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Midterm Elections 2018: Voters Head to Polls Across the Country Midterm Elections 2018: Polls Are Starting to Close
(about 2 hours later)
Voters on Tuesday waited out winding lines at their polling places and trudged through often unpleasant weather conditions to turn out in what both parties expected to be extraordinary numbers for a midterm election. It’s after 6 p.m. on the East Coast now, and the first polls have closed.
Technical issues were reported at the polls in some corners of the country, including Georgia. But mostly the day seemed to approximate a typical Election Day — albeit one with uncommon intensity in a nonpresidential year — as candidates blitzed their states and districts to whip up 11th-hour support and cast ballots themselves. Millions of Americans marched to the polls on Tuesday to vote in one of the hardest-fought, most expensive and perhaps most consequential midterm elections in political memory. Democrats and Republicans saw signs of powerful voter turnout across the country, all but certain to surpass the dismal turnout in the 2014 midterms.
• Polls start closing at 6 p.m. Eastern Time. Here’s what to watch for when that happens. Democrats kept their focus squarely on healthcare, counting on President Donald Trump to motivate their voters through his divisive rhetoric. Republicans, meanwhile, struggled to find a message and deflect tensions from a controversial president.
While candidates from Maine to California tried to focus on issues, the election became for many about something far larger: A referendum on American values in the Trump era.
• Here’s what to watch as results come in.
• Get live results here.• Get live results here.
Until then, come back here all day for news and check-ins with voters and candidates across the country. The first set of polls have closed in most of Indiana and the eastern part of Kentucky, marking the beginning of the end of a lengthy campaign.
The states are home to two of the most closely watched and tightest contests in the country. In Kentucky, Amy McGrath, a former Marine, is trying to unseat incumbent Andy Barr, testing the strength of Democratic enthusiasm in a traditionally Republican state.
Senator Joe Donnelly, a Democrat, is trying to hold on to his seat in Indiana. A loss for Donnelly would deal a major blow to Democratic efforts to take control of the Senate. Strategists on both sides expect the party to lose the North Dakota senate race, leaving them little room for additional losses.
Both states had heavy voter turnout, as people waited on hours-long lines to cast their ballots.
— Lisa Lerer
Early exit polls reported by CNN on Tuesday night showed a gloomy mood in the country after months of contentious campaigning against a recent backdrop of racial tensions and spurts of violence.
Fifty-six percent of voters said they thought the country was headed in the wrong direction, the cable network reported, with 56 percent disapproving of President Trump, 54 percent disapproving of the Republican Party and 55 percent disapproving of Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives.
That pessimism belied the positive impression most voters hold about the economy halfway through Mr. Trump’s term. Sixty-eight percent of voters said they believed the economy was in good shape, according to the exit polls, and when it came to personal finances only 14 percent of voters said they were worse off than a year ago. Eighty four percent said their finances were either better off or in the same position.
Mr. Trump has sought to frame the midterm elections as a referendum on his presidency and has campaigned on appeals to law and order and fears over illegal immigration. But exit polls reported by CNN suggested that most voters have been focused on something else: health care.
Forty one percent of voters said that healthcare was the most important issue facing the country, while only 23 percent cited immigration. The economy was the number one issue for 21 percent of voters, and 11 percent said they were most concerned with gun policy.
Overall, 39 percent of voters said they went to the polls to express their opposition to the president, while 26 percent said they wanted to show support for him. Thirty-three percent said Mr. Trump was not a factor in their vote.
— Liam Stack
What happens in the Midwest?What happens in the Midwest?
Midwestern states helped make Mr. Trump president. Democrats think that all changes tonight, while Republicans are hoping for a couple of crucial, high-profile wins.Midwestern states helped make Mr. Trump president. Democrats think that all changes tonight, while Republicans are hoping for a couple of crucial, high-profile wins.
