10 most important takeaways of the 2018 midterm election

The dust from the 2018 midterm elections has (mostly) settled and things are starting to become more clear in the aftermath. Well, sort of.

Election night 2018 is finally over. Though we’re done with political ads for a time, it’s clear that commentators, politicians, and other citizens will be sifting through the stories for some time.

These are complicated stories, to say the least. While many were hoping for either a Democratic “blue wave” to flip some seats and others were holding out for continued Republican dominance, the actual results of the night show a more complex story.

We break down the 10 biggest takeaways from the 2018 midterm elections.

10. Voter turnout was at a serious high

Usually, midterms show the lowest voter turnouts of any national election. This time around, interest was high, lines were long, and everyone was pushing for greater engagement.

9. Independent voters made up an important voting bloc

As always, independents were courted by politicians from all political parties. This year, for the first time since Obama was elected in 2008, significant numbers of those independent voters voted for Democrats.

8. Haaland and Davids are first Native American women elected to Congress

Women, in general, made up a notable number of candidates who made it to office in this election (with several making historic wins). Deb Haaland (New Mexico) and Sharice Davids (Kansas) are both the first Native American women to win elections to the House and Congress in general.

7. LGBTQ candidates made significant steps

It’s worth mentioning that Sharice Davids is also an out lesbian, making her the first LGBTQ person to represent Kansas in state history.

Meanwhile, in the state just west of Kansas, Jared Polis became the first openly gay person ever elected to governor in the nation. Oregon governor Kate Brown is openly bisexual, while former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey came out in 2004, while still in office.

6. Tlaib and Omar become first Muslim women in Congress

Amongst the women who made big gains in this election, Ilham Omar in Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib in Michigan became the first Muslim women elected to Congress. Their wins may point to a long-term trend many hope for.

5. Ocasio-Cortez is youngest woman elected to Congress

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also won her race for New York’s 14th congressional district. She will be the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. As an avowed socialist, Ocasio-Cortez might spell some serious changes in American politics. However, those changes are currently hard to parse. Does her congressional win mean that politics is splintering into ever-increasing partisanship? Or, is her political stance something that won’t translate nationwide?

4. Ballot measures are worth noticing

It’s easy to focus on the individuals in an election, from incumbent politicians to new challengers. Certainly, it’s easier to draw attention to a face, a voice, a personal story, or what one individual promises their constituents.

Even then, it’s important not to lose sight of other items on the ballot. These measures may not have the immediate appeal of a face, but they have just as much chance to change lives and the course of communities. Take Florida’s Amendment 4, which restored voting rights to more than a million ex-felons. That’s huge for people who are trying to gain full citizenship rights and have been denied such for a long time.

3. Democrats win the House

As many predicted, the Democratic Party now holds a majority in the House of Representatives. Quite a few are calling this the major win of the night for Democrats, who now have a much bigger chance to shape legislation in the next two years.

2. But Republicans keep Senate

Meanwhile, Republicans managed to hold on to their Senate majority. Despite some close races, such as the Texas Senate race where Ted Cruz barely bested challenger Beto O’Rourke, Republican politicians control the Senate for now.

1. There are no easy narratives

Perhaps the biggest lesson of the night is learning how to temper expectations and avoid sensationalism. Those on the left hoped for a Democratic “blue wave” that would dramatically sweep away opposition on the right. That didn’t exactly happen. Neither did a solid Republican base manifest itself. Understanding this election is going to be complicated.

How do you feel about this year’s midterm elections? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.