Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

More from The 2018 midterm elections could change American politics

Politics
There’s no evidence of voter fraud in Florida. Trump is claiming it’s happening anyway.There’s no evidence of voter fraud in Florida. Trump is claiming it’s happening anyway.
Politics

Trump’s comments expose Republican “voter fraud” claims for what they really are.

By German Lopez
Politics
Black women turned electoral power into political power in 2018Black women turned electoral power into political power in 2018
Politics

For the first time in US history, more than 20 black women will serve in Congress.

By P.R. Lockhart
Politics
Why Nancy Pelosi is still confident she’ll become House speakerWhy Nancy Pelosi is still confident she’ll become House speaker
Politics

The anti-Pelosi movement is getting organized, but there isn’t a clear alternative to her yet.

By Ella Nilsen
Politics
The betrayal of white women voters: in pivotal state races, they still backed the GOPThe betrayal of white women voters: in pivotal state races, they still backed the GOP
Politics

The myth of women voters as a cohesive progressive voting bloc.

By Treva B. Lindsey
Politics
The Senate is a huge problem for DemocratsThe Senate is a huge problem for Democrats
Politics

And it’s not going to get better soon.

By Dylan Matthews
Climate
Governors could drive the next wave of climate change actionGovernors could drive the next wave of climate change action
Climate

With Congress divided, newly elected Democrat governors are poised to charge ahead with clean energy.

By Umair Irfan
Politics
6 years ago her son was murdered. Now Lucy McBath is heading to Congress.6 years ago her son was murdered. Now Lucy McBath is heading to Congress.
Politics

The gun control advocate and “Mother of the Movement” unseats Republican Karen Handel in Georgia’s Sixth District.

By P.R. Lockhart
Politics
The GOP can’t rely on white evangelicals foreverThe GOP can’t rely on white evangelicals forever
Politics

White evangelicals are still Trump’s base. But they’re in decline.

By Tara Isabella Burton
Politics
Medicaid’s stunning victoryMedicaid’s stunning victory
Politics

Half a million Americans could gain coverage as a result of Tuesday’s votes.

By Sarah Kliff
Politics
With Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court, West Virginia and Alabama are ready to ban abortionWith Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court, West Virginia and Alabama are ready to ban abortion
Politics

On Tuesday, they joined four other states whose “trigger bans” take effect if Roe v. Wade falls.

By Anna North
Midterm Elections 2018
Would ex-felon voting rights have flipped Florida for Democrats? It’s possible.Would ex-felon voting rights have flipped Florida for Democrats? It’s possible.
Midterm Elections 2018

Amendment 4 restored voting rights for people with felony records. That could have flipped the state.

By German Lopez
Politics
With Democrats in control of the House, Nancy Pelosi is “confident” she’ll be the next speakerWith Democrats in control of the House, Nancy Pelosi is “confident” she’ll be the next speaker
Politics

With a successful election behind her, Pelosi is about to make her case to lead House Democrats.

By Ella Nilsen
Politics
Progressive Democrats in competitive House districts had a bad nightProgressive Democrats in competitive House districts had a bad night
Politics

Progressive energy helped moderate Democrats win on election night. But progressive candidates weren’t so lucky.

By Ella Nilsen
Politics
Muslim women, Native Americans, and LGBTQ candidates had a night of historic winsMuslim women, Native Americans, and LGBTQ candidates had a night of historic wins
Politics

Voters in the 2018 midterms chose to elect candidates who look, worship, and love like them.

By Caroline Houck
Gun Violence
The 2018 midterm elections may have exposed a shift on gun controlThe 2018 midterm elections may have exposed a shift on gun control
Gun Violence

Gun control advocates didn’t get every win they wanted, but there were some big victories.

By German Lopez
Video
What happens when women win electionsWhat happens when women win elections
Play
Video

The 2018 midterms were huge for women candidates. Here’s how they could change policy.

By Danush Parvaneh
Politics
Voters just gave nearly 1 million workers a raise in 2 red statesVoters just gave nearly 1 million workers a raise in 2 red states
Politics

Ballot measures to raise the minimum wage had widespread support in Arkansas and Missouri.

By Alexia Fernández Campbell
Politics
Scandal-plagued Republican Duncan Hunter wins with an Islamophobic campaignScandal-plagued Republican Duncan Hunter wins with an Islamophobic campaign
Politics

Hunter is under federal indictment on charges of campaign fraud.

By Tara Golshan
Politics
Marijuana legalization had a pretty good election nightMarijuana legalization had a pretty good election night
Politics

Full legalization won in Michigan, and medical legalization won in Missouri and Utah.

By German Lopez
Politics
Watch Trump shout down a black reporter asking him about racismWatch Trump shout down a black reporter asking him about racism
Politics

“That’s a racist question,” Trump said to PBS’s Yamiche Alcindor.

By Zack Beauchamp
Politics
Kentucky clerk Kim Davis denied same-sex couples marriage licenses. She just lost reelection.Kentucky clerk Kim Davis denied same-sex couples marriage licenses. She just lost reelection.
Politics

Davis gained national notoriety for refusing to give marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

By German Lopez
Future Perfect
California and Florida both pass animal welfare laws by a landslideCalifornia and Florida both pass animal welfare laws by a landslide
Future Perfect

Voters chose to require more space for farmed animals and to end commercial greyhound racing.

By Kelsey Piper
Midterm Elections 2018
Missouri voters just hiked the minimum wage by 53 percentMissouri voters just hiked the minimum wage by 53 percent
Midterm Elections 2018

More than 600,000 low-wage workers will get a raise.

By Alexia Fernández Campbell
Politics
Debbie Stabenow reelected to the SenateDebbie Stabenow reelected to the Senate
Politics

The blue wave crashes hard in Michigan.

By Matthew Yglesias
Politics
New Mexico elects Michelle Lujan Grisham as first Democratic Latina governor in the USNew Mexico elects Michelle Lujan Grisham as first Democratic Latina governor in the US
Politics

Education, not immigration, was the top issue for voters in this border state.

By Alexia Fernández Campbell