With the general election quickly approaching on November 3, it's important to understand where to focus our efforts. If we want to save our democracy and create a progressive America, not only will we need to remove Donald Trump from office, but we'll also need to keep the House of Representatives blue and flip the Senate blue. The former currently holds the most diverse class of representatives our country has seen in the legislative body's 230-year history. The latter, led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, is preventing us from passing bi-partisan laws, like H.R.8 requiring universal background checks, that will save American lives.
With the help of Swing Left—a national grassroots organization founded after the 2016 election—we can make a difference by paying attention to the 12 Super States, a.k.a. the swing states, that are comprised of mixed populations (urban, suburban, rural, etc.) and tend to flip between red and blue each election cycle. This includes Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.
"Swing states are the most critical states in the upcoming election. They're essentially the tipping point of who's going to win the electoral college, then win the presidency," explains Swing Left National Field Director Marisa Kanof. "You look at the 50 states and you have the 15 to 20 that Democrats are going to win and the 15 to 20 that Republicans are going to win. These states in the middle...you win enough of them and you win the presidency."
With the increase in voting by mail this election season, we likely won't know the results of the election on November 4, which is why record voter turnout is key. (You can register to vote here.) The first step, though, is being aware of the states that will determine the fate of our country, then (virtually) engaging with voters, volunteering, and fundraising for campaigns in these areas. Here, Marie Claire and Swing Left outline the swing states that we should be targeting in November and beyond with specific goals for each of them.
Arizona
Goals:
1) Flip the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Martha McSally. She's running against Captain Mark Kelly, who's the husband of former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords.
2) Win the state’s 11 Electoral College votes
3) Break unified Republican control of the state government by flipping one or both state legislative chambers
Colorado
Goals:
1) Flip the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Cory Gardner. He's running against former governor John Hickenlooper.
2) Win the state’s nine Electoral College votes
Florida
Goals:
1) Win the state’s 29 Electoral College votes
2) Break unified Republican control of the state government by flipping the Florida State House
Georgia
Goals:
1) Flip both U.S. Senate seats up for election
2) Compete for the state’s 16 Electoral College votes
3) Break unified Republican control of the state government by flipping the Georgia State House
Iowa
Goals:
1) Flip the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Joni Ernst. She's running against Theresa Greenfield.
2) Compete for the state’s six Electoral College votes
3) Break unified GOP control of the state government by flipping the Iowa State House
Maine
Goals:
1) Flip the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Susan Collins. She's running against Sara Gideon.
2) Win the state’s four Electoral College votes
Michigan
Goals:
1) Win the state’s 16 Electoral College votes
2) Flip control of the Republican-led Michigan State House
North Carolina
Goals:
1) Flip the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Thom Tillis. He's running against Cal Cunningham.
2) Win the state’s 15 Electoral College votes
3) Break Republican control of the state legislature by flipping one or both chambers
Ohio
Goals:
1) Compete for the state’s 18 Electoral College votes
2) Curb Republican control of the state government by breaking the GOP’s legislative supermajority in the Ohio State House
Pennsylvania
Goals:
1) Win the state’s 20 Electoral College votes
2) Break Republican control of the state legislature by flipping one or both chambers
Texas
Goals:
1) Flip the U.S. Senate seat currently held by John Cornyn. He's running against MJ Hegar.
2) Compete for the state’s 38 Electoral College votes
3) Break unified GOP control of the state government by flipping the Texas State House
Wisconsin
Goals:
1) Win the state’s 10 Electoral College votes
2) Protect Democratic Governor Tony Evers’ veto power by preventing GOP supermajorities in the Wisconsin State Senate and State Assembly
3) Lay the groundwork to flip the state legislature in 2022
If you want to help make a difference, whether you live in a swing state or not, find out how to volunteer for Swing Left and invest in a progressive future here.
RELATED STORY
Rachel Epstein is an editor at Marie Claire, where she writes and edits culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. She also manages the site’s virtual book club, #ReadWithMC. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game, finding a new coffee shop, or analyzing your cousin's birth chart—in no particular order.
-
The Queen Will Spend Her Reign's 70th Anniversary at a Sandringham Cottage for This Heartbreaking Reason
It’s a tribute to both her late father and her late husband.
-
Prince William Is No Longer “Reluctant” to Become King, Says Expert
The idea of taking the throne used to weigh on him, but he’s “accepted” his role now.
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding Day Chemistry Gave “Goosebumps” to a Reporter Covering It
"It's really clear they were deeply in love with each other."
-
Cory Booker and Rosario Dawson's Relationship Is No More
After three years of dating, the power couple have decided they're better off as friends.
-
Education for Women and Girls Is Crucial for Climate Justice
In an excerpt from her new book, 'A Bigger Picture,' Ugandan climate activist Vanessa Nakate discusses the impact educated African women and girls can have on solving the climate crisis.
-
It’s Time to End Equal Pay Days and Pass the Equal Rights Amendment
The passage of the ERA is a chance for our country to prove it truly values women.
-
In Conversation: Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Emily Tisch Sussman
“It’s ridiculous that we’re the only advanced nation on the planet that doesn’t help families with childcare.”
-
EMILY's List President Laphonza Butler Has Big Plans for the Organization
Under Butler's leadership, the largest resource for women in politics aims to expand Black political power and become more accessible for candidates across the nation.
-
Anita Hill Believes We Can End Gender Violence
Three decades after her landmark testimony in the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings, the esteemed professor and lawyer has a message for leaders: The time is now to prioritize anti-gender violence policies.
-
For Teachers, Going to Work Can Mean Life or Death
Stefanie Minguell, a COVID survivor and second grade teacher in Florida's Broward County, almost died of COVID-19 and is immunocomprised. When she teaches in the classroom, she’s forced to choose between her health and her students.
-
Periods Don’t Stop for Pandemics—And Neither Have Our Nation’s Moms
Policies touted in the $3.5 trillion budget plan and other Congressional bills are missing a core component of maternal well-being: menstrual access and health.
