All Politics
After midterms, does anybody have a mandate?Divided government, should it occur, may be a recipe for gridlock. But with razor-thin margins, both parties might also be wary of overreaching. They could even find ways to work together.聽聽
Cover StoryIn Ohio, one man鈥檚 quest to get more voters to agree to disagreeAmerica is extremely polarized 鈥� and that鈥檚 not likely to change anytime soon. So is there value, then, in at least getting people to agree to disagree?
First LookWave turned ripple: Trump advised to delay statement, focus on GeorgiaAn adviser to former President Donald Trump recommended he delay his planned announcement next week, shifting GOP focus to Georgia. Mr. Trump spent election night congratulating supporters while聽races in Arizona and Nevada remain too early to call.
鈥榃here鈥檚 the middle?鈥� In closely divided US, a country waits.Democrats overcame historical trends and poor economic conditions in a number of key races, though the full picture is still emerging. Voters in particular seemed to reject statewide candidates who denied the 2020 results.
First LookAbortion rights upheld in Kentucky, other states across countryKentucky voters have rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have removed abortion rights protections from the constitution. Abortion rights were also upheld in other states across the country, including Vermont, California, and Montana.
First LookControl of Congress in the balance, Democrats show surprising strengthControl of the Senate remains too close to call, as a Republican red wave looked more like a ripple. Democrats held their own despite President Joe Biden鈥檚 low approval ratings and high inflation.
Is American democracy breaking? How would we know?Americans concerned with the strength of their democracy would do well to look at lessons from around the world. One is a warning: It often erodes before it collapses. Another is hopeful: It has the potential for regrowth.
鈥業t鈥檚 up to us.鈥� Meet the 2020 skeptics now working the polls.Many Republicans who were angry about the 2020 election channeled their concerns into action, becoming poll workers in the midterms. The Monitor spoke with some of them about what they鈥檝e learned.
鈥業 can鈥檛 fix the anger鈥�: Election workers see a system under strainAmerica鈥檚 perpetually underfunded election system is under strain like never before, with droves of workers having quit due to threats, and concerns about 鈥渆lection integrity鈥� surging.
Monitor BreakfastA marathon breakfast with Kellyanne ConwayAt a Monitor Breakfast, former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway talked 鈥� and talked 鈥� about Trump 2024, Mike Pence, their 鈥渘asty divorce,鈥� and the midterms.
First LookVote counters: How AP reporters do the math on election nightWith journalists in all 50 states, and around 4,000 freelancers, The Associated Press is able to do all of the nation鈥檚 vote-counting math on election night. It is a year round process that only AP undertakes.
First LookGOP, Democrats enter final stretch ahead of midterm voteMore than 39 million people have already voted.聽History suggests the party in power 鈥� in this case, Democrats 鈥� will suffer losses in the midterms.聽
Military veterans as election workers: Can they rebuild trust in vote?Amid election distrust and a large shortfall of election workers, military veterans are increasingly donning civilian clothes to help at the polls.
FocusSplit-ticket voters were declared extinct. They may decide the Senate.In recent election cycles, party loyalty 鈥� and deep suspicion of 鈥渢he other side鈥� 鈥� has meant fewer voters willing to split their vote. But this time around, they could decide control of the Senate.
In Georgia, turnout is up under 鈥� or despite 鈥� new voting rulesThe impact of Georgia鈥檚 2021 election law is being scrutinized as voters head to the polls. Supporters are claiming vindication by high rates of early voting, but critics say the verdict is still out.
Monitor BreakfastKellyanne Conway: An insider鈥檚 look at the Republican PartyKellyanne Conway,聽a senior adviser to Donald Trump when he was president, expects his influence on the Republican Party to be evident in next week鈥檚 elections. She spoke at a Monitor Breakfast about the needs and strengths of the party.聽
鈥榃e depend on each other鈥�: A community driven to vote (video)People with disabilities have faced access challenges at the polls, and some now see those rising. Their pushback: helping each other to be counted.
The ExplainerFrom voting to abortion, ballot measures could have big impactsBallot measures are a direct form of democracy 鈥� allowing voters themselves to decide issues. This year鈥檚 may be particularly consequential, including abortion policy and election laws.
First LookAs rents skyrocket, rent control ballot measures gain momentumAs rents skyrocket, initiatives across the country have put rent control on the Nov. 8 ballot. While the real-estate industry has decried rent control as draconian, many Americans say it鈥檚 needed to keep them from being priced out of their homes.
FocusA pastor, a football star, and the battle for a key Senate seatIn Georgia, a historic Senate race between two Black men offers contrasting visions, especially on matters of identity and division.聽 聽