In Senate and governor’s races, Democrats believe they are prepared to rebuild the “blue wall” that Mr. Trump breached in 2016, particularly in Michigan. The biggest prize of the night would be toppling Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, whose conservative agenda has diminished the power of labor unions in that state.In Senate and governor’s races, Democrats believe they are prepared to rebuild the “blue wall” that Mr. Trump breached in 2016, particularly in Michigan. The biggest prize of the night would be toppling Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, whose conservative agenda has diminished the power of labor unions in that state.
But Republicans are betting that Mr. Walker hangs on, and that the party could win the governor’s race in Ohio.But Republicans are betting that Mr. Walker hangs on, and that the party could win the governor’s race in Ohio.
Is history made or not?Is history made or not?
Much of the attention has centered on a few high-profile candidates, like Andrew Gillum, who would be the first African-American governor of Florida, and Stacey Abrams, who would be the first African-American female governor in any state. But other barriers are almost sure to fall, like the election of the first Muslim-American woman in Congress and the first openly gay man to be elected governor of any state (in this case, Colorado).Much of the attention has centered on a few high-profile candidates, like Andrew Gillum, who would be the first African-American governor of Florida, and Stacey Abrams, who would be the first African-American female governor in any state. But other barriers are almost sure to fall, like the election of the first Muslim-American woman in Congress and the first openly gay man to be elected governor of any state (in this case, Colorado).
What issues will have the greatest impact?What issues will have the greatest impact?
If American voters had only followed the 2018 election through Democratic campaign ads, they may have thought that the campaign was entirely defined by health care.If American voters had only followed the 2018 election through Democratic campaign ads, they may have thought that the campaign was entirely defined by health care.
If they score major victories in the House tonight, their strategy of focusing more on health care than President Trump will be vindicated.If they score major victories in the House tonight, their strategy of focusing more on health care than President Trump will be vindicated.
For Republicans, the issue set is more divergent. Some of their candidates in more moderate areas have focused intently on trumpeting the health of the economy.For Republicans, the issue set is more divergent. Some of their candidates in more moderate areas have focused intently on trumpeting the health of the economy.
But other Republican contenders in more conservative-leaning areas have echoed Mr. Trump’s hard-line rhetoric on issues related to race and immigration, hoping that sounding Trumpian notes will lure his voters out to the polls in larger numbers.But other Republican contenders in more conservative-leaning areas have echoed Mr. Trump’s hard-line rhetoric on issues related to race and immigration, hoping that sounding Trumpian notes will lure his voters out to the polls in larger numbers.
What kind of night will President Trump have?What kind of night will President Trump have?
What’s not in much doubt Tuesday night is whether Mr. Trump will accept any blame if Republicans suffer losses. Spoiler: he likely will not.What’s not in much doubt Tuesday night is whether Mr. Trump will accept any blame if Republicans suffer losses. Spoiler: he likely will not.
The best possible outcome for the president would be if his party retains its House majority, no matter how narrowly, while adding to its one-seat Senate majority and minimizing losses in governorships.The best possible outcome for the president would be if his party retains its House majority, no matter how narrowly, while adding to its one-seat Senate majority and minimizing losses in governorships.
A bad night for Mr. Trump would be if Republicans lost the House, most of the most competitive governor’s races and did not net any Senate seats.A bad night for Mr. Trump would be if Republicans lost the House, most of the most competitive governor’s races and did not net any Senate seats.
A disastrous night for the president? Democrats take control of the Senate and the House.A disastrous night for the president? Democrats take control of the Senate and the House.
WINTERVILLE, Ga. — Brian Kemp, the Republican nominee for governor of Georgia who is locked in an intensely competitive race against Stacey Abrams, said Tuesday afternoon that he was pleased with the day’s election management.WINTERVILLE, Ga. — Brian Kemp, the Republican nominee for governor of Georgia who is locked in an intensely competitive race against Stacey Abrams, said Tuesday afternoon that he was pleased with the day’s election management.
