USA

  “Midterms are coming.” That phrase—echoed by Democratic presidential contenders and “Blue Wave” hopefuls—is meant to be an ominous warning sign for Republicans across the country to watch their seats this November.

  Midterm elections occur every four years in the middle of presidential elections, and are almost never a good time for the executive branch’s party. In the past 150 years, the President’s party has only gained congressional seats during midterms twice, which were in 1934 and 2002, and were only meager additions to the sitting party. That means that for 35 of the past 37 midterms, the President’s sitting party lost seats in Congress.

  Political scientist Marcus H. Johnson explains, “Midterm losses are far more common and tend to be massive, especially in the House . . . Midterm losses aren’t just common, they are the rule.” Democrats need to flip 24 House seats and 2 Senate seats to regain majorities in both chambers of Congress, but hope is mainly poised towards flipping the House. These are my predictions for some of the most hotly-contested races in the country. (Graphic in Physical Newspaper).

NC

  North Carolina is entering a Blue Moon Election, meaning that there will be no races for the Senate or Governor’s Mansion; all eyes are on the state legislature and House. North Carolina is unique in that our state senate is limited to two-year terms (senators in Congress serve a full six years). We are also unique in that we have a Democratic governor and a state legislature (called the North Carolina General Assembly, or the NCGA) with a GOP supermajority, meaning that the party can override the Governor’s veto and push its agenda regardless.

  But with the help of Democratic momentum through the “Blue Wave” and fury over the constitutional amendments NC residents will be voting on this November, there might just be enough Democratic turnout to break the supermajority and block the Republican legislative agenda in NC.

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Election day is scheduled for November 6, 2018. Voter registration and pre-registration drives will be held at Enloe between October 15-31. Many humanities teachers at Enloe also have registration forms in their rooms. If you do not wish to register at Enloe, you can pre-register (16-17) or register to vote (18+) at iwillvote.com.