The midterms of November 8 have many challenges in the United States. Between everyday subjects and almost forgotten questions, many themes are at the center of these elections. Overview.
Tuesday, November 8, 2022, millions of Americans are called to the polls for the midterms, these midterm elections being similar to more extensive legislative elections. Indeed, it is a question of renewing all the deputies, a third of the senators, but also of electing many local leaders, starting with the governors of the States. This election takes place in a particular context in the United States, a country undermined by galloping inflation for months. First concern of the population, it was at the center of the campaign, each camp (Democrat and Republican) trying to convince that it holds the key to slowing down the phenomenon. But that’s not all: the question of the legality of abortion throughout the country has had a prominent place, as has that of firearms. Immigration was also one of the themes of this campaign.
Beyond the national stakes, local referendums are also organized in parallel with the elections of elected officials. This will include the legalization of cannabis and the end of modern slavery in some states. Here is everything you need to know about the main issues of the 2022 midterms in the United States.
The economy. This is THE central subject of these midterm elections in the United States. While inflation reached 8% over the year across the Atlantic, the concern of Americans vis-à-vis their finances is palpable. Economic issues are the main issue in this election (71% for the former, 86% for the latter), as explained by an opinion poll by Morning Consult for Politicopublished on October 11.
It must be said that, as noted by the BBCfood prices have soared by 13.5% in one year, according to the latest survey at the end of September 2022. For example, a box of eggs costs double its price compared to the beginning of 2021 (3 dollars today), the price of bananas has taken 10% and the kilo of beef or chicken has increased by 20%.
On the fuel side, AAA, the American Automobile Association, quoted by NBC News, noted an increase in gasoline prices in September compared to August: the gallon (about 3.8l) is displayed at $3.92 (i.e. €1.03/l), against $3.72 a month earlier (€0.97/l). In an attempt to curb this increase in fuel, Joe Biden announced on Tuesday, October 18, to use, in December, 15 million barrels of oil from the State’s strategic reserves to supply gas stations, i.e. a little more than 2.3 billion liters. The objective: to reduce the price at the pump.
The decision caused outrage far beyond the United States. On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court (with a Republican majority*) revoked the constitutional right to abortion, leaving states free to choose whether they authorize or penalize the right to voluntary termination of pregnancy (IVG).
*Members of the Supreme Court are appointed by the Presidents of the United States and serve until they decide to retire, resign, or until their death. Currently, one of the judges has been in office for 30 years old, appointed by George Bush senior in 1991.
For Joe Biden’s camp, this is a regular angle of attack to denounce the “extremism” of the opposing political party. Especially since for his supporters, it is the second most important subject of these elections (67%). Tuesday, October 18, the President of the United States promised that if his political party won the midterm elections, he promised that the first law passed in Congress would guarantee the right to abortion and that he would ask his veto in the event of tougher legislation if the Republicans were to win.
Republican candidates are divided on the issue: some have deleted the party’s anti-abortion positions from their campaign sites, while others defend them ardently, explains CBS News. However, the subject is only “very important” for 36% of their voters. But a greater mobilization of voters in favor of the Democrats could upset their foals.
Local referendums on the subject
During these mid-term elections, voters are also called upon to vote on local issues. In five states, the issue of the right to abortion will be addressed. But not always under the same prism. Thus, in Californiain the Michigan and the Vermontvoters will have to decide in favor or not of the right to abortion within their state.
On the other hand, in the Kentucky, voters will have to say if they vote against an amendment to the state constitution to declare that “nothing in the state constitution creates a right to abortion.” In the Montanaa measure aimed at penalizing abortion with 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine is also put to the vote.
According to this same Morning Consult survey for Politico, the issue of firearms legislation will have a prominent place in these mid-term elections. The positions of the candidates on this theme will have “a major role” in the eyes of two thirds of voters. But not for the same reasons. On the Democratic side, the subject is “very important” for 67% of them, against only 40% among Republicans. For the former, it is urgent to legislate and regulate the possession of firearms, while the latter boast of liberalization.
These midterms are also an opportunity for voters in five states to decide whether or not to legalize cannabis locally. L’Arkansas proposes to legalize it for adults (21 years in the United States), just as in the South Dakota and the Maryland. the Missouri also submits this proposal to a vote, adding the cancellation of any legal conviction related to the consumption of narcotics, as well as the possibility of manufacturing marijuana. The authorization of its cultivation, and its consumption, is also proposed in the North Dakota.
The subject seems out of time. However, in some states, it is indeed brought to the fore in some during these midterm elections: slavery and servitude. In the United States, slavery and involuntary servitude have indeed been abolished since 1865. However, it still exists in another form, well authorized in the law: “as punishment for a crime whose culprit will have been duly condemned .” Thus, across the Atlantic, detainees can be forced to work for derisory wages, “on average, 20 centimes per hour” assured the Parisian, in 2018, Clara Grisot, from the NGO Prison Inside. In some states, the work is not even paid. These sentences of modern slavery, five American states want to put an end to them: Alabama, Louisiana, Oregon, Tennessee and Vermont.