“It’s been very smooth all day long,” said Mr. Kemp, who as secretary of state is Georgia’s chief elections administrator. “Nothing unusual at all.”“It’s been very smooth all day long,” said Mr. Kemp, who as secretary of state is Georgia’s chief elections administrator. “Nothing unusual at all.”
Officials in Gwinnett County, near Atlanta, had said that four of the county’s precincts had suffered technical delays as voting began on Tuesday, while officials in Cobb County reported 90-minute lines at some polling stations.Officials in Gwinnett County, near Atlanta, had said that four of the county’s precincts had suffered technical delays as voting began on Tuesday, while officials in Cobb County reported 90-minute lines at some polling stations.
“It’s a perfect storm,” said Janine Eveler, the director of the Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration. “The turnout has been higher than any midterm that we’ve had before.”“It’s a perfect storm,” said Janine Eveler, the director of the Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration. “The turnout has been higher than any midterm that we’ve had before.”
A spokeswoman for Ms. Abrams’s campaign did not immediately respond to a message about reports of voting troubles, but other Georgia Democrats said that they saw few indications of widespread troubles.A spokeswoman for Ms. Abrams’s campaign did not immediately respond to a message about reports of voting troubles, but other Georgia Democrats said that they saw few indications of widespread troubles.
“There have been a couple of little glitches, but all in all, things are going very smoothly,” said Carolyn Bourdeaux, the Democratic nominee for a House seat in a district near Atlanta.“There have been a couple of little glitches, but all in all, things are going very smoothly,” said Carolyn Bourdeaux, the Democratic nominee for a House seat in a district near Atlanta.
Mr. Kemp noted Tuesday’s heavy turnout and acknowledged scattered reports of trouble in some parts of metro Atlanta, but he denied any widespread problems. “People in Georgia are voting,” he said.Mr. Kemp noted Tuesday’s heavy turnout and acknowledged scattered reports of trouble in some parts of metro Atlanta, but he denied any widespread problems. “People in Georgia are voting,” he said.
Mr. Kemp himself did not encounter significant problems when he went to vote at the train depot in Winterville: He entered the polling place at 1:59 p.m. and emerged nine minutes later.Mr. Kemp himself did not encounter significant problems when he went to vote at the train depot in Winterville: He entered the polling place at 1:59 p.m. and emerged nine minutes later.
— Alan Blinder— Alan Blinder
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Holding his 16-month-old son in one arm and his ballot in another, Andrew Gillum cast a vote for himself on Tuesday to be the next governor of Florida, turning a visit to his precinct inside a Catholic church into a family affair.TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Holding his 16-month-old son in one arm and his ballot in another, Andrew Gillum cast a vote for himself on Tuesday to be the next governor of Florida, turning a visit to his precinct inside a Catholic church into a family affair.
“I tried to look over and see what she was doing,” Mr. Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee and a Democrat, joked about his wife, R. Jai, who joined him, along with their 4-year-old twins.“I tried to look over and see what she was doing,” Mr. Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee and a Democrat, joked about his wife, R. Jai, who joined him, along with their 4-year-old twins.
“I voted for you!” she reassured him.“I voted for you!” she reassured him.
A crush of news cameras trailed the Gillums, who is trying to defeat former Representative Ron DeSantis, his Republican opponent.A crush of news cameras trailed the Gillums, who is trying to defeat former Representative Ron DeSantis, his Republican opponent.
In blue Tallahassee, Mr. Gillum attracted a flock of fans who cheered him on.In blue Tallahassee, Mr. Gillum attracted a flock of fans who cheered him on.
“I’m not happy with the way the country’s going. I’d like to make some changes,” said Natalie Marino, 51, a Democrat who cast her ballot moments before Mr. Gillum’s arrival. “Hopefully I can help.”“I’m not happy with the way the country’s going. I’d like to make some changes,” said Natalie Marino, 51, a Democrat who cast her ballot moments before Mr. Gillum’s arrival. “Hopefully I can help.”
