The 2018 US Mid-Term Elections Thread

[McLaren]

Voted by mail a couple weeks ago. Can't wait until it's all over and I don't have to see anymore political tv ads and unsolicited text messages telling me how to vote. I really only care about repealing the gas tax here in CA.

I don’t know much detail, but a friend of mine down in Houston said there were some Texans preparing a suit against Beto’s office for repeated text messages that they did not give their number to and asked repeatedly to stop.

Seems a bit excessive but I have seen a lot of people upset over them regardless of who is sending them.

 

[kembro]

I don’t know much detail, but a friend of mine down in Houston said there were some Texans preparing a suit against Beto’s office for repeated text messages that they did not give their number to and asked repeatedly to stop.

Seems a bit excessive but I have seen a lot of people upset over them regardless of who is sending them.

It totally regards who's sending them, if they are a first time volunteer found to be using a fake name just to sway public opinion. Sounds dodgy to me.

 

[Turbo]

Thing is though, I can't really think of a Republican or Democrat worth voting for. I'd consider voting to one that's close to the way I believe, but so far there hasn't been one. I just want someone that will let me live my life the way I want to as long as I don't infringe on anyone else. I also think other should be able to live their lives too. That's why I'm all for things like same-sex marriage, legalization of drugs, abortion, etc. If that's what you want to do, who am I to say otherwise?

And this is why I think Republicans and Democrats are the same. Neither party has any concept of what the Constitution is or how it applies to how the country should be run. They both waste tax money on a monumental scale. They both want to control my life in different ways. They also both only really cater to whoever gives them money in terms of campaign donations. They both only serve the wealthy and whatever the interest of lobbies are. Neither party gives a damn about the average American.

Democrats masquerade as champions of the poor and underserved, but I rarely see them do anything about it. Even Obama managed to completely mangle single-payer healthcare into a headache for health systems. Republicans often cite that they are fiscally responsible, then I see them spend god knows how much on a military that's got more fat than any department ever. Also they love to push their religious beliefs on people in the way of laws.

I'll give you the thing about Al Gore though, but I don't think he was really a Democrat. If anything I think he aligned more towards the Green Party and honestly probably could've been ok with him. Clinton, however, was no better than Trump. If she would've won, we'd still be in a mess and probably a war with Syria. I hated her nearly as much as I hated Trump and I firmly believe the country was doomed for four years no matter who won.

Oddly enough, out of all the candidates in 2016 I liked Bernie Sanders. I disliked his platform, but I think he genuinely thought he was doing good and I think he truly was for the people. His methods were bad, but he definitely challenged the status quo and seemed like a likable person.

This. Perfectly sums up why I identify as independent 👍

 

[ryzno]

 

[Sanji Himura]

Early results as the polls have closed in MOST Eastern time states:


US Senate
- Republicans are leading in Indiana, Virginia and Florida. All races are not called as of post time.
- An Independent is leading in Vermont. I have no clue as to who it is. That race is called as of post time.

Democrats have 25 seats Republicans have 42 seats. 51 is required for the majority.


US House

- Republicans have won 9 seats to Democrats 3. Democrats are currently leading in 4 contests while Republicans are leading in 13. 218 is required for the majority.

Governorships

- Republicans are leading in Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. The Democrat is leading in New Hampshire. 26 required for the majority.

 

[Blood Eagle]

An Independent is leading in Vermont. I have no clue as to who it is. That race is called as of post time.

Bernie Sanders

Live

https://graphics.axios.com/2018-11-06-midterm-election/index.html?view=G

 

[Novalee]

18 to 15 for dems as of now in the house .

Manchin is beating the gop and in fla nelson is ahead of scott

Andrew g is still ahead of ron desantos as of now in florida for gov job

Mikie sherral is predicted to win in new jersey

As a U.S. Navy veteran and former federal prosecutor, I have dedicated my life to service. As a mother of four, I want to make sure our leaders are thinking critically about our future. I’m running for Congress to make sure we see tax relief for the middle class, quality and affordable healthcare for every American, and investment in critical infrastructure. We need a new generation of leadership in Congress that will fight for New Jersey. I know together we can build a better future for us.

 

[ryzno]

Mikie sherral is predicted to win in new jersey

As a U.S. Navy veteran and former federal prosecutor, I have dedicated my life to service. As a mother of four, I want to make sure our leaders are thinking critically about our future. I’m running for Congress to make sure we see tax relief for the middle class, quality and affordable healthcare for every American, and investment in critical infrastructure. We need a new generation of leadership in Congress that will fight for New Jersey. I know together we can build a better future for us.

Is this a quote by said person above? Or you?

 

[jake2013guy]

If this election is missing one thing, it's the coverage of places rushing around trying to get votes counted quickly as we have in the UK. That improves the early lull in the coverage a bit.

