OOIDA members can’t afford to skip the election

Midterm elections are on the horizon, meaning a significant portion of U.S. senators and every member of the U.S. House of Representatives are facing voters this November.

Voter turnout in midterms is notoriously lower than in presidential years, but, now more than ever, every vote counts. It’s a cliché that is so often repeated, I cringe saying it myself, but the reality is the 2022 midterm election is going to be one of the closest in recent memory, with critical races being determined by the narrowest of margins. Let me explain why this year, unlike any in recent memory, it is absolutely critical every OOIDA member casts a vote.

Control of the Senate, which is currently split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, will be determined by a handful of competitive races in states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada and Arizona. No one is certain which party will prevail on Nov. 8, but neither is expected to emerge from the midterms with more than a whisper of a majority. And no one is ruling out the continuance of today’s 50-50 split, which would ultimately keep Democrats in power thanks to the vice president.

A red wave that would sweep House Republicans back into power seemed inevitable only a few months ago, but recent polling and some surprising special election results have turned things on its head in the lower chamber.

Republicans, who until recently expected to waltz into the majority, aren’t hitting the panic button just yet, but a red wave is seeming less probable by the day. It would still be a historical surprise if Democrats were able to maintain power, but political trends have undoubtedly tempered Republican expectations in the House and convinced Democrats there is still a remote possibility they can pull off an Election Day stunner.

While so much attention is understandably focused on the big picture of which party will control the Senate and House, we often forget that these outcomes are determined on a much more local level. Thousands, hundreds or even dozens of votes could sweep the Republicans into power or preserve the Democrats’ majority in one or both chambers.

I know what you’re thinking – “But I’m just one voter. This doesn’t convince me MY vote makes a difference.”

The problem with this belief is you’re not the only OOIDA member thinking it. Not in your state. Not even in your congressional district. Maybe not even in your family.

It’s clear lots of races this fall will come down to the wire. And if thousands, hundreds or even dozens of OOIDA members aren’t voting simply because they don’t think their individual votes matter, our organization is missing an incredible opportunity to help shape the political landscape for the next two years.

Based on historic midterm trends, lots of registered voters won’t cast ballots this fall. Let them be from other organizations, other professions, and other industries. OOIDA members can’t afford to pass on elections anymore – even midterms. Not when they could help determine the outcome of many extremely close races across the country. And certainly not when those races will determine who controls the Senate and House for the foreseeable future. LL