Vote in November

 

Last month as state primaries were wrapping up in states, I shared  my first message about midterm elections and the importance of showing up to vote. If midterm elections are new to you and you’re curious about what’s happening in your community, read  my first post here. 

In this second part, I want to outline some of the more important races to keep an eye on. It is no secret that I built Love Bubby with equality at the forefront of our designs and messages.  We’ve always believed that  Black Lives Matter, Love is Love, Science is Real, Feminism is for Everyone, No Human is Illegal and Kindness is Everything.

That’s why we support candidates in important races that drive policy and change that we are fighting for, to make the world safer for our kids.

Where are the critical races?

The Senate is currently split in half, with Vice President Kamala Harris serving as a tiebreaker. In November, a third of the Senate is up for reelection, and 36 states will hold gubernatorial races (currently 27 Republican and 23 Democratic governors). 

And 2022 is big for the House of Representatives - all 435 seats in the House will  be contested. The results across all levels of government will play a significant role in deciding the balance of the US Congress. 

Depending on your state, select state races can also shift the priorities very quickly. Don’t stop at the federal level and dig into your state and local jurisdictions. Here’s a rundown of some of the states facing critical races in November.

Arizona

The drama from the 2020 election continues in this tie-breaking state. Always one for extra attention, Arizona is no stranger to making headlines during elections.

• Senate: this race is considered critical for determining which party controls the upper chamber. Current Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly has a slim lead over Blake Masters, and every vote will count in this election. 📘 We vote for Mark Kelly!

Florida

The state with Mickey Mouse and endless beaches has two key races that could set the stage for the 2024 presidential election. Voting blue in these states can truly tip the national agenda.

• Senate: Incumbent Republican Sen. Marco Rubio is up against  Val Demings and is considered one of the most competitive in November. Demings has an impressive background and is a wonderful replacement for Rubio. Remember: the last two presidential elections in Florida were both decided by less than four percentage points. 📘 We vote for Val Demings!
• Governor: Republican Governor Ron DeSantis is seeking re-election for a second term, and if he wins, there’s a strong chance he’ll run for the presidential ticket in two years. His opponent, Charlie Crist, has served as State Senator, Commissioner of Education, Attorney General, Governor, and Congressman. 📘 We vote for Charlie Crist!

Georgia

The campaign for the Congressional Senate seat is tight in the South. Like, Pennsylvania, Georgia will vote on Congressional Senate and House seats, and state governor. 

• Senate: Incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock faces Herschel Walker, a former football player, and another Trump-backed candidate. But the Republicans are relying on this race to take the Senate, and it’s up to us to vote blue in Georgia. 📘 We vote for Raphael Warnock!

Texas

Everything is bigger in Texas, and the midterm elections are no exception. Republican-led redistricting reduced the number of competitive races two years ago, making it more difficult for Democrats to win. Here are the two top races in the Lone Star State.

• Governor: current Texas Gov. Greg Abbott faces Democrat Beto O’Rourke, a former U.S. congressman and presidential candidate. Gov. Abbot’s anti-immigrant and racist rhetoric has made headlines since he took office. And his policy decisions - from the controversial “critical race theory” bill to signing into law one of the nation’s strictest abortion measures - has limited rights for more people. 📘 We vote for Beto O’Rourke!
• Texas House: two state districts - House District 37 and House District 118 - have a lot of attention. Republicans control 85 seats in the 150-member House, a 10-seat majority that can easily change. Both have a chance to flip to blue this year and Republicans are putting substantial resources behind their candidates. Changing the direction in a state that is already impacting our kids, women, and businesses can be historical. 📘 We vote for blue in the state!

Pennsylvania

The fifth most populous state in the nation, Pennsylvania is about to vote on Congressional Senate and House seats, and state governor. 

• Senate: Democratic candidate John Fetterman is facing Trump-backed TV doctor Mehmet Oz, and has done well so far. The current Lieutenant Governor and former mayor supports LGBTQIA+ rights, supports women’s reproductive freedom, and wants to protect education. 📘 We vote for John Fetterman!

Do you live in one of these states? How about another state that has an important race? Check out your candidates, learn about their agenda, and take action to vote, educate, and support your community to vote for the right candidate.

How can I prepare to vote?

First, register. And if you don’t know if you’re registered, check your status before it’s too late. Go to  vote.gov to begin the registration process. 

Second, get to know what’s happening in your community. Learn about the people running for state and local open offices, and any local initiatives that are important to your community. 

Finally, make a plan.  Remember Tuesday, November 8. Although federal law does not require employers to give you time off to vote, some state and local ordinances mandate time off. 

Really pay attention to the deadlines in your state. They tend to be sneaky about when, how, and where you can vote. And if your state redrew the political boundaries to reflect the 2020 Census population, make sure you know where to vote.

Find time to vote and make a plan to get there. If you’re out of town, have an important presentation, or can’t vote in person, click here to learn details by state on voting by mail.

How can I say it louder? 

Register to vote. Make a plan. Look good doing it. Share the message of democratic action with our  Vote collection. Between now and election day, say it with our tees, sweatshirts, and hoodies designed to make a statement.

It’s not just the stylish things you wear. Check out our  stickers, pins, and patches available for you to really shout it from every angle!

Because voting is a year-round sport. #midtermsmatter

Jaime, Founder & Designer @ Love Bubby 

LOVE BUBBY // ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2022