As for the possibility that he could become Florida’s first African-American governor? “We’ll worry about history later,” Mr. Gillum said.As for the possibility that he could become Florida’s first African-American governor? “We’ll worry about history later,” Mr. Gillum said.
— Patricia Mazzei— Patricia Mazzei
A two-page ballot appears to have caused havoc for scanning machines at polling places across New York City, as scores of broken scanners brought voting to a standstill at many locations. Read more here.A two-page ballot appears to have caused havoc for scanning machines at polling places across New York City, as scores of broken scanners brought voting to a standstill at many locations. Read more here.
Voters in several states told The New York Times they received a text message, claiming to be from a local or state-level political group, that directed them to an incorrect polling place. This may be an example of deliberate disinformation, or it may just be that some of the voter registration data used by campaigns in their peer-to-peer texting programs is outdated or incorrect. Either way, voters who need information about their polling places should check with their state election office, or on a trusted nonpartisan site like Vote411.Voters in several states told The New York Times they received a text message, claiming to be from a local or state-level political group, that directed them to an incorrect polling place. This may be an example of deliberate disinformation, or it may just be that some of the voter registration data used by campaigns in their peer-to-peer texting programs is outdated or incorrect. Either way, voters who need information about their polling places should check with their state election office, or on a trusted nonpartisan site like Vote411.
Voters in Florida have also reported receiving suspicious text messages that claim to be from volunteers with the campaign of Andrew Gillum, the Democrat running for governor there. According to a screenshot of one text message reviewed by The Times, the messages claim that Mr. Gillum plans to raise taxes on people earning over $25,000 a year, and that he opposes the state’s “stand your ground” law because it is a “racist ideology.”Voters in Florida have also reported receiving suspicious text messages that claim to be from volunteers with the campaign of Andrew Gillum, the Democrat running for governor there. According to a screenshot of one text message reviewed by The Times, the messages claim that Mr. Gillum plans to raise taxes on people earning over $25,000 a year, and that he opposes the state’s “stand your ground” law because it is a “racist ideology.”
A spokeswoman for Mr. Gillum said the campaign did not send the message.A spokeswoman for Mr. Gillum said the campaign did not send the message.
— Kevin Roose— Kevin Roose
EL PASO, Tex. — Coffee mug in hand, Representative Beto O’Rourke voted Tuesday morning at a polling site down the street from his home in downtown El Paso.
Mr. O’Rourke has been trying to unseat Senator Ted Cruz and become the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in Texas since 1988. As a pack of journalists surrounded him outside, he was asked if he expected to win.
“Yes,” he replied.
He said he wasn’t basing that feeling on the polls. “I just have traveled to every single county in Texas and listened to everybody,” said Mr. O’Rourke, as his wife and three children stood by his side. “I have so many amazing volunteers that we’re working with, knocking on millions of doors, making that human-to-human connection that we are in such desperate need of at this moment of division in the country. I feel it.”
He answered a few more questions, in Spanish and English, and then cut things short.
“We’re going to walk back to our house right now,” he said, “and get these guys to school.”
Mr. Cruz, the Republican firebrand not known for his lack of confidence, was asked on Monday if he had thought about losing.
“Of course,” said Mr. Cruz. The senator spoke with reporters on his “Tough as Texas” campaign bus before a rally in the Houston suburb of Cypress, sitting with his legs crossed on a leather seat as the aroma of fried chicken filled the bus.
“Every election, it is the voters who decide,” Mr. Cruz said. “And I have always believed that every elected official has to make the case to the men and women you represent, why you deserve to remain in office, why you have kept your promises and kept your word.”
Less than an hour later, Mr. Cruz stood on a stage and told a cheering crowd, “We are going to win this race.”
— Manny Fernandez and Mitchell Ferman
ORLANDO — Frameyry Baez can summarize her Election Day emotions in a single word: “Excited!”ORLANDO — Frameyry Baez can summarize her Election Day emotions in a single word: “Excited!”
