Students react to midterm election results
Those who expected to see a “blue wave” or a “red wave” in Tuesday night’s midterm election results were probably disappointed as no clear victory came to fruition.
The reality of this year’s shake up was much more diverse than ever before and Utah State University students are weighing in.
While the Republican party was on the defense, the Democratic party took offense in multiple states throughout the nation. Since 2016, the Republican party has been in control of the entirety of Congress, the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as the White House.
The goal for the Democratic party was to gain back at least one of these “checks” on the government while the Republican party’s main operative was to remain in control of the entire setup.
It was announced early in the evening that the Democratic party flipped enough seats (needing 23) to gain control of the House of Representatives and the Republicans fought off enough nominees to remain in control of the Senate. This was a major win for each party, both accomplishing what they set out to do.
At USU, there was a watch party held in the Taggart Student Center lounges that offered a variety of opinions throughout the night. Whether conservative or liberal, the one thing guaranteed as projections were announced via CNN coverage, was a lot of cheering.
“It’s so important to vote, and no matter what happens I am just glad that people are participating in the process,” said USU student Mia Liance.
In Cache Valley, political science professors Damon Cann and Michael Lyons were on air throughout the night and morning with Utah Public Radio Access Utah host Tom Williams recapping the results in real time.
Mitt Romney, the Utah Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate, more than doubled Democratic nominee Jenny Wilson in votes. The biggest battles on the Utah ballot however, included propositions on medical marijuana, redistricting and medicaid.
Proposition 2, which would legalize medical marijuana in Utah, passed with 53.16 percent of the vote. However, what the law actually says could be different from that which was voted on due to a special legislation being held later this month. The law will officially go into effect on December 2, due to a compromise legislative session with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Proposition 3, a Medicaid expansion initiative passed at 54.09 percent, increases the number of low-income families under 65 who will be eligible for Medicaid.
Proposition 4, an independent redistricting initiative just barely passed with 50.29 percent of the vote. All of these propositions however, were neck and neck until early Wednesday morning, showing Utah voters may be more divided than in previous years.
“I’m a little frustrated with people voting against the independent commission to draw district lines that are more fair for Utahns,” said USU student Juan Patino, referring to Prop 4 before it passed. “I understand that people may have fears about their ability to have a voice if these lines are redrawn, which they are every 10 years, but they should also realize that giving their party more voice in government only leads to more division.”
Other items on the Utah ballot that passed were a constitutional amendment for a tax exemption for the military and an amendment to allow special legislative sessions. A gas tax increase to pay for education and a property tax exemption for government property leases both failed.
In Salt Lake City, an $87 million bond for roads and infrastructure was passed as well as a tax-incentive to create a 29-story hotel attached to the Salt Palace Convention Center. The Salt Lake Tribune reported on the $337 million hotel to be built by Spring 2022.
Ambrish Baisiwala, the CEO of Portman Holdings, who plans to build the hotel, said they plan for the hotel to be “business-friendly and a strong destination market.”
In Utah, over 50 percent of all voters had already submitted their ballot by 9:50 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the Utah Election Office. In Cache Valley, USU students were strongly represented, using the hashtag “#USUVotes” to document their race to the polls.
USUSA Student Advocate VP Samuel Jackson tweeted out that over 70 percent of USU students believed Democrats would take the House, this was part of a survey taken throughout election day.
Multiple news syndicates, including USA Today and CNN, reported a surge of votes from young adults ages 18-29, especially earling voting with some states seeing a 188 percent increase in voters of this age group when compared to the 2014 midterm elections.
Megan Nielsen | The Utah Statesman Cookies and stickers are offered as encouragment to vote on election day, and the final day of the Speak Freely exhibition, on Nov. 6, 2018 in the Tippets Gallery at Utah State University. This exhibit allowed students to write about whatever topic they chose and post it to the wall for others to read. For Freedoms Federation uses art to encourage and deepen public explorations of freedom in the 21st century. (Megan Nielsen)
“It’s no surprise to me that the Utah propositions passed,” Liance said. “I believe that young liberals are starting to make changes for the better in our community, the state and the nation in response to the 2016 elections.”
This year, a record number of 96 women won House races, 31 of them were newly elected.
Sharice Davids of Kansas and Deb Haaland of New Mexico will become the first Native American women elected to Congress. Davids will also be the state’s first openly gay woman.
Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota will become the first Muslim women in Congress. Omar came to the U.S. two decades ago as a refugee, according to CNN.
Arizona will elect its first female senator, Texas is sending two of its first Hispanic women to Congress and South Dakota elected its first female governor with Republican Kristi Noem.
However, some hopeful historic firsts didn’t happen, including Idaho candidate Paulette Jordan’s bid to become the first indigenous governor, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum’s bid to become the Florida’s first black governor, and Christine Hallquist’s bid in Vermont to become the first transgender governor.
Aside from the gender and race dynamics changing for the 116th Congress, there has also been a change in careers. Business Insider reported that eight scientists, ranging from biochemist to marine biologist, have been elected to Congress.
Rounding the headlines out early on Wednesday morning in Colorado, Jared Polis became the first openly gay man as governor of the state. In Kentucky, county clerk Kim Davis — known for denying a gay couple’s marriage license — lost the election to Democratic nominee Elwood Caudill Jr. Lastly, Florida restored voting rights to 1.4 million people with felony records.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump held a press conference declaring the midterm elections a “complete victory” for Republicans adding that everyone wants to work in the White House. Trump then read out a list of Democrats who lost the election, adding small quips to each name as he read them. Trump took time to call out CNN reporter Jim Acosta during the press conference calling him a “rude, terrible person who shouldn’t be working.” Trump also dodged questions about the voting machines breaking down in Georgia. Finally, Trump ended the day firing Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Going forward into 2019 as Congress convenes in January, there are many questions to be answered including whether or not the Robert Mueller investigations will continue, if there will be pushback from the House of Representatives against the Trump administration and who will be the new Speaker of the House will be.
Democrat Nancy Pelosi, who held the title of Speaker of the House from 2007-2011, held a press conference on Wednesday saying that she is poised to return as House speaker. President Trump endorsed Pelosi, who also holds the title of the highest political position ever to be held by a female.
—erickwood97@gmail.com
@GrahamWoodMedia