Elections in the United States: between surprises and disappointments

This was interpreted as a defeat for former President Trump, who had planned to announce his presidential candidacy after the election results were released. Also, the Republican party blames him in part for the loss, and that has split the party.

It is important for Democrats to maintain control of the Senate because this will give President Biden some degree of governance over matters that are under the control of the Senate. However, on those issues that require a vote of the entire Congress or the House, progress will be difficult to make.

The results in the States

At the state level, the choice was wider, as already noted. This concerned governors, legislative chambers, a large number of officials and various referendums.

– 36 of the 50 state governors of the Union were elected; Of these elections, the victory of Ron de Santis in Florida stands out, a fierce opponent of Trump and also projected as a presidential candidate of the Republican party. Several tax returns are still pending.

Legislative houses in 46 states were renewed and a total of 88 houses (in Kansas, New Mexico and South Carolina only one house was elected and Nebraska has a unicameral legislature); Democrats controlled 32, Republicans 55, and the Alaska House was controlled by a multiparty power-sharing arrangement.

In this election so far, Democrats have managed to wrest control from the Republican Party in the Michigan House and Senate, the Minnesota Senate, and the Pennsylvania House.

As a result of these changes, Democrats have full control of 36 state legislatures and Republicans with 48. Missing results in Arizona and Alaska.

Source: Votopedia (Adapted by the author)

These elections are important because the chambers have the power to decide many important issues, such as the right to vote, education, health and, following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Roe v. Wade, the right to abortion.

Finally, in this election, state referendums on various issues were also brought before voters for consideration, including: the following stand out:

• Abortion, in addition to playing an important role in elections, has been submitted to referendums in several states. In Michigan, Kentucky, California and Vermont, voters voted in favor of women’s reproductive rights.

Findings are still pending on a Montana proposal that requires health care workers to save any baby born alive, even after attempted abortions, or face fines or jail time.

• States have also seized the opportunity to intervene on voting rights. It is important to remember that this is not covered in the US Constitution and that it depends on each state.

Protective measures have been passed in both Connecticut and Michigan relating to early voting, while in Arizona, Nebraska and Ohio the measures aimed at tightening restrictions on voting.

Nebraska has passed the requirement for photo ID to vote, Arizona has identification requirements for both in-person and mail-in voting, and Ohio has banned non-citizens from voting in local elections.

• Recreational use of marijuana has been approved in Maryland and Missouri and rejected in Arkansas, North Dakota and South Dakota.
• Referendums were held in Alabama, Louisiana, Oregon, Tennessee and Vermont to remove slavery in the form of forced labor, which is still used in some prisons across the country, from state law. With the exception of Louisiana, states have voted to remove the measure.

In conclusion, despite the lack of several results, it can be said that the big winner of this race was President Biden, who, despite his low preference in the polls, managed to contain the expected “red wave”, weakening the aspirations of Donald Trump to prevail in American politics.

The forthcoming elections will be decisive not only for the future of the Democratic Party, but also for democracy in the United States, with its consequent effects on international politics.