The 2018 Midterm Election was one of the most important elections to date. For the majority of the time since 2016 when President Trump was elected, Republicans have had control over all 3 branches of our government – executive, judicial, and legislative. The judicial branch leans right as President Trump appointed 2 new justices to the Supreme Court early in his Presidency, and all of Congress is controlled by Republicans – the House of Representatives and the Senate. This election put 35 of the 100 Senate seats up for election as well as all 435 members of the House of Representatives.
The outcomes of this election are major for all groups of people, especially minorities. Here are 4 key takeaways YOU need to know.
1. Year of Women
The 2018 Midterms elected women to congress in record numbers. A total of 122 women – Democrats and Republicans – were elected this year. The first Native American woman, the first Muslim woman, and the youngest woman to ever sit in Congress were all elected. Many states also elected their first ever female representatives to the House, Senate, or as Governor including Tennessee, Arizona, South Dakota, and Texas (electing their first Hispanic woman to Congress). This was also a historic year for black women, who were elected in record numbers, as well. This includes Ayanna Pressley who became Massachusetts’ first black congresswoman. This is consistent with what we have known all along – women are going to rule the world! #thefutureisfemale
2. Rainbow Wave
This election was a big year for members of the LBGTQIA+ community, making this year’s election known, to some, as the Rainbow Wave. Many Democrats were looking for a Blue Wave to take over the House and Senate, but I personally think this is better. This allows for more equal representation in our government which is the goal. It also lessens the party polarity the United States is facing in the current political climate. A total of 153 people in the LGBTQIA+ community were newly elected. The first openly gay man, Jared Polis, was elected to Congress in 2014 and was just elected as Colorado’s first openly gay Governor. Sharice Davids, from Kansas, won a seat in the House making her the first openly lesbian woman elected in the state. Malcolm Kenyatta was the first openly gay person of color elected in Pennsylvania. The LGBTQIA+ community also elected a record number of people of color. The Rainbow Wave is a trend I hope to see continue until it’s so mainstream we don’t have to name it.
3. Democrats take the House
This is important news because, as I mentioned, Republicans had control of the entirety of the government since President Trump’s election in 2016. This provides the much needed checks and balances between the two dominating parties that our democracy revolves around. The last time the Democratic party had control over both the House and Senate was between the 2006 and 2010 midterms. Dems then lost the House in 2010 and the Senate in 2014. This wasn’t as problematic, because although Congress was fully Republican, we had a Democratic President so checks and balances were still issued.
4. Record Voter Turnout
This year’s midterms turned out a 50 year record high in midterm election voting. 47% of the voting eligible population turned out to vote whether physically at their polling places or through the absentee ballot system. This number may seem low, but compared with the numbers of our last 2 midterm election years, 41% in 2010 and 36% in 2014, this is HUGE news. Some individual states and districts even saw higher voter turnout for this year’s midterm election than the 2016 presidential election. We also saw more Democrats voting this year than Republicans, which is historically not the case. All of this is a big deal because of recent conversations surrounding voter regulations and voter suppression laws. Remember, if you are of age, it is your RIGHT to vote. EVERY voice deserves to be heard. Do NOT back down.
2018 has been a big year for so many reasons, and the Midterm Election results can definitely be added to the list. No matter your political affiliation, every election is important. Results will always affect you in some way, so please take the time to educate yourself and continue to make your voice heard. Today and every day, I’m proud to be a woman and part of this era’s voting population. I will never waste my vote.
HCXO,
Genna
**Disclaimer- all opinions in this article are solely my own and do not necessarily represent HerCampus as a whole or the SJU HC chapter**