Election 2018 Open Thread - Part 1

[J. J.]

Does anyone else think that Mitt Romney's win in Utah was a little underwhelming? Barley getting 60% and losing two counties he won when he ran in 2012, plus maybe an outside shot of losing Salt Lake County.

Romney's win was very underwhelming. He did about 9% worse as compared to 2012, and as you have noted, lost two counties (and only narrowly won Salt Lake County). Why Romney underperformed to such an extent is beyond me. Some people on here actually thought he would get 80% of the vote!

He isn't exactly a long term Utah resident.

[J. J.]

McSally gained a tenth of a point.

[J. J.]

Apparently the GOP has filed a lawsuit in AZ?

McSally has actually gained a bit.  It went from a 0.9 to 1.0 for McSally, with Maricopa reporting.

[J. J.]

Apparently the GOP has filed a lawsuit in AZ?

McSally has actually gained a bit.  It went from a 0.9 to 1.0 for McSally, with Maricopa reporting.

Totally relevant with the question asked above.

A good reason notto file a lawsuit. 

[J. J.]

35+ seats in the house
At least a 7% popular vote victory
Net loss in senate of 2, maybe even 1 depending on Florida despite the worst possible map
7 governors mansions gained
This is a wave my friends

As soon as the words "net loss" appear, the "wave" argument becomes problematic. 

Normally, the party that doesn't control the presidency loses. This is within the normal range. It is not as strong as the shifts in 1994, 2010, both in terms gains and total numbers of seats.  The gain was a bit better than 2006, by one seat, but the total seats are much lower; in that one the winning party gained 6 Senate seats. 

[J. J.]

35+ seats in the house
At least a 7% popular vote victory
Net loss in senate of 2, maybe even 1 depending on Florida despite the worst possible map
7 governors mansions gained
This is a wave my friends

As soon as the words "net loss" appear, the "wave" argument becomes problematic. 

Normally, the party that doesn't control the presidency loses. This is within the normal range. It is not as strong as the shifts in 1994, 2010, both in terms gains and total numbers of seats.  The gain was a bit better than 2006, by one seat, but the total seats are much lower; in that one the winning party gained 6 Senate seats. 

I'm still of the view that it wasn't a blue wave, but something else altogether that doesn't have a pre-determined term.

What do you make of people claiming it was a red wave?

Likewise,if the term "net loss" is used in regard to the House, it isn't red wave either. 

[J. J.]

Scott and DeSantis supporters are blocking the entrance to Broward County SOE.

Brooks Brothers Riot 2

https://www.local10.com/news/elections/protesters-gather-outside-broward-board-of-elections-headquarters

Not blocking.  Protesting.

[J. J.]

95k more like what we saw tonight from Maricopa would single handedly erase the deficit in the SOS race without even factoring in the rest of the D heavy Pima votes. Which has huge consequences in limiting Ducey climbing to the Senate and also getting a D in control of elections in 2020

Maricopa has 226,000 ballots uncounted.