Voicing your opinion in the midterm election is integral to the continuation of America’s democracy. One-third of America’s governmental system, the executive branch (the President), is firmly conservative. The judicial branch (the court system) is supposed to be a nonpartisan organization; however, along with many other sectors of government, the court system is highly politicized. Now the Supreme Court is split between in half between Democratic appointed and Republican-appointed justice. With the chaos that’s lead to the #Kavanope movement, it’s hard to say which direction our Supreme Court will sway. Lastly, the third branch of government is the legislature. During this midterm election, the congressional race is very tight which is why all citizens should participate in the democratic process. All three branches of our government could be controlled by the Republican Party; this is either the perfect storm or a breath of fresh air depending on where you stand.
The Congressional portion of the ballot is the most publicized and controversial part of the midterm election. All 435 seats of the House of Representatives are up for grabs in November. A majority of the House is controlled by Republicans with 236 seats; however, Democrats trail shortly behind with 193 seats. Additionally, there are 6 open seats that are fair game for either party. The Republican Party holds 51 seats in the Senate and the Democrats hold 49 seats. Of those Democratic seats, 47 are official Democratic Party representatives with two seats held by independents (Bernie Sanders from Vermont and Angus King Jr. from Maine.) The independents are caucused with the Democrats for grouping purposes because their independent ideology aligns closer to the left than the right.
Along with the Congressional election on your ballot, there may also be a few more portions depending on where you live. Many midterm elections may include prosecutors, judges, mayors, etc. It is a great idea to preview what may be on your ballot before Election Day, November 6. To check out exactly what will be on your ballot, you can visit this link. Also, if you are looking for a guide to voter registration, the absentee ballot, and polling locations, you can read my latest article.
America has one of the lowest voter turnouts in the world. One of the main reasons that citizens don’t vote is because they feel uninformed, especially millennial voters. This midterm election is a pivotal moment in our nation’s political climate. If you have a strong distaste for President Trump, here is your chance to give him the proverbial middle finger. On the other hand, if you are a Republican vote to give your party a proverbial thumbs up. And, if you really don’t know what’s going on, read the rest of this article so you won’t have to give a proverbial shrug ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
Here are some ways to get informed about the Midterm Election:
1. Listen to Podcasts
This is a bi-weekly podcast created by former aides of President Obama: Jon Favreau, Dan Pfeiffer, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor. The content revolves around a casual, yet informative, discussion about current events in American politics. They usually welcome guests like comedians, politicians, and journalists. Here are some notable guests Pod Save America has featured: Former Secretary of State John Kerry, Senator Dick Durbin, Actorvist (actor-activist) Yara Shahidi.
This podcast highlights conversation between two women: one conservative and one liberal. Created by Beth Silvers and Sarah Stewart Holland, their goal has been “to listen first, then discuss politics”. Listening to Pantsuit Politics is a refreshing way to get informed on two opposing sides of an argument in a classy way.
The reputable New York Times associated podcast. More formal, but shorter than the previous podcasts. Each episode is 20 minutes long and ads uploaded 5 days a week. The Daily was created by Michael Barbaro, a former political reporter turned prestigious podcaster. This podcast is an easy, effective way to get informed. Since the podcast is short, you can listen anywhere: trying to get out of bed when hungover, driving to downtown, or waiting for your omelet at the caf (which all take roughly 20 minutes).
2. Visit informative sites:
Short and casual blurbs on current events. You can sign up for daily emails or download the app. The target audience is female millennials, so this info is sauteed up nicely and presented in an email.
A fact-abundant website useful for double checking claims that politicians make. This site also has mostly non-partisan articles written by PolitiFact staff.
HeadCount is a progressive organization that encourages America’s youth to participate in democracy. HeadCount typically produces music-festivals that combine voting and music. Although a majority of HeadCount programs occur in-person, their website is an amazing resource written in plain language.