 

[Blitz24]

Is this a quote by said person above? Or you?

Mikie Sherrill said this.

 

[Danoff]

 

[Dotini]

Early returns indicate it may be a long night. So far the Blue Wave is having some trouble taking the expected big advantage in the crucial house races.

Edit: It now appears clear the Dems will take control of the House of Representatives. Likely the effect of this will be legislative gridlock (often a good thing) plus open season on congressional investigations of the President, his cabinet, family and associates. If there is anything to be found, it will now be laid bare. If politically judged astute, impeachment hearings may easily take place.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Early returns indicate it may be a long night. So far the Blue Wave is having some trouble taking the expected big advantage in the crucial house races.

Edit: It now appears clear the Dems will take control of the House of Representatives. Likely the effect of this will be legislative gridlock (often a good thing) plus open season on congressional investigations of the President, his cabinet, family and associates. If there is anything to be found, it will now be laid bare. If politically judged astute, impeachment hearings may easily take place.

It's gonna be a bumpy ride, but I'm glad to see a bit of balance restored. Was really hoping Beto would unseat Ted Cruz. It was always a long shot.

 

[Whitestar]

My wife and I have both received similiar texts and it pisses me off. Even if the texts were from candidates we liked, neither one of us (my wife and I) gave them our phone numbers. Also, below is a picture of a letter we received in the mail. Bear in mind that my wife and I are both independents.

View attachment 778611

Looks more like Center For Voter Propaganda.
I assume both Democrats and Republicans handed out lots of these letters now before the election, but that name though; you'd expect them to be sort of neutral wouldn't you? Then again, I'm just a naive Norwegian.

 

[Northstar]

Looks more like Center For Voter Propaganda.
I assume both Democrats and Republicans handed out lots of these letters now before the election, but that name though; you'd expect them to be sort of neutral wouldn't you? Then again, I'm just a naive Norwegian.

Yes, both parties do it and also use names that sound like they should be neutral. It’s a big part of why people hate election time, the candidates only focus on the shortcomings of their opponents, their plans rarely come into play.

 

[Jezza819]

It's gonna be a bumpy ride, but I'm glad to see a bit of balance restored. Was really hoping Beto would unseat Ted Cruz. It was always a long shot.

Yeah I was really hoping Cruz would go down too but it's encouraging to see how close Beto came. I'm also hoping Stacey Abrams can pull off the Georgia governor's race but I don't think there is enough absentee votes left out there to close that gap.

Once again Alabama let me down. Both Amendments 1&2 passed so we're inevitably heading down that road where religion is going to be taking over almost every aspect of life here. Also Kay Ivey, who thought we needed a state resolution to protect our glorious confederate monuments, won the governor's race. Alabama, first alphabetically, dead last in everything else.

 

[Sanji Himura]

Yeah I was really hoping Cruz would go down too but it's encouraging to see how close Beto came. I'm also hoping Stacey Abrams can pull off the Georgia governor's race but I don't think there is enough absentee votes left out there to close that gap.

Once again Alabama let me down. Both Amendments 1&2 passed so we're inevitably heading down that road where religion is going to be taking over almost every aspect of life here. Also Kay Ivey, who thought we needed a state resolution to protect our glorious confederate monuments, won the governor's race. Alabama, first alphabetically, dead last in everything else.

I, for one, am glad that Cruz won. While I am in favor of term limits for Congress, Cruz hasn't really done much to warrant our state's ire among the older demographic (which voted R) While I can be considered a millennial, I just notice that most of the turn out among our age group is just anti-Trump sentiment. and the real telling indication of why I think so lies with my home county, Tarrant. With 100% of the Ballots counted, this traditional red county turned blue with 49.8% to 40.2%.

 

[Danoff]

It looks like Colorado will not enact amendment 73 which would have drastically increased income taxes here and blasted away the state's true flat tax (one of the great things about this state). One of the things that happened 2 years ago which was wonderful was that Colorado passed an amendment requiring state constitutional amendments to reach 55% of the vote instead of 50% and I think that's going to be an asset going forward.

Colorado Amendment X is another interesting one, which adopts the federal standard for the definition of industrial hemp. I was against this one (it's passing), because it was pre-emptive to make sure that we were positioned to have flexibility in hemp production if the federal government relaxed standards. But opponents thought it could be used to ban marijuana, and from my position it seemed like if the federal standards changed we could address that in 2 years with another vote. We'll see what happens with that one. If the state tries to ban marijuana though I imagine there will be recall elections.

Another really interesting result (which I won't bore you with too much) in CO is 74 and 112 which was an oil and gas dispute over land rights. 74 was oil/gas protecting itself (not passing), and 112 was homeowners trying to prevent oil drilling next to their property (not passing). Overall, the outcome is a win for oil and gas companies.