Ms. Baez, 33, the owner of Sportbike Parts & Export in Kissimmee, Fla., will cast her first ballot Tuesday afternoon as a U.S. citizen. An immigrant from the Dominican Republic, she was a legal permanent resident for some 20 years, forced to watch the political debates as an interested observer, never a participant.Ms. Baez, 33, the owner of Sportbike Parts & Export in Kissimmee, Fla., will cast her first ballot Tuesday afternoon as a U.S. citizen. An immigrant from the Dominican Republic, she was a legal permanent resident for some 20 years, forced to watch the political debates as an interested observer, never a participant.
She kept putting citizenship off, because she worried that her English was not good enough. Then came the 2016 election.She kept putting citizenship off, because she worried that her English was not good enough. Then came the 2016 election.
“I was part of that stampede that went running to immigration after Donald Trump was elected,” said Ms. Baez, now proudly bilingual.“I was part of that stampede that went running to immigration after Donald Trump was elected,” said Ms. Baez, now proudly bilingual.
She is worried about the anti-immigrant rhetoric dominating the news, and she planned to vote straight down the line for Democrats.She is worried about the anti-immigrant rhetoric dominating the news, and she planned to vote straight down the line for Democrats.
“I am against everyone who promotes racism,” she said. “Anything that does not represent minorities — I’m against that.”“I am against everyone who promotes racism,” she said. “Anything that does not represent minorities — I’m against that.”
— Frances Robles— Frances Robles
CHAPMANVILLE, W.Va. — Voters trickled into the local high school on a warm rainy morning. Many said they came more for Mr. Trump than for any local candidate.
“This is the first time in a long time I feel like I’m making a difference,” said Chance Bradley, a hardware store worker. He said he came to vote for a measure on the West Virginia ballot that would effectively end state funding for abortion. “With Trump, everything’s changed. Now people are out talking about what’s going on. I actually hear voices talking about things that matter. I feel like an American again.”
But others came because they didn’t like Mr. Trump.
“The truth ain’t in him,” said Carl Blevins, 60, a retired coal miner who said he voted for Senator Joe Manchin, the Democratic incumbent. He said he could not understand how miners could vote for the Republican candidate, Patrick Morrisey, who he believes will cut benefits for retired miners. “I don’t know what’s wrong with these people. They’ll fight you over Trump. I can’t understand it. I think they put something in the water.”
A representative of the West Virginia secretary of state’s office, Lee Dean, said the polling place at the high school in Champmanville was empty in comparison to the bustle during the primary in May.
— Sabrina Tavernise
[The election in pictures: Our photographers are spread across the country, documenting the final moments.][The election in pictures: Our photographers are spread across the country, documenting the final moments.]
PHOENIX — Some voters fret about jobs on Election Day. Others cite immigration as their top concern. Wayne Cutts, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, worries about his teeth.
Mr. Cutts, 61, relocated to Phoenix earlier this year from Philadelphia. After staying briefly in his son’s cramped home, he moved into a shelter for homeless veterans. At a recent veterans’ forum here, he stood up and explained how difficult it was for him to get a set of dentures through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
But Mr. Cutts said he was moved to participate in this year’s election after Representative Kyrsten Sinema, the Democratic Senate nominee, contacted the V.A. on his behalf. Ms. Sinema is running against Representative Martha McSally, a Republican and retired military officer.
“Sinema got me my teeth,” said Mr. Cutts, who voted early Tuesday morning in Phoenix before offering rides to polling stations for fellow homeless veterans. “The least I could do is lend a hand.”
By midmorning, Mr. Cutts, an Uber driver at the helm of a Kia Sorento, had already taken four people to the polls. He declined to accept any payment for the rides, and said he tried to refrain from persuading occupants in his vehicle to vote for one candidate or another.
