Election Forecast: Midterm Elections 2018
Taylor Deaton, News Section Editor
Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com
With election day right around the corner, on Nov. 6, 2018, predictions of how this day and election will turn out are pouring in.
During this midterm election season, which happens in the middle of the president’s term, we will be voting for all 435 seats of the House of Representatives, 35 seats of the U.S. Senate and 36 states will be holding state elections.
House of Representatives Election
In the House of Reps, all 435 seats are up for election during the midterm season.
Currently, over 200 seats are filled by Republican members, giving them control of the House. Democrats make up less than 200 seats in the House.
There is no doubt that this race will be a close one for both the Democrat and Republican parties, but it is predicted that the Democratic Party will gain enough seats during midterm elections to give them control over the currently-Republican House.
One report from ABCNews states that Democrats have an 84.9 percent chance of winning, leaving Republicans with a 15.1 percent chance of keeping control.
If this is the outcome and Democrats do gain control of the House, it will become increasingly difficult for President Trump to pass intended laws in the upcoming years of his term, as he relies on Republican control over the House and over the Senate to pass his intended plans.
U.S. Senate Election
This time around, 35 seats are up for election in the Senate.
Currently, the 100 seat Senate is made up of 51 Republicans, 47 Democrats, and 2 Independents.
The Republican Party has current control of the Senate and is predicted to keep that control after Nov. 6. While a larger number of Democrats as opposed to Republicans are projected to be voted into the 35 seats up for election, in the end, the Republicans will still hold more seats that Democrats in Senate, most likely.
The outcome of the Republican Party remaining in control over the Senate will be beneficial for President Trump and the GOP, but they will still hurt significantly if the Democrats win the House of Representatives.
Gubernatorial Election
36 states will be holding elections for state governor in midterm elections.
Following primaries, these spots are currently held by 26 Republicans, 9 Democrats, and 1 Independent.
In terms of South Carolina Elections, Republican candidate Henry McMaster and Democratic candidate James Smith are facing each other in the South Carolina Governor Race. Current governor McMaster is favored to win the primarily Republican state during midterm elections.
Make sure to get out an vote on Nov. 6.
