Midterm Elections, Candidates, and Voting Issues in U.S. Politics

Primary Election

Election that helps determine which candidates will represent political parties in the general election.

Incumbent

Person who currently holds an elected office.

Challenger

Candidate running against an incumbent.

Congressional District

Geographic area represented by one member of the House of Representatives.

Majority Party

Party holding more than half the seats in a chamber.

Minority Party

Party with fewer seats than the majority party.

Battleground

State or district where an election is expected to be especially competitive.

Voter Turnout

Percentage or number of eligible voters who participate in an election.

Divided Government

When different political parties control the presidency and at least one chamber of Congress.

Open Seat

Election where no incumbent is running.

Mail-In Voting

Voting by mail instead of voting in person.

Midterm Election

Election held halfway through a president's four-year term.

House of Representatives

218 Republicans, 214 Democrats, 1 Independent, and 2 vacancies.

House Majority Party

Republican Party.

Senate

53 Republicans, 45 Democrats, and 2 Independents.

Senate Majority Party

Republican Party.

House Total

435 seats.

Senate Total

100 seats.

Election Results Impact on President's Agenda

Election results can change which party controls Congress, making it easier or harder for the president to pass laws and policies.

Issues Voters Want Addressed

Economy (cost of living), Taxes, Immigration, Healthcare, Education, Crime and public safety, Environment, Social Security, and Medicare

Who Can Vote by Mail?

Any registered Maryland voter can vote by mail.

Reasons to Vote by Mail

Convenience, such as being out of state, having a disability, or wanting to avoid long lines.

How to Request a Ballot

Online, by application form, or in certain situations through a designated agent.

Permanent Mail-In Ballot List

Allows voters to receive mail-in ballots for future federal and state elections.

Ways to Return a Ballot

By mail, ballot drop box, polling place, early voting center, or local board of elections.

Why Is Mail-In Voting an Election Issue?

It involves voting access, election security, deadlines, ballot verification, and counting.

Election Issues

Topics or problems that candidates discuss during an election.

Why Do Election Issues Matter?

They can influence which candidates voters support.

Why Can Legislation Be Difficult to Pass?

Members of Congress and political parties may disagree about policies.

Why Are Open-Seat Races More Competitive?

No incumbent is running, so candidates do not have the advantage of already holding the office.

Why Might Voters Support One Party for President and Another in Midterms?

Voters may prefer different candidates, care about different issues, or have different opinions about the president.

Campaign Spending

Money used for advertising, campaign staff, events, and reaching voters.

What are the Current Events? (extra credit)

Trump & Xi Jinping Meeting & The White House Restricting CNN,MS NOW, and POLITICO

What actually happened with Trump & Xi Jinping’s meeting and what did they dicusss?

Trump and Xi discussed Taiwan, AI, and trade.

What Happened with the White house and the press?

The White House restricted CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO. The issue involved the First Amendment and freedom of the press.

Candidates — 4 Incumbents + 2 Opponents

District 1 — Andy Harris — Republican — INCUMBENT

District 1 — Dan Schwartz — Democrat — OPPONENT

District 4 — Glenn Ivey — Democrat — INCUMBENT

District 4 — George McDermott — Republican — OPPONENT

District 7 — Kweisi Mfume — Democrat — INCUMBENT

District 8 — Jamie Raskin — Democrat — INCUMBENT

District 1 Memory — Harris → Schwartz

District 4 Memory — Ivey → McDermott

4 Incumbents — Andy Harris, Glenn Ivey, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin.

2 Opponents — Dan Schwartz, George McDermott.