— Simon Romero
ORLANDO, Fla. — University of Florida experts estimate that about 30,000 to 50,000 Puerto Ricans moved to Central Florida after Hurricane Maria toppled homes and knocked out power on the island last year. Central Florida was already home to more than 330,000 people from the island.
“The Puerto Ricans who moved to vote, did that to reject Trump,” said Martín Coto Colón, 66. “If the Republicans lose, it’s because of him.”
Mr. Coto, a retired worker at a drug rehab facility, has been living in Central Florida for about 10 years. He and other Puerto Ricans lined up to cast ballots at the Orlando retirement community where they live.
He predicted that Puerto Ricans, like him, would vote for Mayor Andrew Gillum of Tallahassee to become governor, because his opponent, Ron DeSantis, a former congressman from northern Florida, is too chummy with the president.
“What Trump did when he visited Puerto Rico was nasty,” Mr. Coto said. “He was throwing toilet paper! That was a lack of respect.”
Mr. Coto, a Democrat, said he voted for the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, Gov. Rick Scott. He did so because Mr. Scott visited the island at least eight times and sent support after the storm.
A report from the Pew Research Center showed that the number of Puerto Ricans eligible to vote in Florida now matched the number of Cuban-Americans — who have long held political might. Civic groups have boasted that they registered at least 40,000 Puerto Ricans this election season.
“They are going to vote, because there are still a lot of struggles,” Noelia Dávila, a retired physical therapist originally from Puerto Rico, said after casting her ballot at the Starlight Ranch community center. “For us, the most important issue is housing.”
Ms. Davila said she too had cast a vote for Mr. Gillum — although she could not recall his name. “He’ll support us,” she said. “He knows what it’s like to be out there without protection.”
— Frances Robles
Georgia has been a battleground over voting rights, made only more complicated because the Republican candidate for governor, Brian Kemp, is also the secretary of state overseeing the election. And just two days before the election, Mr. Kemp threw a wrench into the proceedings when his office announced that it would investigate the Georgia Democratic Party for allegedly trying to hack the state’s voter registration system — an explosive claim for which officials provided no evidence.Georgia has been a battleground over voting rights, made only more complicated because the Republican candidate for governor, Brian Kemp, is also the secretary of state overseeing the election. And just two days before the election, Mr. Kemp threw a wrench into the proceedings when his office announced that it would investigate the Georgia Democratic Party for allegedly trying to hack the state’s voter registration system — an explosive claim for which officials provided no evidence.
Last month, it was revealed that Mr. Kemp’s office had frozen more than 50,000 voter applications, most of them from minority residents, because names on applications didn’t match those on government IDs. In some cases, these discrepancies were as small as a dropped hyphen. When early voting began last month, more problems emerged, including extremely long wait times. But a judge ruled Friday that the state must allow more than 3,000 naturalized citizens whose applications were improperly flagged to vote normally by presenting proof of citizenship.Last month, it was revealed that Mr. Kemp’s office had frozen more than 50,000 voter applications, most of them from minority residents, because names on applications didn’t match those on government IDs. In some cases, these discrepancies were as small as a dropped hyphen. When early voting began last month, more problems emerged, including extremely long wait times. But a judge ruled Friday that the state must allow more than 3,000 naturalized citizens whose applications were improperly flagged to vote normally by presenting proof of citizenship.
[Here’s what voter intimidation looks like and how to report it.][Here’s what voter intimidation looks like and how to report it.]
In North Dakota, opponents of a new residential address requirement lost a last-ditch attempt to stop it when a federal judge said it was too close to Election Day to issue an injunction. [Read more about the requirement and how it’s affecting Native Americans, many of whom don’t use residential addresses.]In North Dakota, opponents of a new residential address requirement lost a last-ditch attempt to stop it when a federal judge said it was too close to Election Day to issue an injunction. [Read more about the requirement and how it’s affecting Native Americans, many of whom don’t use residential addresses.]
