How do you plan to vote in the US 2018 midterms?

[Raphael Jauregui]

For which party or parties do you intend to vote in the 2018 midterm?

 

[grasping the after wind]

I vote for or against candidates not parties.

 

[tampasteve]

^^^This.
I vote for a candidate, which party can vary based on the national or local levels. Local levels have more direct impact where I am at, so their individual views and opinions matter quite a lot more than party affiliation. Nationally my party (Libertarian) has little chance to win, but generally the politics align closest to my views so they get my vote - if they ran a candidate.

So, I voted all of the choices above. I have voted for all of those parties at one time or another, many on the same ballot. BTW, other than the Democratic and Republican parties, all of the rest are "Third Party", so just "other" would be more accurate wording for the last option on the poll.

 

[Albion]

So, I voted all of the choices above. I have voted for all of those parties at one time or another, many on the same ballot. BTW, other than the Democratic and Republican parties, all of the rest are "Third Party", so just "other" would be more accurate for the poll.

What I'm about to say is quite incidental, but have you ever noticed that the number of people here on CF who list a third party as the one they identify with seems greatly out of proportion to the outcome on election day?

I wonder why that is? Because we prefer party X but don't vote for their candidates?? Because we here are more alert to ideological differences or have a more than average skepticism about the political system?

Hmmm.

 

[DeerGlow]

I'm just 18 what are midterms? The house/senate seats up for elections?

 

[tampasteve]

I'm just 18 what are midterms? The house/senate seats up for elections?

Yep, that and any other local/state elections that might be taking place. Usually a fair amount of state Governor elections should take place too, for example, Florida's governorship will be up for election in 2018.

 

[Albion]

I'm just 18 what are midterms? The house/senate seats up for elections?

Yes. Congressional, State, and Local elections two years after and two years before Presidential elections.

 

[tampasteve]

What I'm about to say is quite incidental, but have you ever noticed that the number of people here on CF who list a third party as the one they identify with seems greatly out of proportion to the outcome on election day?

I wonder why that is? Because we prefer party X but don't vote for their candidates?? Because we here are more alert to ideological differences or have a more than average skepticism about the political system?

Hmmm.

It is a national "problem" for Third Parties. Many people are registered for them, but when they get to the ballot they vote major party as a lesser of two evils situation. Also, many smaller third parties do not run national candidates, so even if one is registered say Socialist Alternative, there is not a Presidential candidate to vote for, so one votes major party. That and the thought that you "want your vote to count" as the major parties have hammered into our mindset that a vote for a third party is a trash vote. Personally, I have not voted for a major party for President since my first election age vote (2000)....

 

[DeerGlow]

Yes. Congressional, State, and Local elections two years after and two years before Presidential elections.

Oh no I have a lot to learn.

 

[tampasteve]

Oh no I have a lot to learn.

Hey, at least you are thinking about learning! Many/most people just either do not show up to the midterms or get in the ballot box and vote straight party with no idea what the candidates actually stand for.

 

[DeerGlow]

Hey, at least you are thinking about learning! Many/most people just either do not show up to the midterms or get in the ballot box and vote straight party with no idea what the candidates actually stand for.

Well.... eh. I can only vote for my states reps anyway right? So that's if anyone in the senate is up and however many house seats are up.

 

[Albion]

It is a national "problem" for Third Parties. Many people are registered for them, but when they get to the ballot they vote major party as a lesser of two evils situation. Also, many smaller third parties do not run national candidates, so even if one is registered say Socialist Alternative, there is not a Presidential candidate to vote for, so one votes major party. That and the thought that you "want your vote to count" as the major parties have hammered into our mindset that a vote for a third party is a trash vote. Personally, I have not voted for a major party for President since my first election age vote (2000)....

Yes, that probably does explain it, although it's a sad state of affairs, isn't it? But on the other hand, the sheer number of people on CF who identify with a third party seems remarkable in itself, even if we don't compare that with the votes cast for these parties.

 

[tampasteve]

Well.... eh. I can only vote for my states reps anyway right? So that's if anyone in the senate is up and however many house seats are up.

It depends on where you are at. There could be local city, county, district, and ballot initiatives as well. But usually it is just a smallish slate of seats for election.

 

[Albion]

Well.... eh. I can only vote for my states reps anyway right? So that's if anyone in the senate is up and however many house seats are up.

That's probably going to be one congressman plus one rep to the state legislature, one state senator, and a flock of state officers (Governor perhaps, Attorney General, etc). One-third of the US Senate will be up for election, so your state could be included...or not.

 

[mark kennedy]

Yes. Congressional, State, and Local elections two years after and two years before Presidential elections.

It's called the midterms because it's the election half way though the Presidents 4 year term in office. Typically if it's a Republican President the Congress will get a Democrat majority in the midterms and vice versa. Moderates don't like one party in complete control so they tend to vote to keep the balance.

A total of 468 seats in the U.S. Congress (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election on November 6, 2018...Since 1934, the party of a newly elected president has suffered an average loss of 23 seats in the House in the following midterm. (Ballotpedia)​