You’ve probably seen a lot of political TV advertisements or gotten a bunch of text blasts from candidates in the past few weeks. But Mary, didn’t I just vote two years ago?
While presidential elections make big news nationwide and even globally, the US has elections every year. In even-numbered years between presidential elections, Americans have the chance to make their voice heard in the midterm elections.
When is Election Day?
Alright, let’s refresh our Elections 101. Federal elections, including the presidential elections and the midterms, are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
What is a “Midterm” Election?
A midterm election occurs in the middle of a presidential term, hence the word “midterm.” Since Presidential terms last four years, midterms occur two years later.
Who is Up for Election in the Midterms?
Now here’s where I feel like that teacher in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, doing my civics checkup — but pay attention, this is people-power! Congress is made up of two bodies called? — “anyone, anyone?” — the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives has 435 seats, and the allocation of those seats to the states is determined by the population count that occurs every 10 years during the Census. The Senate has 100 seats, two members for each US state. A member of the House serves a two-year term, while senators serve six-year terms.
On top of these federal offices, tens of thousands of statewide, state legislative, and local offices and ballot measures will be up for election. VOTE411.org can help you learn about the candidates running for these offices that will represent you.
Mary, it sounds like a lot is on the line. You’re right, reader... there is. Issues like health care, inflation, our ongoing war with Iran, and funding to federal agencies like ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) are all decided by your representatives in Congress. But despite this, in the 2022 midterm election only 46% of eligible voters participated. That’s a lot of people giving up their power to the few voters who participated.
Why Do Midterms Matter?
Midterms are unique in that they decide the makeup of Congress. With hundreds of voting seats being contested, midterm voters get to elect the people who will decide the nation’s legislative priorities. That’s why sometimes you’ll hear Congress referred to as the “People’s House” — a body elected directly by voters, reflecting their values and interests. That’s right, Congress, you work for me!
Midterm elections also matter because they reflect voters' feelings on the current administration. Midterms are like a temperature check on the current administration — if the President and their political party are popular with voters, that party tends to win races, taking control of the House and Senate. That’s why a lot of headlines you’ll see in the news during midterm years look at the president’s approval ratings as a method to try and predict the outcome in November. According to Brookings, from 1938 – 2022, the president’s party lost control of the House in 20 of 22 midterm elections.
And for the president, midterms can really make or break their agenda. We know it well: every presidential election cycle, candidates paint their picture for the future of America to voters, making promises about what they’ll do if elected. But! The president cannot change laws without the help of their colleagues in Congress — that’s the beauty of checks and balances. The legislative branch makes the laws, and the executive branch implements and enforces them. The President wants a Congress that agrees with their agenda so the legislation they support can pass through the legislative branch and arrive at their desk, ready to sign into law.
Congressional races aren’t the only important races. Voters across the country will elect state legislators, governors, secretaries of state, attorneys general, mayors, school boards, and much more. These elected officials will make decisions that affect your daily life, from education and affordable housing policy to transportation investments and your local government’s level of cooperation with federal law enforcement.
All of these officials will make decisions that impact our communities and will set the direction for our democracy.
How Can I Get Ready for the Midterm?
Your voice matters. Use the League’s online, nonpartisan voter education tool, VOTE411.org, to make your plan to vote ahead of Election Day:
- Check your voter registration: Seriously, it takes me longer to make a cup of coffee in the morning. Use VOTE411’s online tool to make sure your information is accurate and up to date. If you cannot find your registration or believe your information is incorrect, contact your local elections office or call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) for assistance. You can also find information in Spanish at https://www.vote411.org/es.
- Learn about your voting options: Some states offer absentee, mail-in voting, or early voting. Check out voting rules by state here.
- Voting on Election Day? Review your voting options: Check your polling place, the kinds of voting machines that are used, and if you need to bring anything with you.
- Research candidates and ballot measures: Learn more about who — and maybe what — will be on your ballot. Your voters’ guide can help you hear directly from candidates, unedited and in their own words.
Now you’re ready to cast your ballot and make your voice heard! But don’t forget to tell your family and friends to visit VOTE411.org to make their voting plans!