By: MADISON MCCARTHY / SPORTS CO-EDITOR
Two years since Joe Biden won the presidential election, it is time for the midterm election on Nov. 8, where numerous local and state positions across the nation are up for grabs.
Voter turnout for the U.S. midterm election is significantly lower than turnout in presidential elections. However, more legislation is passed on the local level than on the federal level. There is also an increased amount of polarizing legislation on the state level this year, including reproductive health laws and election laws.
The ability for President Biden to pass legislation for the remainder of his term is also on the ballot, as the Senate is split 50-50 with the Vice President breaking the tie. 15 Republicans and 13 Democrats are on the ballot this year, while six other seats remain open after senators announced they are not seeking reelection.
According to CBS News, nearly 7.5 million people have already voted.
Key Battles to Watch
New York Governor
Democratic incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul is up for reelection after taking office slightly over a year ago, after Andrew Cuomo’s resignation. New York has traditionally voted blue, but recent polls have republican candidate Lee Zeldin less than ten points behind Hochul.
New York Senate
Senator Chuck Schumer is running for his sixth term at 71 years old. Schumer is currently serving as the Senate Majority leader, nearly 20 years after his first year in office. Schumer's reelection campaign has focused heavily on reproductive health, jobs and the economy, as well as climate change.
Pennsylvania Senate
One of six open seats in the senate will be filled by either Pennsylvania John Fetterman or Republican Mehmet Oz. And yes, that is Dr. Oz. A CBS News poll from Oct. 26, has Fetterman leading Oz by two points. Key issues discussed by the candidates in the most recent debate include the economy, gas prices, and abortion. The debate was the first since Fetterman suffered a stroke in May.
Georgia Senate
Democratic Incumbent Raphael Warnock is up for reelection after serving two years as a senator for the state of Georgia. Warnock faces Republican Herschel Walker this November after Democrats flipped the Republican stronghold in 2020. Walker’s name has made headlines recently, as the republican candidate has come under fire for claiming to be an FBI officer despite having no record with any law enforcement agency and allegedly paying for an ex-girlfriend's abortion care.
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