 

[Joey D]

Medical marijuana passed in Utah. Maybe, just maybe, we are starting to become more than the backwater of the west.

 

[Danoff]

Medical marijuana passed in Utah. Maybe, just maybe, we are starting to become more than the backwater of the west.

Looks like Michigan legalized recreational use. I think the tally is up to 10 states for recreational use and 31 for medical use. I know from the outside it must look like I'm absolutely obsessed with marijuana, I've never actually tried it. I'm mostly obsessed with freedom.

 

[McLaren]

I, for one, am glad that Cruz won. While I am in favor of term limits for Congress, Cruz hasn't really done much to warrant our state's ire among the older demographic (which voted R) While I can be considered a millennial, I just notice that most of the turn out among our age group is just anti-Trump sentiment. and the real telling indication of why I think so lies with my home county, Tarrant. With 100% of the Ballots counted, this traditional red county turned blue with 49.8% to 40.2%.

I was happy for anyone but Beto to win. For someone running for Texas, I wasn’t very fond of Hollywood celebrities who don’t spend any time in Texas, who don’t even live in Texas, pushing for him more than I saw actual Texans.

 

[TetsuKobura]

I was happy for anyone but Beto to win. For someone running for Texas, I wasn’t very fond of Hollywood celebrities who don’t spend any time in Texas, who don’t even live in Texas, pushing for him more than I saw actual Texans.

It’s really funny, because of the celebrities that pushed for certain people, all those people lost their elections. It’s almost as if no one actually cares who these celebrities support.

 

[Liquid]

Amusingly, the 36th district in Nevada has been won by a candidate who died last month. Dennis Hof died on 16th October but still secured a landslide with 70% of the vote.

 

[Danoff]

I predict, if the Democrats win the House, bears will attack Wall Street.

Certainly doesn't seem to be the case today.

 

[TexRex]

Yeah I was really hoping Cruz would go down too but it's encouraging to see how close Beto came.

Hey, if anyone had a real chance at turning Texas blue, it was Ted Cruz.



I mean...maybe Ted will think about the number of people who voted against him this go 'round, and maybe those thoughts won't be "this will show them" when it comes to his political dealings.

I was out by the time it aired so I didn't witness his concession speech save for a censored clip on the news this morning, but it'd be nice if Beto weren't so loose with the expletives, regardless of the context.

As an aside, it's nice to see Amendment 4 pass in Florida.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Let's look at how [some] our Ballot measures did...

Prop 6: NO to repealing the 12c/g gas tax for fixing roads.
Prop 1: YES to issuing housing assistance bonds
Prop 7: YES to allow change to daylight savings time
Prop 12: YES to regulating farm animal space minimums (interestingly, this is actually opposed by animal rights groups as not being enough)
Prop 2: YES to issue mental-illness housings bonds

So that's two measures to use bond money to pay for more low-income or otherwise subsidized housing. That's fine and all, but us in the middle class sure are getting squeezed. What we need is more housing, full stop. I'm pretty embedded in the construction industry and developers (witnessed personally) are shying away from building housing, at all, because of the requirements of including a certain percentage of low-income housing. The numbers don't pencil out in this economy, and so they are choosing instead to build high-end hotels mainly. Now my experience is limited to San Francisco proper, I think the end result is that the more emphasis that is placed on 'affordable' housing (strictly controlled) the more developers will be unwilling to underwrite projects that they don't see as money makers. Or, alternatively, offsetting the losses of the affordable units by making the rest high-end. Nobody builds middle class housing anymore. The affordable housing setup in SF is laughable from my point of view, the units are usually around $300,000 and have strict income limits of about $60,000/year, with some variation; the only people who qualify are people who can't really afford it. My hope is that Gavin Newsom really works towards building more housing generally, and not JUST focus on low income housing. [/California Grip]

 

[Danoff]

Prop 7: YES to allow change to daylight savings time

Oh that's awesome!

 

[Blood Eagle]

Oh that's awesome!

Small victories.

Prop 6: NO to repealing the 12c/g gas tax for fixing roads.

It wasn't long ago the talk was that CA is not making enough money from the gas tax because cars are too efficient nowadays. The state was or possibly still is looking into taxing drivers by the mile as a road tax either based on mileage readings or some sort of tracking device that charges you at the pump. So now that Prop 6 failed, CA can now raise the gas tax as they see fit without voter approval. Genius!

 

[Adamgp]

As expected the dem's won just about everything on the ballot here. My vote didn't matter any.

The beverage tax failed spectacularly, for a 2nd time. So that was good.

 

[TexRex]

The beverage tax failed spectacularly, for a 2nd time. So that was good.

I genuinely don't understand those.