People from all around the country filed into polling places on Tuesday, November 6th to cast their vote. While the Democrats looked to take power in both parts of congress, the Republicans wanted to keep their control of the House and the Senate.  Both parties ended up partially completing their goal.  The Democratic party rallied and took power in the House of Representatives.  All 435 seats were up for election on Tuesday.  Taking 193 seats, the Republican party lost control to the Democratic party, who took 219 seats.  There are still 23 seats that have not been filled.  The Senate had a different outcome that resulted in the Republicans keeping control.  In the Senate, 35 seats were open for re-election, including 26 Democratic seats.   Now with each party being in charge of a part of congress, the legislative branch has become deadlocked.  Laws and bills will now be harder to pass as the votes might be split.

Just as the citizens of the United States casted their ballot on Tuesday, the students of Cannon Falls participated in a mock election.  Millenials make up for a decent portion of the eligible voters in the country and it is very important that the young people vote.  Braxton Ulrich, a junior who was able to cast a ballot in the school’s mock election explained, “Kids in school are going to be the future and it is important that they understand that their vote matters.”  It is significant that the schools do these mock elections as they can try to convince teens to vote.  “It’s good for kids to understand how the voting process works,” explains Graham Pearson, a senior who was able to vote for the first time in the 2018 midterm election.  The students had the chance to vote for Mayor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor, U.S House and Senate seats, and local positions such as city council and school board.    As the students voted mostly for the Republican Party, their votes did not match the actual results.  The state of Minnesota ended up electing several of Democratic candidates.  Winning the race for Minnesota’s Governor was Democrat Tim Walz.  The Attorney General position was won by Keith Ellison.  Angie Craig was able to beat out Republican Jason Lewis for a seat in the house.  Amy Klobuchar was re-elected to the senate.  For the local Goodhue County Sheriff, Marty Kelly received 55% of the votes to be elected over Paul Gielau.

Minnesota has always been a very prominent state when it comes to voting.  The voting turnout rate was nearly 64%, the highest it has been for a midterm election since 2002.  Minnesota has always had a high voter turnout rate compared to other states due to the relaxed voter restrictions.  Minnesota has offered same-day voter registration since 1974 and is one of the reasons why voter turnout is so high.  “I was able to register on the spot at the polling place and I only needed my driver’s license which made it really easy to vote.  It is part of my civil duty that I get to vote and it was really cool that I got to make a say in our government,” said Pearson.  A lot of states do not offer same-day registration which makes it harder for people to go vote.  The voter access in the state is also a reason why so many people vote.  Polling places are very accessible to everyone around the state.  The campaigns of the candidates are very effective in mobilizing their supporters to get to the polls.  Minnesota has been at the top of the country when it comes to voter turnout, and the state looks to continue in keeping the citizens interested in voting.