2022 Midterms: What’s the Purpose?

Though the presidential elections are known to draw lots of attention, they aren’t the only elections that are important. On Tuesday, Nov. 8, millions of people nationwide gathered around polling centers to vote in this year’s 2022 midterm election. Throughout the day, people came in and out of Liberty to cast their votes. 

The midterm elections are held every two years in between the presidential elections, hence the name mid-term. During this time, all 435 seats are to be decided. Members of the Senate are elected for a six-year term, but during midterms one-third of the Senators are to be elected, reelected, or forced to leave their seat, while members of the House of Representatives are elected as usual for their two-year term.

Even though midterms have a lower voter turnout than the presidential election, this election is just as important to the future of our nation. Since the voter turnout is lower, depending on what state you are in and how competitive your state is, it could also be risky. Subsequently, it is important to have the people who are voting to be educated on the topic.

“We are electing people who are going to be making laws; two years for the House, six years for the Senate,” said Mr. Tutterrow, one of Liberty’s U.S. Government teachers.

Midterm elections also help influence political views and predict turning points in our country’s politics. Tutterrow goes on to describe that it “takes the polls on where the countries heading politically, as to whether the Democrats are holding onto popularity, or the Republicans are gaining in popularity, which it seems in small amounts happened last night [Nov. 8].”

There are many reasons why the midterm election differs from the big presidential election. In midterm elections, the people are able to vote for their Senate through the power of popular vote. But during the presidential election, the people may vote, but the electors in the Electoral College are the ones who really choose our president in the end. 

Midterm elections are also known to have a more educated and widespread focus. Instead of having one to two people in the main spotlight, candidates are being elected in almost every state. But even though there may be fewer voters, the people who choose to vote are more likely to know more about the election and who they are electing. There is also a bigger gap between the ages who vote. Older people are more likely to vote in these elections than young, which is another reason why midterms are known to be a little more educated than the presidential elections.

statistics compiled by Rebecca Fike

Missouri’s Poll Turnout:

U.S. Senate: U.S. Senator

U.S. House: U.S. Representative, District 1

U.S. Representative, District 2

U.S. Representative, District 3

Statewide Office: State Auditor

Statewide Propositions: Missouri Constitutional Amendment 1 will not amend the Missouri Constitution and limit the treasurer to investing state funds only in those investment options currently approved by the Constitution.

Missouri Constitutional Amendment 3 vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to remove state prohibitions on the purchase, possession, consumption, use, delivery, manufacture, and sale of marijuana for personal use for adults over the age of twenty-one.

Missouri Constitutional Amendment 4 vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to allow the general assembly by law to increase the minimum funding for a police force established by the state board of police commissioners to ensure such police force has additional resources to serve its communities.

Missouri Constitutional Amendment 5 vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to create the Missouri Department of the National Guard as a new state agency, headed by an adjutant general appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate. 

Missouri Constitutional Convention Question vote will mean a constitutional convention will be held. It would require the governor to call an election of delegates to serve at a convention for the purpose of revising or amending the Missouri Constitution. Any revisions or amendments will then be put to a vote of the people for their consideration.

Missouri Senate: State Senator, District 2

Missouri House: State Representative, District 104

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