Impacts of Midterm Election 2018
The 2018 midterm elections had record high turnout with 113 million people voting, which equates to 49% of eligible voters participating. This level has not been seen since 1966. In comparison, there was record low turnout in 2014 with only 36.4% of eligible voters participating.
According to exit polling, the most important issues for voters were: healthcare (especially coverage of preexisting conditions) at 41%; immigration at 23% (of those 48% saying current policies are too tough, 16% saying they are not tough enough, and 32% saying they are just right); and the economy (normally 1st) at 21%. Also, 56% of voters said the country is on the wrong track while 41% said it is heading in the right direction.
Not surprisingly, this divided voter turnout resulted in a divided Congress, with the Republicans increasing their hold on the Senate and the Democrats regaining control of the House. With no clear mandate for either party, Congress may focus on issues important to both sides such as healthcare (especially controlling drug prices and covering preexisting conditions), infrastructure, and tax reform focused on the middle class.
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In contrast, state legislatures can be expected to take more action since there is now stronger party control in 49 states (all except Minnesota) for the first time in 104 years. While there was a slight shift in the partisan balance of state legislative chambers, Republicans still control the legislature in 30 states. This will result in different priorities in different states.
In addition to various tax measures that were passed, voters spoke their minds with state ballot measures impacting the workplace, including:
- Transgender anti-discrimination law was passed in Massachusetts.
- Minimum wage was increased in Arkansas (from $8.50 to $11 by 2021) and Missouri (from $7.85 to $12 by 2023). (They join Arizona, Colorado, and Maine which voted to increase the minimum wage earlier this year.)
- Recreational marijuana was legalized in Michigan.
- Medical marijuana was legalized in Utah and Missouri (but was defeated in North Dakota).
In an issue related to immigration, Oregon defeated an amendment that would have repealed its status as a sanctuary state, keeping in place limits to local law enforcement cooperating with federal immigration enforcement.
The impacts of this midterm election will be felt on many levels. With a divided Congress and strengthened state legislatures, we encourage businesses to keep their ears open on emerging federal, state, and local labor regulations and laws such as stronger harassment laws, mandatory e-verify, predictable scheduling, ban-the-box, and drug testing guidelines where marijuana is legal. For questions, contact Affinity HR Group at 877-660-6400 or contact@affinityhrgroup.com.
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Chief Operating Officer |
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Managing Partner | Affineco
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The Monday HR Minute, brought to you by Affinity HR Group, is designed to provide you with practical, applicable human resources and management advice and information in a format that will take you 60 seconds or less to read. We believe that by dedicating just one minute a week to thinking about people management practices, business owners and managers can make enormous strides in improving workplace performance. |
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Affinity HR Group is a full service human resources consulting firm that specializes in advising small and medium-sized enterprises. Our services include recruiting and selection, HR policies and compliance, ad hoc HR support, compensation and performance management, and training and development. We are an endorsed HR partner of a number of leading national trade associations and offer free initial consultations and discounted services to their member companies.
Email us at contact@affinityhrgroup.com or call 877-660-6400.
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