We are now on the eve of the 2018 Midterm Elections, the culmination of endless months, weeks and hours of volunteering, canvassing, phone banking and donations. Many motivated by the spirit expressed within:

Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.         Thurgood Marshall

More Americans are taking advantage of absentee and early voting this year. In 22 states and Washington, D.C., advance vote counts have already surpassed those of the last midterm election.  Others are expecting long lines at polling sites this Tuesday November 6. Some states permit voters who are in line at closing time to cast a ballot, but that provision can vary by jurisdiction.

The House of Representatives

Democrats must net a 23-seat gain in order to take power in the House, and there are now 17 districts currently held by Republicans that are leaning slightly or strongly toward Democratic candidates.  

There are an additional 56 Republican-held seats that are vulnerable, rated either as toss-ups or as leaning slightly to the right. Republicans must win nearly 90 percent of those seats to keep control. Republicans could still keep control of the House by a slim margin, but they would have to win the overwhelming majority of competitive races in order to hang on.

Flipping The House includes an up-to-date analysis of each House race by the Cook Political Report and Nat Silver’s Five Thirty Eight. 

The Senate 

The GOP is heavily favored to hold or boost its 51-49 advantage in the Senate. Polling suggests Republicans have an edge to flip at least one Democratic seat, while the GOP either has a lead or is locked in tight races for all of the seats it will defend on Tuesday.

The Battle For The Senate provides up-to-date analysis of each Senate race by the Cook Political Report and University of Virginia’s Sabato’s Crystal Ball. 

Gubernatorial and State Legislature Races

There are 36 gubernatorial races this year. Up to 29 of the governors elected this year will have the power to veto the maps that local legislatures draw after the 2020 Census. These maps could impact the eventual makeup of the House of Representatives and, in turn, which bills become laws. Republicans currently occupy the governors’ mansions in more than 30 states.  

The outcome of 6,069 state legislative races will determine political control in the states. Voters will also decide on over 160 statewide ballot measures that will cover everything including finances, health, the environment and hot button issues.

This Land Is Your Land offers an  up-to-date analysis of each Governor race by the Cook Political Report and University of Virginia’s Sabato’s Crystal Ball. New York, My Hometown’s State Elections provides an analysis of New York’s issues and analysis of crucial state senate races.

The Nation In Brief

Last, but not least, A State by State Sizzling Hot Season, offers a snapshot of all competitive battlegrounds across the 50 states without poll analysis.

America votes on Tuesday, Nov 6.

The future of this republic is in the hands of the American voter.
                                                                             Dwight D Eisenhower