The Referendum on November 6th, 2018
Former president Barack Obama aptly stated, “"Boil it down, If we don’t vote, then this democracy doesn’t work.". Midterm elections in the United States tend to garner a low voter turnout when compared to general elections with only forty percent of registered voters who actually cast their ballots. However, studies indicate that voter turnout has increased in Primary elections across the country in 2018. This can be mainly attributed to the currently divisive political climate in the United States. In particular, President Donald Trump’s aggressive rhetoric concerning the news media and Democratic candidates has further worsened the divide between the Conservatives and the Liberals. The Democratic party is energized by anti-Trump sentiment while the Conservatives seek to maintain their majority.
The November midterm elections will have an enormous impact on politics for years to come. The outcome of the elections will be significant for the future of Donald Trump’s presidency, and for Republican and Democratic legislative agendas alike. Democrats are vying for control of the House as the Republicans are likely to maintain their Senate majority. On the other hand, it is important to consider that the final outcomes of several recent elections were regarded as highly improbable. Examples include President Donald Trump’s election and Representative Connor Lamb’s unexpected Democratic win in a traditionally Republican district in Pennsylvania. So, anything can happen.
Democrats are passionate and enthusiastic about the upcoming elections as they seek to bring in new voters to their party, who were previously apathetic to the political climate.The party has built a powerful national small-donor fundraising base. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee reported that 30 Democratic House challengers raised at least $2 million in just the third quarter.
Youth engagement and political activism has also increased greatly in light of the March for our Lives Movement. The political activism demonstrated by teachers in the #RedForEd protests has brought the issue concerning educational reform to the public’s attention. Although it remains to be determined exactly which party will benefit from the new wave of activists, their votes will certainly be heard on election day.
Political activism exhibited by Democratic women has also dramatically increased with the controversial confirmation of Supreme court Justice Brett Kavanaugh serving in the interest of Democrats. In fact, Senator Susan Collins' Democratic opponent has already raised 3 million dollars following her vote to confirm Justice Kavanaugh, which is a substantial sum of money considering that Republican senator is not up for reelection this year.
Similarly, Republican women who supported President Trump in 2016 are just as likely to vote in favor of Republicans and still support the Republican party. President Trump’s political base remains loyal to the president, however, it remains to be determined whether their voter loyalty to President Trump will translate into votes cast at the ballot box. Most Republicans are driven by the fear that the Conservative agenda will suffer greatly if the Democrats regain control of Congress.
Although the outcome of the elections remains unclear, it is evident that the 2018 Midterm Elections will determine the direction of the Nation and that is up to voters to ultimately determine the fate of both the Republican and Democratic party.
