2020 Russian regional elections
The 2020 Russian regional elections took place across three days from 11 to 13 September 2020 in 28 out of the 85 federal subjects of Russia. Voters elected 18 directly-elected governors, 2 indirectly-elected governors and 11 regional parliaments. The elections also coincided with local elections in many cities. A total of 156,000 candidates stood for 78,000 positions at regional, local and municipal levels. The vote was extended over three days in a move the government said was to avoid over-crowding and to reduce the risk from COVID-19.
Candidates for the ruling United Russia party or their allies won all 20 governorships with more than 50% of the vote, meaning they would not need to hold a second round run-off. However, the party lost their majority in city assemblies in Tomsk, Novosibirsk and Tambov.
Ben Noble characterised the elections as the Kremlin's dress rehearsal for the 2021 State Duma elections.
Campaign
The election was led by incumbent candidates from the governing United Russia party competing against parties Liberal Democratic Party, A Just Russia and the Communist Party and independents. Opposition leader Alexei Navalny called on opposition voters to use "Smart Voting" by voting for candidates most likely to win against United Russia.The campaign in Archangelsk Oblast came after the governor had proposed fully integrating the Nenets Autonomous Okrug into the Oblast. This had provoked demonstrations until the proposals were withdrawn.