The Importance of the Midterm Elections

In the United States, the constitution outlines the role of each branch as well as the method of elections. Citizens have the freedom of voting for the President as well as the legislative branch. The legislative branch is comprised of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Both of these lawmaking chambers legislate but they also have different ways of acting as an institution. In Congress, there are 100 senators and 435 voting representatives. Each state has two senators that act as a representative for the state in its constituents while the house of representatives focuses on the population of each state. The bigger the state – population-wise – the more representatives it has.

However, while the legislative branch does almost all the lawmaking in the United States government, people mostly focus on the presidential elections. Every four years, citizens get to vote between two nominees. Election time can seem hectic, but it is vital to use your personal freedom to choose the next president. The president acts as the face of the United States but their role has less to do with lawmaking and more diplomacy. As mentioned above, citizens have the freedom to vote for the members of congress, but voter turnout is lower during the midterm elections because people do not realize the importance that voting for your preferred representative has on the future state of society and government.

The Constitutional Outline for Legislative Elections

While both chambers of Congress are elected by the citizens, the constitution differentiates how long elected members serve. Senators serve for six years while representatives serve only for two. However, this was not always the case: “Congress’s mandate to write the nation’s laws is found in Article I of the Constitution however Congress’s representational functions are not specified in the Constitution, although these duties flow from the constitutional provisions for electing Congressmen” (Davidson, et al.). In 1913, the 17th Amendment was added to that Constitution that provided a specific method for electing Senators which is a direct popular vote for a 6-year term.

In the Federalist Papers, which were written as a tool of persuasion for the ratification of the original Constitution of the United States, describe the original purpose of each chamber. Federalist 52 explains that two-year terms allow for the house to be more closely tied to the people of the nation which would cause house members to pay more attention to what their constituents want. The sets of interest are described as narrow because of the various districts in each state. Federalist

Federalist 62 explains the change that the 17th amendment added. Senators were originally supposed to be appointed by state legislators as they represent the interests of their own state. They hoped that appointing Senators through state legislators would insulate them from popular pressures since their terms are six years instead of two like in the House. The Senate allows protection of the smaller states by having equal representation, unlike the House where it is proportional to population.

The Constitution of the United States outlines the guidelines for how the Legislative branch works, however, there have been changes since the original Constitution was written and ratified. As we take a closer look into politics and election season, it is important to understand the frameworks behind one of the most important government documents.

The Midterm Elections

The big question regarding the importance of midterm elections comes down to the simple idea that voting for the candidate you believe will satisfy your needs as a constituent is one of the most important freedoms given to us as United States Citizens. Voting for these Members of Congress has a huge impact on the direction of the country just like the presidential election. The U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Brazil explain using a direct quote from Gary Nordlinger that “whoever controls the House, or the Senate controls the agenda”. Essentially, this means that the majority party gets to determine many aspects of Congress such as who leads the congressional committees. For a president to accomplish their own political agenda, they must have the support of Congress as well.

Considering the current political climate of the United States, the increase in polarization has made gridlock a bigger problem. A divided government makes legislating difficult and compromise harder. By voting, citizens get to decide which candidates they want to see representing them and therefore the midterm election is so important. Not only are congressional seats up, but so are governors’ races and other political seats. While these other races do not get national attention like the races for the federal government, Nordlinger also mentions that a majority of legislation is passed at the state level.

How Can You Help

1. Volunteer: Whether you associate with Republicans, Democrats, or any other party, volunteering with nominees of your choice is the best way to help. Not only do you get to help the potential member of congress that is running, but you also get to learn more about the election process and the best strategies to persuade voters. If you prefer to associate with non-partisan groups, joining new voter projects in your school is also a great way to step into the world of elections.

2. Vote: If you are 18+, voting is a right you are given. It is so important to understand that voting, even if it seems insignificant, can change the outcome of an election. Voting gives the citizens of the United States the power to choose which is what the government was founded on. The ability to choose your representatives allows you to choose the candidate you feel will best represent you and their constituents. Researching goes a long way so make sure to learn what policies, ideas, and opinions the representatives running in your state or district have.

Works Cited

Davidson, Roger H., et al. “Chapter 1: The Two Congresses.” Congress and Its Members, CQ Press, an Imprint of SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA, 2020.

Madison, James. “Founders Online: The Federalist No. 52, [8 February 1788].” National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives and Records Administration, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-04-02-0200.

Madison, James. “Founders Online: The Federalist No. 62, [27 February 1788].” National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives and Records Administration, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-04-02-0212.

Brazil, U.S. Mission. “What Are Midterm Elections, and Why Are They Important?” U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Brazil, 16 Oct. 2018, https://br.usembassy.gov/what-are-midterm-elections-and-why-are-they-important/.