Democrats have taken control of the House of Representatives, while Republicans have retained their majority in the Senate as polls closed on Tuesday in a polarised and hard-fought midterm battle.
This election saw several firsts across the country, with a number of Democrat women making history and winning races. A record number of women ran for office in these midterms and following these elections, a record number will serve in the House.
- The US elected its first two Muslim women to the House of Representatives
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman elected to the House at 29
- Colorado elected the first openly gay governor to Congress
- Kansas and New Mexico elected the first two Native American women to Congress
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Big Issues That States Voted On
Voting Rights:
In Florida, Amendment 4 to the state’s constitution was passed, which restored the voting rights of ex-convicts. An estimated 2.1 million people in the state will now be eligible to vote, the majority of these being black men, who are overrepresentation in the state’s incarceration statistics.
Abortion:
Alabama and West Virginia both voted to make abortion more difficult for women to access. In Alabama, an amendment that “protects the rights of unborn children” and “support the sanctity of human life” was approved. In West Virginia, an amendment was passed stating that “nothing in the state Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of abortion”.
Marijuana:
Michigan voters on Tuesday made their state the first in the Midwest to legalise recreational marijuana, passing a ballot measure that will allow people 21 or older to buy and use the drug and putting conservative neighbouring states on notice.
North Dakota voters decided recreational pot wasn't for them, while voters in Missouri passed one of three unrelated measures to legalise medical marijuana.
Massachusetts Elects Its First Black Member of the House
Democrat Ayanna Pressley ran unopposed after beating her primaries challenger to become the first black member Massachusetts has sent to the House of Representatives, and the first black woman the state has sent to either the House or the Senate.
(AP)
Trump Tweets Again
Coming on the heels of his previous tweet declaring the midterms a “tremendous success” and thanking everybody, these two tweets come, perhaps, as a justification.
The quote is from a book published in 2017.
Mitt Romney Wins Utah Senate Seat
Former presidential candidate against Barack Obama in 2012, Republican Mitt Romney has won a Senate seat from Utah, defeating Democrat Jenny Wilson to occupy the seat that will be vacated by retiring Republican Orrin Hatch.