As is always the case, who actually turns out to vote will be a major factor in many tight races in this year's midterm elections.

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Countdown to midterms

In the final days before Nov. 8, Democrats and Republicans are pushing their key campaign messages ([link removed]) on the trail and have spent more than $1 billion on ads ([link removed]) .

Why? The 2022 midterm elections will determine which political party will control Congress for the last two years of President Joe Biden’s term, and voters are going to the polls with issues like the economy, abortion, crime and nothing short of the fate of democracy on their minds.

For his part, Biden hit the road to renew his urgent warning that democracy is in danger from the baseless claims about a stolen election, fueled by former President Donald Trump. Those falsehoods “fueled the dangerous rise of political violence and voter intimidation over the past two years,” Biden said in a speech this week. ([link removed])

As is always the case, who actually turns out to vote ([link removed]) will be a major factor ([link removed]) in many tight races ([link removed]) this year.

This newsletter was compiled by Joshua Barajas ([link removed]) .
HOW TO WATCH THE NEWSHOUR’S SPECIAL MIDTERMS COVERAGE
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Watch the NewsHour’s special coverage of the 2022 midterms in the player above.

Live, special coverage of the 2022 midterms will begin at 8 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Managing editor Judy Woodruff ([link removed]) will anchor our Election Day coverage and will be joined by a panel of analysts and campaign strategists who will provide takeaways into the night. Check your local listings to find the PBS station near you, or watch online here ([link removed]) or in the player above.

NewsHour correspondents will provide additional reporting from Washington, Pennsylvania ([link removed]) and Arizona ([link removed]) , while PBS station reporters will offer insights from across the country.

Digital anchor Nicole Ellis will host a pre-show in the hours ahead of our special coverage, starting at 3:30 p.m. EST.

You can also follow the NewsHour’s live coverage on YouTube ([link removed]) , Twitter ([link removed]) , Facebook ([link removed]) , and TikTok ([link removed]) , and see highlights on our Instagram ([link removed]) .

More on the races that could determine the balance of power in Congress:
* All 435 House seats up for grabs. To take over the House, Republicans need to gain just a net total of five seats. Here are some key races to watch ([link removed]) .
* Meanwhile, 35 Senate seats are up for election. Both parties are vying for control over a chamber that’s currently evenly divided. Here are the races we’re watching closely ([link removed]) .
* The control of dozens of governor’s seats are also on the ballot this year. Both parties are hoping to flip ([link removed]) some of the 36 states that have gubernatorial matchups.
* Oklahoma’s governor’s race is one to watch. The state’s largest tribes made a historic endorsement ([link removed]) for the incumbent governor’s Democratic challenger in a closer-than-expected race.
* A record number of Black candidates are running on GOP tickets this election cycle. Here’s why that matters ([link removed]) .

WHAT MATTERS MOST TO MIDTERM VOTERS

With days to go before the midterms, registered voters overall say inflation is the No. 1 priority ([link removed]) , according to the latest poll from the NewsHour, NPR and Marist.
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Image by Megan McGrew/PBS NewsHour

Democratic and Republican voters are not aligned on what matters most. Fifty-four percent of Republicans see inflation as the top issue, as do 40 percent of independents. Meanwhile, 42 percent of Democrats say preserving democracy is their biggest voting issue. Abortion mattered most to 14 percent of Americans, including 22 percent of Democrats.

While a lot of attention has been on contests at the top of the ballot, there’s also a lot more at stake in the midterms ([link removed]) :
* Abortion is on the ballot in several states. We take a look at how abortion is being debated at the state level ([link removed]) . In Louisiana, Democrats have seized on the issue ([link removed]) to motivate voters.
* Climate change is a crisis of increasing urgency in Missouri as the state’s voters head to the polls. After a year of extreme floods and severe drought, what is Missouri doing about climate change ([link removed]) ?
* Medicaid expansion is on the ballot ([link removed]) in South Dakota. Here’s what the pregnant and uninsured face ([link removed]) in South Dakota.
* What’s keeping young voters engaged ahead of midterms? Voters under the age of 30 are projected to keep up or break records on turnout ([link removed]) this year.
* Candidates make their last pitches to Latino voters in Nevada. Concerns over inflation and cost of living have made Democratic incumbents vulnerable ([link removed]) .
* 55,000 people with prior felony convictions can now vote in North Carolina. Here’s what that means for the midterms ([link removed]) .
* A tight race for an open Senate seat in North Carolina has also largely stayed under the radar ([link removed]) . We also look at close races in Pennsylvania ([link removed]) and Ohio ([link removed]) .

WHO RUNS ELECTIONS IN YOUR STATE? USE OUR MAP
By Jenna Cohen, @JennaRCohen ([link removed])
Roy W. Howard Fellow

Every state needs a chief elections officer – or CEO – who runs elections.

The responsibilities of this official (or sometimes a group of officials) vary depending on the state, but they are often charged with maintaining a voter registration database, approving voting equipment and certifying election results.
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In the majority of states, the CEO is the secretary of state ([link removed]) (SoS), but sometimes it’s the lieutenant governor or chair of an appointed elections board. The way a person becomes CEO – be it an election or appointment – also varies.

Do you know who conducts elections in your state? We made a map ([link removed]) to help you find that info.

We also discuss why knowing your SoS can help you better understand your state’s election procedures ([link removed]) so that you may become a more informed voter.

More on voting and election security from our coverage:
* A quick and necessary reminder: It’s normal not to know the official results on election night. The Associated Press explains why. ([link removed])
* State laws have different approaches to counting ballots. We look at the role mail-in voting could play ([link removed]) in the midterms.
* Americans should have confidence in the election process, this expert says. Here’s why. ([link removed])
* Lingering lies about the 2020 election are posting new risks of political violence and voter intimidation. We discuss how local officials can protect their residents ([link removed]) .
* Two Michigan cities are providing ballots in Arabic for the first time ([link removed]) in the state’s history.

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Want more news and analysis in your inbox?
Explore all of the PBS NewsHour's newsletters ([link removed]) .
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