WiNK

The Results Are In... Midterm Election 2022

by: Molly Clark & Luc Parr

Earlier this week, the mid-term elections revealed insight into hot topics such as inflation and abortion rights. Furthermore, history was made regarding the age of an individual who now occupies a place in Congress. Additionally, this midterm election was unique because the party the President identifies with, in this case, Democratic, overperformed, certainly compared to past midterm elections.

The most vital issue of the election was inflation, which superseded the concerns regarding abortion rights and crime rates. Statistics show 32% of likely voters said the economy was their top issue in their vote for congress, and 77% said the same about inflation. Regarding the party that will hold responsible for economic issues, voters trust the Republican Party over the Democratic Party to handle inflation by an 8-point margin of 52% to 44%. This statistic should come as little surprise, as 45% of voters approve of how he's handling his job as president, while 54% disapprove.

The latter issue, abortion, is considered a close second, at 27%. However, there is further agreeance on the direction of abortion laws, with sixty percent of voters saying abortion should be legal rather than illegal in all or most cases. The party the public feels should deal with the issue is Democrats rather than Republicans, with the ratio being 52% to 42%.

History has also been made this midterm election as the first member of Generation Z now occupies a place in Congress. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, a 25-year-old Democrat, won his election on Tuesday in Florida's 10th Congressional District.

Lastly, notability must be made regarding the unexpected results of this election. The Democrats' overperformance is best understood by the wins Republicans haven't seen across the board, despite past midterm wave years. For example, in 2010 and 2018, the party in power lost dozens of House seats. Furthermore, the fact that 45% of voters approve of the job Joe Biden is doing, while 54% disapprove, would not be reflected in the election results thus far. According to ABC News projections, the Republicans will gain six House seats and barely flip the House if they don't lose elsewhere.

We decided to interview a student who is a first time voter! Annie De Rosaire recently turned 18 this September. She has grown up being aware and active about her rights as a citizen. When asked, she was excited to share her first time experience. She said, "To be honest the actual experience was underwhelming, however, what it means is a big deal. I have always understood the importance of voting since I have gone every year with my mom from six years old. Although if my first voting experience was the presidential election I might have felt differently, but I know that midterm elections are potentially even more important. I now feel like a part of a larger community and to exercise my rights and do my civic duty is a gift. This right of passage was really special, especially since I went with my mom like I always did growing up." Annie was fortunate enough to be exposed to her rights at a young age making it easier for her to have a voice in her community.

Voting is a right we must exercise. Voting is more than just electing a candidate, it's choosing the right policies and people who have your best interests in mind when making decisions that will affect our community, state, and nation. When you vote, you are taking an active role in deciding issues that affect all aspects of your government and community. Voting does not only affect current society, but the future as well. State school board members who you elect will make decisions on policies and budgets that will affect how well prepared your children will be for their future. Legislators, governors, members of Congress, and the President also make decisions that affect the cost and quality of public schools and higher learning institutions. Whether it is a presidential election or a primary election, it is vital that each eligible citizen exercise their rights. As we are seeing that this week, with many close races – every vote counts.