Most US House Races Aren’t Competitive. What Does that Mean for How Lawmakers Govern?
Cook Political Report ratings show just 21 House toss-ups, leaving most districts safely in one party's column and limiting voter influence.
- On Oct. 22, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, led by Amy Walter, found fewer than 5% of House races are truly competitive, with 414 of 435 districts rated as leaning or solid for one party.
- Gerrymandering and voter tendency to prioritize party over specific policy proposals have led to more extreme ideological positions in the House, according to Zachary Peskowitz, an Emory University professor.
- Sean M. Theriault, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, says the small number of swing districts allows a few lawmakers to hold their party hostage, hindering deal-making and voter accountability.
- Voter turnout suppresses significantly when races are essentially guaranteed wins, according to Jonathan Hanson, a lecturer at the University of Michigan, as residents feel their vote does not matter.
- Kyle Kondik, managing editor at the University of Virginia's Sabato's Crystal Ball, expects Democrats to see prospects similar to the 2018 midterms, noting lower turnout likely stems from the president not being on the ballot.
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14 Articles
Most US House races aren’t competitive. What does that mean for how lawmakers govern? • West Virginia Watch
WASHINGTON — Fewer than 5% of U.S. House races are seen by a top political analysis as truly competitive heading into November’s midterm elections, giving relatively few voters the ability to determine which party controls the chamber for the next two years.
More than 95% of US House races aren’t competitive. It pushes lawmakers toward ideological edges.
WASHINGTON — Fewer than 5% of U.S. House races are seen by a top political analysis as truly competitive heading into November’s midterm elections, giving relatively few voters the ability to determine which party controls the chamber for the next two years. The other 414 of 435 House districts are viewed by the nonpartisan Cook […]
Louisiana Illuminator
Most US House races aren’t competitive. What does that mean for how lawmakers govern?
Fewer than 5% of U.S. House races are seen by a top political analysis as truly competitive heading into November’s midterm elections, giving relatively few voters the ability to determine which party controls the chamber for the next two years.
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