House and Senate results (and what they mean for Gen Z)

Liz Coulbourn

We are in the last part of electoral cycle 2024a tumultuous slog in which Kamala Harris replaced Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket and Donald Trump survived two assassination attempts, among others twists and turns. Also Hurricanes Helene and Milton wreaked havoc across the southeastern United States, leaving many residents stranded in temporary housing as early voting began.

Much more than the White House is at stake this year. The voters are VOTE for all 435 seats in the US House of Representatives, 34 of the 100 seats in the US Senate, and crucial state offices such as governor, secretary of state, and more. In Florida, Nevada, and Arizona, for example, voters will also influence ballot amendments who could expand and protect the right to abortion in their state; in California, voters could end forced prison labor.

Below we detail the big picture as we head into Election Day. But remember: We may not know the final outcome of this year’s races for the days after November 5. This is really bad for our team anxietybut it is perfectly typical. As the Bipartisan Policy Center explain “In states where election night tallies reflect a very close contest, you should expect media organizations to wait to make a public projection (or ‘call’) of victory for a candidate until a percentage has been counted and reported greater than ballots. “

Election officials need time to make sure absentee ballots are counted and the totals are correct. Speed ​​is not important; is to ensure that every voter’s voice is heard.

Senate

Republicans appear poised to win a narrow majority in the Senate. According to one recent track from 538“In the Senate, the hope for the left is that the polls are just wrong. This has happened before, but betting on partisanship is generally a bad campaign strategy.”

There are currently four independent senators, all of whom are generally aligned with the 48 Democrats to varying degrees, giving the party a majority over the 49 Republicans. But the GOP entered the 2024 election cycle with a very favorable mapand that still seems to work to the party’s advantage. right Washington PostDemocrats are fighting to keep 23 seats, at-large “in red and purple states”, while Republicans only need to defend 11 seats, which are all in red states.

Losing the Senate would throw a wrench into Democrats’ ability to get much done if Harris wins the White House. Republicans could undermine her policy agenda, including promises invest in housing and tackle the climate crisis. The party may also reject its nominees for cabinet and judgeships, including any possible openings on the Supreme Court, according to NBC News he pointed out.

In the event of a Trump victory, Republican control of the Senate could allow the president to more easily promote his own nominees for these roles. (Trump successfully INSTALLED three conservative Supreme Court justices during his administration.) The Senate could also help Trump advance his agenda, which include reviving what he calls his administration’s “unlocking” (unlocking) of our country’s God-given abundance of oil, natural gas and clean coal, cracking down on immigration, protecting “parents’ rights” and providing “record” funding to police departments.

Some of the highest-profile races include longtime Sen. Ted Cruz against former civil rights attorney and NFL linebacker-turned-Congressman Colin Allred in Texas; former far-right news anchor and 2020 election denier Kari Lake against Rep. Ruben Gallego in Arizona; Trump-endorsed businessman Bernie Moreno against incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio; businessman and former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy against incumbent Sen. John Tester in Montana. (Moreno and Sheehy both won headlines this cycle for their disparaging comments about abortion rights.)

House

In the last period before election day, political analysts they seem to think control of the House of Representatives is too close to call. There are a lot of scenarios that could play out.

If Harris wins the presidency, but the Democrats lose control of the Senate and gain control of the House, their policies will be stuck in a bit of limbo. According to NBC, “In that divided government scenario, Harris would be the first president since 1989 to take office without her party controlling both houses of Congress.”

A Democratic House majority could propose legislation and hold hearings on issues important to young voters, such as gun violence and protecting abortion rights, but a Republican Senate could prevent real movement on those issues.

Another option: Trump wins the White House and the Senate, but the Democrats win the House. House Democrats have “consistently outspent and outspent” Republicans this election cycle, just as they did in 2022, Washington Post reportedand many of the key races are in traditionally blue states like New York and California. “Whether Harris wins or loses, her candidacy is expected to help Democratic House candidates in blue states far more than (Joe) Biden would,” NBC’s Chuck Todd wrote. a column in early October.

In that scenario, Democrats could serve as a check on the Trump administration by launching investigations and using their subpoena power. But with the help of Senate Republicans, Trump could make progress the GOP agenda of deporting undocumented immigrants, expanding oil drilling on federal lands and renewing tax cuts. That becomes even easier if Republicans end up winning the House as well, giving Trump a unified Congress to carry out his political desires.

Republicans entered the 2024 cycle with a 220-212 majority in the House, with three vacancies, on Ballotpedia. All 435 House seats are up for election every two years.

Key governor races

Governors have enormous control over what everyday life looks like in their state, whether that means gun control, access to abortion, or what is taught in schools. this year, 11 of the 50 states hold gubernatorial elections, according to Ballotpedia: Delaware, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia.

Far the wildest race of this cycle is the showdown between “North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and state Attorney General Josh Stein. At the time of publication, Stein is polling ahead.

Another crucial race is throw up between Democrat and former Manchester, New Hampshire, Mayor Joyce Craig and former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte in the Granite State. Ayotte has Vote to defund Planned Parenthood and for a national 20-week abortion ban, while Craig pledged to protect reproductive rights.

Editor’s note: This post will be updated once the results are announced and finalized. It was originally published on November 5.

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Originally appeared on Teen Vogue

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