Far Too Many House Seats Have Been Uncontested for Too Long
Sarah Rosier of Ballotpedia.com can’t remember a more active midterm election than today’s. Her organization, which calls itself the “digital encyclopedia of American politics,” has been compiling election data since 2007 and has never seen more interest.
“It’s the most excitement we’ve had,” says Rosier. “In terms of page visitors, views, this is the highest.”
And why not? The first midterm contest after Donald Trump’s election is packed with more drama than we usually see in a congressional election. Ballotpedia rates 80 House races today as battleground, with 71 of those involving Republican incumbents. A big swing is not only possible but highly likely.
In tonight’s TV coverage, the heightened competition will be played up. CNN’s John King will probably develop carpal tunnel syndrome after another marathon night grappling with his famed “magic wall.”
King’s network will have wall-to-wall coverage as we await results on key questions: Will the Democrats retake the House in a “blue wave”? Will Stacey Abrams become the first African American woman governor? Will Beto dispatch Ted Cruz?
Eighty House battleground races is an unusually high number, for a variety of reasons. Some 56 incumbents chose not to run for re-election this year, compared to 40 in 2016, and those 16 extra “open seats” – races not involving an incumbent – significantly add to the volatility.
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/uncontested-house-seats-history-752658/
