This paper discusses how the violent elements of the recent racial justice protests in the US impacted electoral politics. It analyses how pre-existing political structures and their interaction with activists increased the movement’s proclivity towards violence, and how public perception of the demonstrations declined subsequently. Moreover, it draws parallels between the 2020 and the 1968 presidential election and discusses how the similarities in circumstances vis-à-vis social movements affected the candidates’ chances.

Keywords: Elections, social movements, violence, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, protests..​

DOI: http://doi.one/10.1732/IJLMH.25757