Midterm elections: what you need to know

Photo by Daniel Han

Midterm elections are vital to the foundation of American democracy. These elections allow the American people to elect their representatives halfway through the president’s four-year term, giving the people a chance to make their voices heard. In the 2018 Midterm Elections, people will be voting on all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the Senate, and the governorships in 36 states. This year’s elections, taking place on Nov. 6, will dictate the politics of the United States for the next two years. In light of controversy surrounding the U.S. government and the increased focus on social problems such as gun-control and women’s rights, a politically charged United States is facing an especially contentious election.