Midterm Voting for Red and Blue

Kimmie Barnes
Editor-in-Chief
  Even though the final midterm election results for The House of Representatives are still up in the air and most states voted as predicted, there have been a few unexpected flipped seats, codified laws, and historic victories. 
  A key Democratic win happened in Pennsylvania when democrat John Fetterman flipped the Republican Senate seat in his victory against opponent Mehmet Oz. These campaigns have been one of the most watched Senate races in the country, and this race was one of the most contentious. Abortion rights and laws were a significant issue that were voted on in the midterm elections as a whole. Fetterman was a firm pro-choice supporter, and it is presumed that this was a key element in the Democrat’s win. Another major seat flip happened in The House when Sean Maloney conceded to Mike Lawler. Maloney was the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee; a committee that selects candidates to run for democratic positions in The House and Senate, runs and organizes campaigns, and supports democratic candidates. The victory was such a remarkable feat as it was the first time a campaign chairman has lost a re-election in either party since 1980. 
  During midterm elections, ballot measures are also voted on. Ballot measures can be new laws, state constitutional amendments, propositions, or questions that are voted on either state or local level. They are used to gather public opinion and set proposed legislation in place. Idaho had two ballot measures: an advisory question about a 5.8 percent tax rate for income and corporate taxes and allocating more money to education funds, and state amendment 102 which would allow the state legislature to assemble a special session, not just the governor. The advisory poll, which does not have an immediate effect on any laws or amendments but rather gauges public opinion, resulted in 79.8 percent in favor of the new tax system. Amendment SJR 102 passed with 51.8 percent. 
  There have been several historic victories to come out of this year’s midterm elections. Many women have broken barriers and have become the first female officials elected in their state; these include Maura Healey, the first openly lesbian governor of Massachusetts; governor Sarah Sanders of Arkanas; and Summer Lee, the first Black woman elected to Congress in Pennslyvania. Democrat Maxwell Frost will be the youngest member of Congress once he is sworn in next January. At only 25 years old, he is the first Gen Z individual to secure a seat in The House, and he represents the start of a new generation entering the United States government.
  After a nail-bitingly close race, Democrats are projected to keep control of the Senate after Nevada called their election on Wednesday night. With this addition, Democrats will keep their slim majority with or without a Democratic win in Georgia, which could still go either way. This is due to the fact that Vice-President Kamala Harris can cast a tie-breaking vote to keep Democrats in control.