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Nov. 6, 2023, 12:31 p.m.

What students should know about off-year Election 2023

FILE PHOTO: Voters line up to cast their ballots for the U.S. Senate runoff election in Columbus
FILE PHOTO: Signs direct voters to a polling location during early voting in the runoff U.S. Senate election between Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock and his Republican challenger Herschel Walker, in Columbus, Georgia, U.S. November 28, 2022. REUTERS/Cheney Orr/File Photo

This year, election day is November 7, 2023. While elections will take place for local and some state-wide offices and include ballot initiatives, this year is what is called an off-year election, or year with no national-level elections. Still there's quite a few key votes happening across the country this year. Read more for some details on local and state elections with important national implications.

Key facts:

  1. In an off-year election, there may not be any national (general) or midterm elections, but there's plenty of important local and state races!
  2. Ballot initiatives and referendums are also on the ballots in many states:
Ohio to vote on abortion rights as 2024 looms
Peter Range, the executive director of Ohio Right to Life, speaks to members of the Clark County Republican Party about the state's upcoming referendum on abortion rights, in Springfield, Ohio, U.S., October 26, 2023. REUTERS/Joseph Ax
  1. Choose one of these articles to read so you can find out what's going in state races across the country. Ask students:
  • Do the issues and themes resonate with what you are seeing in their state? Were you surprised at the ballot initiatives? Why or why not?
  • Why do you think voter turnout is lower in off-year elections?
  • Do you think we need to make it easier for people to vote? Mail-in voting or early voting? Explain.

Screenshot: PBS NewsHour

Screenshot: PBS NewsHour

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