks.

{{wp|Donald Trump}} also delivered strong and controversial statements toward {{wp|Muslims}} and {{wp|Islam}} on the campaign trail, saying, "I think {{wp|Islam}} hates us." He was criticized and also supported for his statement at a rally declaring, "{{wp|Donald J. Trump}} is calling for a total and complete shutdown of {{wp|Muslims}} entering the {{wp|United States}} until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on." Additionally, {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} announced that he would "look into" surveilling mosques, and mentioned potentially going after the families of domestic terrorists in the wake of the {{wp|San Bernardino shooting}}. His strong rhetoric towards {{wp|Muslims}} resulted in leadership from both parties condemning his statements. However, many of his supporters shared their support for his proposed travel ban, despite the backlash.

Throughout the campaign, {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} indicated in interviews, speeches, and {{wp|Twitter}} posts that he would refuse to recognize the outcome of the election if he was defeated. {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} falsely stated that the election would be rigged against him. During the final presidential debate of 2016, {{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} refused to tell {{wp|Fox News}} anchor {{wp|Chris Wallace}} whether or not he would accept the election results. 

The ongoing controversy of the election made third parties attract voters' attention. On March 3, 2016, Libertarian {{wp|Gary Johnson}} addressed the {{wp|Conservative Political Action Conference}} in {{wp|Washington, D.C.|Washington, DC}}, touting himself as the third-party option for anti-{{wp|Donald Trump|Trump}} Republicans. In early May, some commentators opined that {{wp|Gary Johnson|Johnson}} was moderate enough to pull votes away from both [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Caroline Kennedy]] (albeit only to a minor extent) and especially {{wp|Donald Trump}} whose polarising character had put him on a collision course with moderate Republican voters. Both conservative and liberal media noted that Johnson could get votes from "Never Trump" Republicans and disaffected {{wp|Bernie Sanders}} supporters. {{wp|Gary Johnson|Johnson}} also began to get time on national television, being invited on {{wp|ABC News}}, {{wp|NBC News}}, {{wp|CBS News}}, {{wp|CNN}}, {{wp|Fox News}}, {{wp|MSNBC}}, {{wp|Bloomberg Television|Bloomberg}}, and many other networks. In September and October 2016, {{wp|Gary Johnson|Johnson}} suffered a "string of damaging stumbles when he has fielded questions about foreign affairs." On September 8, {{wp|Gary Johnson|Johnson}}, when he appeared on {{wp|MSNBC}}'s {{wp|Morning Joe|''Morning Joe''}}, was asked by panelist {{wp|Mike Barnicle}}, "What would you do, if you were elected, about {{wp|Aleppo}}?" (referring to a war-torn city in {{wp|Syria}}). {{wp|Gary Johnson|Johnson}} responded, "And what is {{wp|Aleppo}}?" His response prompted widespread attention, much of it negative. Later that day, {{wp|Gary Johnson|Johnson}} said that he had "blanked" and that he did "understand the dynamics of the {{wp|Syrian}} conflict—I talk about them every day."

On the other hand, {{wp|Green Party of the United States|Green Party}} candidate {{wp|Jill Stein}} said the Democratic and Republican parties are "two corporate parties" that have converged into one. Concerned by the rise of the far-right internationally and the tendency towards neoliberalism within the Democratic Party, she has said, "The answer to {{wp|neofascism}} is stopping {{wp|neoliberalism}}. Putting another Kennedy in the {{wp|White House}} will fan the flames of this right-wing extremism."

In response to {{wp|Gary Johnson|Johnson}}'s growing poll numbers, the [[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]] campaign and Democratic allies increased their criticism of {{wp|Gary Johnson|Johnson}} in September 2016, warning that "a vote for a third party is a vote for {{wp|Donald Trump}}" and deploying Senator {{wp|Bernie Sanders}} ([[Caroline Kennedy (CK)|Kennedy]]'s former primary rival, who supported her in the general election) to win over voters who might be considering voting for {{wp|Gary Johnson|Johnson}} or for {{wp|Jill Stein|Stein}}.

===Ballot access===

{|class="wikitable"
|- style="background:lightgrey;"
! rowspan="2"|Presidential ticket
! rowspan="2"|Party
! colspan="3"|[[Ballot access]]
! rowspan="2"|Votes
! rowspan="2"|Percentage
|- style="background:lightgrey;"
!States
!Electors
!% of voters
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|'''Kennedy / Booker'''
|'''Democratic'''
|'''50 + {{wp|Washington, D.C.|DC}}'''
|'''538'''
|'''100%'''
|'''77,003,555'''
|'''51.8%'''
|-{{Party shading/Republican}}
|'''Trump / Pence'''
|'''Republican'''
|'''50 + {{wp|Washington, D.C.|DC}}'''
|'''538'''
|'''100%'''
|'''70,611,368'''
|'''47.5%'''
|-{{Party shading/Libertarian}}
|'''Johnson / Weld'''
|'''Libertarian'''
|'''50 + {{wp|Washington, D.C.|DC}}'''
|'''538'''
|'''100%'''
|'''4,489,341'''
|'''3.02%'''
|-{{Party shading/Green}}
|'''Stein / Baraka'''
|'''Green'''
|'''44 + {{wp|Washington, D.C.|DC}}'''
|'''480'''
|'''89%'''
|'''1,457,218'''
|'''0.98%'''
|-{{Party shading/Independent}}
|McMullin / Finn
|Independent
|11
|84
|15%
|731,991
|0.49%
|-{{Party shading/Constitution}}
|Castle / Bradley
|Constitution
|24
|207
|39%
|203,090
|0.14%
|}
* Candidates in '''bold''' were on ballots representing 270 electoral votes, without needing write-in states.
* All other candidates were on the ballots of fewer than 25 states, but had write-in access greater than 270.