As the November 5 election approaches, all eyes are focused on the of the battle between Vice President Harris and former President (and convicted felon) Donald Trump. As important as this race is, the challenges down ballot are just as consequential, if not more so., for the running of local governments.
Surprisingly, the U.S. Vote Foundation reports more than a third of voters don’t bother marking their ballots for local officials or ballot initiatives that arguably will have a greater impact on their daily lives than the person in the White House. Budgets for public education, transportation, sanitation, and police forces, etc. Tare decided in city halls and state legislatures throughout the country.
Many ballots contain state and local referendums, giving voters the ability to determine laws affecting abortion and reproductive rights, voting processes, citizenship, marriage and divorce, housing rights, the minimum wage and property taxes.
Not every state allows voters living abroad to vote for every state and local race, unless they express an intent to return. However, as responsible. However as responsible voters, it is worth taking a few minutes to learn about with the choices available to us, and about the candidates and issues on the ballot. (Although of course, we will all be voting for the Democratic option, right? 😀)
If your state doesn’t allow you to vote on the state and local referendums, you might choose to speak you can have conversations with family and friends in the U.S. and offer your thoughts and opinions on key state and local issues, giving them your opinion, You can encourage them to vote on important referendums.
Key close Senate races include:
● Florida - Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D) is challenging Republican incumbent Rick Scott. Surprisingly, it looks like a dead heat, leading to optimism that this Senate seat can be flipped.
● Maryland - Angela Alsobrooks (D), Executive of Prince George’s County is running against former Maryland governor Republican Larry Hogan. While Maryland is a blue state and Hogan was a moderate as governor, there is no guarantee that he won’t join the conservative Republicans in the Senate. Keeping a majority in the Senate is crucial to passing the Democratic agenda.
● Michigan - Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin and former GOP Rep. Mike Rogers are vying for a seat being vacated by Sen. Debbie Stabenow.
● Montana - Senator John Tester (D) faces Republican businessman Tim Sheehy. Montana has become more “red” since Tester won the first time in 2006.
● Nevada - Senator Jacky Rosen appears to be in a relatively strong position against Republican challenger Sam Brown, a retired Army captain. Still, this race cannot be taken for granted. She is considered at risk.
● Ohio - Senator Sherrod Brown (D) is facing a difficult challenger in Bernie Moreno, a Republican candidate endorsed by Donald Trump. During Brown’s tenure he has fought hard for the rights of all Ohioans, so it would be very disappointing to lose this seat to MAGA.
● Pennsylvania - Senator Bob Casey’s battle with Dave McCormick, a former hedge fund executive who loaned his campaign $4 million as of June 30 is very tight. Most public polls still show Casey, who is seeking a fourth term in a legacy seat once held by his dad, with a lead over his challenger. However, Republicans are expected to match Democrats’ spending in other races in Pennsylvania that could help McCormick in a state that both presidential campaigns are also aggressively targeting.
● Florida - Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D) is challenging Republican incumbent Rick Scott. Surprisingly, it looks like a dead heat, leading to optimism that this Senate seat can be flipped.
● Ohio - Senator Sherrod Brown (D) is facing a difficult challenger in Bernie Moreno, a Republican candidate endorsed by Donald Trump. During Brown’s tenure he has fought hard for the rights of all Ohioans, so it would be very disappointing to lose this seat to MAGA.
● Texas - Rep. Colin Allred (D) is looking to finally turn Texas blue by defeating Senator Ted Cruz (R). Cruz has been losing popularity in the Senate, giving Allred an opportunity to overcome the odds due to Texas’ slow move to a purple state.
● Wisconsin - Senator Tammy Baldwin’s bid for a third term against Eric Hovde, the CEO of banking and real estate businesses who loaned his campaign $13 million as of July 24, remains competitive in a swing state that will also be hotly contested on the presidential level.
Referenda on Abortion
Measures to protect access to abortion have already qualified to go before voters this year in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montano, Nevada, and South Dakota. There is a legal battle to qualify the referendum in Arkansas.
Remember – every race and every issue on the ballot is crucial!
Measures to protect access to abortion have already qualified to go before voters this year in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada and South Dakota.
Make sure you’re registered to vote and have requested your ballot by visiting votefromabroad.org. Ensure your voice is heard in every race and on every issue!
By Lisa, Appelson, Vice Chair Social Media, ADI
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