Special Elections, and why you need to care about this NOW.
Image Description: Vote Buttons in a pile. Colors red white and blue that represent the American Flag
Hey. You know what Nov 8th is?
It’s the one year anniversary of…the presidential election. Regardless if you celebrated or if you sat in a dark room and cried for 3 days, it was an important day.
Do you know what tomorrow, November 7th is? It is ANOTHER important day. It’s the Special Elections. And you need to STILL vote.
In this post, I will answer four questions (and many more):
1. What are Special Elections?
2. Why does this matter?
3. Which States get to vote tomorrow, November 7th?
4. And how can I check when and where to vote?
1. So what are Special Elections?
This year (2017), as of November, 52 state legislative seats have been filled through special elections and another 44 elections have been scheduled in 16 states. State Senates and House of Representative seats. It is not every year, it's not every state. Special Elections occur when a House or Senate seat becomes available that represent your State. State seats become available due to a state rep retiring, stepping down, when they die, etc. Here are the current reasons and standings why Special Elections are happening this year:
“In 2017, special elections for state legislative positions are being held for a variety of reasons:
46 due to appointment, election, or the seeking of election to another position
1 due to an ineligible general election candidate
14 due to the incumbent accepting another job
21 due to a retirement
14 due to a death”
2. WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
Your vote could impact partisan changes. Republican seat can turn into a Democratic seat and vice versa. Which means your vote gives voice to a representative that you chose, who can then vote in favor or against an amazing bill or a terrible bill. Bills for, I don’t know, silly stuff like healthcare, treaties, gun laws, civil rights, education, and blah blah blah. The Senate and House is where stuff goes DOWN.
Wait, you don't know what a bill... OK, Ok. It's not too late to learn.
WATCH THIS:
School House Rock episode titled "I'm Just a Bill". Captions included
Ok see around 1:30 minute mark when 'they're stuck in committee'? Special Election votes can help decide who those key congressman are.
If you vote on November 6th, 2018 (next year) during Midterm Elections... you get a say on the initial seats from the beginning! Meaning, no one has to die, retire or step down in order for your State Rep seats to get filled- you get to clean slate and fresh start to vote on gets to represent you and your state in Congress.
Here is a more up to date, detailed, fun and hilarious video explanation... also a much more realistic version:
Youtube Video: How a Bill Becomes a Law, Crash Course Government and Politics, by Crash Course YouTube Channel. Captions included
And look what your vote can do:
Partisan Changes: Just last month, Democrats flipped two seats that were formally Republican.
Image Description: Table with three columns and four rows. Title of Table is Partisan Change from Special Elections. Column variables are: Party, As of Special Election, After Special Election. Row 1 Reads: Blue Square that represents the Democratic Party Color, Democratic Party, 22, 29. Row 2 reads: Red Square that represents Republican Party color, Republican Party, 30, 23. Row 3 reads: Grey Square that represents Independent Party, Independent, dash (empty), dash (empty). Row 4 reads: Total, 52, 52. End Image description
Look at the seats that were flipped in 2017 alone:
Seats flipped from D to R
Seats flipped from R to D
- New Hampshire House of Representatives District Carroll 6 (May 23)
- New York State Assembly District 9 (May 23)
- Oklahoma State Senate District 44 (July 11)
- Oklahoma House of Representatives District 75 (July 11)
- New Hampshire House of Representatives District Belknap 9 (September 12)
- Oklahoma House of Representatives District 46 (September 12)
- New Hampshire House of Representatives District Rockingham 4 (September 26)
- Florida State Senate District 40 (September 26)
THIS... is a big freak'n deal!
John Oliver from Last Week Tonight had an amazing piece about the NRA, CDC and just what happens in a committee meetings: Important process bit is here is at 9:36 minute mark, but I encourage you to watch the entire clip.
3. Which States get to vote tomorrow, November 7th?
So it’s not every state. And it’s not every district. So be sure to look up if you’re district is eligible.
· Georgia
· Maine
· Massachusetts (December 5th is the next election for Worcester & Middlesex Districts!)
· Michigan
· Missouri
· Mississippi
· New York
· New Hampshire
· South Carolina
· Washington
Nov 14th Special Elections:
· Oklahoma
Dec. 5th Special Elections:
· California
· Massachusetts (Worcester & Middlesex Districts)
Dec. 12th Special Elections:
· Iowa
Dec. 19th Special Elections
· Florida
· Mississippi
· Tennessee
4. And how can I check when and where to vote?
You wanna go to www.vote411.org . Type in your info, it's just like the Presidential Elections and gives you all the updates you need. It might show you as an Inactive Voter, like it did for me. I got married last year (actually 3 days after the election) and I forgot to respond to a survey thingy and now I gotta do extra thingies: a.k.a. fill out another form, provide them with proof of identity and residence. Even though I just voted 12 months ago...haven't moved...served jury duty... and got a marriage license... all in the exact same spot - whatEVER municipal entities! - BUT YOU CAN STILL VOTE IF YOU ARE AN INACTIVE VOTER. But these kinds of hoop jumping and barriers are exactly what congressmen/women who may oppose your views rely on. 'Lazy and Confused Citizens.' And by no means does it mean you are actually lazy and don't care. It means the processes are arbitrary and confusing for a reason. Sure, it was set up to ensure a 'fair' system and reduce dishonesty. But let's be serious, there is a reason why, other than voter fraud, being an action-driven, contributing member of society, and a decent citizen - can actually be very difficult to do. But there are plenty of resources for you out there, you just gotta dig a little. Hopefully I provided some today!
Other Resources:
Literally, Track the United States Congress. GovTrack.us
Keep track of House of Representative Bills. What is being passed, what didn't. GovTrack.us
Bills to be Considered: on the House Floor
Here is one my fave satirical SNL skits about a Bill vs. Executive Orders :D
Youtube Video: Saturday Night Live clip titled Capitol Hill Cold Open. Captions included.