Although Democrats have been celebrating their massive election wins, which included taking control of both chambers of Congress, a number of crucial contests were still too close to be called on Thursday.
In two shockingly close Senate contests in typically conservative states, Alaska and Mississippi, votes are still being tallied. These contests might determine the actual size of the Democratic majority.
Lauren Boebert, a well-known supporter of President Donald Trump, is up against Democratic opponent Eileen Laubacher in a close reelection campaign in Colorado, one of several US House contests that are too close to call.
These are the races that Americans are keeping a close eye on.
1. US Senate race in Mississippi
Who and what are on the ballot? With Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith trailing Democrat Scott Colom by just over 1,100 votes, the contest for Mississippi’s Senate seat is still extremely tight. Provisional and late-arriving postal ballots must be counted by the state by November 10th.
While Hyde-Smith, the woman to represent Mississippi in the US Congress, had Trump’s endorsement and ran alongside him, Colom concentrated his message on measures to address economic issues on the campaign trail.
Why it matters: Should Colom win, he would be the first Democrat elected in Mississippi since 1982 and the first Black US senator since 1875.
2. US Senate race in Alaska
What and who are on the ballot: Democrat Mary Peltola is leading Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan by just over 600 votes, and there are still more votes to be counted in an incredibly close contest that is being closely followed around the country.
Former congresswoman and Native American Peltola ran on a platform of “fish, family, and freedom,” while two-term Republican Senator Sullivan emphasized his work to “unleash Alaska’s energy potential” and get tax cuts for Americans.
Why it matters: The inclusion of another contender, Dan Sullivan, on the ballot has caused debate in the contest.
What and who are on the ballot: With 7% of the votes yet to be tallied, Trump ally Lauren Boebert is trailing Democrat Eileen Laubacher by a slim margin in Colorado’s Fourth District. Representative Scott DesJarlais is lagging Democrat Victoria Broderick in Tennessee’s consistently Republican Fourth District. Eli Crane is the Republican incumbent in Arizona’s Second District.
Why it matters: If Boebert, DesJarlais, and other Republicans lose the House elections in Nevada and Ohio, Democrats would have an even greater majority in the chamber and a stronger opposition to Trump and his Make America Great Again campaign.
4. California billionaire wealth tax
What and who is on the ballot: California Proposition 40 would raise tens of billions of dollars by imposing a one-time 5% tax on the net wealth of the state’s 200 billionaires. Even though just 61% of the ballots had been tabulated as of Wednesday, a million more individuals had voted against the bill than in favor.
Why it matters: Supporters claim that the proposal, which would be the first wealth tax on billionaires in US history, would raise $100 billion for education and health care. However, Governor Gavin Newsom opposed the proposal, which caused division among Democrats.
5. Kansas governor race
Who and what are on the ballot? Republican Ty Masterson is behind Democrat Cindy Holscher by a few thousand votes for the position of governor of Kansas.
While Masterson highlighted his pro-business, pro-agriculture, and pro-oil and gas credentials, Holscher ran on a platform of rising prices.
