Whatever happens America will be a will be a very different country on Wednesday.
Top of the TicketBiden needs to win in PA, or Florida, or Georgia or North Carolina. Trump needs to win in PA, and Florida, and Georgia and North Carolina. I’m not counting unhatched chickens but it doesn’t feel like 2016 to me.
Senate control: Dems need to net +four seats. Arizona, Colorado, Maine and North Carolina all look good. Iowa, Montana, South Carolina and two in Georgia all look tight. .
State legislatures:. It is a census year, so winners will re-draw congressional districts. Democrats control 19 legislatures and Republicans control 29, with Minnesota split and Nebraska nonpartisan. Democrats hope to take full control in Arizona, Minnesota and North Carolina, and to win partial control in Iowa, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Texas. (Daily Kos has a detailed breakdown.)
The House:. Democrats are heavily favorited to retain control and maybe expand their 35-seat margin. Having watched south jersey commercials – I’ll be pulling for Jeff Van Drew to get his ass kicked.
Economics: Several states will consider ballot initiatives intended to reduce economic inequality, including: a measure to establish a $15 minimum wage in Florida; a step toward a more progressive income tax in Illinois; higher taxes on the affluent in Arizona; and an increase in property taxes on businesses in California.
Women’s Health Care: In Colorado. Voters will decide whether to ban abortions after 22 weeks of gestational age. Many red states already have such laws, but Colorado would become arguably the most liberal state to adopt one.
Puerto Rico statehood: American citizens in the territory will vote in a non-binding initiative to signal whether they want the island to become a state. If it passes, a future Congress is more likely to add two new states — Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.
Justice Democrats: They’ve endorsed five House candidates trying to win election for the first time. Perhaps the most intriguing: Kara Eastman, who’s running in a swing district in Nebraska.
The ability of Uber and Lyft to take advantage of employees:. “Gig economy” companies are backing an initiative that would allow them to continue paying their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, saying it’s vital to the business model. Many labor unions oppose the measure, saying it would prevent drivers from earning a living wage.
Ranked-choice voting: Voters in Alaska, Massachusetts and a handful of cities will decide whether to adopt ranked-choice voting, which makes it easier to vote third party without undermining a major-party candidate. Currently, only Maine uses the system statewide.
Marijuana/Shroom Legalization: Arizona, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota will consider versions of marijuana legalization, while Oregon and Washington, D.C., will vote on whether to ease restrictions on mushrooms.
Via/NYT