Preparing for the US Election
We are just days away from the final day to vote in the US midterms. If you haven’t voted yet, then ensure you read this article all the way through to get some answers to common FAQs.
When it comes to elections, there are no stupid questions, but there are stupid answers, so we are trying our best to keep this article short and to the point. Read on to learn more about the upcoming US elections and hopefully have your most pressing questions answered.
What Are the Midterms a Vote For?
US citizens always seem to focus on the presidential elections, forgetting the midterms, which while they don’t elect the president, often are responsible for deep, meaningful change in the country.
During the midterms, votes are cast for members of Congress as well as senators, with the results often changing the balance of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. While these individuals aren’t as popular as the president, they are the ones who actually make the laws, and you should care about who is representing you.
When Are the Midterms?
The midterm voting period is currently ongoing, with many individuals already mailing in their ballots or dropping them at official polling locations. For those who wish to vote in person, polling stations will open on Tuesday, November 3rd.
Are All the Senators Up for Reelection?
No, while all the members of the House of Representatives are up for reelection (because congressmen and congresswomen notoriously serve two-year terms), Senate seats are elected for six years. Not only that, but when the system was invented in the 1700s, it was built with a stagger, so for any given election, only 33% of the Senate is available for new senators to run.
Now this doesn’t mean that some senators or congressmen/congresswomen won’t be reelected—because it does happen frequently. In fact, just look at Nancy Pelosi, who served a staggering 37 years in the House of Representatives.
Why is Trump Campaigning so Hard?
Despite some beliefs, Trump is serving his final years in the White House, as the US has a two-term limit for president, which cannot be repealed. However, since senators are elected for six years, this means that any republican who gets voted into the Senate now will sit in the Senate for far longer than Trump’s presidency. Plus, Congress famously has the power to start impeachment proceedings, should they see fit.
That being said, there is no monetary bonus for voting for Republicans. In fact, every dollar Trump has promised is a lie. You should vote for who you think is best to run the country, not anyone that Trump or Nicki Minaj (who is not a US citizen and cannot vote) tell you to vote for.
What Are the Key Issues in the Midterms?
Generally, United States citizens are currently unhappy. While Trump has delivered on his promised tax breaks for the rich, the average citizen is struggling with an increasingly high cost of living—something that is only climbing with the rising cost of fuel and his tariffs.
When Trump designed his tax breaks, he made one grave miscalculation, and that is the fact that there are far more non-billionaires in the US than billionaires.
How Many Senate Races are “at Risk?”
In American politics, there are many races which are a “given.” For example, California will almost always elect democratic representatives. That being said, there are several states which see multiple members of both parties serving at the same time, as well as a few seats which flip back and forth.
In the 2026 race, North Carolina and Maine are the main states where the current Senators are worried about keeping their seats. However, Ohio, Alaska, Iowa, and even Texas have shown some signs of flipping.
How Many Congressional Races are “at Risk?”
Because there are so many more members of Congress than the Senate, it is even harder to predict which seats are likely to flip to the other party. That being said, there is some preliminary data that shows there may be some flipping seats in both Pennsylvania and Michigan.
Can the Midterms Be Overturned?
In general, no election in the United States, presidential or otherwise, can be overturned immediately, and it is typically a long legal battle if it happens at all; however, it is a common use of fearmongering to convince individuals either to vote or not to vote. There has also never been a redo election on record.
That being said, there are often recounts, especially in swing states when the voting falls within a certain percentage. This results in the votes being turned in late, but still, once the election results are final, they are final.
We do want to mention that midterm elections deal with a much smaller area and far fewer voters than the presidential elections. This means there are often fewer mistakes and that, even in the case of a recount, the votes tend to be submitted in a timely manner. Additionally, the voter turnout for midterms is often far lower than for presidential elections.
Can the US President Cancel an Election?
No. The U.S. President cannot cancel an election. Despite common belief, the US president, on his or her own, has very little power beyond executive orders (which are even beyond the scope of the original power granted to presidents), and they cannot make changes to the US political system on a whim.
Should I Vote in the Midterms?
Absolutely. Your vote actually means more and has more effect at the midterms than it does during the presidential race. You are directly choosing someone to represent you and are actually influencing future laws and political appointments. If you think the midterms aren’t a big deal, then you are wrong. So please, if you still have time and haven’t voted yet, go out and vote before it’s too late and you are stuck with an administration you hate!