Elsewhere, a court ruled late last month that voters in Shelby County, Tenn., must be allowed to correct errors or omissions on their voter registration forms and vote normally on Election Day. And among other controversies in Kansas — where Secretary of State Kris Kobach is, like Mr. Kemp in Georgia, the Republican candidate for governor — voters in Hispanic-majority Dodge City have to go outside the city limits to find their polling place, which is the only one for an electorate of 27,000.Elsewhere, a court ruled late last month that voters in Shelby County, Tenn., must be allowed to correct errors or omissions on their voter registration forms and vote normally on Election Day. And among other controversies in Kansas — where Secretary of State Kris Kobach is, like Mr. Kemp in Georgia, the Republican candidate for governor — voters in Hispanic-majority Dodge City have to go outside the city limits to find their polling place, which is the only one for an electorate of 27,000.
— Maggie Astor— Maggie Astor
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — As President Trump wrapped up the midterm election cycle with a late-night rally in southeast Missouri on Monday, he was joined by the radio host Rush Limbaugh, as well as the Fox News personalities Sean Hannity and Jeanine Pirro, who delivered speeches backing the president.
The participation of the Fox hosts in a political rally struck even executives at the network as inappropriate. “Fox News does not condone any talent participating in campaign events,” the network said in a statement on Tuesday. “We have an extraordinary team of journalists helming our coverage tonight, and we are extremely proud of their work. This was an unfortunate distraction and has been addressed.” Read more here.
— Peter Baker
Voters across the country will decide on ballot initiatives that address a range of hot-button issues.
Legalizing the recreational use of marijuana is on the ballot in Michigan and North Dakota.
Medical marijuana is on the ballot in Utah and Missouri. Missouri has three separate initiatives that would legalize it.
In Washington State, voters will weigh in on Initiative 1631, which would charge companies and utilities that burn fossil fuels $15 for each ton of gases they produce (the penalty would rise over time). It is one of several ballot measures across the country that aim to fight climate change, including a statewide fracking ban in Colorado and renewable energy requirements in Arizona and Nevada.
A ballot initiative in Massachusetts, Question 3, will ask voters if they want a landmark 2016 transgender rights law to remain on the books. The law prohibits discrimination based on gender identity in public places, like bathrooms.
In Washington and Oregon, voters will decide on measures to prohibit local taxes on food sales. Companies like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have backed those initiatives as a way to combat taxes on sugary drinks like soda, which are an increasingly popular public health tool.
A number of ballot initiatives will also address thorny health care issues, including measures that would expand Medicaid in Idaho, Nebraska and Utah, and one in Montana that would revoke Medicaid expansion for low-income childless adults.
Voters in West Virginia and Alabama will decide on constitutional amendments that would specify that there is no guaranteed right to abortion in those states. The proposals would not ban abortion if they were to pass, but that could change if Roe v. Wade were someday overturned.
— Liam Stack
CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — After two years of intractable political fights, with sanity and humanity seemingly on pause, Debbie Eschbacher’s motivation to vote was pretty simple: “The fact that I don’t like liberals yelling at people anymore.”
So was Jay Kim’s: “Our current president’s tactics are dividing the country. It is time for someone to check and balance power.”
The two 57-year-old political independents walked into the same early childhood center in this mostly affluent, mostly white St. Louis suburb a few minutes apart early Tuesday morning. Ms. Eschbacher, who works in sales, supported Josh Hawley, the Republican championed by President Trump in this exceedingly tight Senate race. Mr. Kim, a lawyer, backed Senator Claire McCaskill, the incumbent Democrat trying to hold on for a third term.
“I’ve been waiting for literally two years for this time,” Mr. Kim said with resignation. He said he remained “dumbfounded” by Mr. Trump and his party.
Ms. Eschbacher pulled out of her pocket a worn voting sticker from 2016 — a talisman of sorts she hoped would help complete the shake-up started then.
“The liberals think they are right, but they are wrong and we are going to prove that today,” she said with a laugh.
— Nicholas Fandos