With ballots left to count, Democratic nominee Joe Biden has broken the record set by Barack Obama for the most votes accrued by any presidential candidate in U.S. history, a number that, amid an election of record-breaking turnout, President Trump is also nearing.

KEY FACTS

Biden surpassed the popular vote record of 69,498,516 set by Obama in 2008 on Wednesday, according to data from the Associated Press. 

The former vice president’s tally is at 70,055,711 with many precincts still counting ballots. 

President Trump is also nearing Obama’s record with 67,321,943 votes as of Wednesday at midday. 

The 2020 election is on track to have the highest voter turnout rate among eligible citizens in over a century. NBC News projected Wednesday morning that at least 159.8 million Americans voted this cycle, which could constitute a 66.7% voter turnout rate among eligible citizens, surpassing the 65% of eligible voters who cast ballots in 1908. 

Source: Forbes.com