The midterm elections are coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Whether you're voting here in California, in a different state, or aren't voting, this election will have critical implications in the coming years. Here's an overview of what people are talking about and what you should know about the midterm elections.
P.S. If you're voting in-state on Tuesday, locate your polling place on the California Secretary of State website.
National Issues
Is it true that a lot of people are planning on voting?
It could be record year for midterm election voter turnout. Over 25 states have already surpassed their 2014 midterm election early voting numbers.In Texas, more people have have cast early-voting ballots in the state than voted in the state's 2014 midterms election altogether. Young adults are also expected to have a role to play at the ballot box. A record number of 18- and 19-year-olds—63 percent—are set cast their ballots for the first time on Nov. 6.
How accurate will polling be?
After many polls were accused of inaccurately predicting the results of the 2016 election, the results of this year's midterms will be another test for the dependability of these predictions . The USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll predicts that voters who are unhappy with both major political parties will decide the results of the election and are likely to lean Democrat.
Are there any candidates set to make history?
A record number of women, including transgender women, from both sides of the political aisle are running for congress. Democrats Andrew Gillum of Florida and Stacey Abrams of Georgia are both is running to become the first black governors of their states.
What's all this talk on voter suppression?
Concerns over voting rights and suspension accusations have been a national focus this election. In Georgia, Brian Kemp, a Republican candidate for governor, has been sued for allegedly suppressing votes when an investigation revealed that his office had not approved over 50,000 voter registrations. On Friday, a federal judge ruled that Kemp must allow voters marked as ineligible to vote if they presented proof of citizenship. Also, in North Dakota, a rule change has forced over 5,000 Native American citizens to change their IDs last minute in order to vote.
California issues
Who will become California's new governor?
Californians will choose either Democratic candidate Gavin Newsom and Republican candidate John Cox for governor on Tuesday. The governor-elect won't officially start until January, but Newsom and Cox's political positions will have an impact on emerging state issues such as immigration, clean energy, education and more.
How will the propositions affect my life in California?
The state is also set to vote on 11 propositions this year on a range of topics from daylight saving time, rent control, and the repeal of California's gas tax, which some fear could bring public transportation projects to a halt. Make sure to check out Annenberg Media's breakdown of the Propositions here.